Kenaz

Rune of the Day: Kenaz

http://beastscuriosities.com/elder-futhark-acorn-kenaz/

“The student surpasses the teacher.”

Kenaz – Literally: “Torch” – Esoteric ‘Ken’ or Knowledge

The k-rune ᚲ (Younger Futhark ᚴ, Anglo-Saxon futhorc ᚳ) is called Kaun in both the Norwegian and Icelandic rune poems, meaning "ulcer". The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is *Kaunan. It is also known as Kenaz ("torch"), based on its Anglo-Saxon name.

The Elder Futhark shape is likely directly based on Old Italic c (, 𐌂) and on Latin C. The Younger Futhark and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc shapes have parallels in Old Italic shapes of k (, 𐌊) and Latin K (compare the Negau helmetinscription). The corresponding Gothic letter is 𐌺 k, called kusma.

The shape of the Younger Futhark kaun rune (ᚴ) is identical to that of the "bookhand" s rune in the Anglo-Saxon futhorc. The ᚴ rune also occurs in some continental runic inscriptions. It has been suggested that in these instances, it represents the ch /χ/ sound resulting from the Old High German sound shift (e.g. ᛖᛚᚴ elch in Nordendorf II).

Rune Poem:[2]	English Translation:
Old Norwegian ᚴ Kaun er barna bǫlvan; bǫl gørver nán fǫlvan.	Ulcer is fatal to children; death makes a corpse pale.
Old Icelandic ᚴ Kaun er barna böl ok bardaga [för] ok holdfúa hús. flagella konungr.	Disease fatal to children and painful spot and abode of mortification.
Anglo-Saxon ᚳ Cen byþ cwicera gehwam, cuþ on fyre blac ond beorhtlic, byrneþ oftust ðær hi æþelingas inne restaþ.	The torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame; it always burns where princes sit within.
Notes: The Icelandic poem is glossed with Latin flagella "whip". The Anglo-Saxon poem gives the name cen "torch".

Key Concepts: torch as a symbol of knowledge and intellect, illumination, searching for enlightenment, shedding light on matters, quest for truth, skills and abilities, creativity, art, craftsmanship, cunning, acquisition and application of knowledge, occult female secrets, intuition, enthusiasm in teaching/learning, study, kin-fire, opportunity, playfulness

Runic Number: 6

Meaning: Light, Enlightenment, Heat. Possible variation: Burning, Injury, Mental anguish.

Translation: A torch or firebrand. In some translations, Kauno also means a wound, ulcer or opening.

Gemstone: Bloodstone

Color: Light Red

Polarity: Female

Element: Fire

Gods: Heimdal, Frey, Freuya

Astrology correspondence: Venus

Tree: Pine

Plant: Cowslip

Psi: observation, clarity of thought, cognitive faculties, humility

Energy: Controlled energy, transformation (pheonix fire), teaching/learning dynamic, illumination

Mundane: art, technique, improvement of skills, school, the stars

Divinations: Artistic or technical ability, craft, transformation, offspring, new information; or disease, decay, breakup, inability, lack of creativity, ignorance, arrogance, elitism, over-conceptualization

Governs:

Illumination (torchlight) when exploring transpersonal pathways

Creative inspiration, enthusiasm for learning

Exploration of paradigms in the search for truth

Exposing the hidden to gain new knowledge, esp. through study, reflection and new information

Strengthening of abilities in all realms

Female occult secrets

The light within, the observer

Kenaz is the symbolizes the control and harnessing of fire for warmth and illumination. It represents our having harnessed forces and energies greater than ourselves. Where THURISAZ is the creation of tools, the rune meaning of Kenaz speaks to their skillful use. It signifies the mystery of transformation and our power to create as nature does.

Ancestrally, we each must carry our own torch, creating a path of light that flows through the darkness. These torches are never extinguished, and can be used as signposts in the navigation of the ancestral stream, and to acquire the knowledge and tools from our ancestry represented within ANSUZ that are rightfully ours to use in the present lifetime.

The scientific method and art as an exploration of truth exemplifies Kenaz, as do all fearless forays into the darkness of the unknown (represented by PERTHRO) in search of illumination. Also consider that there is inborn and hereditary knowledge, and that one of the cognitive faculties governed by Kenaz is intuition.

Kenaz is like a torchlit library, and the energy is clearly filled with unlimited potential to learn and to map. Sometimes a good deal of digging around is necessary to uncover the knowledge that will help. Do not forget that the map is not the territory, as Kenaz represents the acquisition of knowledge, not the knowledge itself. Not truth, but the search for truth.

In matters of learning, which can be complemented by the protective teaching force of ALGIZ,  it is wise to remember that humility is the prime requirement of a good student, and that no one learns more than the teacher. Therefore arrogance, elitism and authoritarianism signify a disconnect with the principles of Kenaz. Information wants to be free!