Nauthiz                                                   “necessity”

                                                                        Element: Fire                                       Herb:
Snakeroot

                                                                        Astrological: Capricorn                    Tree: Rowan

                                                                        Color: Black                                         Crystal:
Lapis Lazuli

Nauthiz - “Not-this”

Literally: “Need-fire” or
“Necessity”

Key Concepts: Need, resistance,
constraint, conflict, drama, effort, necessity, urgency, hard work, need-fire,
life lessons, creative friction, distress, force of growth, the consequence of
past action, short term pain for long term gain

Psi: resistance, need, effort

Energy: necessity, coming
forth into being, urgency

Governs:
          -Acceptance of the unchangeable
          -Development of magical will
          -Understanding the dynamic force of “resistance” in the process of creating
          -The generation of creative energy for problem solving
          -Protection of one’s own needs
          -Recognition of personal need
          -Love magic; especially to obtain a lover

Element: Fire rules the
south; energy for change

Astrological: Capricorn is in the
sky from December 22^nd till January 20^th ; affiliation
with Saturn

Herb: Being a perennial
that has unpleasant spelling yellow flowers, Snakeroot heals snake bites, calms
anxiety, and helps with insomnia. If a cow eats this plant, its milk will turn
toxic to humans.

Tree: Rowan is represented
by the 2^nd moon in the Celtic druid year, January 22^nd to
February 18^th. Rowan wood is used for wands that specialize in
protection, especially from negative enchantments, and knowledge spells.  Associated with Samhain, the Rowan tree is
known for protecting the home and bringing luck to families. When used in
divination, it strengthens the connections of psychic energies.

Crystal: Often buried with
the dead in Ancient Egypt for protection, Lapis Lazuli represents one’s inner
power, truth, and royalty. It facilitates self-knowledge and self-expression when
used in meditation.

       Without resistance,
form would fall apart. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. It is
the basic resistance of unconscious forces against newly evolved consciousness,
but also the overwhelming need for evolution of consciousness, and that
unconscious resistance to it. The mysteries of necessity are at the core of
Nauthiz. It is central to manipulating magic so that desired outcomes can be
attained through negotiating with the energies of the earth. Invoking need is
more powerful than wishing, but what we need and what we desire are not always
the same. In this sense, Nauthiz can protect us from ourselves, but its lessons
are often harsh. The force of the past exerts its effect on us in the present.
Previous action catches up with us and attempts to restrain and restrict future
action. However, armed with humility we can learn our lessons from not only our
own errors, but the mistakes and successes of others.

       Action governed by
Nauthiz is rooted in common sense. The magic of common sense is that it is not
so common, because our desires and ideals eclipse our true need and perception
of real circumstances. As a war rune, Nauthiz empowers the invoker to have the
courage and wisdom to recognize what must be done in an otherwise complex
situation. Necessity is the mother of invention. No pain, no gain. It is
connected with the harshness of reality, like Hagalaz.

       We have a painful
fear of necessity and a love hate relationship with our needs. This is
illustrated most excellently in the symbol of Nauthiz as two sticks rubbing
together to create the ‘Need-Fire’. Our need for fire as a species is balanced
with our fear of the power of fire. Consider this well and you will develop a
profound understanding of this rune.