Spiritual Outlook: Perth: Initiation
As we head into the winter months, we are often called to look inward, to delve into the Shadow within ourselves so that we can come to greater levels of understanding. Powerful change can result from these efforts. If we do this inner work, we may experience a big leap forward.
It's time, then, to explore inner depths to renew your spirit. A vision quest of the spiritual self is required in order to advance to the next step of our evolution as spiritual beings in human form.
As Ralph H. Blum points out in his insightful work The Book of Runes (the best text there is in my opinion), Perth is the "heart of the Cycle of Initiation Runes." When we draw it, we are in the midst of a major growth cycle, which most of us would agree is true at this time. We must relinquish control and trust the Universe. Have faith that rewards will come.

Mental/Intuitive Outlook: Sowelu: Wholeness
Wholeness is the objective we all seek. In truth our task here on Earth is to remember our wholeness, our perfection. What our minds require at this time is stress relief and release. Sowelu invites us to take time for a retreat--especially at the Solstice or the New Year. Many of us tend to get a little crazed at the holidays and end up depressed precisely because we do not give ourselves the gift of quiet time.
There's a reason the winter is a season of hibernation for plants and animals. Go within to shine light into dark, secret places. Open yourself through meditation to receive the sun's life force. Sowelu brings deep regeneration at the cellular level if we allow ourselves the space to meditate and be in the silence.

Emotional Outlook: Eihwaz: Defense and Avertive Powers
It seems the runes are all on the same page in this spread! How can we avoid emotional distress and depression at this time of year? While it's natural for many of us to experience a feeling of moodiness or melancholy as the days grow shorter and the sunlight wanes, we often fuel these emotions by pushing ourselves at a frenetic pace around the holidays. We may build up a lot of energy in an effort to be perfect--to cook the incomparable meal, to find the ideal holiday gifts for everyone on our list. If we focus too much on results, we create attachments to outcome, and this constant buildup without a release can result in blockages in our chakras and energy fields.
The best advice when drawing this rune is to avert difficulties by planning when possible but at the same time to let all plans give way to higher guidance. Sometimes a delay can be a godsend. Let patience be your watchword. Instead of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season, allow yourself to be guided and in the flow.
I love to use the saying, "The best defense is a good offense," when discussing this rune. This time of year is ideal for giving a gift to ourselves in order to stave off the blues or the blahs. Bundle up and take a brisk walk in your local park one sunny day. Spend an afternoon reading a good book. Plan an outing with your best friend. Get a massage or an energy healing treatment. Do whatever is needed to get yourself clear.

Physical/Material Outlook: Hagalaz: Disruption, Hail, Elemental Power
Like Eihwaz, Hagalaz is one of the runes that has no reverse position (looks the same upright or upside down), and yet it works entirely through reversal. This Cycle of Initiation Rune demands that we wake up, change, be creative and grow. It also reminds us that events are beyond our control so that we have to let go and let God.
From the physical standpoint, colds and flu seem abounding this time of year. So the fact that Hagalaz has shown itself at this position in the spread may serve as a reminder that we need to do things differently so as not to get sick during cold and flu season. Finding that quiet time, relieving stress, letting go of attachment to outcome--all the things mentioned in the explanation of the previous three runes--can enhance our ability to avoid the worst of Hagalaz' impact on our physical being.
I normally omit the second meaning of this rune when giving its explanation to clients, but, with winter around the corner, the elements certainly can play a role in disrupting our normal lives. Drawing this rune in the physical outlook position may indicate a hard winter with the possibility of more disruptive weather than usual. Just a heads up!
Question: How can the rune of disruption become our friend?
Answer: It is the Great Awakener that leads us to liberation. Here's a very mundane example of how Hagalaz energy can work for the better...
Imagine you're preparing a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner for your relatives. You've done all the planning and made a major trip to the supermarket. You've got your recipes laid out including your mother's famous herb stuffing, which is a must have on your list of side dishes. You've got 10 different items in progress when suddenly you realize you forgot to get the most crucial herb! Your first thought is you can't possibly make the stuffing without it. There's no time to go to the grocery; so you rifle through the cupboard and refrigerator in search of a substitute.
Your first inclination is to panic, but Hagalaz asks you for something else.... Use your creativity; imagine doing something different. In the midst of your frenzy, a stillness comes over you, and you examine your pantry further to see what else is available. You have apples, onions, parsley, celery. So you come up with a wonderful apple/onion stuffing that your family gives rave reviews. Voila....You've liberated yourself from the idea that only this one recipe will work and created something memorable that is all your own!
Another example... If a sudden car repair expense makes it impossible to buy a gift for your sister, imagine what else you could give her that would cost nothing: You could take care of her children or prepare a meal for her family one night a month, clean her house, write a poem or draw a picture for her, create a special homemade ornament--perhaps something that would also be a joy for you to do. Any of these gifts would probably mean more than one you simply purchased.
So when those left brain plans go awry, tap into the right brain! Hagalaz provides the opportunity to use our inner strength, our intuitive wisdom and inner knowing (we all have it) and our inventiveness to help us grow beyond those things that we have outgrown.

General Intuitive Guidance:
It's time to get very clear within ourselves, to cleanse of the old ways, to relinquish habits and even relationships which no longer serve our highest good. We need to take inner journeys and search our souls in all aspects of life in order to open to clarity and greater awareness. This new year--whether you begin it with the Winter Solstice, the Western tradition of January 1 or the Chinese new year on February 9--will be a time of new beginnings; so we need to prepare for this during the waning days of this year. The angel cards tell us (Crystal) to have faith and hope and trust that something new and beneficial lies ahead beyond what we can see. In these years of the 2000s, we stand on the cusp between the old world and the new age. While each of us must open to change at our own pace, we can enlighten our journey considerably by illuminating and transmuting our own shadow states as we seek the stillness within.
At the season change, embrace the energy of Demeter, the Greek goddess of the Earth, the Mother. After Hades abducted her daughter, Persephone was consigned to spend half the year with him because she had eaten (pomegranate seeds) while in the Underworld. Myth has it that Demeter's grief over missing her daughter Persephone brought winter to the world. But Demeter always promises hope: Even in the cold, harsh winter the wise soul remembers that spring will come. There will be a return to abundance and joy. The wheel of life turns. Let the cycles of the year found in nature remind us to follow the rhythm of life and seek solace in the quiet depths of winter with the ever-present knowing that spring lies at its end.

Diana Henderson is an Intuitive/Spiritual Counselor, Reiki Master Teacher and Energetic Therapist. She offers clear, inspiring guidance aligned with your Higher Self as well as classes and sessions that empower you to heal and energize your unique Destiny. Contact Diana if you ready to embrace the adventure of living fully as a Light Being in human form, to discover the True Self and to follow your Soul Path! Her practice in Raleigh and Wake County includes multiple alternative modalities--sowing the seeds of Light in many forms-to quicken our journey and illuminate the pathway ahead.
Telephone: 919-552-0524, email: pulsarstar55@earthlink.net web site: http://www.dianahenderson.net