This rune is the second rune in Hagal's ætt. The rune cries out: "Get your survival instinct going now!" Because right now it's all about surviving. It's allowed to light a distress flare – it's allowed to ask for help, just so you know. :-)
The survival instinct of humans and animals is quite impressive. You see Nauthiz in the refugee camps here and there, but you also see the fighting spirit and hope in people's eyes. You see the hungry dog that cautiously approaches … is there any food to be had? Naud awakens the vitality and the will to fight in a soul, and a good thing too, for without this we would all have been in a bad way.
Someone told me that "crossing your fingers" is inspired by Naud. We hope and believe that this will go well, and mostly it does.
When Naud shows up in a rune reading you can expect adversity. Don't panic, but meet the adversity with a cool head and clear thinking. And remember the distress flare. Sometimes the distress flare can lead to you getting good advice, or alliances, or you find a way out yourself.
The shape of the rune can be reminiscent of two sticks, you know – the kind you rub against each other to make fire. I take this as "proof" that there is always hope.
Another thing is that now and then we have to stop and ask ourselves what we really need. Not what we want, but what we actually need. Do we have to have another pair of shoes? Do we really have to have that person in our life? Do we have to … and so on. I find it good to meditate on Naud when I get the urge to declutter my life. I have Tyr-Moon, so I have a slight tendency to accumulate material goods – but then I pull myself together, meditate on Naud, and then I manage to let go a little :-)
Of the three fate-norns it is Skuld who has been given Naud as her rune. Skuld represents the future, and she sits there with her scissors and can cut our thread of life whenever she wants. On the other hand she reminds us that the future begins here and now. The past has brought you HERE, now the future begins! What shall we carry with us into the future? Shall we find our scissors and cut some ties? Here and now we make decisions that will matter for the future. Remember that :-)
It is also the spirit of Naud that gets us to take hold of ourselves and set up plans for the future. A budget is Naud, education is Naud – everything that can give you a more comfortable future is Naud's energy. The problems you take hold of and clear up, those you are free of in the future. So, if you have the time and the desire, sit down and think about what you want to get rid of and what kind of future you want to create for yourself. Begin here and now. :-)
Noah Levine, a Buddhist and author, has created an exercise called "a year left of life!" and that exercise is actually very nice. Imagine now that you have only one year left to live. What is important for you to do? If you take this meditation out into nature and really think about it. What answer do you arrive at?
When I was working with Naud and trying to understand the rune's personality, I had a tendency to start thinking about the goddess Eris.
If you don't remember who Eris is, I'll give a quick rundown here:
Eris is the goddess of chaos and strife in Greek mythology. She is known for sowing discord and unrest, often through small acts that have great ripple effects, just like a stone thrown into still water.
The most famous myth about Eris is the story of the golden apple with the inscription "to the fairest", which led to the strife between the goddesses Hera, Aphrodite and Athena, and thus triggered the events that ended in the Trojan War.
I often feel that Eris comes waltzing along with the Naud wind when the ice-cold wind ravages across my landscape. Do you understand what I mean now?
I believe the star sign that resonates most in harmony with Naud is Aquarius. I perceive Aquarius as a "sudden sign". Suddenly it dashes here, suddenly it dashes there, suddenly everything stands still, suddenly everything is in motion. Naud too, it is such a sudden rune. Aquarians have a knack for finding solutions, Naud too. It says to you: "Hey! Now you should activate your survival instinct."
Pluto is probably the planet I would choose for Naud. Pluto clears and cleanses – it cuts away everything unnecessary and carries out a proper overhaul.
For those of you who know a little about astronomy … Yes, I know Pluto is no longer classified as a planet, but for me it's easier to call Pluto a planet in an astrological context :-)
The tarot card is Death. It's coming, it's coming. Naked you come into the world and naked you leave it. If only we could remember this more often.
Irene Resaland picked out Onyx for Naud.
There is an exciting connection between the Naud rune and the stone onyx. Onyx is often seen as a protective stone that gives strength and courage in difficult times, just as the Naud rune urges us to endure and find solutions when we meet adversity.
Wearing an onyx can therefore remind us to use the inner strength that Naud represents, especially when life demands extra endurance and challenges.
Many who work with the rune Naud find support in crystals that resonate with this rune's energy. I recommend, on my own account, obsidian and black tourmaline. These are known for giving us protection, strengthening grounding and the ability to handle adversity. The stones can act as a kind of "anchor" when you are standing in the middle of the storm, helping you to find calm and clarity in pressured situations.
Naud and plants.
Borage has long traditions both as a medicinal plant and a magical herb in the Nordic region. Medicinally, borage was used against fever among other things and as a strengthening remedy. The leaves and flowers have a high content of minerals and have a mildly calming effect, while also being able to support the immune system in periods of stress and adversity. On a more magical level, borage is often associated with courage, hope and protection. Many put fresh borage flowers in their bath salt or in their tea blend to attract good energies and strengthen the will. Borage is a fine remedy when seeking the strength to stand through challenges – a bit like planting a seed of courage in the middle of the storm.
Burdock has been known as a protector against bad energies and "evil eyes". The roots and seeds were often worn as amulets to strengthen endurance and courage, especially in times of illness and/or adversity. In old Nordic rituals, burdock was used in cleansing fires, where the smoke was meant to drive away misfortune, bad luck, accidents and to attract good health. In magical practice the plant symbolizes the ability to dig deep to find hidden resources within oneself, and its deep roots are an image of inner strength.
Some have placed leaves under their pillow to protect against nightmares or to make dreams clearer – while others have drunk tea from the root before important trials, and to reinforce courage and endurance. Burdock is therefore not only a plant for the body's health, but also for the soul's health. Burdock has for centuries been a valued medicinal plant in the Nordic region and the rest of Europe. The root has been used for detoxification and as a strengthening remedy, especially for the liver and skin. It has played a large role in medicine against, for example, skin complaints and digestive problems. Even today burdock is used in herbal medicine to cleanse the body, support the immune system and promote healing after illness. The leaves can be applied as a compress on wounds, while the root is often brewed into tea or tincture for internal use.
Camphor has a history both as a medicinal plant and as an ingredient in magical rituals here in the Nordic region. Camphor was used to relieve respiratory complaints, stimulate circulation and give energy in cases of exhaustion. In folk medicine it was common to use camphor oil in ointments and compresses to ease pain and inflammation, and the scent was seen as both invigorating and cleansing.
In magic, camphor is often associated with protection and clarity; many burn camphor to cleanse a room of negative energies and strengthen the ability to see possibilities when everything seems foggy. Camphor can thus be a valuable tool when you are facing adversity and need both physical and mental strength – a bit like a breath of fresh air in the middle of the winter storm.
The chicory root was considered strengthening and cleansing in folk medicine, and used against complaints such as digestive trouble and lethargy.
In the world of magic it was seen as a road-opener, it could break down obstacles and protect against bad energies. Wearing a small chicory root as an amulet could give courage and clarity in decisions, and the plant is linked to the ability to find new possibilities when everything seems stuck. As tea or tincture it gives support in periods where you need to draw out extra willpower and perseverance, in the same way that the rune Naud calls for inner strength.
Now I move on to the rune Isa.
