-1.avif)
This rune's name is usually translated as "the human being" or "humanity."
I like to call it Mannar and think "the group" when I see this rune. For it is precisely in the group that this rune shines. No matter how independent we are and how often we claim, "I have always managed on my own!", deep down we know that we depend on our flock, whether the flock follows us or we follow the flock. I greatly appreciate the little family I have, and I count many of my closest friends as part of the "family." I am glad I have them, and my life would have been a little more "lonely" if I had not had all these "gems" in my life, even though I am fairly independent and often manage on my own :-)
So we are a flock, and the flock consists of many "links." Some strong, some weak, some with problems, some resourceful, some young and some old. In other words, a flock.
This rune is known as the "mind rune." The rune of Odin, Hugin and Munin. In short, the academic among the runes. With the rune Ass we deal with communication; here we focus both on the human being's ability to take in knowledge, grow in wisdom and communicate in the flock. To observe and to speak. Many people speak without having observed anything at all, headlines being enough, as it were – but that is the wrong use of Mannar. This rune is "mature and wise." This rune is an "owl," not a "chatterbox."
The interesting thing about this rune is that it understands shamanic work very well. Shamans observe, and they can put themselves into a trance – and they can retrieve the parts of the soul that have fallen out. Just imagine that! So we have a conscious part of the soul in daily life and another part that can enter a different consciousness, travel off and find our soul-pieces again. I am fascinated! Quite simply fascinated!
Still, Mannar is first and foremost society and the "academy" on the conscious plane. Just as Ehwaz bound us together with the animals, so Mannar follows and binds humans together. And just as Yin follows Yang, so we humans have a physical, conscious life with its needs – and a spiritual life, with its needs.
If I were to choose a god to suit this rune, I would probably choose Heimdall. As he guards the bridge between us and Asgard – so too is Mannar. The shaman runs between the worlds to help humanity, and we help too, in our own way. I often sit at the dinner table and send warm thoughts to the farmers around the globe and warm thoughts to all those who help us. It is winter now, so my heart grows quite warm when I think of all those who work to keep our roads open. I am in love with every one of them :-) In short, we have an awful lot to thank for being able to live as we do. The ancestors too, for they are also a bit a part of Mannar.
If Mannar comes up in a rune reading, you should take a closer look at your place in the flock and at how the flock functions. The rune will tell you something about the flock and the "colony" you live in, or society.
Among zodiac signs I would say Virgo suits this rune best. Virgo is analytical, sometimes they over-analyse, but that is human. It is better to over-analyse than to be a "chatterbox" who possesses not a single "reflection."
Mercury is the planet that fits best with Mannar. We tend to think of Mercury as a superficial, restless planet – but Mercury honestly has a deep side too – and that is the one we get to see through Mannar's glasses.
Among Tarot cards I see Mannar's strength in the Emperor, even though the Emperor's card seems a little lonely. The Emperor could not be Emperor without subjects, could he? He does not quite manage all alone, he neither. The other card I want to highlight is the Ace of Swords. This card too has within it the strength that characterises Mannar.
Irene Resaland has picked out apatite for this rune.
Apatite is a crystal we associate with learning, clarity and personal growth. It helps us see the connection between thoughts and actions, and inspires a search for truth and self-insight. For anyone seeking to understand themselves and the world, apatite can be a good companion along the way – a little like Virgo's search for meaning and balance in life.
Among herbs, plants and growing things I have picked out:
Caraway! This plant is a cool plant. Did you know, if you want clear dreams, you put caraway seeds in a little dream pillow to keep under your head pillow. Then it should not take long before the dreams come. In the Balkans and in Italy they say that bunches of caraway hung up in the shop prevent theft, and if you put caraway in the wash water it has the same use. If you want to prevent theft from yourself, then wash yourself with a little "caraway water."
In Latvia they said caraway was very good against intestinal cramps and stomach pains. Swallow a teaspoon of caraway for this, together with a glass of water. Not soda, but water. Otherwise caraway stimulates the appetite … lack of appetite is precisely not a problem in this house … but it is good to know in case others benefit from this information.
Nøkkelost (a Norwegian caraway cheese) contains caraway, and the odd thing is, when I catch a cold I crave nøkkelost – and it is said to be effective against colds and sore throats. It is strange how our bodies signal what we need. I wonder whether my body just signalled that it needed coffee now. Ahem.
The ginkgo (temple tree) is another "Mannar growth." I saw this wonderful tree in France and I fell in love instantly! Something so lovely! But, alas, this tree is impossible to make thrive in Norway, so I shall have to settle for "love across national borders." The ginkgo was the first tree to take root after the terrible bombing of Hiroshima. This tree is a tough one in many ways – and so are we humans. It is incredible how many trials we endure, and we survive. In Japan this tree is often planted by temples, hence the name. The Japanese regard this tree as a sacred tree. In the world of magic we often crush ginkgo leaves into a fine powder. The powder is mixed with a little oil, and this is used to anoint candles, or other things you are going to use. If you are going to speak with the ancestors, perhaps you draw Mannar on your forehead with a little of this oil?
Otherwise this particular oil is good to use against muscle pains. It also has an effect on "window-shopper's syndrome" – that strange ailment in which you get pains in your legs when you walk, but if you stop and look around a little – preferably into a window, then the pains pass. Strange, isn't it? It is also said that this herb is good for cataracts, concentration, ADD, memory … varicose veins, tinnitus and Alzheimer's, and now I cannot think of anything more. Oh yes, the seeds are said to be good to use for incontinence. It helped me when I was troubled by dizziness, and I have heard of others who have used it against dizziness too.
Ginkgo is a little expensive to buy, but this medicine is worth every krone. Be a little careful if you use blood thinners. Talk to a healthcare professional if that is the case.
Gotu kola is brain food number one! But among witches this plant is also popular to use in rituals involving the ancestors. Dried leaves are used as incense, and the scent is actually pleasant, a little odd, but absolutely pleasant. I find this incense, together with a small intake of ginkgo, to be a really good remedy to use when you have to concentrate on a project. I have reached an age where one really starts to grow forgetful, but when I notice that my short-term memory is getting a little muddled, I fire up some gotu kola and work with the Mannar rune. It actually helps :-)
The leaves can be eaten raw in salads, they can be steamed and they can be put in the wok. It is quite clever to serve this to "us old ones who built the country" so that we remember what you are called and where we are :-) If you are lucky, we will also remember stories from our childhood and how we walked to school, three Norwegian miles and only uphill both ways …
Gotu kola is also said to be good to use against all connective tissue diseases, and if you have swollen ankles. Older people ought to have a small intake of gotu kola every day. This intake can give more energy and zest for life.
Gotu kola is also said to be beneficial to use if you have problems with "skin tags." This I have not tried, but I have heard it so often that I include it.
Rosemary is also a herb that is excellent to use to strengthen the memory. I like both the scent and the taste, so a lot of rosemary is used here in the house. I also use rosemary oil. My mother used to take a little rosemary oil and rub it on her forehead and temples if she had a headache. She also drank tea made of rosemary if her blood pressure was too low. Every shaman, druid and witch with any self-respect ought to have a little rosemary in their medicine cabinet. I also know that rosemary is beneficial for colds and respiratory ailments.
Then the journey continues to Lagu – rune number 21.
