Mannaz means mankind, signifying the shared fates of human beings. Hunter and gathers coexisted for survival, but there’s more to the social interactions than the common goals of continued existence. The group force of like-minded people working towards common goals has everyone singing on the same sheet of music in harmony. The synergism created from one individual to the complementary blend of all individuals who join a shared quest makes more than the sum of the individual components. Members of a community work for the common good of the group towards shared goals, and the harvest of their teamwork is bountiful. Otherwise, communal gatherings assemble to celebrate holidays, reunions, and auspicious occasions from the humdrum of life. Interpersonal interactions for business or affection bond many from mutual understanding. Networking at this time can expand knowledge and open up opportunities for shared resources. Existential thoughts of man’s arrival, the reason for being on this planet as well as your purpose on this earth are being reviewed by you. We, as humans, congregate to share experiences with many on religious or spiritual quests of faith and belief.
Self-awakening is the gift of consciousness and mastering our inner and outer self hones tolerance, kindness and understanding, but the corresponding gift to this is the connection of the unconscious inner-self with the conscious for-self. Then the true gift is extending this heart-spirit to fuse with the hardwired core of the cosmic conscious collective for these two opposing forces to make a third shared force of creation. The nature of this nexus is pure.
This rune is exemplified by Odin’s two ravens that flew around the world each day and shared their experiences with Odin; they were named Hugin and Munin meaning thought and memory, respectively. Norse’s cyclic view of life merged the memories of the past to the thoughts of today.
Mind over matter and what really matters is the theme. The distinguishing feature of humans over other creatures is the size and capabilities of our minds. In fact, our brains have no capacity for pain but can tell the body it has pain. We have objective observations with subjective analyses. We dream but don’t understand the message. We exist but don’t know why we exist. However, we cannot underestimate the power of the human mind. Humans only use 10% of our brain and why this is; it’s because humans have only achieved a fraction of their potential. Humans are complete underachievers. Now it's time to work up to your potential as a human while using your brain power to fuel the way.
You don’t have to do this all by your lonesome because Mannaz represents assistance from others. The herding instinct maybe strong in humans to ensure our survival as a species, but it is also for support and help when needed. If the mind power could turn into manpower of the conscious collective, then conscious citizens could overcome avarice, pride, hubris, anger, lust, sloth, gluttony and wrath. When accomplishments are communally achieved, it’s time for a party to commemorate, honor and give thanks.
From our brain and our brain alone, arises our pleasure, joys, laughter, and jests as well as our sorrow pain, grief and tears… The brain is also the seat of madness and delirium, of the fears of terror which assail by night or by day…
–Hippocrates
Keywords: Mankind, Humanity, Inner Being, Awareness, Consciousness, Intelligence, Soul, Psyche, Intuition, Mind, Ego, Body, Assistance, Memory, Tolerance, Mind Over Matter
Associated Tarot Cards: The Fool & Magician
Astrological Signs: Aquarius & Pisces
Planets: Uranus & Pluto
Norse Gods: Ask (Ash tree) & Embla (Elm tree) are the Adam & Eve of Norse mythology and are the father and mother of the human race, and Heimdall who is the guardian.
Other Spellings: Madhr, Madthr, Madthur, Mann, Manna, Mannar & Mannazold
Pronunciation: Mahn-nawz