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Kenaz/Ken – The Torch
If someone had asked me which rune I would have chosen to represent Frøya, I would have chosen the Ken rune, without a doubt. Ken is the warm body of love, it is the "fever" that comes with falling in love, it is the light that lets us see, it is the inspiration that suddenly appears … One feels the urge to create when the Ken spirit comes over you. It may be that you bake, forge, knit, write, paint – yes, whatever it may be, Ken lights it up.
Ken also creates transformation. From "spark" to "warmth" to "change." You get an idea, a "spark," this turns into action and from there so much is created.
Ken lives in those who dare to go solo. The one who has the courage within to walk new paths. Often "luck is greater than reason," but without these daredevils the world would be a poorer place.
I see Ken in many courageous, fearless souls. One of those I admire most is Harriet "Araminta Ross" Tubman (1820–1913). Mama Moses. Her struggle to rescue people out of slavery is so brave that I cannot find words. If you do not yet know of Mama Moses, take the time to read about her. She was a Ken on two feet. Ken lived in Mama Moses and Mama Moses represented Ken. I may sometimes carve Ken into a candle and call upon Mama Moses if I need extra strength and courage.
In the same way that Mama Moses worked, I would say that people who work to create a better world for other people, animals and our planet are in the Ken brigade.
Ken reminds me of the zodiac sign Leo. One who burns with a steady fire. Ken also reminds me of Mars, which stamps out new paths, which dares to go forward even though no one has gone there before. Mars is a courageous planet, Ken is a courageous rune.
We all have an inner flame, the flame of life, and this flame also belongs under Ken.
If that flame is extinguished, then we die, it is as simple as that.
If Ken comes up in a reading, it signals that now there is light at the end of the tunnel, or now a "bright idea" is coming. Ken can also signal that now we will see something clearly.
If the love in a relationship has gone dormant or has cooled, you can work with Ken to raise the temperature again.
If Ken comes up as a warning rune, this may indicate that you are burning yourself or that "dark clouds" are on their way.
When I leaf through my Tarot deck, I always feel that Ken has most in common with the "Ace of Wands" – and when it comes to crystals, both Irene Resaland and I feel that Fire opal is the right crystal to pair with Ken.
The Fire opal symbolizes passion, energy and creativity.
Among plants I will start with Basil.
This little herb is one of our common kitchen herbs. This is a fire herb and it adds a delicious flavor to everything it is mixed with :-) I also think it is a little Mars plant. It gets passion going, it sustains and it protects. It can be used in money magic too. All in all this is a versatile herb that one can get a great deal of joy from. You can, for example, put a little basil in a foot bath or add some to your tea to raise your energy level. If you need a clearer head before going "into battle," such as in the legal system or other disputes, a small pouch of basil is good to have, ideally with the runes Tiwaz and Ken embroidered or written on the pouch or on a note/piece of wood. Strictly speaking, you can write the runes on anything. It is our intention that gives the runes their power. If you feel you need protection, a small bundle of basil together with the Thurs rune is good to have. In money matters, basil together with Fe or Ass is a fine combination. Basil is also good in incense. There is an essential basil oil that is lovely to use as incense. The oil is antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. Basil oil is also good for the skin, but do not use too much of it and never if you are pregnant.
Fresh basil in food helps the stomach and intestines.
Clove (and whole cloves) is another plant that resonates with Ken. The plant is warm and contributes to optimism and it strengthens bonds of love. You may know of clove and toothache? If you should be so unlucky as to get a toothache, clove actually helps. You can push a cotton ball into clove oil and place it on the aching tooth, or you can chew on a whole clove. Massage with clove in oil form strengthens the memory. You can use clove to stimulate the appetite and to stop hiccups.
A witch I know drinks a cup of tea, well seasoned with clove, and imagines that she is sitting by a fire – (she often sits by the fireplace) and meditates. She likes the warming effect of clove and she enjoys the calm it gives her.
Damiana is a fairly underrated herb here at home, but Damiana is a herb that deserves a little attention. It is an aphrodisiac that really gets the sex drive going, if you have problems with it. Most witches I have heard mention Damiana in connection with sex have said that Damiana in powder form, mixed with rose petals and oil, is most effective. Damiana is also effective against incontinence and bedwetting, in which case it should be used in tincture form.
Here is a simple recipe: Fill a clean jar with dried Damiana herb, and pour over 40% spirits (vodka) until the herb is covered. Close the jar well and let it stand in a dark place for 4–6 weeks, ideally with regular "shaking." Then strain off the mixture, and store the tincture in small bottles. The dosage is usually 10–20 drops as needed. This herb can also be bought in capsule form.
I use the tincture if I feel I am losing the "spark" to read cards or runes. A few drops of Damiana tincture 3–4 times a day, that does the trick. After four or five days I feel the "spirit" awaken and the desire to read returns.
Elecampane was one of the druids' favorite roots. They used it as incense to cleanse places, interpret dreams and see elves. If you need to open up your creativity, burn elecampane as incense and draw Ken on your forehead with oil. Many witches use elecampane as a cleansing agent in places where a tragedy has occurred, such as at the sites of murders, accidents and the like. This is also a good herb to work with if you are weighed down by grief or feel lonely and forgotten.
If you have respiratory complaints, you can drink 2–3 cups of elecampane tea over a week, take a couple of weeks' break and then drink the tea again. You can also do this if you are troubled by fungal infections. Do not overdo the use of elecampane. It is not toxic, but it can cause discomfort, such as diarrhea.
Mullein is a plant I appreciate. My great-aunt Augusta always called this plant "tulikukka," because it was so much easier to say than the Norwegian filtkongslys or the Swedish word "kungsljus." I suppressed more than one grin when she got onto this plant. As for myself, I consistently stick to filtkongslys (mullein).
I once learned to dry mullein leaves and bind them around a stick. When the leaves were properly dried and bound, they were to be dipped in wax. This made a really stylish torch. A lot of work, but it was worth it. Mullein could replace graveyard soil when it came to driving away negative energies. This plant is regarded as a real warrior and especially effective against negative energies. Many crush the dry leaves and scatter them around the property as protection against negativity. Others hang the plant in their windows as a shield against the world's ill will.
The plant is excellent for use against all respiratory complaints, whether you smoke it, drink tea or use it as incense. If you are troubled by eczema in the ears, it may be wise to make an oil with mullein and rub it on the ear.
Mullein oil is easy to make and can be used both for massage and as a soothing remedy for sore muscles. The oil can also be used against dandruff and eczema in the ears.
To make mullein oil you need fresh or dried mullein flowers and a good base oil, for example almond oil or grapeseed oil. Olive oil can also be used.
Fill a clean jar with mullein flowers, pour over oil until all the flowers are covered, and let it stand in a bright place (but not in direct sunlight) for 2–3 weeks. Then strain the oil through a piece of cloth and store it in a dark bottle.
Finally, I will mention that Yerba Santa can be used to good effect together with Ken. Yerba Santa is a sacred incense that gives an especially good scent and that strengthens your courage and that has the Ken factor, it drives you forward in, for example, your shadow work. You dare to look truth in the eye and it gives you "courage in your chest, sense in your head and steel in your legs and arms." The plant also has a strengthening effect on the lungs and breathing in general.
For some reason I think Ken works best around the new moon, but perhaps it is just as effective in all moon phases? Perhaps I am wrong, perhaps I am right :-)
With that I conclude Ken and move on to Gifu/Gebo
