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The Rune Ansuz and communication
The fourth rune in Frøy and Frøya's ætt is Ansuz, or Ass as I usually call it. This is Odin's own rune, but it is also the rune of communication, knowledge and wisdom. Odin is one of the foremost in the craft of communication. He often sits with Saga and listens to her stories; no one has sought knowledge and wisdom as earnestly as Odin – and indeed he didn't half snatch Kvasir's mead of poetry and storm off to Asgard with the stolen goods. However, a few drops of this mead of poetry dripped down onto Midgard (the earth), and thus humans got a portion of the creativity to make music, poetry and other beautiful things to enrich everyday life. Ass inspires and also represents the creative.
When we think and speak, we do so in the spirit of Ass. The thought is in fact the “intention”, while the speech is the “spell” – this is good to keep in mind. Whoever was the architect behind the claim that “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” was completely wrong. There is nothing that can wound more than words. But then again, there is surely nothing that can heal a wounded soul more than heartfelt words. So, words can be the most dangerous of all weapons.
That time when Odin and his brothers found the ash log and the elm log and created the first humans, Odin gave them the Ass energy when they received breath as a birth gift.
If you struggle with writer's block, Ass is the first thing I recommend. Write the rune on your hands, with ink or oil. I like to have Ass by my computer. Now, I am a “writing machine”, but it happens that I too get blocked. Then I draw Ass on my hands with oil and bring Ass with me in my pocket – and go for a good, long walk. I feel my breath, nature's breath, and then the “cork” loosens. Nature, by the way, is the most inspiring thing I know of. Colours, sounds, smells, life – nature is wonderful! The city is good, but nature is something all its own. Did you know that when you see a bright orange mushroom out in nature, the one called “elk cup”, a roe deer or an elk has urinated exactly where the mushroom grows? And did you know that the world's smallest tree is the dwarf willow? The tree rarely grows over five centimetres, and this little tough one prefers to grow up in the mountains … Ass has made sure I picked this up 🙂
I firmly believe that it is not only writing that falls under Ass, but the painter, the artist, the musician and the dancer fall under the same umbrella. It is Ass all the way.
Are you troubled by your voice not being heard? Are you afraid to let your voice be heard? Work with Ass – and keep the rune with you, physically or mentally. When I feel I must tread carefully, I weigh my words on the Ass scales. Then I have Ass in mind, walking and meditating on this rune.
Ass we can use to spread love, wisdom and reason – but, unfortunately, Ass can also be used negatively to spread hatred, ugliness, slander and that sort of foulness. We can therefore not be too careful in the use of Ass. Remember this now: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words … they can shatter a person completely!”
Another lesson I have received via Ass is communication with plants. My extra grandmother Alette was passionate about plants. Her allotment cabin was surrounded by beds of herbs and plants … and the lawn was full of weeds. She loved plants and the plants loved her. She always said: “talk to the plants, they have much to tell.” I talked, talked and talked – but, fortunately … I never got any answer. I complained to grandmother Alette that the plants never answered. She told me to speak with my heart. It would be many years before I understood what she meant. Ass slowly seeped into me, but it did get in at last. I was probably very captured by reason and less affected by the heart, sadly. And I am still learning to speak the “language of nature”. I'm probably at about the lower-secondary-school level on that track.
I have at least discovered that trees and plants have a lot in common with humans. Some plants are social and inclusive, others … not quite so social. Some want to form bonds with you, others reject every attempt to forge a bond. Try it yourself and see that this is actually true, and take note that plants speak to you – as long as you speak with the heart and listen with the heart.
Gemini's sign is an Ass sign and the planet is Mercury. When the Moon is full, I feel there is the most activity around Ass-related pursuits.
Among the Tarot, I think “The Magician” and “The Hierophant” have the most “Ass energy”. You may not agree with me, but I must stand my ground 🙂
Irene Resaland selected the carnelian crystal. And this is said of carnelian: “Carnelian is an energising and warm crystal that symbolises joy of life, creativity, courage and the power to act, known for giving vitality, self-confidence and endurance, as well as calming anger.” This of course suits Ass so well.
On my own account I'll add amazonite, and this is said of that crystal: “associated with communication, balance, and reducing stress and fear; it promotes harmony and inner peace, and it is used to strengthen self-confidence and express truth, with historical use in ancient civilisations as a symbol of fertility and luck.”
Reading coffee grounds or tea leaves I actually regard as Ass + plants = true!
Plants with Ass energy
Bergamot is one of the Ass plants. The scent of that orange clears the brain, I feel. Sometimes I have to make do with bergamot oil, but it too has a heavenly scent. And I have found that burning a little bergamot in a meeting room where a common view on a matter absolutely should be reached – that is effective. The same goes for disagreements. The scent of bergamot calms the mind and one opens oneself to others' opinions, if one is “normally equipped”.
Bergamot strengthens communication and is a help where communication has stagnated or become unbalanced.
Something else bergamot helps with is addiction. If you have sugar cravings, hanker after tobacco or alcohol, then bergamot together with grapefruit is a great help.
Another plant oil I can't praise highly enough is clary sage oil. If you have brain fog, have difficulty seeing a matter from several sides, or stress sitting between the ears, then this oil is balm! I like to have it in an oil burner, lean back and enjoy. Sometimes I drip a few drops on a cloth and smell it. A clever trick if you're away from home and going into an important meeting. This trick can also be used if you have trouble with “stressful inner dialogue” in connection with an upsetting conversation. This can rob anyone of a night's sleep, and then it can be good to sleep with a few drops of clary sage oil on a cloth lying on the bedside table.
Water mint has been used in folk medicine through the ages and is known for its ability to cleanse air and mind. The taste is ghastly … I think, but with LOTS of honey, the tea goes down. In Norwegian tradition it was said that the scent of water mint can lift the mood on grey days, and people would gladly place a few leaves in their shoes to keep their spirits up on long walks in the woods. The strong, fresh smell gives clarity of thought and can help against inner unrest and racing thoughts. Water mint is often used in cough syrup, and a little water mint incense eases the breathing, and this is said to be effective.
In magic, water mint is often associated with protection, and it can strengthen communication with nature. Some use it in tea or as incense during rituals to open the mind and be more receptive to new impressions and wisdom. Others have a small bundle hanging over the door to keep bad energies at a distance.
NB! Remember now that water mint should be used with caution, as in large doses it can be toxic – a little is enough to leave its mark on both room and mind.
Spikenard, also known as nard. The root has for centuries been valued for its calming scent and its ability to soothe the mind and soul, often used in rituals to strengthen contact with the spiritual and to balance the emotions. In a medical context, spikenard has been used to combat insomnia, unrest and stress, and it is said to have a mild antidepressant effect.
The scent of spikenard can be reminiscent of a warm summer meadow and invites deep breathing and relaxation. The taste … well, I like spikenard oil and use it first and foremost. The taste is not for me, even with LOTS of honey and lemon. Spikenard is a little like outdoor life in plant form – it gives a feeling of safety, closeness to nature and peace in the soul, exactly what one needs when the world rushes by and the brain becomes overheated.
The rowan tree has a special place in Norwegian folk tradition, both as a medicinal plant and as a magical tree. Rowan berries are used to make juice and jelly and are known for their rich content of vitamin C and their ability to strengthen our immune system through the winter.
Rowan berries were also placed in spirits to make rowan liqueur, which was used against colds and stomach complaints. The bark and leaves could be boiled into tea to relieve fever and ease digestion.
In magic, rowan has always been seen as a protective tree. It was common to plant a rowan tree near the house to keep evil spirits and misfortunes away. I have seen several farms that have the rowan as their yard tree.
Many bind rowan twigs together with a red thread and hang them over the door threshold or hang them in the barn to protect animals and people.
There is an old Norwegian saying: “The rowan shall guard against sorcery”, and it was not uncommon to bring along a little rowan twig on a trip in the mountains or the woods to feel safe. The rowan tree is, in other words, both nature's pharmacy and an old friend in the battle against the evil that cannot be seen.
And with the rowan tree I conclude this article.
The next rune up is Raido.
