Dagaz, the rune of the day, seems deceptively simple and uncomplicated. The darkness of ignorance, terror, unknowing and despair gives way to enlightenment, comfort and hope. The shape of the rune takes us some way to understanding that things are more complex than they seem. The rune has two halves, reminding us that enlightenment only comes after ignorance, at the end of despair. The dark night of the soul is a right of passage that must be experienced before the equanimity of Dagaz may be experienced. Dagaz is not the darkness, but without the darkness we can never come to know it.
Dagaz is also a gateway, perhaps the gateway. The courage needed to walk into the total unknown in pursuit of truth alone. What if you don’t like that truth? You can’t turn back, can’t un-know what you have seen.
One of my favourite ways to work with Dagaz is to ‘wear’ it like a pair of spectacles. Trace the rune in front of your eyes to see the truth of a situation; this can be particularly helpful in seership and healing. Just make sure you take it off again as it’s not wise to wear them too long! Conversely, Dagaz can also be used to obscure the vision and makes a handy cloak when you don’t want to be noticed.
Traditional meaning: Day, daylight
Pronunciation: dah-gahz
Number: 23/24
Gods: Loki, Verdhandi, Heimdall, Surt
Colour: Blue, red
Hour: 11:30-12:30
Half month (Sunna’s Chariot in Dagaz): June 14th – June 29th
Individuals with the Sun in Dagaz are gregarious and out-going and will do well in the performing arts. Whilst they are often lucky, their good fortune can sometimes change unexpectedly and a wise Dagaz sun child will be prepared for the occasional rainy day or down turn. Similarly, they are normally very good judges of character but can occasionally be blinded by individuals who seemingly share their shining nature but are not always what they seem. The adage ‘all that glitters is not gold’ is a helpful motto to bear in mind.
Learn more about birth runes.
Plants: Rowan, spruce, hempe
Body: Crown chakra
Animal: Unknown
Mineral: Peridot
Aroma: Clary sage, Linden blossom
Object of power: Gateway
Journeys with the Elder Futhark – Dagaz
I will be publishing all of the journeys with the Elder Futhark on their half months through 2018-19. Subscribe to my newsletter on the right to receive notifications.