Laguz

Alternate Spellings:
Laaz, Lagur, Laukr, Logur 

Vocal Sound:
"L"

"Cleansing"
"Water"
"The Tide"

If you live in the United States, this is likely a stressful time for you. Anxiety is high, and tensions are only getting higher. I know I've felt the knots build up in my shoulders, and the queasy feeling of fear has made its home in my belly. So as we wait for the future of our country to be decided, I thought I'd take the time to share a couple of my favorite rituals for calming the mind and releasing tension in the body.

As I was jotting down all of my rituals, I came upon the realization that they were all water-based! I knew immediately that Laguz was calling out to me, so I decided to take this opportunity to gear today's post in that direction. Laguz, like all the runes, has many facets and layers of meaning. Today, I'll be focusing on how Laguz's energy can be used in a healing way, through tension release.

During times of unrest it's more important than ever to take care of your body and mind, so take some time today to reconnect and release with these Laguz-inspired rituals.

1. Herbal Bath

I think this is probably my #1 go-to tension reliever. We all store our anxiety in our bodies in some shape or form - so some physical relaxation can be vital for processing "stuck" feelings. 

I always start with a couple cups of Epson salts. They do wonders for my tense muscles, and a salt water bath is not only good for your skin, it also gives you a feeling of weightlessness, which helps you relax. Next I add herbs - right now, I'd recommend Chamomile, Lavender, and Rosemary for maximum relaxation. These are all herbs you probably have around your house... But if you don't, it's just a quick trip to the tea section in your local grocery store. Of course, fresh herbs are always more effective, however pre-made tea bags are super convenient! It's completely up to you.

While you're waiting for your bath to fill, take a few minutes to set the scene. Light candles, select a soothing playlist, dim the lights (I usually just throw a towel over my bathroom light fixtures). Take the time to really invest in your self care. Trust me, it's worth it.

Don't have a bathtub? Try a DIY herb-infused hot pack.

All you need is a long sock, uncooked rice, and chopped herbs. Fill the sock with rice and your herbs of choice, tie it off at the end, then microwave it for 3 minutes (longer if needed). Place your hot pack on your tense muscles and relax with a book and warm blanket.

2. Channel Running Water

When my mind is buzzing or anxious, walks in nature are sometimes the only cure. Specifically I find that, when I need some healing energy or tension release, I gravitate towards running water. There's something about sitting by a running stream that melts my tension away. After finding a lovely little stream or river, I sit and visualize my tension and blocked energy flowing away with the water. Use a stick to break apart blockages that you find in the stream, and clear out debris. This physical care toward the water in front of you will manifest in your mind.

3. Tidal Flow Meditation

One of Laguz's most prominent representations is that of the ocean tides. This back-and-forth energy can be very useful in meditation, and can be extremely helpful in centering the mind - especially if you find yourself in an anxious spiral, or on the edge of a panic attack. If you live near a beach, or have easy access to one, simply meditating by the tides can be a very useful tool. But even if you're landlocked, there are ways to incorporate this flow into your own version of tidal energy. 

Yoga is the very first thing that comes to mind. In yoga, almost every session includes a back-and-forth flow, which syncs with the breath. If you're new to Yoga, I highly recommend looking into Yoga With Adriene. It's a free YouTube channel that I use almost daily for my own at-home practice.

If Yoga isn't your thing, try just honing in on your breath. Focus on the inhale and the exhale. Try counting them out: inhale for 5 counts, exhale for 7. You'd be surprised how effective intentional breathing can be!

I hope you enjoyed this week's Inner Circle entry! This is the third 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!

Many blessings,
Marin