With this wild weather we have going on, it is a good chance to practice any modalities for anxiety, stress support, and relaxation. I like to do boxed breathing. Inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds and hold for four seconds. I like to increase the rate of time for each round up to 8 seconds per part of the breath. Do 3 rounds of 10 breaths (1 breath is the complete inhale, hold, exhale, hold) I found this to be really good at keeping the nervous system stable and help it relax when times are really stressed. This is also a great method for getting into a meditative state, finishing several rounds first and then getting back to normal breathing and going into the meditation. Another fun action to add to this, is imagining a rune for each breath. Visualizing the Rune energy coming in, synchronizing the energy and then releasing it out into the universe again, and sitting with what is left. I would take your time doing something like this, and probably start with any of the Runes you already have a connection with.

Man is the wind going crazy today, and I would recommend staying in today. Unless you like to do cold exposure, good for you! However, if you are looking to stay warm and want to try something new, Visualize the Rune "Sowilo". "Sowilo" is the Rune for the Sun and what better way to connect with the Runes during this crazy cold Saturday than to call it in. You can find the shape of the Rune "Sowilo" in the image attached below. It looks like an S. Sit comfortably, spine straight, take a few deep breaths in and let your exhales be a little longer than your inhales. Visualize the Rune "Sowilo" over your chest, warming up your heart space. Each inhale, visualize the warm energy of the Sun coming into your lungs, and every exhale is the cold winter air leaving your body. To take this a step further, you can chant "Sowilo" but in a slow state. 4 seconds should be long enough to get to the Oh at the end of "Sowilo". This aspect of chanting the Rune, helps an individual connect with the power of the rune, and develop an understanding of its deeper mysteries. If you gave this a shot and like the results, leave a comment below and let us know how it worked out for you, and if you are having trouble let me know, I love coming up with meditations for the Runes and can help you connect one way or another! ---Tom the Wandering Wolf.

After recording episode 12 of the Wisdom Wednesday series, it reminded me of the times anger took me to the point of wanting to explode. These times were often difficult to find peace within myself and the people around me, seemed to always be angry, Shamanism and stoicism came into my life almost at the same time. As I was thrusted into the shamanic/spiritual world, stoicism fell into my lap. Stoicism became a guiding compass and foundation, especially when the ego deaths, perception changes and uncertainty of the spiritual world entering my life really revved up. Stoicism often gets a bad wrap of Men ignoring their emotions, totally disassociating from the way they feel to just function in the world. This couldn't be further from the truth. The deeper I studied real Stoicism, it began to mirror what I was doing in my shamanic studies. Both requires deep introspection, healing on all emotional levels, and the ability to feel deeply but function in society. See Stoics feel very deeply but they know how to navigate what they are feeling, recognize it is a momentary event and can go about their days knowing nothing is permanent. Shamanism can be very chaotic, destructive and uncertain. There is never a guarantee when you go down this path. Stoicism gives you a foundation to lean on, to stay sane and to keep going when all feels lost. Courage, Wisdom, Justice and Temperance. These are the four virtues of Stoicism. How do they fit into your life? Here is the link to Episode 12 https://youtu.be/Wgpy0SAWIA4