Laguz, Lögr, Lagu: Mani's Emotions
Laguz, Lögr, Lagu
ᛚ
Through ripples in the depths
Under the light of Mani’s rays
Dive below and know
Pronunciation: Laguz: LAH-gooz, Lögr: Low-grr, Lagu: Laa- goo
Literal Translation: Lake, Water, Ocean, Sea
Sound: L
Magical Correspondences: Intuition, emotion, lunar, water energy, death work, invoking Njord and Ran, currents, power of the waves, rage
Divination Meaning Upright: These are the Runes of the deep, linked not only to the rhythms of the seas and Mani, but our psyche as well (appropriate that Rolling in the Deep was in my ears as I typed this). Laguz, Lögr, and Lagu warn that the moment of transition is past: that the time is now to listen to our emotions, the raging crashing waters within, and heed their intrinsic lessons. Much like Perthro and that cohort's counterparts, if we want to achieve the elusive concept of balance we are going to have to brave the unknown and let go. Where Pertho is the cosmos, Laguz is the Oceans and its tides. Taking care of our bodies will undoubtedly help us to enjoy greater physical and mental well-being. Calmer seas are ahead, if we implement the changes necessary to achieve happiness. Body and mind are not two autonomous entities, but they are in continuous communication with each other, and both need to be in balance and harmony, with each other and with nature.
Divination Meaning reversed: The double edged sword; sometimes we can get too preoccupied with chasing balance and with chasing our past, trying to carry it forward with our growing selves. Perhaps we are chasing a dream or project and becoming excessively perfectionist in every facet of the undertaking (been there; even recently). When these Runes appear reversed it's a reminder to allow ourselves to feel. Feel the imperfections in ourselves, and in our undertakings, and see how a piece of us is carried in that imperfection. Those details make the project worth finishing. Laguz, Lögr, and Lagu are saying that the project (which is often ourselves) is growing and changing, and they suggest we adopt a more flexible and understanding attitude towards our mistakes and limitations. The satisfaction that we will feel for our successes, however small they may be, will have positive effects on our psyche. An attitude that is too rigid towards ourselves can, in fact, cause an inability to act due to the fear of making mistakes. Laguz asks us to be less harsh, and to profit from all experiences, both their positive and negative aspects.
Delving into the Runes: We know the saying that water is life, (there is a multitude of elements that represent life for many cultures and spiritualities; just in this book we liken blood, breath and water to life inherent) and it's never more truly said than with Laguz, Lögr, and Lagu: the (literally translated) Runes of the sea and the tides. In the ancient Norse world, travel was often over waterways, whether rivers, lakes, or oceans, and people understood how much water was necessary for life itself. They also knew the importance of water in death as well; waterways were seen (and still are) as liminal passageways to get to the realms beyond life. When these Runes are drawn, especially with Raidho, Reið or Rad and Mannaz, Maðr, or Man, it can often mean a literal journey over a body of water. Water is everywhere: in us, in the ground below us, and in the sky above us. This is reflected elsewhere as Albios, Bitus, and Dubnos, the Gaulish divisions of the sky, the earth, and the deep. I include this aspect, as they are part of setting my sacred space or Nemeton. Water sustains, and water moves. To better understand the wonder of Laguz, Lögr, and Lagu, we have to acknowledge both the physical water in our world around us, and the metaphorical water of our psyche, as well as the pull of the tides and how the lunar cycles can affect us.
These Runes represent the ebb and flow of our unconscious, our emotional state. Emotions are typically associated with water, the moon and our emotions. All that make up the majority of our subconscious realms. We all have hidden springs within us, and Laguz, Lögr and Lagu help us discover them, whether in our waking state or our dreaming state, helping us to discover who we were, are, and are becoming. Whenever we experience heavy emotions, it often feels like we’re “drowning.” Many people who are overly emotional often refer to themselves as “watery,” and indeed, tears are the water that springs forth from us when we are experiencing emotions that are too much for us in the moment, whether they’re tears of happiness or tears of sadness. There are many expressions about water around emotions, like “Go with the flow” or “Keep your head above water.” The connections between water and emotions have been with us since time immemorial.
Water is also one of the main five elements in my practice, the others being earth, air, fire, and the Ether. Just like these other elements, water cannot be controlled easily by humans, and if in enough quantity and force, it can never be controlled. Laguz, Lögr and Lagu represent the basis of organic life, for without water, life couldn’t exist. They also represent the passage between life and death; after all one must cross the river Gjöll in order to reach Helheim, the Norse realm of the dead.