Raido: A Companion for the Road

Raido (the Ride, the Rider)

Meaning: Change, Change Beyond Our Control, Movement, Progress, Riding, Travel Affirmation: I am quickly going where I truly want to be.

Associations: Journeys, the Letter R, Transitions, Vehicles

Raido moves through the mind with the sound of hooves and the rumble of an engine, the whistle of the wind at its back. I don't know if Raido knows how to stay still, though it certainly knows what stillness is, if for no other reason than to avoid it all together. It is optimistic to a fault, mostly because pessimism never delivered anyone anywhere.

Raido is the rune of travel and riding, and, when you work with its energy, it will help carry you wherever it is you want to go. Sometimes, it takes you off to wherever is best, instead, but I like to think that where we are meant to be is really where we are trying to get to, anyway. Why not let spirit expedite that process?

It asks you to always look forward to the future, never lingering too long on the past. If you do, the inevitable truth of change will bite you in the rear end while you're standing around pondering things you have no power over. This rune knows, much better than most, that if we are going to do anything at all about our circumstance, the time is now, or maybe (more likely, even) tomorrow. We can pack our proverbial bags full of whatever we think we need when we can, but when the time comes, whatever is left behind is gone. All we really have is what we actually have (and are able to carry), and what we might find tomorrow. Everything else is a waste of Raido's time.

The first rune I see when I look at Raido is Thurisaz, the thorn. I think this is very fitting, because when we are looking to progress onward, improve a skill, or otherwise change ourselves in some way or another, we are most certainly facing challenges at the same time. Adapting to and overcoming whatever the universe throws at us as we move towards our goals is an important part of making it to our overall destination, after all.

The next rune I see is Kenaz. Kenaz allows us to see the path to take before we have to take it. This is very important, because when we are moving forward, especially when we are moving quickly, being able to anticipate what steps to take, or what challenges might arise, can help keep us on path. It is up to our inner wisdom, as well, to know which path to follow. If we are not clearly guided by our intuition, we are sure to wind up lost, stranded, or somewhere we never intended to be in the first place.

I see Sowilo next, which gives Raido its progressive speed, and ability to create change. The positive aspects of Sowilo make Raido a gentler form of Naudhiz, the rune that heralds much more abrupt and far more unpleasant change in the Elder Futhark. The Rider is usually taking us places in a slow and steady way, allowing us plenty of time to see the positive to be had from whatever negative arises. Sowilo's company assures that some of these changes will even be pleasant and immediately beneficial, like those to be had when we move into a home we have been eyeing for a long time, or hold a degree or other certificate of completion in our hands.

Laguz is also present in the energies of Raido. I think that this is evident in the energies of Raido in that we tend to seek out things that bring us emotional fulfillment with greater haste and tenacity. It also asks us to adapt our emotions in response to the various changes and adaptations that we are asked to face in our day to day interactions. If we cannot emotionally embrace change, the energies of Raido can become overwhelming or too much. Finding proper emotional balance is very important as we progress on the road of life.

Lastly, I see Isa. Isa is here to remind us that we, unlike Raido, are not primordial energies, and do occasionally have to slow down. Even Raido occasionally is forced to stop from time to time (at least as long as it takes to pivot and veer off in a new direction, anyway). Learning when to stop to reflect on what has come to pass is a lesson of the ice, and an important one. It ensures you don't leave important things behind, or carry on with things that are far too heavy or pointless. It allows you time to assess whether you are really ready to carry on, or the speed and energy you will pick back up with in order to avoid burnout.

As someone who used to ride horses quite often, I find I rather enjoy Raido's energy. Learning to work with an energy that is much stronger and faster than you is thrilling and useful, but is also paired with risks. A certain measure of composure and wisdom is necessary, as is a degree of bravery and foolhardiness. I feel like that can be said of much of life, however.

Included below is a spread that features the wisdom of Raido, and which is featured in my upcoming book, Runic Wisdom. This spread helps reveal where we should look into travelling or transitioning to in the future. If you use this spread, I'd love to see your results! Please tag #RunicWisdom or #RunicWisdomRaido to make sure that I can get a look at it. There is also an easily shareable version of this spread available on my Instagram.