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The Elder Futhark Runes
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The Elder Futhark (Norse Runes)
are a collection of 24 symbols divided into three families or
aettr. 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. |
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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.
The rune's name:
Fehu
The Meaning: Cattle,
livestock, riches, landed property, movable property.
The sound:
F
The Germanic name:
Fe (Fehu)
The Norse name:
Fé
The Anglo Saxon name:
Feo, Feoh
The Icelandic name:
Fé
The Norwegian name:
Fe |
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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.
There may be sexual connotations in this rune. Also, this rune
may indicate vitality and personal health. It may represent
the unconscious energies within oneself.
The rune's name:
Uruz
The Meaning: Primitive
ox, wild ox
The sound:
U
The Germanic name:
Uraz (Uruz)
The Norse name:
Úr
The Anglo Saxon name:
Ur
The Icelandic name:
Úr
The Norwegian name:
Ur |
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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 (who was typically one of
the main gods of the common folk).
The rune's name:
Thurisaz
The Meaning:
Thorn, Giant, Troll
The sound:
Þ, Th
The Germanic name:
Thyth (Thurisaz)
The Norse name:
Þurs
The Anglo Saxon name:
(Thorn)
The Icelandic name:
Þurs
The Norwegian name:
Thurs
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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.
The rune's name: Ansuz
The Meaning:
God, Asa god, divinity
The sound: A
The Germanic name:
Aza (Ansuz)
The Norse name:
Óss, Áss
The Anglo Saxon name:
Aesc, (Os, Ac)
The Icelandic name:
Óss, Áss
The Norwegian name: As
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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.
The rune's name:
Raidho
The Meaning:
Riding, Travel
The sound: R
The Germanic name:
Reda (Raidho)
The Norse name:
Reið, Reiðr
The Anglo Saxon name:
Rad (Radh)
The Icelandic name:
Reið
The Norwegian name:
Reid, Reidr
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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.
The rune's name:
Kenaz
The Meaning:
Boil, carbuncle
The sound:
K (C)
The Germanic name:
Chozma (Kenaz)
The Norse name:
Kaun
The Anglo Saxon name: Cen,
Ken
The Icelandic name:
Kaun
The Norwegian name:
Kaun
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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.
The rune's name:
Gebo
The Meaning:
Gift
The sound:
G
The Germanic name: Geuua
(Gebo)
The Norse name:
Gipt, Giöf
The Anglo Saxon name:
Geofu (Gyfu)
The Icelandic name:
Gjöf
The Norwegian name:
Giof |
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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.
The rune's name:
Wunjo
The Numerology number:
7
The Meaning: Good
fortune, Delight
The sound:
W
The Germanic name:
Uuinne (Wunjo)
The Norse name:
Vend
The Anglo Saxon name:
Wynn
The Icelandic name:
Vin
The Norwegian name:
Wynn |
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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.
The rune's name:
Hagalaz
The Meaning:
Hail
The sound:
H
The Germanic name:
Haal (Hagalaz)
The Norse name:
Hagall
The Anglo Saxon name: Hagall
(Haegl)
The Icelandic name: Hagall
The Norwegian name: Hagall,
Hagl |
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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.)
The rune's name:
Nauthiz
The Meaning:
Suffer want, crowd, bondage, slavery
The sound:
N
The Germanic name:
Noicz (Nauthiz)
The Norse name:
Nauð, Nauðr
The Anglo Saxon name:
Nied (Nyd)
The Icelandic name:
Nauð
The Norwegian name:
Naudr, Naud |
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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.
The rune's name:
Isa
The Meaning:
Ice
The sound:
I
The Germanic name:
Icz (Isa)
The Norse name:
Íss
The Anglo Saxon name:
Is
The Icelandic name:
Íss
The Norwegian name:
Is
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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.
The rune's name:
Jera
The Meaning:
Year, harvest, produce, crop, good year
The sound:
J (Y)
The Germanic name: Gaar
(Jera)
The Norse name:
Ár
The Anglo Saxon name:
ger (Jara)
The Icelandic name:
Ár
The Norwegian name: Jara,
Ar |
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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.
The rune's name: Eihwaz
The Meaning:
Tree, Yew
The sound:
Ë
The Germanic name:
Ezck (Eihwaz)
The Anglo Saxon name:
Yr (Eoh)
The Norwegian name: (Eo)
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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.)
The rune's name:
Perthro
The Meaning:
Stone, Rock
The sound:
P
The Germanic name: Pertra
(Perthro)
The Anglo Saxon name: Peordh
(Pertra)
The Icelandic name:
(Perð), (Plástur)
The Norwegian name:
(Pertra)
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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.
The rune's name: Algiz
The Meaning: Elk
The sound:
Z (-R)
The Germanic name:
Algis, Algiz or Elhaz
The Anglo Saxon name:
Eolh
The Norwegian name:
Elgr
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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. (The solar cross is formed
by two Sowilo runes, written in either direction. While I believe
in reclaiming many things taken from us as Pagans, the damage
mid-century done in the name of the solar cross keeps me from
any interest in reclaiming that particular symbol.)
The rune's name:
Sowilo
The Meaning: Sun,
the power of sun
The sound: S
The Germanic name:
Sugil (Sowilo)
The Norse name:
Sól
The Anglo Saxon name: Sigel
The Icelandic name:
Sól
The Norwegian name:
Sol
Old Danish: sulu
Old German:
sil, sulhil, sigo
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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.
The rune's name: Tiwaz
The Meaning: Warrior,
The god Tyr
The sound:
T
The Germanic name: Tys
(Tiwaz)
The Norse name:
Týr
The Anglo Saxon name: Tir,
Tiw
The Icelandic name: Týr
The Norwegian name:
Ty |
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Berkana: (birch).
Nurturing, fertility. There is a sense of protection for the
abandoned, in a gentle caring way. Growth is implicit.
The rune's name:
Berkano
The Meaning:
Birch, twigs of birch
The sound: B
The Germanic name:
Bercna (Berkano)
The Norse name:
Bjarkan
The Anglo Saxon name:
Beroc
The Icelandic name:
Bjarkan
The Norwegian name: Bjarkan
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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.
The rune's name:
Ehwaz
The Meaning:
Horse
The sound: Ë
The Norse name:
Ehol, Ior
The Germanic name:
Eys (Ehwaz)
The Anglo Saxon name:
Eoh
The Icelandic name: Eykur
The Norwegian name:
Eh, Eol
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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.
The rune's name:
Mannaz
The Meaning:
Man, husband, human being
The sound: M
The Germanic name:
Manna (Mannaz)
The Norse name:
Maðr
The Anglo Saxon name:
Mann
The Icelandic name:
Maður
The Norwegian name:
Madr
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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.
The rune's name:
Laguz
The Meaning:
Water
The sound:
L
The Germanic name: Laaz
(Laguz)
The Norse name:
Lögr
The Anglo Saxon name:
Lagu
The Icelandic name:
Lögur
The Norwegian name:
Laukr |
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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 of an initiatory rune.
I see Jera as a positive outcome of a passage through Inguz
The rune's name:
Ingwaz
The Meaning:
Phallus, name of a God
The sound:
NG
The Norse name:
Ing, Ingvarr
The Germanic name:
Enguz (Ingwaz)
The Anglo Saxon name:
Ing
The Icelandic name: Ing
The Norwegian name:
Ing
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Othila (Ogthala): (ancestral
land). The sacred enclosure; sometimes Gaia herself. The old
Norse and Germans were tribal, as are some Native American tribes
today. The land held both itself and the family/tribe. There's
an interdependence between the land and those who live upon
it (sadly forgotten by many of our politicians...); it may be
this which is explored here. There may also be a strong sense
of safety implicit in this rune.
The rune's name:
Othala
The Meaning:
Allodium, Land-holding, Inheritance
The sound:
O
The Germanic name:
Utal (Othala)
The Norse name:
Oðal
The Anglo Saxon name:
Otael (Ethel)
The Icelandic name: Óðal
The Norwegian name:
Odal |
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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. It breaks down, and builds
up -- a truly syncretic rune that I'm not doing justice in my
description of.
The rune's name:
Dagaz
The Meaning:
Day
The sound:
D
The Germanic name:
Daaz (Dagaz)
The Norse name:
Dagr
The Anglo Saxon name:
Daeg
The Icelandic name:
Dagur
The Norwegian name:
Dagr |
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