Well, it’s certainly been a fair minute since my last post. I’m trying not to let guilt or urgency influence my continued writing and still take the time I need to develop my post. Despite these being shorter workings, I simply didn’t have the time or energy to devote to them properly over the last month or two. To be fair, I was diligently working on another major writing project, so at least it was productive time away. Finally, I’ve had the time and mental capacity to sit down with Ruis and acknowledge their facets. I’ve already sensed the feeling that Ruis is a bit of a roller coaster ride on the scale of actions and emotions they touch so let’s see what we can do with that.

Attributes and Associations

Ruis. RWEESH. ROO-ESH. Ruis means Elder Tree. Ruis is the fifteenth letter of the Ogham alphabet, of the Muine set. Ruis is derived from ruise “red”. Its Proto-Indo-European root was h₁reudʰ- ‘red’. Its phonetic value is r. The attributes of Ruis are regret, retribution, maturity, abundance, transition, success, consecration, and good fortune. The Elder is also strongly connected with Goddess spirituality, and the workings of the Fae. Ruis is beholden to all elements and finds attunement with all forest spirits. Ruis is also associated with the Winter Solstice.

Elder trees are known in the scientific community as Sambucus. The various species are commonly called elder or elderberry. The various species are commonly called elder or elderberry. The genus was formerly placed in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae, but was reclassified as Adoxaceae due to genetic and morphological comparisons to plants in the genus Adoxa. They bear large clusters of small white or cream-colored flowers in late spring; these are followed by clusters of small black, blue-black, or red berries (rarely yellow or white). Native species of elder often support populations of butterfly and bird species. Elder trees grow commonly in Britain and Ireland but also flourish across the northern hemisphere.

Elder wood is often used to make flutes and other musical devices, and the flowers and berries make delicious wines, cordials, and meads. Elderberry fruit or flowers have also  been used as dietary supplements for minor illnesses such as flu, colds, constipation, and other conditions, often served as a tea, extract, or in a capsule. Folklore says leaving the berries to ripen upon the tree for the blackbird to eat, they will bring echoes in their songs of the Otherworld. Like blackbirds, Ruis guards the gateways to the Otherworld.

The Contract

Ruis of the Elder Tree. Ruis of the Red. You sit with me as I am scarred and worn. I have many years to go but many winters have passed already, difficult and painful. I feel an age upon me that seems beyond my cumulative years. Ruis grips my shoulder, to face this regret to feel my own retribution. Do I let it in? Ruis the red whirlwind, I feel you as sharply as my own sweat in my eyes from the labors of my own body. Maturity grows upon me, like the ripe berries that you bear and I enjoy to consume. Red blooming before my eyes, of all shades of understanding, it cannot be missed. It is your call to action.

Sounding in the deep of my red blood, sounding out in notes of drums and flutes of rushing winds, it crescendos around me and hails the oncoming storm of life. A music to behold, of battle and of passion. This is not a normal calling, this is to be understood as rare and uncommon opportunity, balance your feet, learn the dance, and seek the perfect rhythm, lest it break and all lays fallen. Ruis will tell you that should you break the rhythm, not all is lost, but it grows harder each time it must be mended. Take the rejuvenation in seriousness.

I stand up from cracked and dirty floor. I shake and stumble upon my sore legs. Awareness of my experience flows through me, another ending has come. Perhaps to happen again someday, but for now, I close this portal, and call for Ruis to guide me through this new armageddon, this ending of a cycle long seen for. I shall embrace this chaos and walk to a new dawn.

This week’s drawing is nGéadal.