As part of my gildverk last month, I took it upon myself to better the prospect of doing rune stadhas on a regular basis in different natural environments. Each body (lik) is a living rune that speaks in a bioacoustic language with the phenomena of the nine worlds, and natural qualities of Midgard. By travelling and finding separate, unique ecosystems and environments that I felt
symbolised specific runes, I would practice the associated rune pose with the galdr chant until my hamingja was linked sufficiently with the qualities of that rune. Some of my time was spent at a farm in the English countryside, with exposure to many natural features, wildlife, and spiritual sources. Whilst currently I have been practicing these at a homestead, or during my walks. I will give a small compendium of the rune stadhas and galdr with the refined magic outcomes.
Fehu (fee-yu) standing with right arm raised above head, and the left just at eye level. Working on a farm where the number of cattle and oxen determined how much work can be done, or milk gathered, and thus dairy made, which is Feoh, the temporary property and wealth of one person or group of people. The stave resembles someone reaching out to acquire something or holding onto a possession. Laguz (law-goze) standing straight with both arms tilted down toward the ground. Living near to the sea, or ponds. The causeways of water are the natural keep of Laguz. The galdr starts with a higher pitch, which can be the foci of water with sound above land, and ends with a deeper tone, like the depths of the ocean, or sea. When standing in water I find it more powerful because the stadha is set so that your hands outstretched, are like offering something to the waters. In the way the Proto-European Odin cults would give something to bogs and wells as an offering. So, one can extend their energy to the Goddess Nerthus. The shape is also in the form of a plant, withering before the water starts to fall on it.
Ingwaz (Ing-vase) Upright, arms bent at elbows and fingers meeting just above groin. In wild untamed places, Ing dwells. It is a passive pose, and allows for meditation on the diversity of life, and scenery before you when out in nature. The galdr is a breath of contraction and expansion, like the flow of life through a forest, or a sentient being.
Bjarkan (byar-khan) one knee bent with foot still touching ground and one arm bent towards forehead. Related to Ing, but to a natural place with a distinct feminine quality, or where there has been conservation and preservation done. The nourishing aspect of the mother goddess. Bjarkan galdr has a subtle trill of sound, like the acoustics of a lucid, fantastic land seen in a dream. The Berkano stadha, if done sitting, on both legs, you find yourself in a pose imitating worship or kneeling to terra mater.
Eihwaz (eye-wahz) one foot raised up halfway towards back, and both arms slanted towards the soil. On a small mound of earth, near a stream, and under particularly giant trees. The Ygg rune is a powerful stadha to practice and strengthen your own internal tree and axis. The posture demands balance and resembles a central pillar with tendrils or in this case roots, going down and out, and branches going up and across. The galdr had less effect on me than most runes, but one might want to try the Old English or Old Norse pronounciations.