Here’s your weekly update on what planetary movements are coming up. As always, Middle Earth Readings for the week is published at the bottom of the page after the live event.

Odin’s Chariot (Roman equivalent Mercury) in Teiwaz brings the blessing of the spear in flight. Sometimes we have to commit without knowledge of all the odds. Sometimes faith is enough. Sometimes the risk of failure is a price worth paying. A wise woman once said to me: FAIL means First Attempt at Learning. Odin’s spear is called Gungnir meaning ‘sway’ or ‘tremble’. In the final battle he will bear it forth and surge towards the great wolf Fenris, the being destined to devour him. Will he falter? Tremble? Maybe. But he will still do it, because it is the right thing to do and he knows the spear of his own destiny took flight long ago. When I see Odin charging forward into that battle I don’t see a God bound and cowed by destiny; I see one who saw his brightest, most radiant path written within it. He follows his destiny because he wants it, because it is his right and the path via which he is most fully expressed as himself.

Frigg’s Chariot (Roman equivalent Venus) in Algiz summons the protective spirit of the swan maiden, the Valkyrie and the falcon Queen. Frigg is known for keeping her own counsel and preserving her silence. She reminds us that the desire to share our dreams at their earliest stage of development is not always a wise course of action; it is often those who love us as we are now who falter at the thought we may change. Let the protectors of your birthing dream be first and foremost yourself, your guides and your gods (whatever form they take). The time for sharing, collaboration, pruning and fruition will come later – everything in its season.

Tyrs Chariot (Roman equivalent Mars) in Algiz celebrates the introvert, the priest-self, the quiet warrior who waits. Tyr is the god of victory, the warrior-self and action. His rune, Teiwaz embodied shape the sword and the arrow. Poised ready to strike, held by the wind for one still moment before seeking its mark. Some of us are more comfortable in action, buoyed up by the thrum of voices, laughter, chaos and creativity around us. Some of us are more comfortable in stillness, finding wisdom inside, drawing it out at the exact right moment, listening for the silence between the drum beats. Most of us balance these two selves. Tyr encourages us to find that balance. Seek the protection and guidance of the Algiz rune, ask for the wisdom to know when to act and when to wait.

Manni’s Chariot (the Moon) moves through one rune approximately every 24 hours. The potency of the Full Moon energy is like a high tide leaving tracks in the sand as it departs – it forms a current over the coming month. Manni’s Chariot in Kenaz (the rune of creativity, knowledge and enlightenment) draws out our deepest creative impulses. Gaze into the deep waters by moonlight, collect shells, photograph flowers, listen for the heart-beat of the earth, star-gaze, fire-watch. Now is a time to connect with your muse, the Swan maiden flying over-head who promises that there is more to life than is dreamt of by those who see only what they can quantify.

Bilskinir means ‘lightning-crack” referring to Thor’s great Hammer Mjolnir which is both a symbol of protection and of fertility and abundance. The Hall is said to be the largest of all the Halls of the Gods speaking to Thor’s strength, power and generosity of spirit. Berkano, Ehwaz and Mannaz fall within Thor’s sphere in a birth runes chart. Bilskinir is equivalent to Aries in the Zodiac.

We are currently in the half month of Berkano, a rune of spring. The two triangles that make up the rune also speak of duality; in this case the ‘womb and the tomb’ – the earth that gives life is also the cave to which we return upon death.
Find out more on Berkano here.