Kenaz is traditionally a rune of illness associated with fever, bruising, discolouration (lividity, pallor, rashes), ulcers and the heat that the body generates at sites of wounding and inflammation. As a rune of transformation it is also linked to the transitions the body makes through death. As such, you might think it wise to steer clear of Kenaz for the purposes of healing. This would be a mistake.
Many of the symptoms associated with Kenaz are also the signs of the body’s attempts to heal itself and, as such, Kenaz can be used to prompt the body into a healing crisis during a lingering malaise or to draw out an illness or wounding from deep inside the body to its surface so it may be released.
Kenaz is literally a rune of transformation by fire. Its mysteries are perhaps uncomfortable to the modern sensibility which prizes youth, ultra-fitness and perfection over experience and the natural processes of time and nature. Bruises, scars, stretch-marks, wrinkles all are signs of a life lived to the fullest.
You might liken Kenaz to the flames of the forge which heat metal so that it takes on many varied hues and can be transformed into objects of beauty, usefulness and power. Kenaz is also linked to the arts of the alchemist or chemist who is able to make one substance act upon another.
For people with strong links to the elves or dwarves of the World Tree Kenaz can be a powerful tool. Both elves and dwarves can use magic to bring on illness – there are long traditions of humans believing illness to be brought on by ‘other-worldly beings’.
If I have learned one thing about the runes it is that each has negative and positive aspects and it stands to reason, therefore, that those who can effectively wield Kenaz for malicious purposes can also do so for good.
Use Kenaz to find the source of illness (it may be detected as heat by the hands) and to bring controlled, healing heat to the body. As the rune of the torch and enlightenment it is also said to be particularly good for the eyesight (including second sight).
Would you like to train as a rune healer? Here’s how
