Sunday 28 September 2014

Post No. 596 – The past week, for tonight’s meditation, energy assessments and leadership



Well the footy – and I do mean The Football Code, not the round ball or the ‘hand-egg’ versions :) - is over for another year, and we start to move into that other sporting joy of the calendar: cricket :) (I used to quite like netball as well, but found the teams all a bit confusing after the shift to a joint Australian and New Zealand league, and have now – sadly - thoroughly lost touch with that great game – and don’t have the knees of health generally to think of laying it.)

Seriously, I don’t mind either sport, but I can’t sit down and watch hours of sport without falling asleep, or at least yawning. And if I chose to go and watch some footy live, I would rather got to the women’s footy, where there is a better chance that the spectators and – to lesser extent –the players will be less aggro. Sadly, the team I used to follow, the Parkdale Seagulls, which is where I grew up as a kid and went to primary school, no longer exists, and I have not felt the same emotional attachment to any of the other teams.

My partner, partner-in-law and I were talking about who we barrack for, and there are a couple of meanings for this that I would like to address.

Firstly, there is the team I ‘officially’ barrack for, which came about as a result of my parents being stopped in the street where they lived by one of the local kids after they – and a few weeks old I - had moved to Melbourne:

Kid: “Who do you barrack for?”
My parents, not even knowing what teams existed: “Who do you barrack for?”
Kid” “The Melbourne Demons!”
My parents: “How ‘bout that, so do we!”

… and we’ve been official Melbourne supporters ever since – perhaps sadly, given their decline over most of the period since then. I haven’t changed my official loyalty, however, as I consider it is often important to ‘stick by’ people and groups when they are going through a rough spot, as that support – provided it is not blind or subservient – can help them get through that ‘rough spot’ or change. There are exceptions, some of which I will come to shortly, but I have no respect for the person who changes their support to whoever is most successful: they’re not a ‘builder’, they’re more of a … well, more of a parasite, basking in and sharing the glory of others who have done lots of hard work to get to their success (especially if the success is claimed to be overnight, there is often a great deal of unseen and unacknowledged work that has gone into that!).

However, there is another interest I have, and that is related to the quality of the team’s people, and the way the coach meets the challenges of getting a group of dozens of people to function effectively. There are some coaches who are exceptionally good at getting their players to both play well, and behave like decent human beings – on and off the field. The only example I can think of in the current batch is Paul Roos, who I had considerable respect for as a player, and even more so as a coach. Some of his legacy still exists at Sydney Swans, and I was therefore hoping they would be successful yesterday. Sadly, they weren’t, and I heard one commentator make the telling remark “The Hawks are playing the way the Swans use to.”

I beg to differ in one instance, in that I consider the Hawks (Hawthorn) were actually indulging in more macho rubbish than the Swans under Paul Roos did. I’ve also seen women footy players do the same by the way. Yesterday I saw one Hawthorn player push a Sydney player back down into the ground as both were getting up, and it reminded me of an incident where one of the Parkdale women punched her opponent in the ribs as both were getting up after a tackle. Whoever it is doing such behaviour, I am unimpressed – and I consider the Australian cricket team’s practice of sledging means that their past successes may not actually be true and fair successes. Such behaviour is why I was conflicted when the Brisbane Lions were successful at around the turn of the century – one the one hand that was the city I was born in, and the team had been created out of a merger between a local team and the Fitzroy Lions, one of the teams I liked the character of, but who were profoundly unsuccessful on the field, but on the other hand they were extremely macho ...

Fairly clearly, I am touching on the issue of ‘where do you draw the line’ in the pursuit of success. The Hawks used to be quite unsuccessful, until a coach turned up who had a ‘do anything it takes to win approach’ – and that was welcomed by the supporters, after years of being what is termed ‘easybeats’, but should it have been? I can’t celebrate the success of my nation’s national cricket team because of the sledging issue – and if Melbourne won, but lost its character along the way, I would probably not take any joy in it. In fact, the cheating Melbourne did a few years ago almost was enough to make me break my ‘official’ (incidentally, I’m not and never will be, a financial member) support.

I can to some extent, have empathy for those responsible, who are probably under massive pressure from the team’s supporters, but there still is the BPLF moral / BPLF ethical / BPLF values line that should not be crossed.

Before I get back to that issue, I would like to make one more point, and that is that many of these footy players are kids. So the coaches I admire are not only ensuring that the players learn the basics of footy (kicking, handballing, marking, etc) and the tactics and strategy involved (which, contrary to the opinions of a round ball supporter I spoke to many years ago, do exist, although in some ways they’re more akin to basketball, perhaps, than other footy codes), but they also have to guide them (many have moved away from family to play, so parents and family are often no longer present) through their journey from puberty to adulthood – whilst under an intense level of public scrutiny and desire by some macho idiots for ‘challenges’ (fights, in other words) that other kids do not have to cope with.

So the job Paul Roos did at Sydney is, in my view, extremely admirable.

So … leadership is something that is particularly on my mind, and then I came across this excellent article on the Wild Hunt: “Accountability in Pagan Leadership”., and the links to two Shauna Aura Knight posts: “Pagan Elders and Abusive Dynamics”, and “Sins of the Whistle Blower”, which also links to Ivo Dominguez’s “Hand, Heart, Eye”.

I’ll play some Beethoven while you duck off and read those links …

OK, back? Good-oh.

Commitment to BPLF moral / BPLF ethical / BPLF values and accountability is something that is important in all situations of life. Back when I tried to establish the – now defunct – ‘Rangers of the Inner Plane’, I actually made the group entirely accountable to the – also defunct - ‘Grove of Gyhldeptis’, and planned on both groups having a position termed something along the lines of ‘Group Conscience’. I never got around to posting the Position Description for the ‘Grove Conscience’, but I did spell out the accountabilities proposed for the ‘Grove Guide’ in that PD (which was based on what I do in my day job, incidentally, although I was able to add to that quite considerably). I had written up the position a little for the Rangers, and that was along the lines of the following:

Responsible for oversight of Corps with respect to ethics, ensuring operation with ethical integrity and advice to Corps Command Triangle about whether or not the Corps should be disbanded on the grounds that it has become more harmful than beneficial. MUST be beyond all reasonable reproach, or inference of impropriety.

Also expected to have psychic skills equivalent to 3rd Degree initiation in Wicca/Witchcraft, life skills equivalent to a Uranus Opposition and to be an active member of the Grove of Gyhldeptis.
Liaison with, and ensuring adequate support of … (other sub-groups and positions with similar responsibilities).

Required to have at least one of the following skill specialisations:
  • life experience
  • ensuring requests for help are noticed and effectively acted on
  • organisational ethics & grievance management
  • history (especially learning from!)
  • change management
  • the spiritual state of the world’s cultures and groups
  • optional spiritual pathways
  • spiritual oversight

Head of the:
  • ethics chain of support units/positions (in conjunction with the Corps Ombudsperson)
  • recruitment chain of support units/positions (in conjunction with the Corps Historian and Records Keeper)

May appoint otherwise unassigned Rangers to assist in the fulfilment of these duties or, subject to the approval of the … (leadership group), request assignment of Rangers for the same. May organise and direct these Rangers as deemed appropriate (subject to all other rules). 

One of the issues I particularly wanted to avoid was either of these groups existing for longer than they should. That is when groups become harmful: if whatever needs drove the group to exist in the first place no longer exists, or is better met elsewhere, then that group should, in my opinion, graciously wind itself up.

There may be other matters to address as well – for instance, one position I have held included a duty to remove the leadership if they became unfit for duty.

So … there are very valid issues to consider, and there are ways to address these issues, some of which have been outlined in the referenced Wild Hunt post. Looking more broadly, some leaders seem, to me, to manage consideration of BPLF moral / BPLF ethical / BPLF values fairly well – for some issues, at least, if not generally. I consider that US President Obama has done a good job in assembling a coalition that includes regional allies (acknowledging the problems that exist with that – see here, here and here) in the fight against the group that I term QSIL (although if I really wanted to annoy them I would use the Arabic-based acronyms DA’ESH or DA’ISH that the French use), which is essential, and I am glad that work is now known to be being done to cut of QSIL’s funding (see also here and here).

Concerns over terrorism have cropped up locally, and I would like to refer you to these links:

I also suggest you consider the following as examples of responses to security concerns be wary - or at least cautious - of: here, here and here.

I’m also glad that work is being done to keep this in perspective. As an example, US President Obama has pointed out that climate change is a bigger threat than terrorism – and I am particularly glad that my nation has been singled out as one of the slackers, as we are (on this issue, see here, here, and here). The danger of the Ebola crisis in West Africa has also been pointed out –see here and here, for instance. And if you refer to any of the sources I normally use, you will see that there are other areas where help is needed …

So, what is to be done?

Well, more of the usual – i.e., clearing negative units and generating additional positive energy beyond that needed to do the clearing, obviously, but anything else in particular?

Well, as it happens, there is.

I’ve been thinking of ways I can improve this weekly post, and have decided to do a set of rune readings to identify the influences which exist right now, and are to be addressed in tonight’s meditation. So … the first set of runes addressed what is happening on the level of the physical and etheric.


The rune in the centre represents the overall summation, which is Wunjo. Now, Wunjo is often described as being joy, but it can also be about seeking perfection, and I have the sense that that meaning is the one that applies here: people are seeking to improve their life situations. Remember, this is not just for the troubled areas of the world.

The rune in the upper left position is about the known negative influences – influences which will make achieving an improvement more difficult. In this case, we have an inverted Othala. Othala is about inherited lands, so the inference is that ‘dis- inheriting’ or invading lands would be bad. That’s a point which has been taken on board by most – except for Syria, although they were deliberately inactive during at least the first strikes against QSIL.

The run on the lower left is for those hindering influences which are either not as obvious or are not known. In this case, that is Laguz. Now, Laguz normally is taken to mean water, emotions or flow, but it also has another meaning that the Saxons apparently applied to it, according to the ‘Martin rune deck’: the fragility and instability of boats on the ocean. So, the possibility of situations becoming chaotic is of concern – and will be addressed on higher level.

On the right we have those influences which are beneficial.

In the overt position we have Mannaz, which suggests, at first glance, that community could be helpful. When I look at the micro-runes involved in this reading (each of my card designs from the first three Aetts shows the micro-runes, which is an analysis of how each rune is created by the merging of fire and ice – look at my nshrine page if you cannot adequately enlarge the images), I can that ice can be used to set boundaries on passion, so seeking calmness is beneficial.

In the covert position we have Gebo, which – again, from an analysis of the micro-runes – suggests that standing up to bullies (i.e., force balancing force) is needed … which sums up the situation around Mr Putin as well, perhaps.

The next set of runes is for the astral, and emotional influences. I’ll make the descriptions a little briefer now you’ve been introduced, Dear Reader, to the way I’m going to do these.


Overall: Ehwaz, or strength – so … endurance, patience, and persistence. This will be hindered by Wan, or emptiness, which is about the dangers of leaving power vacuums or not meeting people’s emotional needs: so, more inclusivity based on genuine consideration of other people’s BPLF aspirations, not what you think they should want. Less obvious is the negativity excessive binding of negativity, represented by Wolfsangle, which can be an outcome of fear (perhaps as a result of being uncertain of one’s strength?) or impatience. On the other hand, this can be helped by Othala, and, less obviously, Jera. Combined, this suggests it is time for people to regain their lands – particularly, perhaps the Kurds, but also Syria, and the rest of the Middle East – and many places in Africa, all of which are suffering from the enforced settlements after World War Part One, which I recently wrote about.

Next the level of mental influences – including Group Minds.


Overall we have an inverted Ziu. Ziu means breaking through resistance, so in this instance the overall level of mental influences on the world is too rigid and unyielding. The problems are exacerbated by an inverted Ac and, less obviously, Yr, which suggests trying to be too ‘middle of the road’ is an unacknowledged danger, and that failing to set boundaries (which Ac represents) is a problem – so … perhaps failing to commit to BPLF principles and call out or condemn actions which are harmful? This is helped by Sowelu, or the desire to be well, and, less obviously, by Ear. That suggests a better connection to the world of Nature will help.

Finally, the level of psychic and spiritual influences.

Overall, this is summed up by Ehwaz, which has the meaning, I have the impression, of Sleipnir – communication with Higher Realms. This is helped by Dagaz (transformation into more Divine states of being) and Hagalaz – which, I have the sense, should be interpreted in its form of ‘Order’ (well, it was shown inverted in my cards, purely because of the writing: the symbol itself is actually one the nine irreversible runes). Hindrances are Sol, usually interpreted as wellness but maybe being too complacent spiritually or too willing to assume things are spiritually OK, in this instance, and Ul, which includes ‘reviving former glories’ – as QSIL and Mr Putin are both attempting to d openly, so … there may be unknown players here seeking to restore their version of ‘past glories’. (A dose of Perthro might help with that.)


If I was to try and put all that into a paragraph, it would be:

Overall, it is important to be calm and not react disproportionately – and, in particular, not invade other people’s lands or overreact to perceived or claimed threats or undertake actions which will leave a vacuum for someone worse to step into. That restraint, combined with the dispassion of ice and seeking to build inclusive communities everywhere in the world, will help to prevent a descent into chaos (perhaps the chaos of war?). It is, however, time for some people to be restored to their lands (and for all to be more connected to Nature and aware of the environment), and seeking after BPLF ideals – even where they impose limits to what one does. Seek to manifest endurance, patience, and persistence, and to avoid being hidebound in one’s thinking or too complacent, set or comfortable in one’s spiritual practice (perhaps … not inclined to turn from the troubles of the world to hiding in religion?). It is spiritually important to stand up to bullies and evil, and seek to discover those who are trying to restore their version of ‘past glories’.

I hope I get better at this with practice - all of that is a little too obvious and too connected with how I view things for me to be satisfied with it :( I think I’ll add this task to my list of projects that I’d like to see someone else take on – it is, after all, very similar to the energy assessments project I started and stopped when I ran out of time and energy – as I may yet do with this, if I attempt to do it every week. Or in as much depth every week – I can always post what I drew and my overall assessment, and leave you, Dear Reader to make your own call – as you are free to do with this :)

I’m going to leave this post at that for now. The reading links I’ve collected can wait … 

'See' you tonight :) 



[1] BPLF = Balanced Positive (spiritual) Light Forces. See here and here for more on this.

[2] Please see here and my post "The Death of Wikipedia" for the reasons I now recommend caution when using Wikipedia. I'm also exploring use of h2g2, although that doesn't appear to be as extensive (h2g2 is intended - rather engagingly - to be the Earth edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy").

Love, light, hugs and blessings


Gnwmythr, Wéofodthegn 
(pronounced "new-MYTH-ear"; ... aka Bellatrix Lux? … Morinehtar? … Would-be drýicgan ... )

My "blogiography" (list of all posts and guide as to how to best use this site) is here, and my glossary/index is here.

I started this blog to cover karmic regression-rescue (see here and here), and it grew ... See here for my group mind project, here and here for my "Pagans for Peace" project (and join me at 9 PM on Sunday, wherever you are, to meditate for peace), and here for my bindrune kit-bag. I also strongly recommend learning how to flame, ground and shield, do alternate nostril breathing, work with colour, and see also here and be flexible. 

I am a Walker upon the Path of Balanced Positivity, seeking Spiritual Maturity.
  • One size does NOT fit all.
  • Don't be mediocre - seek to excel.
  • Gnwmythr's Stropping Strap: Occam's Razor only works if  the simplest solution is actually recognised as being the simplest, rather than the one that best fits one's bigotries being labelled 'simplest'.
  • Our entire life experience, with all the many wondrous and varied people, places and events in it, is too small a sample for statistical reliability about Life.
  • May the world of commerce and business be recognised to be a servant, not a master, of the lives of people.
  • Ban the dream interpretation industry!
  • A home is for living in, not feeling, becoming or being rich or a “better” class than others.
  • Being accustomed to interacting via certain rules makes those rules neither right nor universal.
  • Like fire to the physical, emotions to the soul make a good servant, and a bad master.
  • Expertise at intimacy and emotional happiness is generally not the same thing as spiritual growth.
  • Any person, male or female, who has neither a serious health issue, dependents nor an agreement about study. yet expects their partner to work to support them, is, spiritually speaking, little more than a parasite.
  • The means shape the end.
  • BPLF restraint of uncooperatives is NOT an opportunity for revenge or getting even - even unconsciously.
  • As words can kill, the right to freedom of speech comes with a DUTY to be as well-informed, objective and balanced as you can be.
  • My favourite action movie of all time is "Gandhi", although I've recently come across "Invictus" and might put that one in to that category. However, I loathe the stereotypical action movie - and, for similar reasons, I loathe many dramas, which are often emotionally violent, more so in some cases than many war films.
  • All of the above - and this blog - could be wrong, or subject to context, perspective, or state of spiritual evolution ...
Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger [people].
John F. Kennedy (who was quoting 19th Century Episcopal Bishop Phillips Brooks)

Jesus loves you. Odin wants you to grow up.
(Facebook meme, according to John  Beckett)

We make our decisions. And then our decisions turn around and make us.
F.W. Boreham

Females, get over 'cute'. Get competent. Get trained. Get capable. Get over 'cute'. And those of you who are called Patty and Debby and Suzy, get over that. Because we use those names to infantalise females – we keep females in their 'little girl' state by the names we use for them. Get over it. If you want to be taken seriously, get serious.
Jane Elliott

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing.
(based on writing by) Edmund Burke

The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.
Albert Einstein

We didn't inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we only borrowed it from our children
Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things. Our gross national product ... if we should judge America by that -- counts air pollution and cigarette advertising, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. ... Yet the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages; the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom nor our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile."
Robert F. Kennedy 1968

There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.
John F. Kennedy

If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do. (Often degraded to “Be the change you want to see in the world” – see here)
Gandhi


Tags: about me, abuse of power, accountability, energy work, examples, leadership, meditation, peace, personal characteristics, personal responsibility, runes, society, violence, war,
First published: Sunnudagr, 28th September, 2014
Last edited (excluding fixing typo's and other minor matters): Sunday, 28th September, 2014