About
Personal Trainer
Although I am a certified personal trainer with many specialisations, this blog is for documenting my healthy living choices and experiences. It is not monetised and does not offer professional advice.
Mental Health Advocate
I may talk about how my Bipolar 1 and PTSD manifest at times. Each person is different. When I experience a manic episode, I work through internal scenarios. I describe this as being kind of like a video game and I have to pass each section. Sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I don’t progress for years. I’m usually focused on progressing spiritually and am worried about the state of the world and humanity.
Though I may have hyper-religious experiences, I do not consider myself to be like saints who have mystical experiences.
While manic, I can also be hyper-sexual, and this can cause much pain and embarrassment.
Mental Health Resources
If you are feeling like you need to talk with a professional about your mental health, I urge you to contact your care team, or you can visit the page on my blog that has International Mental Health information.
Legal
This Site cannot and does not contain medical/psychiatric/fitness advice. The medical/psychiatric/fitness information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
About Logo
The logo is comprised of 2 Nordic Runes: Raidho & Berkana.
Raidho
Raidho (or Raido) is the fifth rune of the Elder Futhark, symbolizing the journey, travel, rhythm, and the wheel. It represents purposeful movement, whether physical travel, life transitions, or spiritual progression, emphasizing the journey itself rather than just the destination. It often signifies taking action, setting goals, and following the natural cycle of things. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Core Meanings and Symbolism
- Journey and Travel: Directly related to “riding” or “wagon,” it is the archetype of travel, relocation, and adventure.
- Life Paths and Direction: It suggests purposeful motion and taking control of one’s path, rather than aimless wandering.
- Rhythm and Ritual: It embodies the cosmic order and the natural rhythms of life, encouraging alignment with the proper time for actions.
- Inner Transformation: Beyond physical travel, it represents the inner journey, personal growth, and emotional or spiritual development. [1, 2, 3, 6, 7]
Divination Interpretations
- Upright: Indicates a successful journey, safe travel, rational decision-making, and the need to embrace change.
- Reversed: Can suggest disruptions in travel plans, rigidity, a lack of progress, or a need to re-evaluate your current direction. [3, 4, 6, 8, 9]
Usage and Symbolism
- In Magic: Used to ensure safe travel, expedite trips, or gain perspective on life’s challenges.
- Shape: Represented as ᚱ, its shape is sometimes linked to the concept of a rider or a wagon wheel.
- Cultural Context: In the Rune Poems, it is associated with the joy of travel and the hardship of the horse. [4, 5, 8, 10, 11]
Raidho is the fifth rune in the first aett, highlighting its importance in navigating life’s challenges and finding balance. [8, 9, 12]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/elder-futhark-norse-runes-meanings-list/raidho-rune-meaning-journey
[2] https://www.maginrose.com/runes/exploring-the-runes/raidho/
[3] https://thewickedgriffin.com/raidho-rune-meaning/
[4] https://www.facebook.com/groups/373066425353775/posts/601693972491018/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raido
[6] https://vikings-valhalla.com/blogs/runic-alphabet/raidho-rune
[7] https://www.facebook.com/groups/norsereligion/posts/10161605915174843/
[8] https://www.vikingheritage.net/blogs/viking/raidho-rune
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap1g_M0oKyw
[10] https://runedictionary.com/raidho-rune-meaning-travel-and-momentum/
[11] https://www.pinterest.com/pin/raidho-rune-meanings-and-interpretations–718746421799928848/
[12] https://medium.com/mythic-writes/the-rune-series-raidho-journey-d559318c9987
Berkana
Berkana (or Berkano) is the 18th rune of the Elder Futhark, symbolizing the birch tree and representing birth, fertility, nurturing, and new beginnings. As a “divine feminine” rune, it embodies growth, regeneration, and the protective, life-giving energy of the mother, often used for healing and strengthening family ties. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Key Aspects of Berkana (Upright):
- Meaning: Birth, growth, new beginnings, nurturing, regeneration, and renewal.
- Symbolism: Associated with the birch tree, the first to bloom in spring, representing the return of life after winter.
- Energy: Gentle, protective, and feminine; often linked to the goddess, healing, and the nurturing of new projects or ideas.
- Divination: Indicates a time of positive change, personal growth, and successful outcomes, especially in family or personal life. [1, 2, 5, 6, 7]
Key Aspects of Berkana (Inverted/Reversed):
- Meaning: Lack of growth, stagnation, or issues with development.
- Divination: Suggests potential anxiety regarding family, the need for caution in new ventures, or the stagnation of a project. [7, 8, 9]
Common Uses:
- Magic: Used in spells for fertility, safe pregnancy, and healing.
- Protection: Known as a powerful, protective talisman, particularly for children and women. [4, 5]
The rune is closely tied to the concept of the “mother,” healer, or midwife, bringing peace and fostering development, not just in a literal sense but also for personal or professional growth. [2, 10]
AI responses may include mistakes.
[2] https://vikings-valhalla.com/blogs/runic-alphabet/berkana-rune
[3] https://www.vikingheritage.net/blogs/viking/berkana-rune
[4] https://www.facebook.com/groups/awakenthenorth/posts/2467515070095009/
[5] https://www.maginrose.com/runes/exploring-the-runes/berkano/
[6] https://www.pinterest.com/pin/berkana-rune-meaning-symbol-magic-divination–6614730696426319/
[7] http://whispersofyggdrasil.blogspot.com/2012/02/berkana.html
[8] https://medium.com/@derectumillustrator/the-rune-series-berkano-birch-1eaeae9f272e