Constraint

Nauthiz

Constraint

Necessity
Pain

The necessity of learning to deal with severe constraint is the lesson of Nauthiz. This Rune represents the obstacles we create for ourselves as well as those we encounter in the world around us. Both can be equally difficult to handle.

The role of Nauthiz is to identify our shadow, our dark or repressed side, places where growth has been stunted, resulting in weaknesses that are often projected onto others. Don’t take this world personally, this Rune is saying: Work with the shadow, examine what it is in your nature that attracts hardship or misfortune to your life. When at last you can look upon the Rune of Constraint with a smile, you will recognize the troubles, denials and setbacks of life as your teachers, guides and allies.

The need for restraint is unquestionable here. Drawing this Rune indicates that there may well be holdups and reasons to reconsider

your plans carefully. Clearly, there is work to be done on yourself. So take it on with good humor and show perseverance.

This is a time to pay off old debts, to restore, if not harmony, at least balance. So mend, restore, redress: When fisherman can’t go to sea they repair nets. Let the constraints of the time serve you in righting your relationship to your Self. Be mindful that rectification must come before progress. And as always, consider the uses of adversity.

Reversed: As part of the Cycle of Initiation, Nauthiz is the great teacher disguised as the bringer of pain and limitation. It has been said that only at the moment of greatest darkness do we become aware of the light within and come to recognize the true creative power of the self.

When something within you is disowned, that which is disowned wreaks havoc. A cieansing is required here; in undertaking it, you fund a will and strengthen character. Begin with what is most difficult and proceed to that which is easy. Or, conversely, begin with what is easy and proceed to that which is most difficult. Either way, remember that “suffering,” in its original sense, merely meant “undergoing.” Thus you are required to undergo the dark side of your passage and bring it into the light. Controlling your anger, restraining your impulses, keeping your faith firm—all this is at issue here. Modesty and good temper are essential at such a challenging time.