Dagaz is the last rune of the Futhark and it finishes my Runes Circle practice. It was arguably the hardest week and Dagaz opened its deeper meaning that is not so light.
Dagaz has the same root as German „Dag“ (day in English) and Dagaz is closely connected with time. It is the second time rune, and with the first being Yera it is only logical that Dagaz is set exactly opposite of Yera if you write Futhark in a circle. And it is one of the arguments for Dagaz being the last rune in a Futhark sequence. It can be connected with Winter Solstice, when the days start to grow, while Yera is the Summer Solstice, representing shifting to the harvest phase.
Dagaz form also gives us a hint to its meaning – it is an infinity sign, representing the never ending runes circle, where the last rune Dagaz always transforms to the first rune of creation – Fehu. It is thus not a coincidence that Futhark is often written in circle, emphasizing that it never ends, just transforms. Futhark circle here resembles natures circle, where after winter always comes spring.
Dagaz is often seen as a rune of great changes, the major transformation that opens a new road ahead. Before this week I’ve usually interpreted it as very positive, with the one exception. But when we say that changes are for the best, we often do not think on the price and if we wanted these changes at all. The need for constant change is really subjective and I now think extra caution is needed when you get Dagaz. I do not mean we never need changes, there are situations when we got in a blind corner and see no way out. Then Dagaz changes can be lifesaving. But if you get Dagaz it’s better to look at the runes next to it. If they are negative you are probably better avoiding destructive changes. At the same time when you feel stuck Dagaz tells you it’s worth it to try. Just be careful and better add some runes to Dagaz to direct the transformative energy. Dagaz is often used as a basis for palindrome as it is absolutely symmetrical and can not be reversed.
The Dagaz week was the hardest of the Runes Circle and I would probably now look at it different in deviation. The Dagaz transformation is a harsh one and can be dangerous. Though the week ended not that bad and I’ve got a number of useful revelations I would not want to repeat it. The Runes Circle practice brought lots of new knowledge about runes, sometimes unexpected and not all fully processed yet. I had used this practice with a rune a day time years ago and it was a lighter experience. I would not say I won’t repeat it, but a week seems too long period now. So if you’re just starting I would recommend a day, at least for the first time. And maybe raise duration gradually afterwards.