“You are what you eat” is a perfect aphorism.

I’m generally wary of groups of “like-minded” individuals. I’ve never met an ‘individual’ who was that like-minded. But! Like minded enough to enjoy overcoming their differences and speaking to one another… that is definitely one of the spots where spiritual communion is at its peak. Wunjo is, to me, the rune to focus on when it comes to the group/individual dynamic and its joys.

Again, Lucky., thanks! :)

(thurisaz = male sexuality, algiz = protection, condoms!)

Algiz can be seen as a bridge connecting mundane consciousness to higher, divine consciousness. Its secrets touch upon the gifts of meditation and prayer, of reaching up to the gods and seeking communication and communion with them.

As a bridge to divinity, Algiz can be associated with Bifrost, the burning, rainbow colored link between the realm of mortals (Midgard) and the higher worlds of the gods (Asgard). At the divine-end of this bridge sits the god HeimdallR, the ever alert guardian whose hearing is so keen it can sense the growing of a blade of grass. HeimdallR is the divine security system — through his constant vigilance, he alerts the gods to danger, alarm and all (in the form of a horn he blows).

Along with Algiz, another rune is linked to HeimdallR: Mannaz, or humanity. If HeimdallR is the central character of the Lay of Rig, as many believe, then he is the teacher of humankind, the giver of higher human consciousness, instructor in the runes to humanity, who shows us the way to the bridge to the divine within us.

HeimdallR has been called by some “the sober god.” My personal experience (as a sober pagan) has been that he, indeed, is a comfort to those whose spiritual path requires constant vigilance, clear-headed awareness, and firm mental grounding in the lessons of the here and now.

Rather than escape from reality, as many of us long to do through drugs and alcohol use, we can learn from HeimdallR how to accept life on life’s terms, to utilize and enhance our inherent gifts of consciousness, and, importantly, how to connect not only with the divine but also with other people.

Finding or creating communities of like-minded individuals who crave connection to higher consciousness, and then committing ourselves to developing and growing those communities, is one of the joys of the spiritual life. To look another human in the eyes and know that you can bridge the consciousness divide between you and share–and relate to–personal experiences of a higher order is the gift of HeimdallR. It brings a new level of meaning to our lives as spiritual beings inhabiting physical reality.

Algiz and Mannaz, therefore, are themselves powerfully linked through HeimdallR and are excellent runes to aid in protecting ourselves against toxins that pollute our clear thinking and hinder our efforts to achieve enlightenment. They also help us to attract and find like-minded individuals who share our quest for reaching higher levels of consciousness, while also repelling those whose influence could jeopardize our spiritual development.

Off the bat, I’d imagine that combined they may have something to do with defensive protection, or a protective tool or weapon of some sort. But there’s just so many possibilities without any information about the question that was asked during divination, the context in your life they were pulled — which is why you don’t often catch me trying to interpret other people’s rune lays.

Clear headed is good. You have gained wisdom from your experiences.
Keep moving forwards.
Hope this helps.

Ali.