The Rune Series: KAUNAN (Torch)
By the Light of Kaunan we search for eachother
The Runes of this series belong to the Elder Futhark, one of the oldest alphabets in recorded history. Each Rune has endless interpretations and deep meanings; while their origin and/or intent is lost to history, most interpretations come from the ‘Rune Poems’, possibly written around the 8th century. This series will explore the Runes through a personal journey and interpretation of them, alongside knowledge collected from written works, such as ‘The Book of Runes’ (R.Blum, 1982), and the intricately crafted website ‘Runesecrets.com’ by Tyrael, to whom I give thanks. Another useful source is ‘RuneLore’ (Edred Thorsson, 1988).
Greetings Dear Reader,
Welcome back to the Rune Series where we explore the ancient Runes through a psychological, practical, spiritual and philosophical lens.
You can check out the rest of this series below:
Before we see where Raidho takes us next, I have another exciting, wonderful song to share with you! The song is named ‘Vallåt’, by the band Kaunan (Kaunan, Forn, 2017). The song is performed by none other than Wardruna’s lead singer Einar Selvik, together with Maria Franz from Heilung. If that’s not an epic combination, I don’t know what is! I hardly need to say that I recommend any Rune enthusiast (or human in general) to check out their music.
A Light in the Darkness
Rune Series 6/24
First Row (Aett): Kaunan/Kenaz
Meaning: ‘Torch’
Associated English letter: K
KAUNAN, also known as KENAZ in some variations, is the light of the great torch that lights your way across the deep, unending darkness of the chaos in your soul. It points to discovery and the search for knowledge. It is also this author’s favourite Rune above all the others (my first tattoo!), and it is the one that will likely represent you too, the Reader, as you find yourself here in search of knowledge.
Let’s remember that in the times and location of the original authors of the Runes, winters were very harsh. As people lived in symbiosis with the land, they had a much different relationship with the cold seasons than we do today. The cold could easily lead to death, and fire was (and I’d argue still is), not only a source of light, but of life. Fire was life; the hope that lit the darkness.
And that same darkness of the night is such a great metaphor for our daily, inner torments. The anxieties, fears and painful unresolved traumas. The heaviness that we carry in our hearts every day. I do not believe that knowledge by itself leads to healing, but I do see it carve up the tunnels that can lead deeply into the self towards a better understanding of who we are.
The Self
This idea of ‘self’ vs ‘Self’ is very common in spiritual literature. The mind often has some trouble understanding the difference, due to its very linear nature and its propensity to identify with that abstract entity known as the ‘I’. The I is the ego-Me - that idea that says, essentially, that there is someone here reading these words on a screen.
“With contemplation and meditation, the belief in an imaginary ‘I’ as one’s actual self diminishes as all phenomena are realized to be happening of their own and not as a consequence of an inner, volitional I.”
(Dr.David Hawkins, The Eye of the I, Hayhouse, 2001)
One of the great hallmarks of spiritual evolution is considered to be the moment when one begins to understand that this so-called ‘I’ is merely another of the endless ideas that occupy the mind on a daily basis, and is no more real than its many passing fantasies. When that happens, one’s relationship to reality begins to change.
“We become insane, unsound, and without foundation when we lose consciousness of and faith in the uncontrolled and ungraspable background world which is ultimately what we ourselves are.”
(Alan Watts)
This concept isn’t anything new — it’s been alluded to in most spiritual texts, old and new. I believe Kaunan may have the power to lead the spiritual seeker towards these illuminating concepts, as it surely has led me on the path.
How to use KAUNAN
“Free from all old stories I’ve been told
I walk through the valley of my own shadow.”(Gajumaru, Yaima, Pellucidity, 2014)
I refer to Carl Jung again, whose teachings have been my essential torch on this journey across the dark depths. He believed that the psyche, by itself and without conscious intervention, seeks healing. Healing is an automatic process consequent to the self-regulating structure of the psyche. In other words: relax.
The torch is yours by default. Your task is not to seek it, but to realise and untangle all the stories your mind tells you about who you are, and what problems you have. Use Kaunan as a point of faith and reminder to trust in your own soul (psyche). You are not a discarded organism left to perish in a cold, uncaring universe — unless you choose to believe that you are.
Examine what you believe in. As you venture on this journey of life, use your own inner torch to examine the many structures and beliefs that reside at the foundations of your mind. What you’re likely to find are buried, old things — some, many actually, that aren’t even yours to begin with, but have been passed down through the wounds of history and past generations. Wake up and see them for what they are.
“Wherefore each of you, when his turn comes, must go down to the general underground abode, and get the habit of seeing in the dark.”
(Plato, Allegory of the Cave, the Republic)
Blessings,
