The Rote Less Traveled

A place of telling fortunes and advice. Use the Ask button to request a reading, see the pinned post for options!

[rote-less-traveled]

Hello, and welcome!

Some of you are here looking for roleplay inspiration. Others for personal advice. Some are somewhere in the middle of all that. All of you are welcome here!

To start, you’ll need to decide which flavor of fortune-telling you want, and whether or not you have a question that you want answered!

Tarot

I have several decks to choose between (shown above) and each one has its own take on things:

The True Black deck speaks deeply and powerfully. Do not ask for this deck unless you are prepared for what it might tell you.

The Dragon Age deck has a tendency to get Dramatic and tell stories more than offering advice.

The Marigold deck is a bit like an old uncle that sits quietly to the side while things are happening, but is always happy to offer advice if you ask.

The Scapini deck has no time for your nonsense. While not in any way cruel or mean-spirited, if it sees a problem it’s going to spell it out plain and tell you to fix it.

The Waite deck is the most mellow of the lot, generally giving balanced readings without much in the way of flair.

Once you’ve decided on a deck, you have the choice between a simple three-card spread (for past, present, and future), one of the Eight Useful Tarot Spreads, or a more involved Celtic Cross arrangement.

I’ve noticed that while the Celtic Cross can work just fine as a general “state of the world” thing, the Eight Useful Spreads work best with a definite question involved, helps keep them on track. So please do include that if you want one of them.

Runes

Runecasting by its nature is a bit less structured than tarot, and also a bit more primal. Whereas tarot tends to deal with various “high” concepts like hope or leadership or the like, the runes tend to concern themselves with more “bone and blood” level things. Though they are by no means lesser or simpler, merely concerned with a different angle on the universe.

You can have me draw a single rune, a set of three (for past, present, and future) or the very precise set of “a handful.”

[rote-less-traveled]

Looking ahead to the new year

We've seen what happens when we sit by and wait for someone else to do the work. We've seen what is lost when we allow vigilance to lapse. We cannot allow this to continue.

The 5 of Coins crossed by Dream speaks of the hardships, sickness, and pain we all find ourselves mired in, and our dreams of a better future. We acknowledge the decay, we do not focus on it and what was, but rather on what could be.

The 4 of Cups as our Goal yearns for better things, disappointed by what could have been and failed to be. We are tempted to pull away from others, to rely only on ourselves, but nothing grows in a void.

The 9 of Cups as our Foundation was a time when we had all that we could ever want, ever dream of wanting. To have enough that there was no need to reach for more.

The 4 of Swords in our Past was a moment where we stepped back from the pain, the destruction, the hate, and tried to find the soft and the beautiful within ourselves once again. It may not have been easy, or immediate, but holding broken glass just adds further wounds to our hands.

The 10 of Staves in our Future is the coming time to set down our burden, the task finished, the goal achieved. Sometimes a task is given to you because you are the only one strong enough to see it done.

We are the Knight of Swords: determined, ambitious, ferocious. Though in our fierce drive towards our goal, we must be careful not to lose sight of it.

The Page of Wands in our Environment is the discovery of new strengths, new pathways, and the bounties that can be woven together from diversity.

The Fighter in our Emotions urges us to embrace our strength, not just for destruction but also for creation. Strong arms may break down doors, but they also raise gardens, and guard the weak from danger.

The 8 of Cups is that moment when we must take our own step onto our own path. We may all pursue a similar goal, but each of us has our own actions we must follow in that pursuit. We cannot expect others to carry us or our burdens.

[rote-less-traveled]

[rote-less-traveled]

I have a himbo surfer tiger paladin who is really trying but is starting to feel like they are in WAY over their head at this whole saving the world business. Bro is kind of wondering if they should just.. dab out and go be a surfer or just.. stick it out to the end. (Maybe an oath change?). Use the true black and whatever spread is best for that.

The face of your challenge is the Moon crossed by Death, falsehood and mysteries presenting a choice of total finality. Maybe the choice is not so final as you think. Or maybe the outcome is being hidden.

The 9 of Cups is what is real, showing that taking time for yourself and your needs is just as important as all the rest. Perhaps moreso, because you cannot help others if you yourself are broken.

The 3 of Wands is what is wrong: your path is not nearly as straightforward and clear as you believe, do not rush ahead.

The 5 of Wands indicates that you are missing information when it comes to the forces arrayed against you.

Temperance urges you to find a point of compromise, to balance the forces you stand between. Giving up completely is not the answer, but neither is grinding yourself to dust on your path.

[rote-less-traveled]

GIMME A GENERIC STATE OF THE WORLD READING! (Please).

We want the world to be better, desperately, fervently want it. But we have to be honest with ourselves and our efforts, not just to avoid overreaching, but to prevent the mistakes that led things to be so troubled in the first place.

The 3 of Pentacles crossed by the Hierophant indicates our skills have become mired in tradition, our achievements held back by what we think they should be, instead of what they could be.

Our Goal is the 9 of Pentacles, a card not only of achievement but of doing so with foresight and prudence; the tended garden bears fruit.

Our Foundation is the 5 of Swords, a conquest, a triumph that could only be achieved through another’s defeat. They will never forget or forgive, and they will do everything they can to sully our victory with shame.

Our Past is the Knight of Wands, who flees what was for what could be.

Our Future is the High Priestess, who understands things as they truly are and makes her decisions based on that understanding. She may seem cold, even heartless, but it is merely ruthlessness to achieve what is best for everyone.

We are the Empress, trying desperately to be a mother to all we hold dear, to nurture and aid our loves and our hopes.

Our Environment is the Queen of Pentacles, a wealth of riches used for the betterment of others. We understand that wealth hoarded accomplishes nothing, so we do everything we can to spread whatever wealth we have to those around us.

Our Emotions are the 10 of Cups, a card of home and hearth, of peace and love. We look to the sky in hope of a better tomorrow.

The Queen of Cups is a good friend: devoted, practical, and honest. She wants what is best for us, and as such will not hesitate to point out where we have misstepped.

[rote-less-traveled]

Rune readings!

Thorstyrm Zirnwaensyn, let's hear his present and future and what they entail.

Do not mistake the hand outstretched in aid as yet another attack in waiting. But do not walk forward blindly trusting either. Be aware, be cogent, think about what has been offered in both directions. Be sure you know where you will step before you begin your journey.

Thurisaz (the Thorn rune ᚦ) facedown as the first step on the path warns of a threat you do not see, of hate and malice coming unannounced.

Gebo (the Gift rune ᚷ) is a rune of exchange, of things given and received in balance. This can mean material goods, but is just as easily things like contracts or relationships.

Isa (the Ice rune ᛁ) facedown warns of being blind to your own faults, of treachery and illusion hiding the truth of things.

Mannaz (the rune of Mankind ᛗ) speaks of the bonds between people, both good and bad, and how that net shapes both ourselves as individuals and the society in which we exist.

[rote-less-traveled]

[rote-less-traveled]

On Runes and Fascism

It is a disgusting fact of life these days that we have to confront and deal with the appropriation of the Nordic runes by the Nazis and those that seek to emulate them. However, it is important to remember that their usage of these runes is exactly that: appropriation. They have stolen them and twist their meanings. Do not ever feel that you are condoning or encouraging fascism by having an interest in the runes, they are far older than those bigots.

Moreover, do not let their theft go unquestioned. Call out the theft. Educate yourself and others as to the actual meanings and origins of these symbols. Do not let the Nazi bastards believe even for a second that they have won this fight.

[rote-less-traveled]

On Reading the Runes

Like any form of divination, there are many "standard" methods for reading a runecast. The most common of these is the triplet, where 3 runes are drawn in order and laid out for Past, Present, and Future. However, outside of this style, everyone basically has their own method. Some use layouts like are more commonly seen with tarot cards (there's nothing stopping you from laying out a Celtic Cross arrangement of runes, after all), though I personally do not feel this fits well with the spirit of runecasting. If it works for you though, go for it!

My own personal method follows the Very Precise pattern of rummaging around in the bag of runes until the handful "feels right," and then dumping that handful on whatever flat surface I have available (often the floor). From there, things get a bit more complicated, and that's what I hope to try and explain a bit in this post.

There are three main things I look for when doing a runecast: clusters, overlaps, and facing.

Clusters are exactly what they sound like, clumps of runes. This indicates that those runes are related to each other and should generally be read as a unit.

Overlaps often occur within clusters, and indicate a much more direct relationship between the two runes in question, as you literally have one covering the other to some degree.

Facing is, like you'd expect, whether a rune is face up or face down. Some methods treat facedown runes as being outside the reading and to be disregarded. However, I tend to treat them as landing in opposition instead of upright, as the rune has literally turned its face from you.

These three things act as something of an interpretation formula, which you can apply to any arrangement of runes you happen to cast. Threw down a tight cluster with some face up, some face down, and multiple overlaps? You have a very tight-knit, complicated problem involving all of them. Your runes tried to all run off the table to the four corners? Your problem is far-reaching and composed of all kinds of things all acting independently. Etc.

This is obviously a very broad-strokes explanation of things, but I hope it has helped clarify some how how I at least approach the art.

[rote-less-traveled]

Othala (Ancestor) ᛟ

A rune of inheritance, be it of property, wealth, or ideas. It speaks of what is truly important to you. And to have inheritance you need group order, and group prosperity. Your ancestors will always be there to help.

Othala merkstave is the breakdown of hierarchy. Abuse of authority, prejudice, slavery, homelessness. Tradition as a group exercise in avoiding having to think.

[rote-less-traveled]

Dagaz (Day) ᛞ

Like the sun lifting from behind the horizon, Dagaz speaks of breakthroughs and awakenings, of clarity springing upon what was obscured. It is a fresh start, a new path that you can direct through your own will. Hope and happiness, with the sun in glory across the sky.

In opposition, Dagaz is an ending, the sun slipping away into night. Everything must end. There is nothing you can do to stop it, and thinking otherwise is foolishness.

[rote-less-traveled]

Ingwaz (Earth) ᛝ

The earth cradles all within it, allowing them to rest, and to grow again. The earth doesn't care about fancy things or complicated plans, the earth is solid and simple and does what is needed. It is a rune of the home and the family, of relief.

In opposition, Ingwaz speaks of toil without reward, of work without progress, of digging and digging and digging and for what? More dirt.

[rote-less-traveled]

Laguz (Water) ᛚ

Like a clear stream, Laguz speaks of flow, of carrying energy from one place to another. Often indicative of the realm of mystery, such as dreams, portents, the imagination, like the flickering images we see reflected in moving water.

Laguz in opposition is a rune of confusion and poor decisions. It is a clogged stream turning into a mire, full of motion but no progress, the depths murky and infested with unknowable things.

[rote-less-traveled]

Mannaz (Mankind) ᛗ

This rune points out that all people are connected, and that all such connections are two-way. A rune of society, speaking of cooperation and structure. While it can indicate negative relationships as well, Mannaz is more focused on the strength of the community working together.

Mannaz merkstave speaks of all the evils that come from being severed from a community, whether it be a casting out or because you have removed yourself from it. Depression, self-serving manipulation, slyness. No hand shall be open to you.

[rote-less-traveled]

Ehwaz (Horse) ᛖ

A rune of transportation, not necessarily of travel. It is an active rune, and strengthens the other runes near it, like a team of horses working together. Steady progress and change for the better, speaking more of a horse's stamina than quick sprints.

Ehwaz merkstave is one of the few runes that could be considered positive even in opposition, indication feelings of restlessness, of being confined and needing a change of some kind. But be wary of reckless haste.

[rote-less-traveled]

Berkano (Birch) ᛒ

A rune of birth and growth, of reaching beyond your limitations, of renewal. The birch tree is quick to take root and quick to spread.

Berkano in opposition is a rune speaking of troubles close to home, your roots tangled, gnawed by vermin, pulling loose from the soil that sustains you.

[rote-less-traveled]

Tiwaz (Tyr's rune) ᛏ

Like Tyr himself, Tiwaz is a rune of honorable authority and just leadership. It shows the ability to understand not simply the world around you but yourself as well, both strengths and weaknesses. And like Tyr placing his hand in the jaws of Fenris, it shows a willingness to do whatever you must to succeed, even at your own peril.

Tiwaz merkstave, on the other hand, is the paralysis of choice and the peril of overreaction. Both ends of this spectrum are equally bad: doing nothing because you cannot decide, or doing too much because you failed to see the consequences properly.