The Rune Dad

Today I was reminded by what inspires. Kennaz ᚲ represents a torchlight or flame beaming outwards, lighting our path. This particular rune could be celebrated for many pages, and because I’ll have more opportunities to discuss the meaning of Kennaz another day, I’ll attempt to be as succinct as possible. I’m a bit passionate about this one (dad joke…keep reading).

Firstly, you must imagine what it is to create a flame. It’s a reaction as a result of friction causing a spark. And that spark against dry material causes a flame. Think of the wonderment of creating a source of heat, protection, and illumination from a tiny spark. Figuratively, it’s a symbol of our passion, wonderment, and the illumination of the path towards greater knowledge and understanding.

It’s a cloudless night when the days are short in an unfamiliar land. You must continue to press onward through the forest, but all you have is your torch to guide you. You use it to watch the ground for rocks or roots in your path and to spot the reflection of eyes onlooking. Step by step, that flame allows you to see just beyond the next shadow. Steadily, you make progress through the darkest of nights with the confidence of fire in your hands.

Or consider a campfire. In the cold of night, heat is a necessity. Imagine the lore told around a campfire: ghost stories, fables, sagas of gods and heroes. It’s a backdrop to learning: peaking the interests of young and old alike with tales of bravery, love, honor, and morality.

What is that passion inside of you? Where is your spark? What ignites you? Think about that subject, thing, person that keeps you on the edge of your toes, creating a desire to learn more and more about them. What thoughts and ideas dispel the darkness and ignorance?

A torch flame is pure energy confined. But uncontrolled fire is also destruction. Rage. When the flames are out of control, it’s a call to remember your center. Are you still learning? Are you still uncovering? Or have you made up your rigid mind and nothing can tame it? We must always seek to dispel ignorance through gentle, controlled light.

A person in rage is inconsolable. They cannot be reasoned with and are quite destructive. When no matter of speaking or reasoning takes hold, sometimes the walls and structures around them have to be removed. It’s okay to let go. With no one around them, there’s nothing to burn. And just maybe, their own tears will put the fire out. Eventually, we’ll talk about the rune for water, Laguz ᛚ, and I’ll bring this point back up.

There’s always a sense of duality with flames. It can keep you warm and it can burn you. I like to think about a campfire scene where you can hear rustling in the bushes and trees. Do you sit with your back towards the noise and hope the animal is non-threatening? Or do you turn your back towards the flame but risk an ember burning your back. My point is that sometimes passion or the quest for knowledge can go too far. Does the news rile you up? Are you becoming too fanatical or extreme? A little ignorance is bliss.

Finally, with knowledge comes great power. Your choice is to either kindle that knowledge with warmth and observation, or to let it consume you (and maybe others around you). Always seek your spark and knowledge, but remember how rich life is outside the bounds of the flame. Sometimes, it’s fun to explore in the dark.