Ingwaz

Alternate Spellings:
Enguz, Inguz, Ingwar, Iggus, Ingvarr

Vocal Sound:
NG ["fiNGer")

"The Seed"
"The Spark"
"The Inspiration"

We all know that feeling of inspiration. That sensation of a seed being dropped into your creative soil, only to grow into a garden of creative energy upon tender watering and hard work. This is one of the conceptual meanings of the rune Ingwaz. This complex rune is thought to refer to the Norse Hero-God Ing, or perhaps the Icelandic name for the male fertility god Freyr, but the one common trait is in all of its meanings is the explosive energy that comes from potential growth. 

But what do we do when inspiration fails to strike? As an artist, writer's block is a very real struggle for me sometimes - I tend to call it "Blank Canvas Syndrome". I'll sit and stare at my waiting sketchbook, pencil in hand, calling forth the creative energy... But nothing answers. Often it can even make me feel inadequate, like I'm less of a true artist just because I can't generate ideas through sheer force of will. 

It's times like these when Ingwaz can be of use. Today I'd like to share some ways that I incorporate the power of this rune into useful rituals, to spark inspiration when needed. I hope this gives you some ideas for developing your own rituals around Ingwaz. Be sure to bookmark this post if you often find yourself in need of inspiration, and let me know what you think in the comment section below!

1. Feed Yourself

If you toss a seed onto pavement, do you expect it to grow? Of course not - in order for a seed to sprout, it needs nutrience, water, and particular environmental conditions. So why would we not grant ourselves the same care? Often when I'm stuck in the pit of "Blank Canvas Syndrome", I realize that I'm running on empty - I've been neglecting the needs of my body or mind. It's taken me a long time to even realize what those fundamental needs are, and they still slip my mind from time to time.

2. Return To Your Roots

Just like the seed, we need to feel grounded in order to grow roots. For me, grounding myself includes returning to nature, reflecting on my childhood passions, or diving into ancient stories. This list can look very different for many, because it's based on how we shape our core identity. To find what grounds you, try looking to your ancestry, your childhood, or your favorite place to relax. Allow yourself this safe, sacred experience and you'll find that growth comes more easily.

3. Be Patient

This can be the hardest step for me. When I feel "stuck", it can lead me down a path of anxiety-fueled urgency. It can feel like, if I don't fix it now, I never will. But it's in times of high stress that self-care is most vital. When the anxious brain tells you what you "should" be doing, or what you "should" be capable of, talk back. Tell yourself that you deserve a break. You deserve to feed and ground yourself. You are enough, and you are doing enough.

Ritual Applications:

- Implement regular body-movement practices like yoga, stretching, light exercise, dancing, flow arts, etc, into your daily routine. While moving, meditate on the idea of feeding and caring for your body.
- Make a list (yes, a real, written list) of things that feed you, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Refer back to this list when your inspiration tank is empty.
- Tend a vegetable garden. If you don't have the space for a garden, start with a couple of indoor pots. Try drawing Ingwaz into the soil with your finger where you plant the seed, and voicing a phrase like "I bless this seed with the power of Ingwaz. May it grow with my nurturing and in turn feed my body."
- Rituals involving Ingwaz have the most power under the light of the New Moon. The New Moon is the perfect time for new beginnings, and recognizing your potential. You may want to make Moon Water or charge crystals, if that is an element that you want to incorporate into your practice.
- Practice "grounding", the act of walking on the ground barefoot. If walking bare foot isn't an option for you for whatever reason, try another action that brings you physically closer to the earth. This will help connect you to the earth's natural flow of energy.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Inner Circle entry! This is the first post of The Rune Series, in which I explore each rune, their meanings, and their applications. Do you have a favorite rune that you want me to explore? Or maybe you have a suggestion for an entirely different subject for next week's post? Let me know in the comments below! I'm already excited to share more with you in the coming weeks.

Sending much love and light to you all,
Marin