The Rune Dad

This is your reminder to not take things so seriously. Pethro ᛈ is the most mysterious rune out of the 24. No one actually knows what it truly means and, therefore, there’s a lot of individual interpretation. So here’s mine.

It’s generally agreed that the symbol for Perthro represents a rune sack or die cup. I imagine boisterous great halls with mead overflowing. There’s laughter, drunken songs, and the occasional clattering of runes or die being cast on the tables. It’s about having fun, letting loose, placing friendly bets and enjoying the moment.

I’ve set a pretty hard schedule on myself to go to sleep and wake up at a certain time every morning to get in my readings, morning walks, thinking time, etc. And I feel bad when I don’t meet those expectations. I have a job to do, and when I fall short, I tend to beat myself up about it. Pethro is my reminder to chill out. It’s good to keep routines, but it’s also okay to break them and enjoy. Live a little more loosely from time to time. Go treat yourself. Have a cheat day.

Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling so great mentally after the above-mentioned pity-party, and I was missing some time with friends. I was generally feeling bad about myself when, randomly, I received a text from a friend asking if I had some time to grab some bites and drinks. It was a much-needed mental break that led to a Sunday of treating myself and relaxation. I had to pause and remember that life isn’t always about productivity and self-expectations. We all deserve to have fun.

In a broader sense, this rune, for me, represents lightheartedness and letting go to attract your desires. Letting go is such a necessary component to manifesting. When we try to force what we want, it certainly always ends with disappointment. I imagine my single days and trying to attract the person I’m interested in. If I tried too hard, my insecurities came out. That woman wouldn’t share the same interest. But when I relaxed to just be myself and let paths cross, the air of mystery prevailed, and I would succeed in attracting her to me. Life is a lot like that. If you try to grip sand at the beach it will run through your fingers, but if you loosen your grip, the sand will stay intact.

Of course, there’s always a balance in the runes. Play too hard, gamble too much, or not take anything seriously, and life will run by you (or over you). But for this context, let go. Don’t obsess, and be confident that what you desire will simply be attracted to you. Loosen up and try to play a little more. Get some smiles on your face, and actually trust yourself that this positive moment will be returned to you 10-fold.