Ansuz

Ansuz

Ancient Rune: Ansuz

My rune is Ansuz. It chose me. At first I was perplexed: why, of all runes, this ancient god? I expected a leaf, a deer, the sky--some symbol of nature--not this.

Then I began to read, and was touched: "god-breathed," it says; "the passing of breath from parent to child." Life, from one generation to the next. It is a beautiful, poignant thought. It immediately brought to my mind the image of Lily Potter giving her life so that her son could continue to live and breathe. But along with the breath of life, it is essential to pass ideas, thoughts, memories, and knowledge. 

This is the power of the Ansuz rune. It symbolizes language and creativity. I thought of Robert Frost's poem, The Tuft of Flowers. I "feel a spirit kindred to my own." I leave my mark. Another, finding it, may be inspired to leave a mark of their own. Language is a gift of insight from God. The Ansuz rune symbolizes the passage of ideas to all mankind. Ansuz traits encompass poetry, creativity, conscious thought, and inspiration. We find meaning in our universe. We create symbols and names, to share our insights. These "Ansuz" personality traits immediately resonated with me. This is surely my rune.

Interestingly, "action" is beyond the energy of Ansuz, which only inspires. A wise man once told me I think too much. "Just paint!" he said. I do tend to think and think and think. (It's a Ravenclaw thing.) Sometimes, this is good, but it can lead to procrastination--a trait I have mastered all too well. This is a blind spot for the Ansuz personality: over-conceptualization, faith in labels, casting aside essence. We must use language to further human thought, not to limit it. I was reminded of this Bible verse: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) To label the visible and knowable, while casting aside "things not seen" is a trap for the Ansuz personality. 

 

Ansuz: Inspire, create, communicate. 

Mossy Cave: A New Hide-Out for the Marauders

A New Hide-Out For The Marauders

    Mossy Cave Photo

The Marauders have found a wonderful moss-covered cave to use as a new hideout. It has a waterfall and fresh stream inside for drinking water and a labyrinth of branches to explore or hide in. They can easily access it by crossing a dead tree that has fallen across a creek and then climbing a narrow, winding, natural path that leads to the entrance. They have cast several clever charms upon it to keep intruders out: a charm that makes brush and weeds seem like briars and thistle; a charm that emits scary growls and ghostly moans as anyone approaches the area; a charm that obscures the entrance, making it look like solid rock; a fake entrance to a shallow cave down the path; and a charmed path that makes intruders unsure of their footing and crumbles under their feet, producing a miniature landslide, if they get too near the cave.

My Animagus

My own animagus would be a raven or hawk. I could soar above to see the landscape for miles around, find new places to explore, see intruders, and warn the others. I could swoop down close and perch on the back of Moony, Padfoot, or Prongs when I wanted to rest or communicate. I could nip Wormtail just for the heck of it.

I think of the red fox would also be a good animagus for a marauder: handsome, intelligent, quick-witted, and brilliant at eluding pursuers.

My original composition, written for Azkaban Escapees, a Facebook group. Photo swiped from Google images. 

Dinky, My Little House Elf

Dinky the House Elf

  Dinky: Art by D.K.Pritchett, blog owner

My mother was given the elf, Dinky, upon her marriage to my father. When Mother died, she left Dinky to me. I call her "Dink." Dink has curly, dark chestnut hair, big, blue eyes, and a long, pointy nose, which she pinches in hopes of making it petite. She wears a plain white-linen toga--rather amazingly white, because my grandmother long ago sprayed it with her secret "Freshina" potion. 

       My mother had hopes of expanding Dink's wardrobe to include some pretty chintz or toile, but the poor creature was mortified and thought she was being turned out of our house. It was with great difficulty that Mother convinced the poor little soul that Raven's Rest would always be her home. We think she finally feels secure, though her forever frowny forehead says otherwise, as if she has waited these decades for the other shoe to drop. Upon my mother's death, I pressed upon Dink a plain little pair of natural pearl earrings, which she had always admired. She was aghast, until I showed her pictures of muggle cattle with ear tags and of Charlie Weasley's marked dragons. I explained that it was a sign of my ownership, like a brand. She accepted that story and is quite proud to be so lovingly stamped as "owned."

Harry Potter Fan Fiction. 

Originally written for Azkaban Escapees, a Facebook group. In my original story and paper sketch, Dinky's nose was tiny. When I created the digital version, I made it big.