06/08/2026
If you’re reading this communique - “Welcome to the Human Race!” - a species of life different from all other creatures on Earth.
With few exceptions (based on what we currently know) only Humans have advanced language and written communication skills, a recorded history, are self-aware, highly inventive, make art, use tools, and can anticipate the consequences of our actions.
When motivated, we also have an immense capacity for creativity, and our cultural complexity is profound.
Which sets the stage for a deep dive into the ever-engaging 20th Rune of the Elder Futhark:
Mannaz – Rune of Society, the Collective Consciousness, and Human Potential
As a part of our humanistic education and spiritual growth process one of the best ways we grow and learn is by interacting directly with other women and men.
Along this pathway of interaction Mannaz often urges us to engage with people who aren’t exactly like us.
Why would that be? Because being open to folks who are different from us allows us to gain valuable perspectives on what it is to be more fully ‘Human’.
Plus, while we’re exploring the newness and variety of diverse individuals - they also get to experience the novelty and nuance that we add into the mix.
Pro Tip: “Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” ― from “Sometimes” by Mary Oliver.
When we sing, tell stories, build structures, invent hobbies, discover and exchange new innovations that express ‘our beliefs’ – across all manner of cultural variation – we have the opportunity to see and understand that ‘Humans’ are more alike than not.
Mannaz is symbolic of our desire to become better versions of ourselves and to lead meaningful lives on a daily basis. Whether we do that by sharing our food, teaching our young, or harmonizing our voices - these are choices we can make for expressing the divine in everyday interactions.
Runic Practice:
To align with the Rune of Society, the Collective Consciousness, and Human Potential try these daily Empathy Activators:
• The Dignity Visualization: The next time you are in a crowded, mundane space (a grocery store, a busy airport, concert hall, etc.), close your eyes for three seconds and visualize the Mannaz rune glowing over the crowd like a web of starlight. Open your eyes and look at a complete stranger. Silently acknowledge: "There is an eternal soul experiencing a human existence – just like me". This practice instantly shorts out the ‘us vs. them’ bias of the brain, allowing you to see the sacred and encounter the divine within completely ordinary interactions.
• The Daily Dose of Wonder: Take your cue directly from Mary Oliver’s words: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. Once a day, spot something uniquely human that amazes or impresses you – street musicians harmonizing, a parent’s patience, a beautiful piece of graffiti, or even a clever tool someone created. Then tell someone about it. Share the story with a coworker, text a friend, or post it to social media. By sharing these wonders of your mind with others you are actively improving the cultural fabric of your community.
• The Social Opener: Mannaz asks us to be brave enough to be vulnerable with those who aren't in our immediate circle. Once a week, intentionally strike up a brief conversation with someone outside your typical demographic or ‘happy place’. Ask an open-ended question ( e.g.: “What skill would you love to have?”; “How would you describe your hometown?”) and just listen to their perspective in reply. In doing so you will broaden your view about what it means to be Human - trading ‘meaningless static’ for genuine insights and understandings.
Bonus BindRune:
If finding your tribe – a group where you truly belong and feel accepted – is your aim, a BindRune coupling Mannaz (Humanity) with Gebo (Generosity) will help you focus on achieving connection through mutual give-and-take, support, and collaboration. Instead of saying “What can I get?”, you’ll be asking “What can I share?”
People Properties:
Mannaz people feel a deep sense of community and cooperation, hold strong ethics, and are committed to helping the human race evolve. They are true ‘humanitarians’, who find purpose and fulfillment through their connections with others. They live by a strong code of honor, believing that everyone deserves respect and dignity.
Mannaz Affirmations:
“My role in the community matters. I choose to show empathy for others by seeing the sacred in them. I am a force for healing and unity among the people I meet.”
RuneTip:
If we truly believe we are eternal souls experiencing a human existence - meditating on the deeper teachings of Mannaz will help us recognize that same dignity and divinity in others.
Featured RuneGift:
“Unlock Ancient Wisdom & Embrace Your Power!”
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RuneQueen’s Data Vault:
Mannaz correspondences useful in constructing rituals, talismans, & spiritual tools:
• Numerical Value: 20
• Linguistic Value: M
• Element: Earth, Air
• Tree: Holly, Ash, Elm
• Plants: Madder, Fly Agaric, Sage
• Colors: deep red, orange, indigo, rainbow
• God force: Heimdall, Odin & F***g
• Objects of Power: throne, handprint
• Fragrance/Incense: nutmeg, clove, clover, hay
• Gem/Mineral: garnet, turquoise, amber, ruby, bloodstone
• Metal: iron, copper
• Chakra: Third Eye
• Animals: human, hawk, raven, dog
A Postscript from the RuneQueen:
“Why the Elder Futhark and Why Now?”
‘RuneNotes’ is a weekly mini-MasterClass for people seeking knowledge and empowerment from the ancient wisdom of the Elder Futhark Runes, which have millennia of human history behind them.
According to Norse myth, Runes originally came to humankind from Odin himself as a set of holy mysteries and secret wisdom.
Their usage in human history goes back more than two thousand years. Runic alphabets evolved within various cultures so that now they exist in several forms.
The Elder Futhark traces back to ancient peoples of the Nordic and Northern European regions. My family background gave me a comfortable familiarity with Runes as a youth and in recent years I've been working much more intimately with the Elder Futhark.
My focus is on sharing what I've learned from my beloved Elder Futhark and encouraging others to: "Unlock Ancient Wisdom & Embrace Your Power”.
I'm based in Northern California/USA and thus influenced and tuned in to the natural world of the Northern Hemisphere and the cycles of nature as they manifest in these latitudes.
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