As part of my spiritual practice, I usually draw a single rune from my bag each day and then take note how I see its energy being played out in my life and my interactions with others. Today, I drew Nauthiz and, at first, I wasn’t sure what Oðinn was trying to tell me. I spent some intentional time in meditation and it finally dawned on me why it appeared on this particular day.

Nauthiz is a rune of constraint, hardship, or need. It gives one the feeling of being bound, i.e. being in a restrictive situation with little room to move. The Tarot card that comes to mind when I think of Nauthiz is the Eight of Swords which, traditionally, pictures someone bound by rope and blindfolded. They are surrounded by swords which are stuck into the ground. It’s not a hopeless situation. It simply calls us to take small, careful, deliberate steps in order to escape the difficulties we find ourselves in.

The positioning of Nauthiz in the Elder Futhark’s Second Aett confirms its meaning. Sandwiched in-between Hagalaz (hail) and Isa (ice), it is a rune that is surrounded by challenges on both sides. However, all is not lost since the hardships we face are often a catalyst for growth and transformation.

My goal has always been to give an experiential interpretation of the runes on my blog rather than just regurgitate their meaning. So here’s how I see Nauthiz playing out in my life as we enter into the month of April. I had a number of health challenges in March that left me feeling sick and most of the time. My body was depleted and exhausted and my spirit wasn’t in much better shape.

This week, I finally feel like myself again and, yesterday I made a vow to do two things: 1) move every day, doing some kind of activity such as walking, yoga, etc. and 2) spend intentional time at my home altar meditating and doing energy work. These aren’t huge, life changing decisions but they will definitely help me to build up my strength, both physically and spiritually, and get me ready for the “next big thing.” My drawing of the Nauthiz rune today feels like Oðinn’s seal of approval that I’m on the right track. Small and stead steps are what I need to take at this point in my spiritual journey.

The rune poem I wrote to help me remember its meaning is as follows:

David Taliesin Rune Poem:
NAUTHIZ can make someone feel bound
But freedom can always be found.
With careful steps and cunning mind
A way forward you will surely find.

Blessed Be, David Taliesin. ©2025, http://www.sabbatsandsabbaths.com