Runes

The Runes were the letters with which the ancient Norse wrote until approximately 1000 A.D., and they can be seen carved on Runestones across Scandinavia to this day. They also had oracular, mythological or psychological import. The chief Norse god, Odin, was said to have been voluntarily wounded with a spear and hung for nine nights on the nine worlds of Norse cosmology's axle-tree, Yggdrasil, in order to obtain knowledge of the Runes' meanings and magical uses--a kind of Norse shamanic initiation.The Elder Futhark (Norse Runes) are a collection of 24 symbols divided into three families or aettr (the 24 pictures shown at the top). They were inscribed on amulets for protection, luck in battle, etc. As the old Norse language had no future tense, these runes were not used for definitive future predictions, but could be consulted to understand trends based in the present (leaving the reader to extrapolate outward as appropriate). The 25th blank rune available in some sets is a modern invention not used by most students of the Runes. Some of the runes as depicted above were also written in other styles.

One can use these runes for divination. Typically, if one is using stones, the stones are cast from a bag, perhaps onto a cloth. The reader will consider juxtaposition of stones, plus physical proximity to the querent. Symbols which are hidden (the blank side is up) might be discarded, or read as hidden influences. (I seldom use stones in my own readings, so my comments here are scanty, and others may have elaborations I am unaware of.As for extrapolating into the future -- if events in a person's life are proceeding quickly, the dimensions of that extrapolated future will be shorter than if the events are going slowly. This I think seems self-explanatory -- but I have seen those who declare That The Runes Predict Three Months, as if this too were carved in stone.

This is a brief description an names of the runes depicted at the top. They go in order and the names are the same is the picture in the same order above.

Fehu: (cattle, wealth). On a superfical level, this can refer to standard riches. Owning several head of cattle was a sign of wealth. Obviously, wealth need not refer only to the material plane. And, as the runes regard a process, this rune may refer to the ability to create wealth on whatever level under inspection.

Uruz: (aurochs). The aurochs is a now-extinct animal related to oxen. Rather than tame like cattle, it lived wild. The meaning of the symbol can relate to a wild energy, an untamed potential; something not unlike the root chakra. Contrast it with Fehu, which seems to indicate that which one possesses, in various meanings of that word. Understanding both the tamed and the untamed sides of the self may be emphasized when studying both of these runes.

Thurisaz: (giant; Thor's rune). It may mean conflict; it may indicate protection (as in protection from conflict) when so used. On some levels, it represents the subconscious. The energy of conflict is neutral in and of itself; it is important in the Norse world view to accept the dynamics involved here. It may be used in meditation as a potent tool to understand Thor.

Ansuz: (Odinn's rune). This can be a rune of communication -- Odinn brought the wisdom of the runes down, and conveyed their information to the rest of us. It may also represent wisdom, a wisdom earned. It is a potent rune for those who wish to study ol' One Eye himself. It represents conscious work, bringing the wisdom gained to the levels of awareness where one can recognize things for as they are.

Raido: (journey). New ventures, new beginnings, as well as the mundane taking a trip somewhere. It may also point out the right (or best) path among a selection of alternates. There may well be a sense of directed change.

Kenaz: (torch, light). Essentially, I see this as the creativity rune, although that gives short shrift to the creative qualities inherent in many of the other runes. However, here I see the cognate as Bridgit of the forge (Irish lore) -- she who forged the steel, tempering it in water. The rune is directed synthesis, brought about by fire energy, tempered with thought. It may indicate knowledge passed on. It can also "light the way" for inner explorations.

Gebo: (gift). Balance. There is a balance in true giving and receiving. The things we do in life have a way of coming to an equilibrium, and some of the wisdom is understood in coming to terms with this, and making adjustments accordingly. Sacrifice (without martyrdom) is sometimes indicated. Gifts and giving resonate on a multitude of levels; the linear tit for tat is the least of it.

Wunjo: (joy). The oldest translated meaning is "perfection", and Freya Aswynn indicates that this rune may represent the most perfect, "good" side of Odinn. One may use the rune to indicate the striving towards perfection. A joy or happiness is implied in this rune, a sense of fitting in appropriately with the universe.

Hagalaz: (hail). Sort of The Tower of the Futhark world. There may be disruptive forces at work, requiring change. Frequently this is on an inner level; adjustments on world view and outlook may be indicated. It deals with the dark side of oneself, which is clamoring to be understood rather than shut away.

Nauthiz: (need-fire). I see this as relating to a primal need within a person; possibly even unconscious. This need is a motivating force, and seeks equilibrium. Something may be out of balance. What purpose, on any level, does the need serve? Working with this rune can help bring such answers to the fore, where the need can be addressed, satisfied, or dismissed. (Note -- needs and wants are not necessarily the same.)

Isa: (ice). A challenge, a frustration. A sense of self-containment and preservation are a part of this rune. It is a status quo, which may be necessary or it may be something to break down. (Or both and more, as life and living hold complexities.) It may relate to a sense of awareness of the "I", and it stands firm in ways that may make it an obstacle.

Jera: (year). Everything changes, in its own time. It can break through stagnancy. Overall, this is a positive rune, although it can indicate the return of unfinished business as well as the finished.

Eihwaz: (yew). Essentially, in working with this rune I find a strong connection to the Wiccan saying, "as above, so below". What one hopes to manifest on the higher planes can get a good boot by being dealt with on the lower. As well, when things are moving on the higher planes, changes may accompany this on the lower. This rune seems to represent the connecting, focal section between these (and other) planes. This can be a very strong and assertive rune.

Pertho: (lot cup). Mystery; the hidden. Forces we cannot fully comprehend, which act upon us. Part of the concept here is the wyrd, a form of "fate". There is also here the meaning of birth; one may consider that our birth is caused by events we (the being-born) cannot control. In a reading, I always like to see what runes this rune is near; it brings in the unexpected. (And from this can arise transformation.)

Algiz: (protection). Protection, a shield. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. It may represent life, at both ends of existence (life as well as death), as a normal state of affairs.

Sowilo: (sun). In the Norse and Germanic traditions, the sun is female, which gives it a different indication than the lore of other cultures. The rune symbolizes the consciousness of the inner self, and may indicate growth (in various ways). The blessings of the sun would improve Northern crops.

Tiwaz: (Tyr). Victory, justice. The rune is shaped like an arrow, so one can visualize it going straight to its target. Tyr is the god who consented to bind the Fenris wolf by tricking him. In so doing, he voluntarily lost one hand.

Berkana: (birch). Nurturing, fertility. There is a sense of protection for the abandoned, in a gentle caring way. Growth is implicit.

Ehwaz: (horse). The rune may indicate a pair of horses in the original etymology. The rune can relate to a vehicle, including in the sense of how one adapts to circumstances. Partnerships (marriage or business) may be alluded to with this rune. "Bonding" may be a factor. Cooperation and adjustment may be ideas to consider.

Mannaz: (man). Cooperation for the benefit of the whole. The use of the mind to further such cooperation and success (however defined) may be considered here. There's a sense of the individual in relationship to the group, as well as the role of the intellect.

Laguz: (lake). This rune may relate to love (being half an Ehwaz). There's also the sense of that old saying, "still waters run deep". It has much tie to the emotional state of a person.

Inguz: (Frey). As can be seen below, this rune has two forms. (As do some of the others.) I see it as a seed, gestating below the surface of the soil, in a period of apparent stagnation. But the seed is waiting. Processes we cannot see have been finely honed. This rune may mark a dark night within a person, through which they must travel. In a sense, it is sort Othila (Ogthala): (ancestral land).

Dagaz: (day). This rune symbol swoops around like the infinity sign. Day and night -- it can touch the extremes, or what appear to be extremes. It is a rune of paradox, and I have found it a strengthening rune for me, in that it allows the contradictory parts of myself to explore and talk with one another.