Meditation Practice (1)
My meditation begins with divination. Depending on the season, it could be a layout of Tarot, Oracle cards, Runes, stones, or Ogham staves. (In the summer, I go on a nature walk and commune with the animals I encounter.) This helps me to attune to worlds beyond this one. For me it helps to flow with the energies of the season for the purposes of meditating.
I begin by laying out my divination cloth. Then I light a candle and stare at the flame to clear my mind. Once I do the spread, I study the omen. Then, I flow into the world of the spread and listen to the whispers. As that world of the Kindred is laid out before me, I hear their whispers and murmurs.
Winter
Since Yule time is when the Norse Gods are the closest to Midgard, I use the Runes. For me, the laying of the Runes is entering into the world of the Gods. Odin the All-Father, obtained the Runes at a great cost. Before laying out the Runes, I ask the Norns to help with my choosing.
The Runes are an alphabet, forming words that give insights from the Gods. Within each word are layers of meanings that create a sentence. In the depths of the sentences, whisper the voices of the Norse Gods, revealing Their Thoughts.
Also in winter, I use stones. Because this is the season of introspection and quiet, I can hear their voices without distraction. When they sing, “pick me”, I take the stones from a pouch. Then, I “throw” them and watch where they land on a layout of compass directions. (Each direction has a meaning: North-spirit, East-mind, South-body, and West-emotions.) Then I ask each one what they have to say to me. The stones tell me through their colors, shapes, and how they twinkle. I enter their world, and hear their songs. I discover their personalities as well. For example, uptight malachite sings its advice in a clear tenor.