At the gates...

Perthro

Perthro is one of the most mysterious Runes of the Elder Futhark. Before all it represents passing into the unknown or even initiation, but the term “initiation” can just as well be connected to Eihwaz as the Rune of death. This Rune can represent the female womb and the fertility cauldron of the Mother Goddess. Its shape reminds one of a chalice, which is another association to the womb of the Goddess. The Rune itself signifies mystery, a mysterious event that changes one's life and leads him into a new state of consciousness or a new way of being. Because of this Perthro besides the womb represents a gate or a passage of every kind, but most often the one that leads into the unknown. By passing Eihwaz we have reached an unknown ground, a field we're facing to the first time, which can be caused by a change that has come to being in Eihwaz. But, Perthro can act independent from us and our facing ourselves, so the unexpected change can ensue, enacted by unknown forces. In which ever way you fall under the influence of this Rune, it will always signify a new beginning and a new life.

Blood Axis

Eihwaz

Eihwaz means yew. It's a sacred tree in Runic magical tradition and its wood was used to make arrows. It's connected to the God of hunt Ull, whose sacred weapon was the bow. Yew was used to make poison that arrow-heads were tipped in, seeing how this tree's sap is poisonous. However, yew was also used in shamanic practices. Namely, during the summer, the great heat would cause the trees to exude a psychoactive substance. Practitioners would then meditate under that tree and use those natural fumes for shamanic journeys. Naturally, this practice was not recommended if the shaman who practised it was not completely prepared and trained. Eihwaz also signifies Yggdrasil as the tree Odin sacrificed Himself to Himself. This event manifests itself on the mental plain as a symbolic death of the adept, that is his old Self. However we consider Eihwaz, it will carry in itself death and transformation from one state into another. This is the Rune of facing oneself, the symbolic descent into the underground kingdom of Hel.

Jera

This Rune is connected with a fertile year or season, that is the period that can be in any way considered successful. The very concept of a fertile year or season is very important in insecure and unstable regions of Northern Europe. Moreover, a fertile year is of vital importance for its residents. Fertility can be viewed as a psychological state as well as a physical one. As a state of consciousness Jera signifies the beginning oh psychological progress that follows the state of stagnation (Isa). It is the beginning of spring that comes after winter and the lushness of life that was until recently blanketed with snow. Jera is also the reaping time, during which we collect the fruits of our own labours. It's also connected to the year's cycles – Sabaths, and any other type of cycle. Some authors connect Jera to Karma, the laws of which always reward the ones who make an effort and punish the ones whose actions cause destruction and regression.

Iceland

Isa

Isa translates as “ice” and the interpretations of this Rune are almost always negative. Whenever one's blocked in life, whether it's an emotional, sexual or even a financial block, it's ruled by the force contained in Isa. Therefore, Isa is the state of stagnation and one's inability to move psychologically, which often causes sadness and depression. One needs lots of strength to overcome Isa, which is evident from the physical characteristics of ice. Isa's action prevents any possible movement, be it phychological or physical; it also blocks the action of other Runes which are opened with Isa in divination. This Rune is also connected to the Ego which can be the source of stagnation. Isa is actually a representation of a frozen state in which hides the germ of life. A mind in the state of stagnation actually hides within itself the possibility of spiritual progress, possibilities that can be accomplished with extraordinary effort, but is in no way unattainable. Regardless of its alleged negativity, Isa can be a very useful Rune. As a magical image it's used to stop some processes as well as to stabilize a current state of affairs.