Gebo -Part 2
Translation:
Germanic: Gebo
Mod Eng: Gift
Old Eng: Gyfu
Phonetic: G (Handbook, 31)
Physical: (1:1) (Futhark, 12-13)
Divination:
+Gift, Generosity, Magickal Exchange, Honor, Sacrifice
-Influence-buying, Greed, Loneliness, Dependence, Over Sacrifice
(Futhark, 32)
Magickal Uses:
Sex Magic, Mystical Union
Increase in Magickal Power
Harmony between family
Acquisition of Wisdom
(Futhark, 33)
Elements:
Fire: This is a rune of heat and expansion. Both because of the Kenaz runes evident in it's shape, but also based on its meaning. Energy is directed outward equally on all sides so as to warm the community. (Futhark, 75)
Myths/ Spiritual Meaning:
This rune connects to gift-giving. The first gifts of mankind were the triple gifts from Odin- life, breath, form. Power or energy flowed from the universe, from the gods, and into the consciousness of humans. This energy must be kept flowing so as we receive from the gods/universe, so we must give back in kind. This is an interdependence between gods/nature and humans.
This rune points to sacrifice, which is a gift we send to the gods. To sacrifice is also to make sacred. When we burn a piece of meat or bread on the fire, it becomes sacred and so is a suitable gift for the gods. This ties Gebo to Kenaz as Kenaz is also the sacred fire.
Another exchange from the lore is between Sigurd and Brynhild. He gave her vows and his ring, and she in turn taught him the wisdom of the runes.
Gebo is found in Dagaz where it is large and sandwiched in between two Isa runes. Isa brings the force of this rune into a concrete manifestation. In the case of Dagaz it becomes internal evolution, a revelation or awakening of the consciousness, and an eternal upward spiral of growth.
In Manaz the Gebo is small and sandwiched in between two Isa runes. This indicates the interdependence, and the full manifestation of gift/giver/the given.
(Runelore, 119-120)
The Eights:
Row 1: Mysteries/Tools to learn
Row 2: Trials and Tribulations / Conflicts and paths to success
Row 3: The realm where the student works (Runelore, 140)
In the first row of tools, Kenaz precedes Gebo. This makes sense given the earlier discussion of the sacred fire of Kenaz and the sacrificial nature of Gebo. In the sacred fire during ritual we burn offerings to make them sacred and to send them to the gods. This is a ritual tool and practice.
After Gebo comes Wunjo. This rune is about Fellowship and Joy. It has three basic parts, that of Prosperity, Joy or Harmony, and Enclosure or Home. It is through this friction of community ritual, sacred offerings, and the everyday exchange of gifts between civilians that we can have Fellowship.
Below Gebo in the row of Paths to Success is Elhaz (Elk-Sedge), the branches of the tree Yggdrasil. This position seems to indicate that through equal exchange and sacrifice, the realms in the tree become open to the student for traveling the worlds. It is also a rune of protection. In exchange for sacrifices, we can gain favor with the gods.
In the row of the student's environment is Dagaz. This was mentioned earlier as the shape of Dagaz contains Gebo between two Isa runes. This rune represents dawn, enlightenment, and the hearthfire. The hearth is often a location where sacrifices occur in hearth based traditions and so is a sacred space itself. This is one of the goals of our work, to reach a moment when opposing things become unified into one concept. It is a moment of spiritual revelation, beyond the description of words.
(Futhark, 67)
Final Thoughts:
Gebo is a rune I struggle with sometimes. It is EQUAL exchange. I have that tendency many people, women especially, are raised with to give too much and not ask enough in return. This leads to resentment towards those you are giving to which is never a healthy situation.
Gebo could be two or four Kenaz runes back-to-back. This would indicate equal heat or energy directed outward between two or in all directions. It's a wise lesson for many in our culture to give but not to the point where they deplete themselves or harm themselves. It is a delicate balancing act that many seem to fail.
The Kenaz runes is also shaped as a cup which receives energy from all sides. It is a lesson in keeping your hands open and being thankful for what we have as well.
Three Paths Through Midgard:
In this stanza there is a reference to the threefold Gebo: gift/giver/gifted. The narrator is questioning who they should offer sacrifice to for this gift of mind, flesh, and consciousness. Was the body gifted to the mind or was the mind gifted to the body? In the end, the narrator seems to decide to sacrifice themself to themself, as if they were god.
The Rune Poem:
Gebo appears in the Old English rune Iar, which is supposedly a sea serpent, possibly an eel. It is described as dwelling in a joyful place. It could be a reference to The World Serpent that supposedly wraps around the earth at the bottom of the ocean.
Ing, in the Old English form looks like two Gebo runes on top of each other. It is the rune for seed, but the X symbol reaches up and reaches down simultaneously. It gives equally or grows equally in both directions. Failure to do so can result in death of the plant and seed. Branches and roots often mimic each other, reaching as deep as branches are tall, and as wide as the branches are wide. This can also connect to how the earth gives to us what we need to thrive and we owe the earth an equal gift in return. In Anglo-Saxon and Celtic mythology women were the caretakers of the land. Ing was a King who lived during a time of prosperity when people respected and revered the land. This version of Ing shows the interdependence of humans and the earth.
The Old English Gebo rune is a direct reference to the gift-giving culture of the ancient peoples. In order to keep the community harmonious and healthy, both guests and hosts would give freely to each other. It ensured survival as much as good will. Those who were exiled from this could face certain death trying to live on their own without help.
Germanic: Gebo
Mod Eng: Gift
Old Eng: Gyfu
Phonetic: G (Handbook, 31)
Physical: (1:1) (Futhark, 12-13)
Divination:
+Gift, Generosity, Magickal Exchange, Honor, Sacrifice
-Influence-buying, Greed, Loneliness, Dependence, Over Sacrifice
(Futhark, 32)
Magickal Uses:
Sex Magic, Mystical Union
Increase in Magickal Power
Harmony between family
Acquisition of Wisdom
(Futhark, 33)
Elements:
Fire: This is a rune of heat and expansion. Both because of the Kenaz runes evident in it's shape, but also based on its meaning. Energy is directed outward equally on all sides so as to warm the community. (Futhark, 75)
Myths/ Spiritual Meaning:
This rune connects to gift-giving. The first gifts of mankind were the triple gifts from Odin- life, breath, form. Power or energy flowed from the universe, from the gods, and into the consciousness of humans. This energy must be kept flowing so as we receive from the gods/universe, so we must give back in kind. This is an interdependence between gods/nature and humans.
This rune points to sacrifice, which is a gift we send to the gods. To sacrifice is also to make sacred. When we burn a piece of meat or bread on the fire, it becomes sacred and so is a suitable gift for the gods. This ties Gebo to Kenaz as Kenaz is also the sacred fire.
Another exchange from the lore is between Sigurd and Brynhild. He gave her vows and his ring, and she in turn taught him the wisdom of the runes.
Gebo is found in Dagaz where it is large and sandwiched in between two Isa runes. Isa brings the force of this rune into a concrete manifestation. In the case of Dagaz it becomes internal evolution, a revelation or awakening of the consciousness, and an eternal upward spiral of growth.
In Manaz the Gebo is small and sandwiched in between two Isa runes. This indicates the interdependence, and the full manifestation of gift/giver/the given.
(Runelore, 119-120)
The Eights:
Row 1: Mysteries/Tools to learn
Row 2: Trials and Tribulations / Conflicts and paths to success
Row 3: The realm where the student works (Runelore, 140)
In the first row of tools, Kenaz precedes Gebo. This makes sense given the earlier discussion of the sacred fire of Kenaz and the sacrificial nature of Gebo. In the sacred fire during ritual we burn offerings to make them sacred and to send them to the gods. This is a ritual tool and practice.
After Gebo comes Wunjo. This rune is about Fellowship and Joy. It has three basic parts, that of Prosperity, Joy or Harmony, and Enclosure or Home. It is through this friction of community ritual, sacred offerings, and the everyday exchange of gifts between civilians that we can have Fellowship.
Below Gebo in the row of Paths to Success is Elhaz (Elk-Sedge), the branches of the tree Yggdrasil. This position seems to indicate that through equal exchange and sacrifice, the realms in the tree become open to the student for traveling the worlds. It is also a rune of protection. In exchange for sacrifices, we can gain favor with the gods.
In the row of the student's environment is Dagaz. This was mentioned earlier as the shape of Dagaz contains Gebo between two Isa runes. This rune represents dawn, enlightenment, and the hearthfire. The hearth is often a location where sacrifices occur in hearth based traditions and so is a sacred space itself. This is one of the goals of our work, to reach a moment when opposing things become unified into one concept. It is a moment of spiritual revelation, beyond the description of words.
(Futhark, 67)
Final Thoughts:
Gebo is a rune I struggle with sometimes. It is EQUAL exchange. I have that tendency many people, women especially, are raised with to give too much and not ask enough in return. This leads to resentment towards those you are giving to which is never a healthy situation.
Gebo could be two or four Kenaz runes back-to-back. This would indicate equal heat or energy directed outward between two or in all directions. It's a wise lesson for many in our culture to give but not to the point where they deplete themselves or harm themselves. It is a delicate balancing act that many seem to fail.
The Kenaz runes is also shaped as a cup which receives energy from all sides. It is a lesson in keeping your hands open and being thankful for what we have as well.
Three Paths Through Midgard:
In this stanza there is a reference to the threefold Gebo: gift/giver/gifted. The narrator is questioning who they should offer sacrifice to for this gift of mind, flesh, and consciousness. Was the body gifted to the mind or was the mind gifted to the body? In the end, the narrator seems to decide to sacrifice themself to themself, as if they were god.
The Rune Poem:
Gebo appears in the Old English rune Iar, which is supposedly a sea serpent, possibly an eel. It is described as dwelling in a joyful place. It could be a reference to The World Serpent that supposedly wraps around the earth at the bottom of the ocean.
Ing, in the Old English form looks like two Gebo runes on top of each other. It is the rune for seed, but the X symbol reaches up and reaches down simultaneously. It gives equally or grows equally in both directions. Failure to do so can result in death of the plant and seed. Branches and roots often mimic each other, reaching as deep as branches are tall, and as wide as the branches are wide. This can also connect to how the earth gives to us what we need to thrive and we owe the earth an equal gift in return. In Anglo-Saxon and Celtic mythology women were the caretakers of the land. Ing was a King who lived during a time of prosperity when people respected and revered the land. This version of Ing shows the interdependence of humans and the earth.
The Old English Gebo rune is a direct reference to the gift-giving culture of the ancient peoples. In order to keep the community harmonious and healthy, both guests and hosts would give freely to each other. It ensured survival as much as good will. Those who were exiled from this could face certain death trying to live on their own without help.
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