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FEOH (Frey) - In ancient time this rune signified cattle, which were
commonly used as a form of hard currency among the Indo-European tribes.
This rune therefore represents wealth, but as cattle raids between the
warring tribes were frequent, it is a wealth which can be easily won or
lost. |
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UR (Power) - This rune symbolizes the auroch or wild ox, and ancient
breed of European bison dating back to prehistoric times. The Ur rune is
a symbol of elemental power and masculine energy in its untamed form. The
ritual hunting of the auroch was undertaken by young warriors as a test
of manhood. Therefore Ur can be seen as representing the pioneer spirit,
rugged individualism and spiritual strength. |
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PORN (Thor) - This runic character represents a thorn but also the
magickal hammer of the god Thor which is called Mjollnir. Although a thorn
is on tiny in size it can still cause physical discomfort which is increased
hundredfold if thorns are encountered in large numbers. |
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OS (Odin) - Often known as 'the divine rune', Os is sacred to Odin
the Allfather as the Supreme Being of Norse pagan religion in its historical
period. Oding was regarded by the Romans as the northern European equivalent
of Mercury or Hermes. This rune is therefore associated with communication
through the written and spoken word. |
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RAD (Wheel) - In rune lore this character was associated with the symbol
of a wheel or wagon. The latter was a recurring motif in the Norse myth
and could be either the chariot or the sun which crosses the sky every
day, the magickal vehicles which transported Freyja and Frey, Thor's chariot
drawn by two giant goats of the sacred wagon of the earth goddess Nerthus. |
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CEN (Fire) - This is a rune symbolizing the elemental power of fire.
A torch or sacred fire is an universal symbol of the enlightenment found
in most religions. In Nordic mythology the two primal forces responsible
for creation, which brought the physical universe into manifestation, are
fire (masculine energy) and ice (feminine energy). |
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GYFU (Gift) - In tribal society the giving of gifts had a very special
significance. A wealthy person was judge by the number of frequency of
the gifts he or she gave to those less fortunate. Personal relationships
and close friendships were also cemented by the exchanging of gifts which
were of small value but had a considerable symbolic meaning. |
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WYN (Joy) - The meaning of this rune is usually rendered as 'joy' or
'happiness', which were highlights in the lives of the inhabitants of the
cold and dark northern regions. Especially near the Arctic Circle, the
winters were long and darkness lasted most of the day. The coming of spring
was therefore a joyous event celebrated with the worship of the life force. |
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HAGEL (Air) - Translated this rune's name means 'hail', and it
symbolizes the unexpected spring storms which could devastate the germinating
crops. Hagel therefore represents the delays and limitations which can
often hinder progress, either in daily life or on the spiritual path. These
delays had to be seen in a positive light as part of the natural pattern. |
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NYD (Need) - Often modern runecasters use a blank rune to signify Wyrd
or 'destiny'. Alternatively, this rune can be used as a substitute. Nyd
is ruled by the Norms who, were goddesses who personified the cosmic powers
of destiny and fate. It is the Norms who record the deeds of mortals on
the scroll of eternity. |
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IS (Ice) - This is the second primal rune, the opposite to Cen. It
represents the elemental power of water (spirit) which is transformed into
ice (matter) to create physical reality. In the Norse creation myth it
was primordial interaction between fire
and ice which triggered this process and manifested Middle Earth. |
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GER (Earth) - The Ger rune is a symbol of growth, rebirth, regeneration
and the harvest which ends the agricultural year. Its form represents the
wheel or cycle of the seasons which is Nordic belief turns at the winter
solstice or Yule. The upright line intersecting the circle signifies the
two high points of the year and midwinter and midsummer. |
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EOH (Death) - The death rune is symbolized by the yew tree, which was
also the best wood for carving runes. In Norse mythology the World Tree
Yggdrasil was said to be a yew. For obvious reasons the yew tree is also
a tree sacred to Odin in his role as sacrificed god. |
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PEORTH (Hearth) - This is and ambiguous rune which has been given several
meanings. It has variously been translated as 'hearth', 'fruit tree' and
chessmen'. It would appear to be connected with games and therefore the
power of Wyrd. Alternatively, it can be linked with sacred music, bardism
and the sacred dance. |
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EOLH (Protection) - As its name suggests, this is a protection rune.
It derives its magickal name from as species of the giant elk which used
to roam the forest of prehistoric Europe. It was used as a warning device
to keep trespassers off private
property and to protect the wearer from harm. As it shape dictates,
it is also as feminine sign of the fertility Goddess. |
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SIGIL (Sun) - The title of the rune means quite literally 'the sun',
which was and important element of worship in the Bronze and Iron Age cultures
of northern Europe. Symbolically the sun represents the life force but
in the Germanic myth it was regarded as feminine. This gender reversal
probably dates back to the matrifocal of pre-patriarchal times. |
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TYR (Tiw) Tyr, Tew or Tiw - One of the principal gods of the divine
dynasty known as the Aesir, which included Odin and Thor. He was a deity
of war and gave his name to our modern Tuesday. From its shape the Tyr
rune is obviously a phallic symbol. It denotes 'victory in battle' and
represents martial values and attributes. |
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BEORC (Birth) - In rune lore Beorc signifies the birth tree, which
is a symbol of fertility. Its shape resembles female breasts. Beorc is
also known as the 'birth rune' and is connected with fecundity, children
and the Great Mother Goddess. |
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EH (Horse) - The horse was sacred to the fertility god Frey and this
divine animal is represented in the rune alphabet by Eh. Indo-European
myth presents the horse as the important sacred beast and the Celtic and
Saxon hill figures of southern England celebrate this fact. |
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MANNAZ (Man) - Kingship and bloodlines were very important to the Aryan
races of northern Europe. Each individual belonged to a clan to whom they
owed primary loyalty and this extended beyond this life into the next world.
Each tribe erected the mound where their kin would be buried and had to
ensure they carried out the correct burial rites so the dead did not become
'nightwalkers' haunting the living. |
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LAGU (Water) - This is the water rune signifying the lake or
the sea. The ocean is symbolically the womb of the Great Mother Goddess
which is the source of all life in the universe. The association between
the tides, the lunar cycle and menstruation is well known. |
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ING (Fertility) - This unusual rune is named after the mysterious god
who was seen traveling over the water in a wagon by the East Danes. They
at first thought he was the sea god Njord but he was later identified with
Frey. |
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DAEG (Dawn) - The name of this rune refers to the dawn of a new day.
This was an event welcomed in the northern lands especially after the long
nights of winter. Where the sun was worshipped as a symbol of the life
force its rising was ritually greeted each day. |
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ODAL (Home) - The Odal rune signifies the ancestral home. It is the
special place from which the tribe or individual originated or theur present
homeland. The concept of the sacred landscape and the importance of the
bloodline were key beliefs in the pagan world view. |
