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The picture to your left is the Runes symbol for constraint and up until a very short time ago, I had no idea about this, or about Runes for that matter.
So how did all this come about and what does it mean?
Well, here it goes. The other day I had a chance and acted on doing something I had never done before. What was it – well nothing that out of the ordinary. I went to my very first local Psychic Fair.
While there, I attended a few presentations. One of them was on Runes and aside from getting to know what they are, I had a chance to try Runes personally and the symbol of “constraint” came up for the question I had asked.
What was the question? What does the symbol of constraint mean? What are Runes? I am going to answer all those questions in this article, as well as try to make you aware of your own constraints and hopefully inspire you to remove them.
For it is only when there are no constraints in our lives that we can truly and fully express and experience who we truly are. Constraints hold us back, freedom allows us to move forward.
Leading Up To the Psychic Fair
If you suggested to me going to see or be with psychics about 5 or 10 years ago, I would have strongly declined. Back then I thought that God was in charge of all of us and the events in our lives and psychics had no role in that. Back then I though it was “wrong” or even a “sin” to even consider a psychic or intuitive guide.
Well, I shake my head today about this, as I realize how far I have come in opening up my mind. I love the spiritual journey I am on and how my discoveries have allowed me to grow, expand and experience more freedom than I ever thought possible.
Today, I realize that intuition is one of the strongest senses within us. The fact that most of us do not have this sense developed is another matter. I also know that being intuitive is our birthright. But again, many of us are so obsessed and blinded by the physical world that such an idea is not even a consideration.
Now having said the above statements, I also have a strong belief that we are our own creators of our own past, present and future, so I am still not a huge proponent for “psychics” who tend to tell people the details of what is to come or who skirt around general issues that can apply to anyone. I do appreciate however, beings who are more highly tuned to the intuitive energy, come from a place of love and can help shed light on our lives in terms of the energies we are vibrating at for example. This should not be surprising, because in any area of life there are those who act out of their spirit and then there are those who act our of their ego driven desires.
What Are Runes?
Okay, so back to yesterday. As I was getting to know what the fair was all about and what events it offered, I found myself attending a few sessions that were being offered.
One of them was on Runes. Now up to this point, I had no idea what Runes were. For those of you who like me do not know, Runes are an ancient Germanic language that used symbols. Runes were used for writing, divination and magic. They were used throughout northern Europe, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland from about 100 B.C.E. to 1600 C.E. To this day, Rune symbols are used in various intuitive activities.
For the full 24 symbol Runes alphabet and meanings, see the following site.
After the speaker explained the concept of Runes, she began to take volunteer questions from the audience that were based on “yes” or “no” answers. As I was new to this, I tried not to judge this event, but just take it as is.
The speaker then turned towards the back where I was standing and looking at me said “let us take a question from the back”, pointing at me, even though my hand was not up. Immediately the following question popped into my mind, “should I pursue a professional writing career?” (I know I will regardless, but I thought let’s play along.)
So what answer did I get? Read on in the next section for an interesting answer.
The Runes Answer of Constraint
The speaker reached in blindly into her bag of symbols and out came one of the 24 symbols. She looked at me and said, “it is the symbol of constraint“.
My first split second reaction was “that does not sound good”. However, as the speaker explained the symbol, I started shaking my head and smiling to myself as what she was saying could not be more true.
The symbol of “constraint” in the Runes language means that yes, potentially you should and will do what you were inquiring about, but not at the present time. This is for the obvious reason that there are “constraints” in your life holding you back or away from pursuing whatever it is that one is interested in.
The following is what other experts have to say about the Runes symbol of constraint:
Don’t take the world personally. It represents the constraints we and others place on ourselves. The role of this is to identify our shadow side or the side we pay little attention to. Not necessarily our bad side but a part of us which has been stunted or repressed by someone or something else.
The need for restraint is not questioned here. Drawing this indicates that there will be holdups and reasons to reconsider your plans carefully.
This is time to work within not without.
Consider yourself a fisherman in a time of stormy weather. Instead of going out to fish, use the time to mend you nets and put everything in order.
Here is another interpretation of this Runes symbol, this one especially speaks volumes to me – especially the line that says “recognition of one’s fate“!
The symbol of constraint represents delays and restrictions. Resistance leading to strength, innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of will to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. Recognition of one’s fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears.
My Personal Constraint
So how does this relate to me personally? Well this is so easy to answer and it could not be more right on!
It has been my intention for some time now to pursue writing on a professional level. I have always, since my teenage years loved to write. I knew I wanted to write and I knew it was not going to be fiction. It was going to be non-fiction, specifically anything that would relate to helping others in some particular area of their life.
The only reason I did not take this seriously earlier is primarily due to old-conditioning of going for a job that will pay the bills. I was lucky that mine not only paid the bills, but I loved it too!
Well, since the start of 2008 I had the outlet of this site to express my writing passion. It was and is wonderful, but I knew there was more. Indeed there is more. This past summer I began thinking that in order to take and pursue my writing seriously I needed time and when one has a full time job, time is not necessarily something one has lots of or at least enough of, to pursue another passion seriously and still have time for a balanced life.
I also feel limited in what I can write as some things may not be in context to my current position, which has its own limits from which I need to free myself. So bottom line I know what I want. I know that I will be pursuing it, but for now my hands are tied. Now do not get me wrong, I know that I have put the constraint there and can just as easily remove it – but the time is not yet right for that.
So was the Rune of constraints wrong? Absolutely not! In fact it was so interesting how right it was.
I have indeed a major constraint right now that prevents me from pursuing my greatest passion and it is completely related to my full time job. Hence indeed, it is the time to exercise patience, but know that I am capable of creating and following through with my own chosen outcome when I decide, and thus bring about a major self-initiated change.
And a change it will be as I am going to embark into totally new territory! On the one hand, I am going to abandon the comfort and security that comes from a good full time job. While on the other hand, I am going to experience the greatest freedom ever and follow through with my creative expressions and passions. All I need to do either way is simply remove the constraint!
Your Constraints
So how about you? Have you ever thought about your own constraints?
What things have you put in your life, that now hold you back from living out a higher version of yourself?
Remember, nothing happens to us by chance. Whatever constraint you think you have, you put it there and you also have the power to remove it when you choose.
The most important thing is to realize just that!
Many people in life feel “stuck” as if they have no choice, but that of course is not true as we always have a choice! Most of us are just too afraid to take a chance and venture out into new territory of that choice. So we put up with our own constraints, we acknowledge them, complain about them, tell others about them, but the whole time do nothing to remove them.
This as you can imagine is an extremely limited way to live. To your soul, it feels I imagine somewhat like what a beautiful bird feels like in a cage. Perhaps at first that bird wanted the security of the cage, but now realizes they want to be free to pursue the next level of learning, to be free and live out the next highest version of himself.
A life like that is very difficult to live, let alone feel grateful for. Many people who for one, do not acknowledge their own constraints and then two, do something about them, end up feeling like they missed out on something – something big. As time goes on, they usually grow bitter, cynical and seem to want to find villains and excuses in their life for why it did not turn out the way it should have. Yet, there was not then nor is there now anyone external to blame for this or any other situation in their life.
Hence, it is very important to understand that if you as an individual want to keep growing, expanding and learning – which is the basic desire of all of our souls, then you have to be strong enough to acknowledge your personally set constraints and even more so, be open to removing them.
About the author:Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is the main author of EvolvingBeings.com where she writes about spiritual and personal development. She hopes to inspire people, to truly live out the life of their dreams and awaken the highest version of themselves. She is also a nutritional science and holistic health expert for optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow Evita Ochel on Twitter.
13 Comments to “What Are Your Constraints?”
Hi Evita,
This post resonates very much with me. It resonates because I feel I am in complete harmony with your situation. I have a job I enjoy very much (but I don’t love it). I have started a blog, of which I do love writing on. And yet, the comfort and security of my full-time job keeps me constrained to that right now. I am aware of where I want to get to. And you’ve said it so well, patience until the time is right. It’s where I’m at as well.
The idea of psychics – to be perfectly honest Evita – I’m not sold on their “powers”. That’s not to say that I disregard them, I hope I have an open mind – but I am definitely skeptical. Hearing of your experience is really very interesting for me. How these Runes played a part in exposing “constraint” – is really quite fascinating. Or could it be said that whatever was drawn from the bag could have been construed to meet your position? I don’t know, probably not completely, although maybe some choices could have been. Anyway, the real take away was what you drew from the word “constraint” – and really that helps me so much in my own thought process of where I’m at. There is definitely some conflict, and facing of fears – one of which is money and being able to provide for my family. It would take a lot of faith to abandon what I have now for my dream of writing — and yet, I also worry – will I keep saying this until my life is gone? I hope not.
And, Evita, I wish you well on your journey through these constraints in your life.
Lance – thank you for sharing your thoughts and personal experience too.
See for me, I am pretty confident with my decision and even have removed all fear from it, BUT there are some around me who keep wanting to put that fear back in. It is not helpful, but it is making me stronger to have an even more powerful focus, because that is the only way to overcome their fear-instilling words.
Anyhow it is indeed an interesting journey and I am learning so much about myself and others through it.
In terms of your personal situation, not I nor anyone else can tell you what really is the right step for you. You will feel and know that from within.
That is why I too feel about psychics the way I feel – we have all the answers we need within – we just have to go there and look for them. No one external can ever tell you what is right for you or for that matter what is going to happen to you. But I do believe that there are many tools out there that can be used as a guidance system between the spiritual and physical world. So whether the Runes symbol was a coincidence or not – it was so right on and it probed me further into understanding my journey better.
As for psychics in general, they can definitely take you through possibilities, but in the end the choice is yours to follow through with your own creations and how. Our life is not pre-determined, like many people still think, that would just not serve us on this journey.
So my only advice to you, is to continue to connect with your soul/spirit and feel from within what is right for you and what choices you will ultimately make that will give you the grand and rich life experience that you came here for.
And so I too wish you all the best with whatever you choose to experience along your own path :)
After reading this article, I got hit “between the eyes” as to what is my constraint. For me, leaving my comfort zone of what I know and what makes me feel safe is what’s largely held me back throughout my life. My fear of taking risks and stepping outside of the lines has been a hindrance more than I’d like to admit. Having identified this, I guess it’s never too late to do some inner work and remove the negativity
causing this.
Hi, Evita. This is a timely post for me; thank you. I’m with you and Lance, wanting to write for my “day job.” My opportunity will come when I can retire (early!) next summer. Where I differ is in knowing just how my writing should go. Regardless, I’m trusting in my “knowing” that it’s the best thing for me to do, and I’m trying to just let it all unfold. Blogging is my practice time. Where constraint enters the picture is, like Lance, with finances. When my husband (who is supportive of my goal) worries about our cash flow, the urgency of the moment enters the picture. I’m not sure how to resolve this, or even if I should try right now. Maybe I’m meant to just focus on doing what I can right now.
Aren’t psychic fairs exciting? The most amazing things happen. At my first fair, one man read my mind. Just in a casual conversation, one of the others answered my own internal, unspoken question—out loud. I hadn’t asked the question! Talk about intriguing… :) Once you start widening the scope of your exploration, keeping an open mind, whole worlds will continue to unfold—just as has already happened for you with “A Course in Miracles.”
Both you and Lance touched on something I’ve long thought: that others (unseen) use all manner of tools and people to help us see things that will keep us on our own best paths. If we want to cooperate, our part is to attempt to do as asked. And sometimes that means to disregard the voices telling us about our constraints and to just know that everything will happen in due course. Patience and faith…and the willingness to act when the time feels right.
Now, I just need to see if I can follow my own suggestion! ;)
Wouldn’t it be the case that we have a choice about some things, and like you say, need to become conscious of self-limiting constraints where we do. But that with regard to many other things – sometimes vital things – we don’t? For example, we’re fortunate enough to live in a rich and stable nation. But if your country gets invaded and you become a refugee or worse, that’s one of many sorts of huge factors that we don’t control.
In cases like that, personal growth would revolve around how we respond to the adverse event that we couldn’t control.
@ PAUL MAURICE MARTIN – Hi Paul and thanks so much for your input.
The way I see it, and it wasn’t always that I was able to see this way, is that yes, we may not be able to control the fate of our country or the family we were born to, or other events. But we always have a choice in how we react to any event.
So it is exactly as you state, this is where we are pushed to grow, to evolve in terms of how we respond to the adverse events.
At every point now I realize, it may not be easy, but it is still up to us, how we choose to interpret a situation or what meaning we give it.
Well, good on you, Evita-Mate for casting off you self-imposed constraints and going for your writing dream.
Even tho you have that full-time job to hold down you will tip that scales ever in favor of following your passion and end up in a win-win situation of helping others and living your dream.
Just never give up!!
@ JANNIE – Thanks for your support Jannie!
It is hard to believe that this was a year ago and today I have lifted those constraints and am living out my dream! This is why I really believe it when I tell people, dream your life and live your dream.
And thanks for the words of encouragement…I intend to never do so!
Hi Evita, great post! I have heard of Runes before but I never knew exactly what they were.
I hear a lot of these so-called psychics are actually nothing but really good cold readers (for a great book on the subject you can check out Ian Rowland’s “The Full Facts Book Of Cold Reading” – Rowland was actually featured in the 1996 Documentary “Breaking The Science Barrier” with Richard Dawkins, in an attempt to de-bunk psychics).
With that being said I do believe that real psychics exist. And I, like you, value intuition as a true means of helping others. But it is probably a good idea to familiarize yourself with cold-reading so you have a better grasp on what represents real psychic powers and what could be a hoax.
By the way this comment is in no way meant to judge the validity of your psychic experience, just to help you become better aware of these distinctions in the future.
Thanks for the post!
And I love the blog by the way!
@ STEVEN – Hi Steven and so great to hear your thoughts on this subject!
That is fascinating to learn indeed. While I never familiarized myself with cold-reading (I didn’t know that was the actual term for it) I have been skeptical of things like this in the past. Today, I let my intuition guide me, and I have to tell you, although I dabbled a bit in Tarot cards and dowsing, I realize that when I just quite my thoughts, go within or listen to my inner being, I get all the answers I need for me.
I have one friend who is a true, gifted intuitive and even though I trust her counsel, I don’t rely on it. I want to connect more and develop my own intuition. I practice accountability in all areas of my life, so I don’t treat this any different.
And I love that you have shared this Steven, because I know it will help others be more discerning as well.
So thanks so much for the feedback – that was awesome to hear and look forward to more of your thoughts!
Hi Dear Evita, I read this and of course found it fascinating. Amazing insights you had into your own life. Really enjoyed read about that. As I read I couldn’t think of any constraints I have. I could think of ones I had years ago, but not now in my life.
However….I too would be intrigued by a psychic fair. Although, I’ve never been to a psychic. I was always so busy living. BUT oddly I was once asked to “DO” a psychic fair just as a fun community thing to raise money for some charity (I think – can’t remember what it was for). What I do remember is that one person did palm readings, another used a tarot deck, another used ruins, another used something else. And because I didn’t know how to use ANY of those divining tools, I simply set up a table and would have people sit down and not tell me ANYTHING. They only got to say their name very slowly, several times, until I told them to stop (whatever name they preferred). Then I asked them to sit quietly and I would tell them what came to me….It was all supposed to be in the spirit of just fun and play, but I saw too many things, Evita.
I saw a minister who was having an affair and I didn’t want to tell him or invade his privacy, but he begged me to tell him what I saw. So I whispered it to him and he was stunned and went on to confirm it and other things I saw about him and his father when he was a boy. I saw a woman who was dying of lung cancer (when I was done she told me she had quit the week before because her doctor told her to if she wanted to live.) I didn’t tell her about the cancer, I just asked if she smoked and said that I saw her lungs glowing bright red and inflamed. She too was stunned. So was I. Then I saw a young woman who was dancing joyfully around the room with tears running down her face (in my mind’s eye so to speak) and she later told me she was a dancer and had sadly given it up and missed it deeply, but hadn’t dared to tell her family felt because they felt dancing wasn’t a good career choice. I saw an elder woman who was dying from isolation and had lost all will to live. I saw and saw and saw and never did it again.
People had come there to have fun and I just saw too much. I also went home drained. I made good money as word got around that I could “see” and people left and returned with friends and family until I had a line a mile long. But I realized that day that it was too real for me and because I saw too much I had trouble down playing it to act light hearted, not when I saw death in someone. However what I did with those people instead was to encourage them to get out and live. I could “see” what they enjoyed and and would suggest that to them.
It was a wild experience. And one I learned has to be treated with great care so as not to lock someone into believing something, into believing they have no control over their lives. I’ve found that people do much better when encouraged to live, when seen, when loved, when appreciated and not judged….people will naturally change and blossom, will naturally want to live better lives and will turn to their own intuition and find their own unique path.
I think you did an astounding job of putting your experience into a healthy context. This is very well written, explored and expressed…and very grounded in it’s approach. Good for you Evita. It is both intriguing and yet solid, which allows for both being open but grounded.
Hugs to dear Evita.
Love,
Robin
@ ROBIN – Hello Robin – first off I want to begin by saying a really big thank you to you. Why? Because you put so much time and effort of yourself to others in so many ways. Every time I see a comment from you – it is one of the most meaningful selections ever. You truly write from the heart. You truly share what you want to share, not for any personal gain, but because you are truly sharing a piece of yourself. And for that I will be forever grateful.
Your story touched me deeply. I have often “wished” that I was “psychic” and you know what Robin…my guides…my higher self…something spoke to me and just left me with the question…are you sure you really want to see? And I have never been able to answer yes. Because deep down I guess I know the answer is a no.
Today, I do continue to develop my intuition and with that, I feel that I see enough. Just by tuning into people’s energies I can get a great sense of what is going on with them…but I don’t need/want the details. This is another reason why when I was younger and thought I really wanted to be a psychologist, something within me, said “no, you don’t.”
I love helping people, but I find it is of course so much easier to help others when we see them as beings of light. For when the details come in, it does take a strong being to not be biased by those details or drained by that pain. I am evolving in that area too.
So thank you Robin for sharing your experience on the matter.
As for me today – my constraints are lifted. Life is joyful and fulfilling, but I am so grateful for that event last year, as it taught me a lot more than what simple Runes are…