What’s the difference between intuition and instinct?
Odin’s Chariot (Mercury) enters Mannaz (the divine human) this week reminding us that ‘sometimes we do not know why, we just know’. Now, what this really means is that the conscious mind doesn’t know. Whilst all humans are intuitive and instinctive these qualities have most often been associated with women: possessing base instincts, being predisposed to hysterics or neurosies, being overly emotional or sensitive. No self-respecting analysis of the 19th century novel or Gothic novel would be complete without a commentary on the links between the feminine and the repressed parts of the primal or animal self within the human. Mannaz does not mean ‘man’ it means ‘human’ and it reminds us that, to be truly in our power, we must embrace all forms of individual and collective intelligence.
Our highly intellectualised and (supposedly) rational society distrusts both intuition and instinct . During the evolution of modern day psychology the conscious mind was placed at the very top of the psyche pyramid. It is that part of us we are taught should be in charge. Many humans, and particularly those ensconced in warm and walled educational establishments, have lost touch with the instinctive self as hunting and gathering became non-essential past times.
In Middle Earth Readings this week I discuss the importance of reclaiming our power as intuitive and instinctive beings. What does this mean? How do we go about it? What would a world be like where the intelligence of intellect, instinct, and intuition were honoured equally?
Through this week the Moon is in its waxing phase making this an excellent time to open to receiving. We will be exploring this with the following six runes:
- Ehwaz – the partnership between the steed and the rider
- Uruz – the (now extinct) aurochs
- Teiwaz – divine truth and action with integrity
- Algiz – connection and guidance from spirit
- Raidho – the harmony and rhythm of being
- Hagalaz – the fierce and challenging hand of nature
On 29th March, I am running a FREE Healing with the Runes workshop to introduce you to the runes as energetic forms with healing properties: keys to wholeness, gateways to self-expression. Find more information and how to join us further down the page! Here is some feedback from previous attendees:
“Awesome trainer; very approachable & helpful, clear understanding and a deep love of the runes which is infectious, supportive and fun.”
“I think I could attend the workshop another ten times and would always get some new insights.”
If you are new to Middle Earth Readings, we follow the lunar cycle, allowing us to dive deeper into each rune:
- On the week of the new Moon we will be setting intentions for working with a single rune as a spirit guide during the course of the month.
- On the week of the waxing Moon we will be opening to receiving the guidance and energies of that rune
- On the week of the Full Moon we will be exploring rune magics
- On the week of the waning Moon we will be working on releasing and completion ready for a new cycle to begin
We cover 6 runes in depth each session meaning we will cover all 24 during the course of each lunar cycle. Supporting every phase we have a beautiful discussion thread set up by the lovely Suzanne in the Hearthspace for you to share your intentions, receivings, magics and releasing.
Healing with the Runes - FREE Workshop
I bet you’ve heard of the chakras, reiki and the healing benefits of yoga. But did you know the ancient peoples of Europe had their own magical and energetic healing systems?
In this free 90 minute workshop Maggie Rose, Cunningham, founder of Magin Rose, will introduce you to the runes as energetic forms with healing properties: keys to wholeness, gateways to self-expression. Maggie will cover the different forms of rune healing from their earliest roots through to modern day practices. Participants will also get to undertake some healing work with the runes for themselves.
Join us in the Hearthspace Inner Circle
Join the Hearthspace this week as we prepare to launch a month of working with the Goddess of the deep sea Rán. We will be venturing into the spaces of illusion and enchantment to ask whether these can every be forces for good and what place they have in today’s world. If there was a top 10 of Goddesses who personify the repressed aspects of self, and the feminine in particular, Rán would definitely be on that shortlist.
