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Ansuz is the first of the thirteen Runes that make up the Cycle of Initiation - Runes that focus directly upon the mechanism of self-change - and as such, addresses your need to integrate unconscious motive with conscious intent. Drawing it tells you that connection with the Divine is at hand. For Ansuz is a signal to explore the depths, the foundations of life, and to experience the inexhaustible wellspring of the Divine in your nature.

At the same time, you are reminded that you must first draw from the well to nourish and give to yourself. Then there will be more than enough to nourish others. A new sense of family solidarity invests this Rune.

Reversed: You may be concerned over what appears to be failed communication, lack of clarity or awareness either in your past history or in a present situation. You may feel inhibited from accepting what is offered. A sense of futility, of wasted motion, may overwhelm you. Remember, however, that what is happening is timely for your process. If the well is clogged, this is the moment for cleaning out the old. Reversed, this Rune is saying: consider the uses of adversity.

4 - Separation - Retreat - Inheritance Othila, This is a time of separating paths. Old skins must be shed, outmoded relationships discarded. When this Rune appears in a spread, a peeling away is called for. Part of the Cycle of Initiation, Othila is a Rune of radical severance.

The proper action here is submission and, quite possibly, retreat - knowing how and when to retreat and possessing the firmness of will to carry it out.

Property is associated with Othila, for it is the Rune of acquisition and benefits. However, the benefits you receive, the inheritance, may be derived from something you must give up. Such a surrender can be particularly difficult when that which you are called upon to abandon is an aspect of your behaviour, or some part of your cultural inheritance. For then you must look closely at what, until now, you have proudly claimed as your birthright. Whether it is your attachment to your position in society, to the work you do or even to your beliefs about your own nature, the separation called for will free you to become more truly who you are.

Reversed: Now is not a time to be bound by old conditioning, old authority. Consider not only what will benefit you but also what will benefit others, and act according to the light you possess now in your life. Because you may be called upon to undertake a radical departure from old ways, total honesty is required. Otherwise, through negligence or refusal to see clearly, you may cause pain to others and damage to yourself.

Adaptability and skilful means are the methods to cultivate at this time. Yet you must wait for the universe to act. Receiving this Rune, remember: we do without doing and everything gets done.