Description

Self-Worth, Self-Love, Self Expression, Vessel of Self, Spear, Identity, Speaking, Inner Wisdom, Truth, Acceptance, Communing, Communication

“Ansuz, the vessel of self, the container of all that passes through your filter of Thurisaz to become a part of you. Ansuz is the communing, to be in presence without questions, labels or attachments, to be present with both order and chaos. Ansuz is the communication with yourself that teaches you how the contents of your vessel have formed your beliefs, ideas, what you identify with, and your understanding of your self-esteem and self-worth.”… “Ansuz becomes the deepening and widening into your true self. Through acceptance and communing, it becomes the affirmation of “I am, I am enough to be loved by myself, I am enough for universe to guide me”. Time in nature can remind us of the uniqueness and individuality of all things, and in this reminder the question of self-worth falls away, and more to the question: how can I honour myself as I am in the here and now in this world.” (Duncan White)

In this painting the stone row of Assycombe is the space which embraces this feeling of Ansuz on Dartmoor. Here I depict two people leaning on a standing stone ‘communing’ with nature and with themselves. They are contemplative, meditative, in conversation with their inner selves. On the standing stone the shape of the same Ash tree sapling seen in Thurisaz is carved and inlaid with gold. The tree and the stone create a connection between the two people. While the people connect and commune/communicate, many spirits gather around, singing, dancing and listening to each others stories, and celebrating the songs of the land.

This is the speaking rune, reminding us to honour ourselves and share our stories.