“Time is an illusion that once realized, is lovingly embraced, none the less.”
Dagaz - “Day-gahz” – Literally: “Day” or Dawn – Esoteric: Awakening
Rune of the hyper-consciousness. The process of concept becoming realized.
Psi: paradoxical truth, incommunicable experience, conceptual realization, Enlightenment, satori
Energy: twilight/dawn polarity, non-dual reality, unity, synthesis, transmutation
Mundane: another day, daylight, the inevitability of dawn
Divinations: Awakening, awareness, hope-happiness, the ideal, paradigm shift; or lack of vision, sleep, blindness, hopelessness, cataclysmic change.
Governs:
Attaining the mystical moment through penetration of the secret of paradox or non-duality
Reception of mystical inspiration – the gift of Odin.
Disappearance and the act of becoming the invisible
Invisibility as an organizing principle of Higher Consciousness
Synthesis of right-left brain dynamics.
Transformation of one thing into its opposite
Integration of female and male into complete being
My Notes:
Dagaz is the counterpart to the rune Jera. Both refer to time, Jera on an annual cycle and Dagaz on a daily cycle. Both are runes of change – Jera is a rune of gentle change, Dagaz is a rune of bold change, for example, the burst of light at the moment of illumination. It contains within its energies the experience called ‘satori’, a spiritual awakening experience common in all cultures.
Archaeological evidence proves that Dagaz has been used as a symbol of Light for more than four thousand years. It is the rune of hyper-consciousness. Achievement of this state of mind SEEMS to be a relatively rare occurrence in human life at this stage of evolution. When chronicled, it marks the beginnings of the mission of a World Savior on Earth.
Much has been written on the psychology and metaphysics of uniting left and right brain functions. Dagaz holds dominion over this union and is a tool that gives you great potency for present awareness and future growth. It is reminiscent of the lemniscate, the symbol of infinity, and the moebius strip, timelessness and illimitable potential, as well as an overturned hourglass.
The ‘point of poise’ entails balancing polarities so that all mystery is revealed to consciousness. The transformation of paradox into non-dual awareness occurs with Dagaz energies. It is to find the center between two extremes and maintaining a state of mind undisturbed by any mental or emotional storm. At the center, all power is to be found and equilibrium is a desirable attainment. This practice eventually leads to the practitioner no longer requiring a single right or wrong answer to the mysteries and many truths can exist complimentary to one another. No one single belief or viewpoint is sufficient and so all beliefs and viewpoints can be progressively abandoned. In the stillness and silent questioning of the mind that is left behind, all truth resounds.
Dagaz can be used to gain absolute stillness. It is invisible transforming power. The vibrational patterns of the self, or an object can be dampened so that the perception of material things to the human eye grow faint. Finding this point of poise takes great skill and practice with Dagaz but mastery of this rune of enlightenment leads down the path of disappearance. Mastery of invisibility leads to the understanding of existence through its opposite: non-existence.
An interesting thing to keep in mind is that the futhark has no rune for the night or for the moon. These are absences, not things. Darkness is not darkness, it is a quality of the light. The sun is always ‘there’, it is our world that spins around and causes the illusion that it is not. As well, the light of the moon is a reflection of the sun’s light. There is little reason to think that the ancients were not aware of this, even mathematically. “Darkness is not darkness” is a wonderful saying to meditate upon, and will reveal to the seeker that there is no true opposites as we are often convinced of, but only polarities within the supreme mystery of existence.
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26 Responses to Dagaz – Rune Meaning
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[...] begin with our inherited wealth, and part of our Hamingja is inherited. I’m still inclined to see DAGAZ as the bridge between life cycles – the process that carries the inheritance from Othala to the [...]
[...] requires faith to work with. Like DAGAZ, it can be seen as the continual unfoldment of universal intelligence, particularly consciousness [...]
30years ago,a friend and I began an effort to have a social club of sorts organized around the ideals expressed in the Dagaz rune.We didn,t follow up with this effort,but several other folks in the Madison,Wisconsin area did to a greater degree.
How does the relatively recent founding of the Dagaz corp. subsidiary sit with you all?
I had never unterstood what lies beneath the term “dark magic”, though I felt that there is nothing evil (as a lot of people believe), until I read this article. Now, I believe that dark magic, as opposite to white magic, means litterally that one does not accept to reflect the light of a superior being and tries to produce its own. And this is quite consistent with what left-hand path belief systems declare over their members’ ambitions.
Just some thoughts.
My comment on Dagaz is neither academic nor practical for other readers or runevitkis. I just want to share an experience with Dagaz, the result of which has dawned on me moments ago after reading Tyriel’s write-up on this rune.
My job was made redundant following a corporate restructure. Trying to disappear from the embarrassment of having everyone in the open plan office convey their support and pity, I started imagining myself being encircled by the Dagaz rune. I noticed that people gradually stopped noticing me even entering the office. It felt great to be moving under the radar!
Then as months rolled on and I started actively seeking job opportunities, no one bothered to respond. I couldn’t get responses from external recruitment companies and the human resources people continued to ignore me and my sense of urgency. As i write this, i’m beginning to understand what it could feel like to “not exist” in one’s own reality. I know that the ego identifies itself with external objects and concepts. And when people have started behaving as though i no longer exist, I’m faced with having to understand that I’ve been defining myself through my reflection off those in my personal reality. The point i’m getting at is that I’m having a tough time existing… or not existing in this way. And I’m struggling to hold on to this boat that’s evidently sailing away.
Yes, on a mundane level, I need a job. I am doubting that I could achieve this through non existence. I don’t know how to achieve this balance that Dagaz speaks of. I don’t know how to undo the invisibility. Perhaps it needs to undo itself (?). Maybe I need to reverse this somehow. Or maybe I need to embrace the lesson and evolution. If anyone has any tips or advice for me, I’d be grateful. I have until the end of this month to make myself visible.
LVX
My friend once gave me a necklace with this rune on it and I wore it all the time she claimed it was to help with my stress and anxiety and as I read your post it kind of makes sense now as to why I have felt invisible for the most part since that time, maybe the energies related to the rune absorbed into me and effected me that way. As to a way to undo it I havent a clue, but it will be interesting from here on to see how it plays out with the knowing of the power of things.
Hi Steven
Of all my practical experiences with runes, dagaz taught me the hardest lesson: that in order to appreciate the essence of existence, you may need to be immersed into non existence. And dagaz can very easily plunge you into this. I wasn’t even aware of what was going on. i wanted to be invisible, so i guess i got what i wanted. I just never realised that invisibility was congruent with non existence.
as to undoing it, you could do what i did. maybe just create a rune that represents the pendant and burn it. As with all rituals, intention is most important. Good Luck. :)
It was a great share Viv- an eye opening one-quite scary though-first of all I never ever thought thatthe invisibility factor would come in Dagaaz of all the runes- Dagaaz being the rune of day and sun- infact I thought it were the opposite of invisibility. Even before getting to know about runes I used to wish for invisibility though i was a normally sociable person.I used to hate facing people of authority and when come face to face with them I used to always wish I go unnoticed and would do anything to keep out of their way.I have to shamelessly admit that I get intimidated with authority for no particular reason.So Finally I got a nice white opal stone[an opal has such a property]-which would render the wearer invisible( do not take this literally but as in the case of Dagaaz I used to go unnoticed whenever I needed to and was comfortable with it)But slowly I began to realize that I always used to go unnoticed.When in a 3 or 4 some even if I say something It would go unnoticed.If I call for my kids they just wouldnt come.Eventhough I used to get put of with this at times I used to take pride in it..too so strange of me.When I started to learn about runes I even wondered if there would be one which makes you invisible.
Now coming to the Dagaz part of it I choose to read on Dagaz because it was my rune of the day.In the beginning I was pleasantly surprised to have seen invisibility as an attribute of dagaaz but only after reading viv’s article I realized what was happening to me- Just think of it I had not even realized it.And today the day of daggaz I had posted somebeautiful snaps of my owncrochet work on FB and was so dissappointed no one really noticed it.And it so much hurt to see a lot of others posting just meaningless 1 lines to get dozens of replies.Even I couldnt find those 13 snaps and had to fish for it on FB.Maybe it sounds silly and meaningless but it was a real eye opener for me…..
I don’t know Viv – that’s some powerful invisibility shield you have there [lol]. I just wrote and tried to post an answer and it disappeared into cyber space! This time I’m writing it in Word first .
This is just my point of view and you must feel these things out for your self, but I will offer a couple of suggestions.
First, if you have put on an invisibility cloak that you no longer need, then you must take it off. This should be quite simple. I would say, “Thank you for the shield, it served me well. Now I need to be visible again.”
Second, in terms of finding a new job it is important to remember that we work in particular social times and contexts. Right now, the economy is struggling. You are not alone in being laid off; nor in seeking another job.
Nevertheless, runic energies will help you in that search. Which ones to use does depend on your own situation, so you should think about which ones feel right to you. When I have needed work to provide for material needs I have drawn on the energies of Nauthiz (the need fire to achieve what is necessary – cover my necessities; Fehu for material wealth /needs are not alone; and Uruz for the health and strength to do what needs to be done. In your case, as effective communication is now important, you might want to call on Ansuz and perhaps there are other runes that seem to resonate with your field of work.
I hope this helps a little and good luck!
Hi Viv
On first Mahryan’s suggestion. I once was caught on such a “trap” and that’s how I got off. You can experience again the time when you called Dagaz help. Imagine that you created a, eg wooden, talisman with Dagaz. Now you can return to present and imagine that you burn it out, since it fulfilled its purpose. Since I had not “printed” my wish, I needed to follow this procedure in an imaginary way.
Good luck with your job research.
Dear Mahryan & Vanr
Thank you both for your suggestions. At least one immensely positive lesson has emerged from all this – I now believe in the invisibility power of Dagaz. I’ll definitely try your suggested methods of turning off the workings of Dagaz and I’ll keep you posted on the result.
Mahryan, thanks for the tip on Nauthiz – I’ve never thought to use it due to the stigma attached to it in divinations.
Coincidently, the runes have been advising me to use Ansuz as well. They have also been spitting out Algiz in Merkstave to remedy my situation. Merkstave Algiz always been a tough one for me to understand practically.
LoL @ Mahryan’s disappearing text. I’ve learned my lesson on underestimating the runes.
LVX
@ viv- I protected my previous post with algiz after reading about Maryan.Now at the end of 2 yrs Hopefully and surely youve got a better placement.But still… my 2 cents… Try Wunjo for presentations and interviews combined with Ansuz for the speech part of it
Viv: Oh, I don’t know… I still underestimate them once in a while… ;)
Vanr: Yes, I agree here that visualization techniques are extremely useful, especially for stuff that has to do with one’s own psyche.
There’s a stigma attched to Nauthiz in divination? To me it’s always been a rune of strength – things may be tough but you have what you need (the fire of necessity). The Norse after all were well able to survive the icy weather!
As for Algiz, I’ve always understood it as primarily protective even in murkstave.
Sometimes it can be warning you to protect yourself.
But often I find it is indicating a need to tend to the roots of something. In the context of finding a new job it might be saying “prepare the ground; do the planting”
Mahryan, my introduction to the runes was through divination. Nauthiz was, from what I’ve read, not the best rune to cast in divination as it presents a warning of some sort. And the good news in it is, according to Aswynn, “forewarned is forearmed”. And so I always considered it a prickly rune. Obviously, i need to start from the beginning again *chuckle* …without judgement. Thanks for the help.
Re Algiz, that is some new insight for me. Quick question: Aside from meditating on runes to understand their mysteries. Is there another way I can do this?
@Viv: There is another way you can understand, and that is to explore the definitions of various associated concepts. For instance, under each basic rune meaning on the site, I’ve listed:
Psi (an associated psychic or psychological state)
Energy (an associated movement or action or process)
Mundane (seemingly normal things that are profound in their association)
Divinations (what people generally agree they mean in relation to a reading)
For instance in Dagaz I mention ‘satori’… well, what IS satori, exactly? I also mention paradoxical truth, and non-dual reality. Well, what are those? What does that mean to you?
We can get more basic: some runes are linked to courage. What is courage? How do we develop it? What are its results? What can I do right now that would take courage?
For nauthiz: Need. What is it like to live needing something? What is it like to live restricting yourself to your needs rather than desires. What is the difference between a need and a desire?
You can think about these things, on your own, or consult philosophy or even what other religions say about these things.
Also words, if you’re into etymology. Healing, wholeness and holiness are common words in spiritual practices. Interestingly enough, they all relate to the more ancient word “HALE”, they all have the same root. This tells us something about how the ancients thought these (in our time) seemingly unrelated ideas were much more associated than we.
So there are many ways of exploring individual concepts, ideas, definitions and the origins of words that will pry apart these mysteries… these ‘rune secrets’ if you will. Ha ha. :D
I hope that helps Viv. Thank you for taking such an interest lately, I value your support of the site!
yore gifts come with understanding
hale just curious where does it come from am nordic & have named my daughter…. what were the ancients.. who were they omg they walk with me today………, they are norns3
Tyriel, I appreciate your advice. I will delve deeper into each meaning using the analyses and articles on the website as a basis for the groundwork. I would definitely prefer a more active approach for my research, so your suggestions work for me. I think i’ll be taking the philosophical / psychological approach.
And yes, the RuneSecrets site has become my first port of call when I need to reference a rune meaning. The articles contributed has been very valuable for me too. The associated concepts under each rune were a terrific idea!
Mahryan / Vanr / Tyriel / and whoever else care to know :)
I DID IT! :D The invisibility shield is Kaput! I like theatrics – so i drew a nice big Dagaz on a piece of paper. Stated my intention, and burned it. I also remembered to thank the rune for its workings in my Wyrd. And I’m so pleased with how effective it was! Everyone greeted me this morning (even people i did not know). Got invited to coffee. Received an email with work propositions… all in 2 hours of being in the office! Feels so good to be present.
Thank you all – you’ve been great!
LVX
[ ... You can think about these things, on your own, or consult philosophy or even what other religions say about these things. ... ]
It is quite interesting to find out that a lot of religions and belief systems share common thoughts, aspects and concepts. For example, the above burn-out procedure reminds me the so-called “Wild Fox Zen” incident, not as a sudden enlightenment, but as a sudden “discovery”. It is an action revealing a special mind activity.
Beautiful site thank you for the effort!
I just asked (several times in the last years) the same old question and got the same old rune…what is my life purpose and I got Dagaz. Funny that all my life (before being aware of the runes) I had the number 69 following me everywhere…I find this number reflects pretty much the meaning described here about this rune: the Yin and the Yang union of polarities, transcendence…
I do find myself recognizing Viv´s experience of not being seen…
If I am to admit that Dagaz represents best my life path, yet we do have to work, pay bills and so on…how to procede without ruining the life-process Dagaz is sugesting and at the same time be able to get a job and so on? Burning the rune symbol in this case.
Any sugestions?
Hugs
B
I have drawn this rune as my nature, I shall live by it
4/16: “What is the rune on my path today?” Dagaz. Just read your description, Tyriel. Very beautiful and wise. Many cool points to think upon. Thank you.
Thank you for this insight information about this Rune. I choice to step into Day-Light and ask that I practice all of my gifts with clarity, beauty and magnificence. It seems to up to all of us to keep our sights on remaining true- to our True- Selves
That was a great thing to have read for me also – in fact I asked for the rune of the day for the first time – and Dagaz it was! The situation Viv described is very common – once you ask for invisibility it may well be granted to you. And the best way to become invisible is to BECOME USELESS!!! In fact the two phenomena are very tightly interlinked as Sherlok Holmes used to say: “to look does not necessarily mean to see” How many people that are irrelevant to your immediate needs do you actually SEE as you encounter them every day? But don’t worry, in most cases the invisibility is reciprocal:-) Paying attention to something/someone is a way of giving out your energy (hence the verb “to pay” used in the expression) Remember in how many legends characters are warned against looking at something sometimes under the peril of death! So you give nothing = you get as much in return. Just play it safe – as a result Reality turns you into a can of preserves in its own juice:-) The good news is you can ask for a tin opener anytime. What I read about burning runes/runescripts: in days of old and even today burning a runescript was sometimes done by runemeisters to make the spell especially powerful and impossible to undo – there even were/still are special rituals for that.
Dagaz, for me, has been and will remain very positive and affirming. Dagaz is, for me, potential. That point of weightlessness at the top of the ride. The potential to keep going, float, or settling back down. It’s about balance. Invisible/visible. 2 parts of the same coin. There is no failure with Dagaz. It’s all where you put your faith and what you want to accomplish. With Dagaz and faith and knowledge you cannot fail. Just my thoughts.
Tyriel, May the Gods and Goddesses bestow many blessings upon you, this website is so amazing! It is a a rune of higher consciousness for sure! The governing ideal of “…reception of mystical inspiration-the gift of Odin”, for me threw me into a higher state of consciousness like,BAM! I knew dagaz was a rune of the seeker-but after reading your interpretation and notes,I was blown away,thanks Tyriel, this site is a dream come true…Wassail!