Nauthiz
Nauthiz rune stone
Nauthiz, the need-fire. I see this rune as having a dual nature. It is black, it is the hollow of lack, it is the cold earth, the dark days, the emptiness of loss, of starvation, the dark night of the soul. But it is also the hands that kindle the fire in that darkness, and it is the spark of hope that won’t let you role over and die. That spark is the tenacity of human nature that keeps on trying – even when you are at your lowest ebb. The shape of the rune suggests two twigs being rubbed together; they are dry and brittle, lacking in life, but ideal for creating that spark you need.
Nauthiz connects with the trickster, the one who cheats death, who finds the way out of the hopeless situation – however questionable the method. This rune is about survival, not just of the body but of the soul. There is a school of thought that says ‘value’ is determined by context – if you are starving the only thing of value is survival. The premise here is that you can’t reach self-actualisation until all your other needs are fulfilled. I am not convinced. The child who has everything does not understand need, they cannot emphathise with the suffering of others or kindle the need-fire, for they do not know what they need to become. The dark night of the soul brings an experience of suffering and need which is essential for an understanding of value. In this sense Nauthiz is a liberator as it frees you from valuing things because you should and teaches you what is actually essential to you.
Drawing Nauthiz can feel like heartless laughter on the part of the universe “You are suffering” the rune says - no kidding, tell me something I didn’t know! But experience has taught me that the Nauthiz rune has a hidden message for you: “Somewhere inside you there is faith, the light will come.”
Traditional meaning: Need, distress
Pronunciation: north-eez
Number: 10
Gods: Skuld
Colour: Black
Hour: 21:30-22:30
Half month: November 13th-November 28th
Plants: Beech, rowan, snake root
World: Nifelheim
Body: Sacral chakra, arms
Animal: Unknown
Mineral: Lapis lazuli
Aroma: Eucalyptus, black pepper
Object of power: Need fire
Journeys with the Elder Futhark – Nauthiz
Take a journey to encounter the rune for yourself, this guided meditation provides an accessible way for you to encounter the rune without having to learn all the correspondences by rote. The download includes three recordings covering setting up your space, the rune journey itself, and closing your space. A PDF is also provided, taking you through what you will need to do and giving some of the basic correspondences for the rune to help you relate your journey to the traditional rune meanings. All for only £1.00
- Oswald the Runemaker’s summary analysis of Nauthiz
- Magin’s discussion of the half-month of Nauthiz 2010
- BACK TO HAGALAZ – ON TO ISA -
