Yuletide 2024 (and kitten!)

 As what has become usual, my yuletide observances have been derailed by illness.  This time, it's a third dance with Covid.  

In year's past I've done an 'omen for the year' by choosing a rune on each of the twelve days of Yule, starting with Solstice Eve, and ending twelve nights later.  You can see examples of prior years 2023, 2021, 2020, ... starting as early as 2017.  At least as far as what I archived here.  I'd have to dig into my old Livejournal account to see about earlier...

I'm not sure where I got the idea for a rune pull a day. I do somewhat dimly remember recognizing the twelve days and then twelve months of a year is convenient coincidence, and combining that with the use of divination during liminal times, made it a good idea.  Sometimes I post it, and then don't go back to it. Other times I do, and I notice my interpretation changes, as is correct. I always say readings are a snapshot, what do the energies look like now.  So last year, the rune for December was Thurisaz, and I wrote:

Another cycle is ending, and a new one beginning. I often find that once I get rid of one thing, that then something else come to the front. (Usually this happens when I'm editing some writing.)  It's time in December to think of the next thing to resolve to change. Thurisaz is the thorn, and those can be tricky.  I often interpret the energy of thurisaz as an obstacle or challenge, but not impossible or insurmountable.  Whatever it is that we choose to tackle in 2024, we know we can do it.

I appear to have phrased EVERYTHING in terms of whatever one's new years resolution was. Looking at it now, that makes no sense, and while I would still think of thurisaz the same way I would look to all the obstacles that got thrown in my path, some that yes, were my own fault, but others that were not, just in general.

A few days ago, a few folks were sharing and talking about a post in Caitlin Mathews' blog on what she called the Omen Days, which is essentially the same thing.  I don't remember reading that particular blog, but as the Mathews book on Winter Solstice was formative in my own Yule observances, I must have gotten it from her somewhere!  She begins hers on Christmas Day. The folks that shared it are doing it too... but I'm pagan, so I'll do it when MY holiday starts. (They are too. I have no idea why they would use 12/25 as a start date, but to each their own.)

And actually, she more clearly describes it here.  I will have to remember to use augury next year (although I may try to do it for the last 3 days this year!)

Be that as it may, here are my 2024 Year Omens.  I used a rune set that was made and given to me by another rune reader.  He used crystals and some sort of resins, and while not 'traditional,' they are super beautiful.

Paddington checking out the altar

I give some general meanings I use, but I leave your interpretations up to you.  Your mileage may vary on some of these :) Happy New Year!

January -- Mannaz -- "Man," partnership and connections with others

February -- Ehwaz -- "Horse," another partnership, two of unequal status working together

March -- Laguz -- "Lake," deep wisdom and intuition

April -- Perthro -- "Dice Cup," either joy and camaraderie in community, OR fate in action, the die have been cast

May -- Raidho -- "Ride," the journey or the path, the wheel on the cart

June -- Jera -- "Year," the harvest, and reaping of what has been sown

July -- Wunjo -- "Joy," fulfillment and satisfaction

August -- Othala -- "Heritage," land and ancestors, defined boundaries, family

September -- Elhaz/Algiz -- "Elksedge,"  Protection and safety

October --  Eihwaz -- "Yew," connection with spirit, above and below

November -- Kenaz -- "Torch," either the search for wisdom and knowledge OR the sore that won't heal

December -- Sowilo -- "Sun," Success and victory