The Twelvth Rune

Planting time to harvest time
the cycle is complete

Names - JERA - the good year or the good harvest, JER - year, GER - year, AR - year or good season

Pronunciations - "jer rah" "jer" "are"

Phonetic Value - "J" or "Y" as in yard

Symbolism - The Threshing Stave

Keywords - Completion


Jera is the rune representing completion of a cycle, a season, or a year.

Representing the dymanic rotation and changes of the cycles, this rune is symbolized by the whirling of a threshing stave used to harvest grain.

Because harvest time traditionally comes at the fruitful completion of a cycle, this rune is symbolic of the eternal contrast of opposites found in all cycles, birth and death, sowing and reaping, and the seasonal cycles which provide a whole.

This rune can be a representation of an annual period, or a year, but it is also symbolic of correct action leading to longer term success through harmony with nature.

Phonetically the pronunciation of "Jera" is somewhat similar to present day pronunciations for "year", however, human language being as fluid and changeable as it is, one should hesitate before making any definitive declarations of shared root meanings.

That much being said, it would still be fairly accurate to think of "year" and "Jera" as sharing at least some similarities in meaning, particularly those that indicated one complete cycle of anything.

A less clearly defined phonetic heritage might be found in Teutonic root words like "ar" which may share similarities with "ari" the Old Norse word for "eagle", a solar symbol. This link to solar symbolism (however tenuous) could bring nuances of yearly, or solar, cycles and thereby retain some of the root meaning of Jera.

Jera can bring justice, peace, and harmony. It represents the nearly universal law of harvest. What was sown will be reaped. Because "reaping what you sow" is a fundamental precept of many karmic, legal, or judicial systems the connection to Jera as a force of justice, peace, and harmony can be understood.

As such, Jera is often seen as a pleasant symbol of community cooperation and celebration after the last harvest is brought in to prepare for the hardship of winter. It is a symbol of successful completion and ensured continuity.

Magically Jera is used to invoke fertility and increase, and is worked to ensure a good season (or harvest) or to bring something to fruition or completion.

Jera may also be used in matters that call for justice, or for desired outcomes in lawsuits, contracts, and other legal or contractual issues.

In divination it can represent any of the following forces.

JERA UPRIGHT:Year, fruitful season, harvest, conclusion, earned success, life cycle, season, favorable judgement, final decision, endings

JERA MERKSTAVE (Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Sudden setback, reversals, a major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict, disharmony with nature, incompletion.


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