[Vilturj] 21 - Ingala

[moonvoice]

Ingala (ING - allah) - Also known as Ing, Ingwaz, Ingalaz, Ingvi, Ingwi

Value - ING or NG

Numeric Order - 21

Traditionally Represents - Seclusion. Seed.

Represents - Continuity. Life. Storage. Embryo. Ancestry. Memory. Gestation. Medicine. Ing. Earth. Seed. Procreation. Relaxation. 'Time out.' Phallus. The Male Energy. The Gentle Yang. Freajr. The Divine Male. King. Justice. Logic. Gentleness. Humility.

He traveled over oceans and through
sun mountains, until we named him
Jarik'ng, on his golden chariot,
with his golden sons/suns.

- Vilturj Rune Poem.

Ingala is the seed, and the orifice that stores the seed. It is the embryo, and the womb that nurtures the embryo. It is our soul, and the body that nurtures the soul. Ingala is generally presented as a diamond, if we imagine the outline of Ingala as the gate, then the potential is what is stored inside the gate. The outline is also a continuous, enclosed space, it is both safe and nurturing, and will open for us if we understand how the gate and the circular motion works.

Because this rune tends to indicate an inward focus in order to understand what is growing within (either a project, child, or the self, among other things), it is regarded as a rune of self-isolation and seclusion. The necessary withdrawal that Ingala brings is vital in understanding that there is something growing, and then valuing what is growing and understanding how best to bring it forth. It is a rune of internal growth. The act of seclusion and introversion usually allows us to store energy, as we are often no longer expending it by constantly working or socialising, or by giving our energy away to external worries like what to cook for dinner, or where the best prices for petrol are. In this sense, Ingala is a rune that helps us regenerate ourselves, and regain energy. It has quite a gentle energy, especially when contrasted with the explosive power of runes like Uruz and Thurisaz.

This rune has a strength, an implacable strength, but it is not a destructive strength, nor is it overwhelming or unable to be harnessed. Ingala is a gentle strength, excellent for people who want to stand their ground without arguing, or for those who wish to learn more about themselves without wavering away from any unpleasant truths contained in our memories or in our spirits.

If you would imagine Sowelu as a very strong and fiery masculinity, Ingala is in many respects a gentler masculinity. It is a relaxed paternal energy, or a warrior who is calm and balanced. It is a divine masculinity, and represents the fertile and just aspect of Freajr. It also, because of its enclosed space, represents the womb, and the masculine strength which is able to join with the female in order to help create an embryonic child which will one day carry the knowledge of its ancestors within it.

Ingala indicates that the querent will eventually understand that time is needed to manifest projects of any kind, and that respecting that this process of gestation takes time will in turn respect the outcome itself. This rune is also important in helping us to understand that we are also gestating, and to not be frustrated with ourselves when we inevitably let ourselves and others down. Ingala lets us have renewed faith in ourselves, because in our gut, we actually know that we are always becoming, and that we have the capacity to forgive our mistakes and not live a life steeped in regret.

This faith in ourselves, knowing that we are always becoming and changing, gives us the power to look to the future, and see its potential. This is a very positive rune for people who are constantly steeped in the past and past regrets, or in present fears. As Ingala still gives us permission to examine memories while letting us embrace what can happen in the future.

This rune indicates a time of family love and caring, and also of generosity between friends. It may indicate repaired or strengthened relationships to the querent. If coupled with upright Berkana, it can indicate repaired relationships between parent (particularly father) and child. It is a very positive rune, and its presence in a reading suggests that the querent is coming into, or has just emerged from, a particularly nourishing and healthy time in their lives.

This rune aids memory recovery and preservation of all kinds. Ancestral memory, personal memory, lost memory, etc. are all stored and kept enclosed by the energies of Ingala. Memory is generally stored in the primitive and sophisticated parts of our brain and bodies, and Ingala operates on both of these levels. We might use Ingala to help us when seeing a therapist or hypnotherapist, or we might use it to recover memories after short or long-term memory loss. We might wish to remember skills that we haven't practiced in a long time, or if spiritually aware of ancestors, we might wish to access the memory that is stored in our spirits and DNA. Ingala in a reading may indicate that the querent is feeling, or will feel, particularly nostalgic or concerned with memory for a while. They might want to write down memoirs, or reminisce, or they might be frustrated with an inability to remember their path in life.

Merk - Ingala cannot technically lie in 'reverse', but it can lie in opposition. Ingala reversed can indicate infertility, impotence, premature ejaculation and other aspects of sexual dysfunction. It can indicate intense frustration and stress with this process, and can sometimes indicate a denial of any sexual dysfunction or relationship dysfunction with disastrous results.

Ingala Merked can also represent a situation where a person is working extremely hard to produce results, only to find that all of their efforts have effected no change. This can be extremely disheartening, and can make those in this situation feel absolute despair. This despair is often self-perpetuating, meaning that people with a Merked Ingala have probably been having a run of 'bad luck', because they are unable to find the strength inside themselves to pull themselves out of the situation. An upright Ingala charm may help with this problem, though assess any 'future' runes that might help indicate any changes of fortune.

In Ritual - Ingala has a wonderfully gentle and relaxing energy which makes it good for people who want to do slow-burn spells over an extensive amount of time, especially in areas to do with ancestry, love, compassion, healing and growth.

Ingala is excellent to help those who wish to discover more about themselves, but are frightened that all they will discover is 'badness.' It makes it an especially good rune for those who wish to do self-discovery but may suffer from a damaged self-esteem, and disorders like depression or anxiety. It is quite an appropriate rune to help balance this contemporary era of rushing about and neglecting our spirits and our lives. It brings back gentleness and balance, tempers it with logic and caring, and lets us focus on ourselves without being critical, and without an inflated sense of ego.

This is a good rune for beginners to magic and spell-crafting, who are nervous that they will fail, and want a destination more than the journey itself. It is also a good stabilising rune, and can make the volatile forces of runes like Thurisaz and Haurgl far more gentle. Ingala makes a great rune to be carried on the person or to be worn as a necklace or ring.