-1.avif)
Ehwaz simply means "horse." So this is the horse's rune, and the horse is an animal that very many of us have a relationship with. I was an avid rider in my younger days, but now I ride only for the exercise and far too rarely. One of my girlfriends cannot stand horses, but admits that they are fine animals. Some of my friends are horse lovers, and many of the older people I talk to out here in the countryside remember the days when the farm had a workhorse. My bonus grandfather had a powerful workhorse, Rauen, that he took out into the forest. Rauen was a working horse, and when Rauen and "the bonus" came home from the forest, it was Rauen who had to be tended first. There was much love between "the bonus" and Rauen. I darted about around Rauen, and the horse put up with me well. He never trod on me and never nipped at me. No, Rauen was patient. "The bonus" was never afraid that Rauen would do me any harm, but now and then he would grumble good-naturedly and say that now I had to let Rauen have a little peace to eat and rest.
The horse has been used for transport, work and hobby alike – and has, ever since it was tamed, surely held a central place in our lives.
The Ehwaz rune is sort of an M. It is the rune Lagu both upright and mirror-reversed. Some believe Ehwaz shows two horses standing muzzle to muzzle in a "nuzzling position," and it is precisely for this reason that Ehwaz has become our "love rune." Anyone who has been in a relationship knows that being in a relationship is like "getting to know the horse." You have to learn to know both a partner and a horse … and then the riding begins. The interplay and the balance. You have to find the rhythm on horseback, and you honestly have to find the rhythm in the relationship too. And then, of course, some like "bad boys" while others like "nice boys" – it is the same with horses: some like "fiery thoroughbreds" while others like "sturdy Dølehest workhorses." :-)
So, when this rune is drawn, it may be something to do with the relationship you are in. Do you need to work on it a little more? Will there be storm, or will there be sunshine?
If it is not the relationship, then it may be your pet. I have seen for many years now that Ehwaz includes all our pets, not just the horse.
Twice I have drawn Ehwaz without any relationship or pet being in the picture. One time the rune came together with Eihwaz. The next day the person I had cast the runes for was involved in a near-accident with a moose. Fortunately she only nudged the moose, so it ran on – and the damage to the car was minimal. The other time, the person I had cast for suddenly became a reserve mother for the neighbour's dog. The neighbour ended up in hospital, and my "client" took responsibility for the dog. So Ehwaz is probably the "pet" rune and the "love rune."
But I have also seen the rune come up in readings about business. Then it has often been a matter of a cooperation of a rather rewarding kind – or a cooperation where the parties have to work on the "rhythm."
I believe Ehwaz can help us reach a deeper connection with animals – both at home and out in nature. A few years ago I took over an understimulated and cowed chihuahua. I carried the Ehwaz rune with me all day – and Zita, as she was called, and I fairly quickly formed a strong bond. The same happened with another chihuahua. She was afraid of men and a little wary. I carried Ehwaz with me, and Fibi, as this chihuahua is called, quickly discovered that people were not so bad.
Wild animals, tame animals … you can never quite take the "wild beast" entirely out of our domestic animals. Zita loved to bury her bones in the sofa blankets. She never forgot the ancestors' necessity of hiding bones. A cat I had, Grete Andersen, brought gifts … dead and injured "prey," like mice and birds. I think she was trying to teach me to hunt. And then there was the tomcat Reidar Ruud … he kept serving me breakfast. Ugh. Well, the wild beast they had and have within them. It is probably much the same with us humans, isn't it? We are quite "tame," but then there is a little wild beast in us after all. Well, in some there is a lot of wild beast, almost up to monster, but that is another story. Now we shall move on to astrology and Tarot and that sort of thing …
Among planets I believe Neptune resonates well with Ehwaz. Quite simply because Neptune has this love aspect within it. Neptune at its best loves unconditionally, and so does Ehwaz. Neptune at its worst … well, read the comment sections on social media – then you quickly understand what Neptune at its worst is.
Among zodiac signs I now bring forward Pisces, for this sign has love within it when it is harmonious. Pisces embraces everyone, and that is what we all ought to do. It is not normal to be aggressive and want to ruin things for one another. Aggression and the urge to destroy are the destructive side of the sign of Pisces.
Among Tarot cards I will bring forward the Two of Cups – that card explains Ehwaz well.
Irene Resaland has brought forward these crystals:
Rhodochrosite is a beautiful pink stone often associated with the heart, love and inner joy. This crystal is said to open up for warm feelings, and can give the courage to show vulnerability and care, both for oneself and others. Rhodochrosite can help release old sorrows and make room for new, positive experiences. Rhodochrosite is often used as a reminder of how necessary and rewarding love truly is.
Agate is a crystal often associated with groundedness, calm and balance. This stone is said to strengthen security and stability in everyday life. Agate can be used to build inner strength and stand firm, especially in periods of change or uncertainty. Many use agate to promote harmony and to protect against negative energies.
Among plants that resonate with Ehwaz I will start with:
Cleavers! This is a somewhat "sticky" plant, and it claws fast onto whatever it gets hold of. In that sense it is excellent to use in incense when you want something to "stick" to you, such as money, love … and other things you desire or need. This plant is also good to use in "love pouches." My Voodoo girlfriend in California says it is unthinkable to make any magic involving love without cleavers. Well, I can stretch to having it in the incense, but I am extremely cautious when it comes to "love."
I prefer to use this plant as a tea if the blood or the lymph needs a cleanse. I know this plant is often used when people have or have had cancer. Otherwise the tea is quite soporific – but the plant is best used when it is fresh; I find it becomes a little "dead" in dried form. However, it is excellent for tinctures, or you can freeze it. Do not dry it, but freeze it – is my experience :-)
Of all trees I believe the linden must be love tree number one. The Germans agree, but they add that the linden also houses elves, dragons and that sort of thing … what do they really mean by "that sort of thing"? I must remember to ask the next time I am in the company of a German and talking about the linden. Linden contributes to healthy love relationships. It is the type of love found between the generations, between close friends, between partners, and the love one sees from animals toward humans, or from humans toward animals. Tea of linden blossom strengthens the heart, love, and brings calm.
A love pouch with linden blossom is not a bad thing to have in the house.
If you are on blood thinners you should drink linden tea with devotion and caution, for the linden blossom is blood-thinning too.
Lovage is one of my favourite plants. No plant promotes self-love as much as this one. Trust me! And as you know, you cannot really get up to speed with loving others if you are dissatisfied with yourself. This one can also be used if you wish for new love in your life. Put this plant in a small pouch together with Ehwaz and Ken – and things may start to happen on the love front.
In Serbia I learned that a decoction of this herb could help in cases where one had contracted a venereal disease, but I think it is much smarter to see a doctor … otherwise I learned that a little lovage in a pouch could increase a man's desire for lovemaking. (As if Serbs need help from lovage) :-/
The Forest Finns used this if one was troubled with swollen legs and when the lymphatic system was not functioning optimally. I believe it was used for urinary tract ailments. And I have heard that this plant is good to use against all ailments of the kidneys and urinary tract – and it is said to be able to prevent kidney stones.
Lovage is awfully good as a seasoning in sauces, soups and various salads – and it promotes self-love, so be generous with this herb in your food :-) I am not very good at cooking, but I can always throw together a salad :-)
Then I move on to number 20 – Mannar/Mannaz
