Runes 

Introduction

When I was asked to write an article about runes I didn't think I was worthy of the task. I don't necessarily believe in divination or seeing the future. The only knowledge I have of runes came from my research into my roots, and yes this was inspired by the movie. My heritage is largely Norwegian, my grandfather's grandfather was a Norwegian immigrant and made his way by selling supplies to lumberjacks. I traced my lineage on all the fronts that I could and found this line to be the most influential in my families current practices. The strong sense of family, community and mutual respect and support we, my family, adhere too is almost identical to the descriptions of Nordic community that is described time and time again. However, since my Grandfather's Grandfathers days, my family took a more orthodox religious path. While uncovering my heritage I felt a certain draw to the Old Ways. There is much more to Nordic "Magic" than runes and in fact the Elder Runes are found in many ancient northern paths. That said, here is a little of what I know of runes and how I use them.


What is a Rune?

rune n.
   1.
     1. Any of the characters in several alphabets used by ancient Germanic peoples from the 3rd to the 13th century.
     2. A similar character in another alphabet, sometimes believed to have magic powers.
   2. A poem or incantation of mysterious significance, especially a magic charm.

From the Old Norse run (secret lore, wisdom, magical signs), Old English and Saxon run (mystery, secret), Old High German runa (whisper, secret, to whisper a secret). Runes were in the Old Times the secret writing of spiritual leaders. Though as early as 1200 A.D. there is evidence of the entire community using runes as a common written language. There are many runic symbols which vary from path to path and location to location. However, there is a common subset known as the Elder Runes that seem to appear in more than one Old Northern Path. When you purchase a set of runes containing 25 stones you most likely will get the 24 Elder runes and one blank. I'm not sure what the blank is for as I don't use these as a divination tool. I will restrict myself to these 24 runes in this article, though I have used other Nordic runes.

The Elder Runes

Comprised of 24 characters, in three divisions of 8, each set belonging to a Goddess/God in the Nordic Pantheon.


The first set belongs to Freya (or Freyja), who is the Nordic Moon Goddess, Fair One, Chief of the Valkyrie's. She is the Daughter of Time who wears the jewel whose power cannot be resisted upon her breast. She can be seen in the sky as what is known today as orion, who's belt was called Freyja's Girdle by the Norse. She is the dominant of the triple Goddess aspects in the Norse Pantheon.

Rune Alphabet Norse name Tree Deity Color Tarot Astrology Magical Meaning Negative Meaning
F Fehu, Feoh, Fe (Cattle, fee, money, gold) Elder Aesier Light Red Tower Aries Money, material goods, property, possessions of the family and folk, fulfillment, good luck, dynamic power, goals reached, ambition satisfied, love attained, status gained A person or offer to be avoided
U,V Uruz, Ur (Ox, aurochs, drizzle, rain) Birch Vanir Dark Green High Priestess Taurus Advancement, good fortune, happiness, basic powers of manifestation, strength, health, male and female principles uniting, passion, the body, that which is sacrificed Bad luck, minor illness
TH Thurisaz, Thorn, Thurs (Giant, thorn, the good one, the strong one) Oak Thorr Bright Red Emperor Mars Journey over water, good news from a distance, inner strength to break resistance, pass a time of waiting, great care in decision making Delayed or unpleasant journey
A Ansuz, Oss, Ass (Asa, god, ancestral god, one of Aesir) Ash Odhinn (Odin) Dark Blue Death Mercury Transformation, new goals, information that changes your life, signals, receiving messages, gifts, God, source of divine wisdom, explore the depths, experience the divine, also cloak, conceal, protect, shelter Bad advise
R Raidho, Ride, Reidh, Rit, Rad (Long journey on horseback, chariot, riding, wagon) Oak Forseti Bright Red Hierophant Sagittarius Journey, journey of the soul after death, getting to the truth, seeing past illusions, action, luck in travel travel problems, inconvinced, blocks
C,K Kenaz, Kaon, Cen, Kaun (Torch, swelling, sore, boil, forge, hearth, pyre) Pine Freyja (Freya), Dwarves, Weland, Loki Light Red Chariot Sagittarius The rune of craftsmen, the crafty and the sly, controlled energy for dissolution, life-strength, ambition, determination, inspiration Bad judgment, confusion
G Gebo, Gifu, Gyfu, Gipt (Blessing, gifs from the gods, hospitality, generosity) Ash, Elm Odhinn (Odin), Freyja (Freya) Deep Blue Lovers Pisces Exchange of force or power between gods and humans, wedding, legacies, promotion, windfall, festival, renewal, partnership, a union, sharing, a gift, rewards for loyalty. sadness caused by someone close
W Wunjo, Wynn, Wyn, Wunna, Vend (Bliss, pleasure, joy, delight, hope, pasture) Ash Freyr, Elves Yellow Strength Leo Security, comfort, happiness, good social life, joy, ending or absence of suffering and sorrow, wonder, well-being Needless self sacrifice

note the Elder Runes are referred to as the Futhark, the name comes from the first 6 characters of the character set. Much like Alphabet comes from Alpha and Beta the first two characters of the Greek character set.

The second set belongs to Hagal (World Tree).

Rune Alphabet Norse name Tree Deity Color Tarot Astrology Magical Meaning Negative Meaning
H Hagalaz, Haegl, Hagal (Hail, snow) Yew, Ash Ymir Light Blue World Aquarius Ability to bring opposites into harmony, Delays waiting for right time Setbacks, delays, situations out of your control
N Naudhiz, Nyd, Naut, Naudhr (Need, necessity, distress) Beech Norns Black Devil Capricorn Distress that clouds reality, something out of the past that drives you (not necessarily good), caution needed to succeed, lessons, cruelty which is part of the way things must be, sorrow, rebirth, changes Impatience leads to disaster
I Isa, Iss, Eis (Ice) Alder Frost (Rime) Giants Black Hermit Moon Period of absolute stillness, be careful what you say, that which slows or delays Hasty words bring trouble, indifference, uncaring, detached emotions
J (pronounced y) Jera, Ger, Yer, Ar, Jer (Good year, harvest, good season) Oak Freyr Light Blue Fool Earth A cycle, time, reaping, rewards, no quick results, harvest ??
EI,I,Y Eihwaz, Eoh, Yr, Ihwar (Mountain ash, Yew tree) Yew Odhinn (Odin), Ull Dark Blue Hanged Man Scorpio End of a matter, situation or problem, Drastic change, Death of a relationship, defense, death, rune magic, protective powers Old conflicts and situations cause trouble
P Perdhro, Perodh, Peorth, Pear (Fate, dice cup) Beech Norns Black Wheel of Fortune Saturn Chance, unexpected material gain, surprise, initiation, searching, secrecy secret that can hurt you
Z Elhaz, Eolh, Aquizi, Ihwar (Elk, stone axe, protection, yew bow) Yew Valkyries Gold Moon Cancer Visible movement, blockages removed People actively trying to stop you
S Sowilo, Sigil, Sig, Sol (Sun, Sun-Wheel) Juniper Balder White, Silver Sun Sun Change, guidance, time of renewal, drastic changes, complete turnaround, advancement of plans, change of residence Failure which leads to new opportunities

The third set belongs to Tyr (Tiu, Tiwaz, Tiw, Ziu) the One Handed, referred to as the bravest god and patron of the Thing (or Assembly). He is the giver of victory and is never deceitful. His domain is law, contracts and judicial assemblies. He sacrificed his right hand in the binding of Fenrir, the wolf, who's freedom is destined to devour the Sun. He symbolizes will and desire, scholars think he may have been the original father-god of the archaic Indo-Europeans.

Rune Alphabet Norse name Tree Deity Color Tarot Astrology Magical Meaning Negative Meaning
T Tiwaz, Tyr, Tiu, Tir (Sky god, the god Tyr) Oak Tyr, Mani Bright Red Justice Libra Unbiased wisdom, justice, law and order, Justified victory and success, joyous lust, warrior Intrigue, deception, others working against you.
B Berkano, Beorc, birca (Birch tree, birch goddess) Birch Frigg, Nerthus, Hel Dark Green Empress Virgo Creativity, new beginnings, birth, marriage, expansion, growth Rune failure, divorce, miscarriage, stagnant period
E Ehwo, Eoh, Ehwaz, Eh (Horse, steed stallion, war horse) Oak, Ash Freyja (Freya),Freyr White Lovers Gemini Trust, self-transformation, new attitude, new home, new goals, steady progress Blocked progress
M Mannaz, Man, Madhr (humankind, world, human being) Holly Heimdall, Odhinn(Odin) Deep Red Magician Jupiter Man, lover or husband, male influence in life, new career opportunities, positive link with gods, self, modesty Material loss
L Laguz, Lagu, Lögr (Lake, water) or Laukaz (leek) Willow Njord, Balder Deep Green Star Moon Hidden movement below the surface, unseen progress, life energy, coming manifestation from other planes, flow, water, sea, waves, primal source of fertility or fruitfulness, unpredictable elemental force behind then scenes action blocks progress, usually involving a woman
NG Ingwaz, Ingvi, Ing (Kin, the god Ing(Freyr)) Apple Ing, Freyr Yellow Judgement Moon's Quarters Creating life-force at work, family, relatives, children, parents, spouse, benefit from relatives, fertility, new life, new way Burden from family
D Dagaz, Dag, Daeg (Day) Spruce Odhinn (Odin) Light Blue Temperance Dark of the Moon Sudden realization, awakening, mystic light, attraction between two people, hope, royalty, nobility, doorway or portal, great height and depth in all things ??
O Othalaz, Ethel, Odal, Odhal, Othala (Homeland, property, inherited land, sacred enclosure) Hawthorn Odhinn(Odin), Thorr Deep Yellow Moon Full Moon Inborn qualities, tangible possessions, retreat(haven), native land, your home, your folk or people illusions, jealousy, greed, wasted efforts

It's important to keep in mind that sometimes there were multiple glyphs that represented the same rune, thus some sources seem contradictory. I have tried to use the most common glyph's in the above tables. The negatives listed above are for use in divination, according to my sources, but may also serve as warnings if seen in daily life. I will reiterate that I do not use runes for divination and the only reason I own a set of runes is for use in my rituals. Which leads me to the second goal of this article...

How I use Runes

Personally I think seeing or knowing the future is a bad thing. As the great and venerable Yoda told us, "Always in motion is the future, hard to see." While some believe that knowing the future may allow to you to prepare for or even avoid bad situations, I welcome bad situations as part of the balance of life. If I avoid the horrible, then the great is just ok. That doesn't mean runes are worthless, or that they have only symbolic use for me.

I try to keep in touch with what my mind and body tells me. If I notice a fall in personal energy I will often meditate with rune(s) in hand. I select the runes that represent what my goal for the meditation is and simply hold them in my hands. Often during the visualization the runes are present. I have also been given runes during meditation, in which case I will carve the rune on a stone found on my land and carry it with me until the issue/question is resolved. Likewise, if I am trying to further my growth in a particular area I will carve an appropriate rune on a stone or piece of wood (from the tree the rune is associated with) and carry that not only as a reminder of where I should be focusing my energy but also as a beckon for that energy. Additionally I will often draw or carve runes on gifts I give to like minded friends.

When drawing or carving the rune, I will first ground and center. Then briefly meditate on the desired outcome, careful not to get too specific. While carving the rune I will try to envision the Life-Energy's will being done. When I perform a ritual, I will place runes appropriate to the work to be done on or under the altar table. Of course if the Goddess blesses you with some choice branches runes are perfect for scripting intent upon the tool. Nordic tradition also dictates the naming of blades, which would be inscribed in runes on the hilt, additionally your name may be inscribed on the hilt as well.

When I have troubling dreams, or difficulties getting to sleep I will choose runes representing the stresses and dilemmas I am having and place them under my pillow, this helps my dreams focus on resolving those problems. This has helped my insomnia enormously.

Whatever use you find for runes, I have found the following practices to be very effective:

The simple construction of most runes allows for "chance" appearances in the world around us. You may see them in the architecture or shadows cast by trees. Sometimes they show up in patterns on shirts or other clothing. Whenever I notice a rune in what may seem a random spot, I try to recall what that rune stands for, and be aware of its presence. Often they may serve as a warning or an invitation. For example once during a rather demanding day I had to pay a visit to some local officials to clear up a dispute, while waiting for the elevator I was suddenly very aware of the up arrow. By suddenly aware I don't mean I noticed it looks like Tiwaz, I mean it seemed larger, clearer, stood out from everything else around it. Tiwaz is the rune of Tyr, whose domain is justice. Being that I had already been tried to my limit that day, I took this to mean I should remain rational and focus on the dispute. Which ended not only justly but yielded a new friend. Had I not taken notice of this rune, I would have been more likely to fly off the handle at several points during the discussion.

So mote it be

I am no expert on runes, and an amateur Nordic historian and the very best. The above tables were compiled from a few books and a couple of random web sites. I hope you find this useful and at least semi-informative. Please feel free to correct/criticise/question what I have written, you may give me feedback through a PM or just post to the boards.

I would like to thank Astor Dragonwoman for requesting this article and the rest of the Walk in the Light community for the warm openhearted welcome. May your wishes and desires be reality, as long is it harm none.

Blessed Be