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the runes are known as the characters in a group of alphabets used to write in various languages spoken by the Germanic peoples of Europe, during a period starting roughly in the first century B.C.E. and ending several hundred years later.
The English word “rune” comes to us from the Norse word runa, which means “a secret,” or “to whisper.”
The Norse runa is also the root for the English word we use to identify a very magical tree: the rowan.
Found throughout Northern Europe, the rowan tree has long been sacred to various magical traditions and is used widely for protection. It is known by many folk names, including “rune tree” and “whisper tree.”
Unlike the Norse deities, and even the world itself, the runes have no origin story in the recorded myths. That is, there is no tale in which a specific being or force creates the runes. Instead, the runes are eternal—they have always existed, just like the two primordial worlds of fire (Muspelheim) and ice (Niflheim) that existed before the creation of the rest of the Universe.
“That Which Is” (Urd), “That Which Is Becoming” (Verdandi) and “That Which Should Be” (Skuld). “Should be” is not the same thing as “will be,” for the future is never concrete until it’s actually the present.
what we would call “fate” is not entirely set in stone,
Unlike the ancient Greek concept of fate, where no matter how much gods (and mortals) tried to avoid it, they always ultimately met their pre-determined destiny, the Norse concept allows for the present to affect the future.
shamanic initiation, in which a person (or, in this case, a god) undergoes a severe physical and/or psychological trial in order to gain knowledge of esoteric mysteries.
The Elder Futhark (pronounced “footh-ark”), and named for the first six runes in the script, is comprised of 24 symbols, each representing a sound in the Proto-Germanic language.
Instead, Ehwaz symbolizes the qualities of faithfulness and trust, which a relationship between a horse and its rider requires. It can also refer to movement or travel. Dagaz (“dawn”) is not so much about the time of day, but instead represents breakthrough, transformation, and hope.
Each aett (or “family”) is named for the god who is associated with the first rune in the row. The first row, beginning with Fehu, is known as Freyr’s Aett (sometimes called “Frey’s Aett”). The second row, beginning with Hagalaz, is Hagal’s Aett, though since little is known about the god Hagal, some people attribute this aett to Heimdall. Tyr’s Aett, beginning with Teiwaz, makes up the third row.
Freyr’s Aett symbolizes the forces of creation, Hagal’s Aett is concerned with forces of disruption and change, and Tyr’s Aett represents divine forces as they relate to the human experience.
The energies of these symbols are universal and can be harnessed by anyone who is willing to learn, regardless of religious or spiritual path.
The more you work with the runes, the more you will be able to tap into these energies and call upon them in your magic.
Symbols help us express complex ideas in relatively simple forms that work on the invisible planes of reality to manifest our desires.
However, in the case of using the “wrong” runes, it’s more likely that your magic will be ineffective, as opposed to harmful.
malrunes were useful in matters relating to words and language, while hugrunes were concerned with mental ability. Brunrunes were for ensuring good weather at sea, which was obviously crucial during the
Viking era, and limrunes were used in healing the sick.
Bind runes also work well when you want to keep a magical working “hidden in plain sight,” such as when turning a personal object into a talisman. To the uninitiated, a bind rune will usually just look like an interesting design.
Any color can be used, but using shades of red, green, or blue is a nice way to keep within the spirit of the old Norse culture, as these were the three colors recognized in those days.
If you find yourself automatically turning to the runes whenever you have to make a decision about anything at all, then you’re likely suffering from “oracle abuse.” It’s
The traditional color for the rune cloth is white,
signals. A reversed rune can be like a traffic light, letting you know whether it’s safe to proceed, or whether you should wait awhile before moving forward.
When you’re ready to cast, “shuffle” the runes and gently scatter them onto the rune cloth. Be sure to look upward so that you don’t see any of the runes as they land. Keeping your gaze upward, choose three runes at random, picking them up one at a time. Read the runes both separately, considering their meanings individually, and then consider the implications of the three of them together.
the “blank rune.” Meant to represent the idea of fate, or destiny (also known as “wyrd,” from the Norse concept of fate), its appearance in a reading often indicates that there is something the querent is not meant to know yet.
Fehu
The most common interpretation of Fehu concerns wealth—particularly “moveable” wealth.
Modern interpretations of Fehu tend to focus on money and credit, as these are the primary sources of “moveable” wealth that we deal with today. However,
Fehu may indeed indicate that good fortune in the form of wealth is coming your way. Business
Fehu reversed often indicates a loss of wealth, property, or self-esteem.
Fehu also symbolizes beginnings. This meaning is reinforced by the rune’s literal translation, “cattle,” and the Norse myth of Audhumla, the cow who was responsible for creating the father of the human race.
Uruz
represents the aurochs—the wild, fierce European ox of centuries past. This animal was admired for its raw strength, energy, and power,
raw strength and power are at the heart of the meaning of Uruz.
Uruz reversed indicates that you have missed opportunities or neglected to recognize your own abilities to achieve success. You
Another chief meaning of Uruz relates to health. Upright, this rune indicates that you are or soon will be experiencing good health and a high degree of vitality.
Magical Uses: Bring new circumstances and situations into your experience, strengthen and focus personal will, harness the energy of sudden change to your advantage, healing on all levels, deeper understanding of yourself and underlying motives
Thurisaz
Thurisaz is chiefly concerned with aspects of protection and resistance to danger or other unwanted circumstances.
Consider this rune as a friendly but stern warning to be alert to potential danger at this time.
Reversed, Thurisaz in this sense may actually indicate that danger is passing, or that the risk you’re facing is less significant.
Thurisaz indicates that you’re facing an important decision requiring careful consideration.
It reminds us that chaos is necessary for transformation,
Thurisaz represents this destructive, chaotic, primal force within the Universe.
Magical Uses: Defensive magic, protection, help with decisions, good luck
Ansuz
Ansuz is the rune of communication in all its forms, but chiefly verbal communication, whether it involves writing, speaking, or even singing.
Messages, advice, or new information may be coming from external sources, or you may be being asked to pay closer attention to the messages coming from your higher self.
Ansuz is also concerned with divine wisdom and communication with the higher planes.
