The Rune Series: RAIDHO (Journey)
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 begin this Journey, I’d like to take a moment and point the Reader to the absolutely awe-inspiring song Raido, by Wardruna (Wardruna, Runaljod, 2016). This song may have very well kick-started my desire of delving deep into Runic lore, creating the artworks and the very articles you’re reading now. Wardruna’s music is mystical, profound and spiritual and I owe them much of the interest I’ve taken into Norse myth.
The Journey
Rune Series 5/24
First Row: Raidho
Meaning: ‘Ride’, ‘Journey’
Associated English letter: R
Raidho/Raido is the fifth Rune of the great cycle and marks the beginning of the second half of the first row (known as an Aett). Raido is very closely associated with the next three Runes, in the same way that the previous four together told a cohesive story.
Raidho is a beautiful Rune, both in its meaning and shape. While its literal translation is ‘Ride’, it points to the concept of Journey. The journey of life, both outside in the world, and inside the layers of our souls. It is indicative of the Runes in general, given that their meanings often point both within and without. As above so below.
“While Ansuz may tell the stories, Raidho lives the stories. It represents our deepest personal life journey and the ultimate failures of language to communicate our experience to others. Something to notice about Raidho is the habitual way in which our minds concoct story and identity.” (Tyrael, Runesecrets.com)
This is really well put. While the previous Runes told abstract stories of creation and the birth of the Gods, Raidho represents the moment when the Runes become more physical/concrete and practical in their energy. A journey implies that there is agency on the part of the traveller, as well as trust/faith in the motion of the journey itself (or trust in the guidance of the Gods). I believe this mix between two sides of the same coin is at the heart of Raidho. There is no such thing as attempting a journey without some faith that the destination can and will be reached.
Horse-riding is another apt metaphor I can attempt to explain this with. The rider chooses to ride the animal, but the destination is determined by a mix of intentions belonging both to the rider and the horse. The ride goes well when the two are in perfect synchrony. This concept will be further elaborated on with EHWAZ, but serves the present context.
“The storm is stilled,
the mind it flies.
The drum of hoofs lay the beat
The heart, it follows,
two are one
Sets me loose
with speedy feet
Riding,
Raido.” (‘Raido’ lyrics by Einar Selvik/Wardruna, Runaljod, 2016)
How to Use RAIDHO
The journey is the destination because any destination has its meaning in the journey itself. One has no meaning without the other. In the simplicity of this concept one may realise that linear time, with a start and end point, is merely an illusion.
Humans often ponder their own fate, living in an imagined future. In a way, we always wonder about the destination of our journey and often miss the journey itself. We often live in fear that the destination may not be what we want, that we could get carried away and lose control over what happens to us. Raidho is the reassurance that the journey is the whole point and the imagined ultimate destination will never be reached. I find this especially useful when examining fears.
The Fear of Failure
Let’s suppose that you live with constant anxiety over a future destiny. This destiny isn’t something you wish for. While everyone’s ultimate fear is Death, it usually gets masked in various ways by other things; a common one I hear often (and relate to) is ‘Failure’. Especially in the modern world, always in a rush, we’ve somehow managed to place a dreadful spectre ahead of us called ‘Failure’. Failure of reaching our potential, failure of ‘winning at life’ (whatever that means), failure of ‘staying ahead’, failure of living a good life, etc. Failure seems to be a constant, very present companion for many, while projecting itself ahead on top of some imagined, abstract future point. A destination that, once reached, prevents any hope of adjustment or change, and is filled with only that: Failure.
In my own journey, I have learned to speak to Failure. Ask it how it’s doing. It’s always here, in the present — it’s never in the future, despite what it constantly says.
Try it. Speak to it and realise that, unless you consciously change your perspective, Failure will always stay wrapped around your feet like an iron chain, while you drag yourself onwards. It’s not waiting for you around the corner; it’s already here. And that means that you can change it. You can do something about it. Do what? Speak to it.
Ask it to tell you what it has to say. Ask it what happens after you Fail? You’ll soon realise it has no real answer to give and that ‘Failure’ is the name for the mask that hides your fears. Among them is the Ego/Mind’s fear of Death. Don’t push it away, don’t condemn it. Simply stay with it Now. Watch what happens.
And leave tomorrow to the Gods.
Blessings,
