-1.avif)
I call this rune Lagu, just so you know. There, the nickname has been accounted for, and now we can talk about the power of this rune. Lagu is the rune of water. Like Hagal, Perthro and Berkana, Lagu is tied to a feminine deity – without it being made clear which deity it is. The more I work with Lagu, the more convinced I become that Lagu belongs to the Völva. Lagu has within it knowledge, wisdom and magic – you can research this yourselves, but I associate Lagu with the völva – at least until I find out otherwise. (And I do not think I will.) Lagu also has the mystical within it, as the moon does. The moon is strange, after all. It sails around the earth, sometimes bright, sometimes dark – we have made calendars according to the phases of the moon, and no matter how "learned" and down-to-earth we are, we all have a relationship with the Moon. I believe that most people who work with runes get this peculiar relationship with Lagu. It is there, you see it, you wonder what it wants to tell you. For the messages are subtle. When Lagu comes up I become extra attentive to my surroundings. A dream, a sentence, a sign from "the universe" or from "the other side." Something is happening. Some message or other may be in the air.
I have also wondered whether this rune might be Freyja's. Her profile suits Lagu's energy well. I have noted down both the Völva and Freyja in my "god book."
We are attentive to fire and how much harm fire can cause, we have respect for earthquakes and clay landslides, and we have all experienced a storm or two … But water, water too can cause great harm. Water represents our emotions. Emotions are wonderful when they are harmonious, balanced; rosy infatuations are sweet, loving and soothing – but when the water is wild and out of control … horror upon horror. One thing is the huge tidal waves; quite another is the "creeping water" that digs away the ground beneath our feet – or "poisonous water" in the form of a poisonous tongue that does everything to harm us and our reputation. Village gossip is poisonous water, just as an example. Well, water can be the most wonderful element, or really frightening.
Remember this when Lagu comes up in a rune cast. Upright – nicely calm and informative. Reversed … poisonous water! It always pays to draw a "support rune" alongside Lagu. Together with Ken it can say: "there is something beneath the surface here, look more closely." Together with Ass: "pay attention to your dreams, or words that are spoken," together with Mannaz it can say: "There are some currents in your flock that you should not overlook," and so on. So it is not so easy to interpret Lagu, but practice makes perfect, as we know :-)
Moon water should always have Lagu written on the label. Do as you wish, but I find that Lagu gives the moon water extra punch. By the way, have you gathered rainwater or snowflakes under the full moon? My Finnish witch friends recommended this to me … and it was a good recommendation. The rainwater had good energy, and so did the snowfall. Perhaps the precipitation received extra blessing from the weather gods under the full moon? I always mix my moon water with a little vodka before storing it in a dark place. Many say vinegar serves the same purpose, but I prefer vodka.
Now I will share a recipe for a cleansing spray that also vitalises the "room."
You must gather together: Moon water. Vodka. A pinch of mugwort. A pinch of wormwood. A pinch of angelica. A teaspoon of rosemary. A pinch of hyssop. A little crushed labradorite. Essences of rose oil, lavender oil, frankincense oil and clary sage oil.
Heat up water, with moon water. When the water reaches boiling point, take it off the heat and add the herbs. Cool completely. Then you add 5–6 drops of the oils, and finally you add the crystal and the vodka. Do not use too much vodka. A little is enough.
Now you have a spray that cleanses and revitalises. This one is really good. Make it and test it. :-)
As the water rune Lagu is, I associate it with Scorpio, Pisces and Cancer. These three water signs harmonise well with Lagu. The Moon is the celestial body I associate with Lagu, as mentioned earlier.
The Tarot cards "the Queen of Cups" and "the Moon" are the two cards that best represent Lagu. Every time the Queen of Cups appears, it turns my thoughts to the Völva. And when the Moon card appears, I think for a moment of Lagu's depth, for a deep rune this is, and one must have respect for it.
Irene Resaland has selected celestite for this rune, and that is a good choice, I think. Celestite is a stone associated with heavenly energy, clarity and calm. In encounter with the rune Lagu, celestite can represent the deep, still water that both conceals and reveals wisdom. The blue colour of celestite is reminiscent of mirror-still lakes in moonlight, and the crystal gives a feeling of inner peace and connection to the intuitive and mystical. Using celestite together with Lagu can strengthen the contact with the unconscious and bring out clarity in dreams, as well as insight and communication with what is hidden.
Aquamarine is another excellent crystal to work with in connection with Lagu.
These are the plants I have picked out for Lagu:
Aloe vera. I associate this plant with Cancer and Scorpio. The plant is not only a good healer when it comes to wounds; it is skilled at fixing emotional wounds too. So, if you struggle with wounds of the soul, treat yourself to a little aloe vera juice. Otherwise this plant is good for all types of moon magic, especially during the new moon. And aloe and Lagu are Siamese twins when the moon is in Scorpio or Cancer, made for working magic concerning emotions.
Aloe vera is a plant that has been used for its cooling and healing properties. The gel-like juice in the leaves is used to soothe burns, small wounds and skin irritations. The plant is also packed with vitamins, so we all benefit from a "swig."
Bladderwrack is also a plant that resonates well with Lagu. I find bladderwrack a fine offering gift for the spirits of the sea – but bladderwrack is also lovely to throw in the bathtub, or the foot bath, together with a little sea salt. Many use bladderwrack in magic concerning drawing money to oneself. Some use bladderwrack tea to get clearer dreams, or clarity in their emotions. I have also heard that if you put it in the water when you are going to clean your home, the bladderwrack will draw prosperity to you.
The best is to use fresh seaweed or powder. It does not keep well otherwise.
This plant grows abundantly along Norwegian coasts and has been used to strengthen the thyroid gland, support metabolism and supply the body with important minerals such as iodine.
I know it is beneficial to take if you are troubled with acid reflux and too much stomach acid. It can also lower your blood pressure.
If you are going out to travel on the sea, then bring a little pouch of bladderwrack powder and the rune Lagu. Then you should be well protected. I am not very fond of boat trips, so I bring two pouches of bladderwrack powder. One I carry on myself, the other I offer to Njord, Ran and Ægir.
For the next plant I will give the Latin name: Clitoria ternatea. I have heard various names for this plant, such as butterfly pea, butterfly flower and Asian pigeonwings.
This is an exceptionally beautiful plant, with many wonderful properties. Often nature's beauty queens are a little poisonous and frightening, but Miss Butterfly Pea, she is only lovely and useful. She helps us when we struggle with a spiritual transformation. She supports you when you seek a vision and when you want to develop your psychic abilities.
If you are troubled with anxiety, stress or other emotional storms, this herb is soothing. Drink a cup of butterfly pea tea or two when you feel uneasy.
Catnip is another plant I want to bring forward. For those of you who have cats and are cat people, you know how this mystical bond between cats and humans is. I am a dog person, but I have owned a number of cats, and even I have felt this bond. Especially with a cat called Reidar. I felt a peculiar connection, and I felt it even more strongly when I had a little catnip. I know catnip is used against colds, but I find it helps with my rheumatism – both as a tea and as a compress … Reidar loved "getting high" on the plant; I enjoyed the plant's soothing properties. I like to think that Freyja likes this plant too, so I think of her every time I see catnip. She owns cats, after all, and she is The Völva! Yes, catnip, Lagu and Freyja go together.
If you make an oil from catnip you have a good massage oil. And again, this eases aching joints.
If you miss your home when you are out travelling, this herb helps, say those who know about such things. I know that many witches include this herb in their brews when they are going to do shadow work. I know that catnip is good to have in dream pillows or on the nightstand for peaceful sleep and clarity in dreams.
Then I leap on to rune 22 – Ing.
