The Runes
The Eldar Futhark of Northern Europe
Do you know how to carve them?
Do you know how to read them?
Do you know how to stain them?
Do you know how to confirm them?
Do you know how to ask of them?
Do you know how to sacrifice?
Do you know how to send them?
Do you know how to unmake them?
Havamal Stanza 144
James Hjuka Coulter translation
Most of the secrets that our ancestors knew concerning the runes, have been lost. As Asatruar it is our duty to re-discover these lost mysteries. Anyone can learn a few key words and alphabetic equivalents. Some may take the steps to learn the Runes on a spiritual level. Mastery is when one can think in Runes and Runic combinations, like a fluency in a lost language. Mastery is what those ancient Runic Shaman held, and it is achievable. The Allfather hints of this in the Havamal and he provides us with all the tools we need to achieve this level. It is up to us, the children of Heimdall, to learn as much as we can and pass that information to future generations. Only by much dedication and personal sacrifice will we be able to start down that path. And the legacy we will leave for our sons and daughters will be legendary and our saga will be historic.
Ásatrúar have always lived in close harmony with the environment, the seasonal and stellar cycles, their Gods and Goddesses, and their ancestors. These forces come together in the mysterious symbols known as Runes. The word Rune means a secret or a whisper. Runes are magical tools for both divination and spell casting.
(Note that the first word below the Rune is the key used to remember its meaning)
Fehu (Cattle)
Letter: F
Wealth; Money, mobile property, finacial prosperity
Uruz (Aurochs)
Letter: U
Strength; Physical strength and vitality.
Thurisaz (Thurs)
Letters: TH
Violence; Conflicts and complexities of an aggressive nature.
Ansuz (Aesir)
Letter: A
Inspiration; The multiverse in magical and religious acts, gaining knowledge.
Raido (Riding)
Letter: R
Journey; Travel, both in physical terms and those of life-style direction.
Kenaz (Tourch)
Letter: K
Guidance; Creativity, and the strengthening of abilities in all realms.
Gebo (Gift)
Letter: G
Generosity; All matters relating to exchanges, including contracts and sacrifice.
Wunjo (Joy)
Letter: W
Satisfaction; Happiness, general success and recognition of worth.
Hagalaz (Hail)
Letter: H
Disruption; Disruption by natural events and uncontrolled forces.
Nauthiz (Need)
Letter: N
Trouble; Needs as opposed to wants, must be overcome hard work.
Isa (Ice)
Letter: I
Blockage; A standstill which may be good or bad.
Jera (Year)
Letters: J and Y
Harvest; Hopes and expectations the results of earlier efforts are realized.
Eihwaz (Yew)
Letters: EI
Enduring; Resilient strength to deflect difficulty or problems.
Perthro (Lot-cup)
Letter: P
Concealed; Something unknown, or not yet revealed; a mystery in the same sense that an unborn child is a mystery.
Algiz (Elk)
Letter: Z
Protection; Shelter oneself, luck through striving, a successful outcome to a quest.
Sowulo (Sun)
Letter: S
Victory; Success or other favourable circumstances.
Teiwaz (Tyr)
Letter: T
Justice; Success in competition in legal matters, honour, leadership and authority.
Berkana (Birch)
Letter: B
Renewal; Healing, recovery, physical or spiritual regeneration, a new growth from old roots, motherhood.
Ehwaz (Horse)
Letter: E
Loyalty; Status as it relates between you and others.
Mannaz (Man)
Letter: M
Intellect; Power of human intelligence, rationality, memory, and tradition.
Laguz (Water)
Letter: L
Passage; Initiation into life as when a heathen child is sprinkled with water and given a name; the primal waters of Niflheimer.
Inguz (Ing)
Letters: NG
Gestation; Potential energy that must undergo a period of time in order to gain strength.
Dagaz (Day)
Letter: D
Awakening; Daylight clarity a time to embark on a new enterprise.
Othila (Property)
Letter: O
Folkland; Inheritances, Your home, physical and spiritual heritage.