Today’s Rune is Othila (oh-tee-LAH). Pronunciation audio provided by Oswald the Runemaker.
Keyword: Separation
Duality: Feminine
Elements: Water and Fire
Imagine a young woman walking uphill along rough dirt road in medieval Scandinavia. She’s wearing a thick cloak and carries her few possessions in a small sack. At the hill’s crest, she stops and looks behind her. Tears fill her eyes and her heart aches as she takes one last look at the village that’s been her home since she was born. Her breath catches as she sees the faces of her loved ones. She takes a deep breath, wipes her eyes, and turns back to the road ahead. As she continues walking, feelings of exhilaration and excitement begin to replace her fear and uncertainty.
The young woman is leaving her home because she knows she can no longer grow there. She must now separate from her home and birth family so she can become who she is truly meant to be.
Othila counsels separating from patterns and behaviors which, though they may well-established/comfortable, are preventing growth.
It can be very difficult to leave behind what we’ve always known. Disempowering patterns established during youth – in my case, sacrificing my own growth and well-being to “take care” of my mother and sister - can be hard to overcome. Most people want the ones they love to be well and happy, including me. But I cannot truly give these things to them, or anyone else. They must decide to create it for themselves.
I will remember that my loved ones have the power to create the lives they wish to live, and so do I.
Why is there no mention of inheritance here?
mysticheart,
Good question. From my earlier post Daily Rune: Teiwaz (and others):
“This brief entry should not be viewed as the complete definition of the featured Rune, but rather as a glimpse at one of its many facets.”
Also, I feel that associating Othila strictly with “inheritance” is taking its overall meaning out of context. It is indeed “inheritance,” but inheritance of the patterns and behaviors of our kin (genetic inheritance) which have the potential to stifle or prevent personal growth. This interpretation seems to be one shared by Freya Aswynn, regarded by many as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Runes. (Hit ctrl+f and search for Othila to be taken directly to that entry at the link.)