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This rune is called «Ing» and represents «Yngve», another name for Frøy. There are two variants of this rune. One variant looks like a diamond ace, the other looks like two Gifu placed one above the other. You may freely choose which variant you want to use. I like both versions, so I use them interchangeably.
I like the «diamond ace» because the energy flows unhindered around in a kind of circle, and this variant resembles a seed. I like the cross variant because the Gifu in it calls for keeping one's word, balance and hospitality. Also, this symbol reminds me a little of our DNA.
Frøy is of the Vanir lineage, and the Vanir are gentle, mild and capable of action. They have a more pleasant personality than the Æsir. Frøy stands for fertility, virility and masculine power.
In the really old days he was often drawn with a huge, erect «whatchamacallit» – there was supposed to be no doubt that Frøy had his equipment in order, was very potent and fertile. And Ing is a potent and very fertile rune.
If you lift your gaze and look out at nature, you see how generous, ingenious and abundant nature really is. The earth is ingenious! You receive, you give … But at the same time we are plundering this planet and consuming and consuming and consuming. This cannot possibly turn out well in the long run – but that is probably another discussion. We will take up that topic later.
Now we shall talk about Ing and Ing in nature.
If you now go out into nature and take in the energy it gives. Feel free to let your gaze glide over cultivated fields, or over the trees. Cultivated soil gives us food, trees give us homes, fuel and so on. Then you can look a little at the plants, they can give us nourishment or medicine. Nature gives, gives and gives!
If we have a garden we can rejoice that we have a little piece of land. This piece we can cultivate, or just enjoy – we can do whatever we want.
At the time of writing it is winter, and in our garden there is a great deal of life. We have hung bird feeders in our oak and practically opened a «McBird» – it has been swarming with birds there since the season opening. But a few squirrels also drop by and steal peanuts, and some roe deer too. Not to mention the neighbors' cats … They sit under the bird feeder hoping for a Bird-burger. Sigh! That is how nature is. One creature's death, another's burger.
Sometimes we bring nature indoors and have potted plants. I enjoy puttering about with my potted plants. In winter they get «banana water». It is banana peels that I put in water and let sit for a day before I serve it to my plants. They love this exotic energy drink and stand green and pretty in the winter light. Potted plants are a fine way to bring nature indoors. They are decorative, cozy and quite useful.
Ing in the «diamond ace version» is also a portal into other worlds. If you are going to change something drastically in your life, Ing is a fine rune to meditate over. If you are missing something in your life, meditate over Ing. Ing can be the portal you need in order to make contact with «other worlds», the future or your past. Often it can be good to go back in time, take up an episode and play it over again. Maybe you will gain a new view of that very episode? Maybe you will gain a new perspective on the past.
Ing has no upside-down side. It comes the right way up, regardless.
When this rune peeks out, it is to assure you that the project you are working on is very fruitful and viable. Or to tell you that you are in a fertile period. The rune can also ask you to go out into nature and find balance.
Still, no runes are only good, or only evil – Ing together with another rune must be studied thoroughly if necessary. If it comes together with Fe, you can be sure that you are in a «King Midas» phase, but beware of greed. If it comes together with Is, the runes warn that now it will be winter for a while.
Ing can be interpreted alone, but if you are unsure – draw one more rune and read them in pairs.
Astrologically I would say that the star sign Taurus is most compatible with Ing. Taurus is a sign that has good grounding and that appreciates nature. Taurus is patient and strong, just like Ing. Everything in its own time … say both Taurus and Ing.
Among the planets I think Mars is most in harmony. Mars is sexual, it is strong and it has good drive. Venus is also a planet I choose here. Venus is feminine, but she is striking – and she appreciates nature's gifts and beauty.
Of the Tarot cards I would choose the Emperor and the King of Pentacles. The Emperor because he has all power – and Frøy has all power over us humans in the sense that he governs nature's generosity. If Frøy closes his hand there will be famine and bad harvests.
The King of Pentacles because he can be the most generous of the kings and the most merciful – just like Frøy.
Irene Resaland picked out Pyrite for this rune.
Pyrite, often called «night gold», has a shining luster reminiscent of gold, but is in fact a mineral consisting of iron and sulfur. The stone's energy is often experienced as strengthening and protective, and it is associated with the ability to find courage and the will to act when facing challenges. Many believe that pyrite can give you the self-confidence to meet life's trials with your head held high, and it is therefore often used as a little lucky stone in the pocket on a hike. Pyrite's glittering surface brings to mind the sunshine we enjoy in nature, and the stone's robust nature can remind us of our will to handle all kinds of weather and wind. Pyrite stands for practical strength and the ability to see possibilities where others perhaps see only adversity. Ing and Pyrite see your possibilities, quite simply.
The first plant I want to pick out for Ing is: Baneberry, also known as Actaea spicata. It has small, black berries in dense clusters, and in rune work baneberry symbolizes protection and transformation. The plant is associated with the power of the earth and it can strengthen the connection to nature in rituals linked to the Ing rune.
The plant is also used as a potency-enhancing remedy. If you want to increase fertility, you mix root-stock powder from the plant in grape juice, take a wooden stick and draw the Ing rune on the stick. This stick you dip nine times in the mixture. If the drink is to be consumed the same day, you need do no more than keep it cool until it is drunk. If it is to be drunk at a later time, you mix a little vodka into the «mix».
The homeopathic remedy Cimicifuga made from this plant is prescribed against all sorts of women's ailments. In short, a plant that takes good care of both men's and women's reproductive organs.
Blessed thistle. This is also a human-friendly plant. It takes care of women's ailments, it boosts breast milk production – and it is an aphrodisiac. In other words, a versatile plant. It came to my ears that forest gods in particular appreciated this plant, so I brought a pinch as an offering to Tapio last summer. I hope he appreciated this offering. :-) But people who work with Frøy believe that blessed thistle is another of Frøy's favorites. They like to drink a cup of tea made from this thistle before they set about making contact.
Medicinally it is said to be good against cough and liver problems. If it is to be used against liver problems, you should use it in tablet form.
I also want to include the pine tree. Pine oozes Frøy, I think, and I perceive the pine as masculine, friendly, but tough as stone. If you dry pine needles you get a fine addition to the incense when you are going to cleanse the home – and fresh pine needles are good for brewing tea. I pick up some blackcurrant leaves from the freezer, brew this, some pine needles and lemon – and together it becomes a bomb against colds.
I burn pine cones to keep negativity away. This is also done when witches gather outdoors and light a fire. Some cones are thrown on the fire to chase away negative energies.
In Ireland I was told that if you fell asleep under a pine tree, it was possible you would not wake up again … PHEW, I have fallen asleep under a pine tree many times before … I loved the smell of pine as a child, so when I wanted a little «bully nap», I found myself a pine tree and took a little snooze. Fortunately I am still alive … well, weeds, as is known, do not perish so easily :-) I was also told that it was the pine that gave birth to all forest spirits. Yes, yes, yes … so now we know this too. Father Pine gives birth to forest spirits … Why not? Loke did give birth to Sleipner.
The pine's bark can be boiled and used in wash water for the scent and for protection. But, I must confess, I like hyssop and juniper better. :-) My great-aunt used pine resin to draw out splinters, and this is effective – and my grandmother always tied a wreath of pine and pine cones that she hung on the door before Christmas. This was to preserve the home's peace and keep illness away.
There, then I hurry onward to rune no. 23 – Odal
