Raido

Newton's First Law of Motion states that no object at rest will begin moving unless some outside force acts upon it. Raido is that outside force. It is the rune which upends stasis. It is the impetus which drives the deer in search of fertile fields and sends the wanderer off in search of excitement and adventure. Raido is the restlessness that ensures our lives and our society will not stagnate: it is the burning curiosity which sends us off in search of new horizons and discoveries. 

While Jera is cyclical and travels over a fixed path, Raido is linear and free-ranging. Travelers may arrive at their goal by many paths. Their experiences on the road and upon arrival are unpredictable - and indeed, that unpredictability is part of the point! Raido wants to be surprised and challenged: it grows restless in safe and predictable surroundings and heads off in search of excitement. 

Raido has been called the "journey-rune" and that is certainly one of its most important aspects.  When it appears in a layout it often means the querent will be traveling soon.  The nature of this trip and the final destination may be gleaned from the surrounding runes. It can signify a time to charge forward or a time to retreat: whatever form it may take, you can be sure that some kind of motion will be required as standing still is not an option when Raido is ascendant.  Most often some kind of literal travel and movement will be involved: Raido is rarely content to confine its manifestations to the metaphorical realm. 

Raido can be called upon when you have fallen into a rut and need a change in your life. But as with any of the runes, caution is advised before calling on it.  Raido may give you a new adventure, but it may also give you a deeper understanding of the Chinese curse about "interesting times." Risk and danger are as integral to Raido as movement.  Before Raido has finished working itself through your situation, you are likely to find yourself yearning for the security and comfort you left behind. After all, homesickness is as much a part of the traveler's life as wanderlust.

If you are facing opposition from enemies or unwanted attention from persistent suitors, Raido can be used like Hoodoo's famous Hot Foot Powder. It can make a target uncomfortable in your presence and give them the urge to get far away from you. Combined with Thurisaz in a bind-rune, it can make your enemy unable to settle down or commit to anything: at its worst it can lead to a terrifying akathisia that may result in death or insanity.  Conversely, it can be reversed and combined with Isa to block an enemy's movement and hinder any efforts at escape.

But Raido also has many more benevolent uses.  As part of a bind-rune it can provide intense kinetic power to a spell.  It can be called upon to bless a trip or voyage and ensure that the roads are smooth and that the journey is a profitable one.  Combined with Chalc, it can send you on a spiritual quest that will be rich with both danger and reward.  (This may be a good choice if you are going to be going on a pilgrimage or vision quest: it is not something to be undertaken lightly, but it will repay amply those who are brave enough to seek the Chapel Perilous).  Chalc can provide the Grail vision: Raido can help ensure that the details of the trip go smoothly.  While Raido enjoys adventure, like any seasoned traveler it knows the value of packing appropriately and getting one's documents in order.  It may be an easily bored rune, but it is not a scattered or impractical one.