The Rune Dad

The birds are starting to chirp in anticipation of the coming light. It’s cold, but that soft light indicates that the air will begin to warm. Colors in the sky are turning from dark blue to violet to pink to orange. And then that sliver of sun comes peaking through. It’s the dawn of a new day. That feeling is Dagaz ᛞ.

While the sun is the star of the show and a rune itself (Sowilo ᛊ), it’s the daytime that Dagaz represents. The Norse have a special relationship with the day, as they are part of the few in the world that have to live so long without it. At the end of the harshest season, Winter, the daylight’s warmth begins to melt the ice that has laid treacherously over the land and crops. While ice (and its corresponding rune, Isa ᛁ) represent stagnation and pause, Dagaz represents the time of “go.” Now is the time to accomplish your goals.

This is the season for celebrations, adventure, planting, campaigns, etc. The chill of Winter is over, and it’s time to act. If you look at the rune, I like to look at it 2 ways. The first way looks at the point in the middle representing the sun and its rays beaming outward, focussing on the new dawn. The other way I like to look at it is by turning it on it’s side and viewing an hourglass. Those of the far north understand that the sun is only around for a season, so you have to strike while the iron is hot.

I live in Dallas, and yesterday we had some very bad storms including a tornado. Luckily, our house was unscathed, but our trees were not. Today, I began the cleaning up of our backyard. I procrastinated this task in the morning then the day started getting away from me. At around 4:00 p.m. I was reminded that there’s not much time left in the day to accomplish this. The sun was further down in the sky, it’s not time to prep dinner, and if I waited any longer, I wouldn’t have any time. That is also Dagaz. It’s the awareness of fleeting time, and it asks you, “did you accomplish what you needed to do? Is there still time?”

Carpe Diem. Seize the day. There’s no better time to act than the present, and everything is in your favor. The stars are aligned, if you will. But take caution that this will not always be the case. Wait long enough, and you’ll have missed your opportunity.

Dagaz is also hope renewed. As we move away from the winter of our lives, Dagaz encourages hope and fresh, new opportunities for re-dos and even forgiveness. Let bygones be bygones and move forward into a brighter future.

The sun is behind your warming your neck as you start your new day. The temperature is beginning to rise, and the animals are coming out of their boroughs. The threat of winter is no longer. What are you going to set your mind to? Don’t waste an opportunity. Shine.