Runes
The Elder Futhark
The Elder Futhark is the oldest form of Runic Alphabet used by Germanic speaking peoples from the 2nd to 8th centuries. They were used primarily in what now is Northern Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, although many inscriptions have been found all over Europe. Containing 24 letters or 'runes', they were engraved on everything from amulets, jewellery, weapons, tools and runestones. It is believed they were first used in an attempt to imitate the Latin Alphabet. The name ‘Futhark’ comes from the first 6 runes (F, U, TH, A, R and K) and are most often arranged in 3 groups of 8, called aetts.
In Scandinavia the Elder Futhark was simplified in the 8th century into the Younger Futhark (16 runes), while in England it was extended into Old English or Futhorc (26-33 runes). Over time the true meaning of the Elder Futhark was lost. It was not until 1865 when Sophus Bugge, a Norwegian scholar, managed to decipher it.
Rune Names and their Meaning
Translated, the word ‘rune’ means ‘secret’, or ‘something hidden’. The earliest runic inscriptions found on artefacts are believed to be used as charms or spells. The Bjorketorp Runestone, a very large 6th or 7th century runestone, actually contains a curse.
Translated, the word ‘rune’ means ‘secret’, or ‘something hidden’. The earliest runic inscriptions found on artefacts are believed to be used as charms or spells. The Bjorketorp Runestone, a very large 6th or 7th century runestone, actually contains a curse.
Each rune is not only a letter in the runic alphabet, but also has a meaning all it’s own. The chart below outlines the name of the rune, pronunciation, corresponding English equivalent, meaning and how the rune is interpreted within rune castings.
It should be noted that there are many different ways to read the runes. Many rune casting interpretations, like the one provided below, not only interpret the runes right side up but also merkstaved, inverted or reversed (up-side down). Others go even further and give a different interpretation if the rune is face down. In some respects this is somewhat incorrect. Unlike tarot cards which are intended to have a different meaning when reversed, the creators of the runes had no intention of reading their alphabet up-side down. However, for the propose of divination some liberties can be taken. The best thing is to do what you are most familiar and comfortable with. Doing so will give you peace of mind and in the long run a better and more accurate reading.
It should be noted that there are many different ways to read the runes. Many rune casting interpretations, like the one provided below, not only interpret the runes right side up but also merkstaved, inverted or reversed (up-side down). Others go even further and give a different interpretation if the rune is face down. In some respects this is somewhat incorrect. Unlike tarot cards which are intended to have a different meaning when reversed, the creators of the runes had no intention of reading their alphabet up-side down. However, for the propose of divination some liberties can be taken. The best thing is to do what you are most familiar and comfortable with. Doing so will give you peace of mind and in the long run a better and more accurate reading.
Rune Name English Letter Translation & Meaning
Fehu - (fay-who) F as in Fire wealth, cattle
Interpretation - a good sign, success, luck, money, wealth, prosperity, new beginnings
Reversed - loss of money, failure, greed, endings
Interpretation - a good sign, success, luck, money, wealth, prosperity, new beginnings
Reversed - loss of money, failure, greed, endings
Uruz - (oo-rooze) U - oo as in snooze or as in book aurochs, a European wild ox
Interpretation - good health, strength, vitality, a change for the better
Reversed - weakness, domination by others, a change for the worst, obsession, rage
Interpretation - good health, strength, vitality, a change for the better
Reversed - weakness, domination by others, a change for the worst, obsession, rage
Thurisaz - (thoor-ee-saws) Th as in thorn not as in the the God Thor, a giant
Interpretation - necessary conflict, destruction and defense, a reactive force
Reversed - a bad omen, danger, defenselessness, betrayal
Interpretation - necessary conflict, destruction and defense, a reactive force
Reversed - a bad omen, danger, defenselessness, betrayal
Ansuz - (awn-sooze) A as in ball Aesir, one of the Gods, Woden (Odin)
Interpretation - a message, insight, spiritual vision, enlightenment
Reversed - misunderstanding, bad advice, confusion, vanity, manipulation by others
Interpretation - a message, insight, spiritual vision, enlightenment
Reversed - misunderstanding, bad advice, confusion, vanity, manipulation by others
Raido - ( rye-though) R as in red ride, journey
Interpretation - travel, moving forward, a good move
Reversed - stagnation, disorder, disruption, restlessness, a bad move
Interpretation - travel, moving forward, a good move
Reversed - stagnation, disorder, disruption, restlessness, a bad move
Kauno - (kow-no) K as in king or C as in cat ulcer (wound) or torch (light)
Interpretation - a revelation, knowledge, inspiration, getting rid of the old for something new
Reversed - instability, loss, destruction, a breakup, injury
Interpretation - a revelation, knowledge, inspiration, getting rid of the old for something new
Reversed - instability, loss, destruction, a breakup, injury
Gebo - (gay-bow; yee-bow) G as in gift or Y as in yew gift
Interpretation - a gift, exchange, balance, peace, honour, giving without receiving
Reversed - none
Interpretation - a gift, exchange, balance, peace, honour, giving without receiving
Reversed - none
Wunjo - (woon-jo) W as in warm, almost like a v joy
Interpretation - joy, comfort, success, property, fellowship, love
Reversed - strife, sorrow, challenges unmet, deception
Interpretation - joy, comfort, success, property, fellowship, love
Reversed - strife, sorrow, challenges unmet, deception
Hagalaz - (haw-gaw-laws) H as in hail hail, hailstone
Interpretation - uncontrolled forces, a test or trail leading to harmony, change, fate
Reversed - none
Interpretation - uncontrolled forces, a test or trail leading to harmony, change, fate
Reversed - none
Nauthiz - (naw-thiz) N as in nail need, necessity
Interpretation - delays, restriction, knowledge through hardship, self-reliance, a life lesson
Reversed - none
Interpretation - delays, restriction, knowledge through hardship, self-reliance, a life lesson
Reversed - none
Isa - (ee-saw) I - ee as in feed ice
Interpretation - a standstill, frustration, time to seek clarity, things have gone on for too long
Reversed - none
Interpretation - a standstill, frustration, time to seek clarity, things have gone on for too long
Reversed - none
Jera - (yeer-awe) J as in jar or Y as in year year, harvest
Interpretation - fruition, success, peace, happiness, abundance, justice, positive legal matters
Reversed - none
Interpretation - fruition, success, peace, happiness, abundance, justice, positive legal matters
Reversed - none
Aehwaz - (eye-waz) AE as in Aethelred yew tree, Yggdrasil the world tree
Interpretation - a good sign, strength, reliability, protection, enlightenment, endurance, honesty
Reversed - none
Interpretation - a good sign, strength, reliability, protection, enlightenment, endurance, honesty
Reversed - none
Perdth - (per-d-th) P as in poet meaning unclear, possibly fate or fruit tree
Interpretation - secrecy, a mystery, something hidden, the unknown will become known, the ruin of fate
Reversed - loneliness, malaise, stagnation, addiction, the unknown
Interpretation - secrecy, a mystery, something hidden, the unknown will become known, the ruin of fate
Reversed - loneliness, malaise, stagnation, addiction, the unknown
Algiz - (awl-gh-eeze) Z as in breeze elk
Interpretation - protection, a shield, defence
Reversed - a warning, hidden danger
Interpretation - protection, a shield, defence
Reversed - a warning, hidden danger
Sowilo - (so-wee-low) S as in sun sun
Interpretation - success, good health, victory, power, hope, rest is needed, time to relax
Reversed - none
Interpretation - success, good health, victory, power, hope, rest is needed, time to relax
Reversed - none
Tiwaz - (tee-wahz) T as in tree the God Tyr
Interpretation - honour, justice, authority, victory, a possible challenge ahead
Reversed - over thinking, cowardice, injustice, strife, conflict, tyranny
Interpretation - honour, justice, authority, victory, a possible challenge ahead
Reversed - over thinking, cowardice, injustice, strife, conflict, tyranny
Berkano - (bear-kaw-no) B as in birch birch tree
Interpretation - birth, renewal, new beginnings, good health, fertility
Reversed - family troubles, carelessness, loss of control, conspiracy, infertility
Interpretation - birth, renewal, new beginnings, good health, fertility
Reversed - family troubles, carelessness, loss of control, conspiracy, infertility
Ehwaz - (ay-waz) E as in end horse
Interpretation - transportation, change for the better, harmony, teamwork, marriage
Reversed - a change is needed or wanted, restlessness, danger with travel
Interpretation - transportation, change for the better, harmony, teamwork, marriage
Reversed - a change is needed or wanted, restlessness, danger with travel
Mannaz - (mah-nawz) M as in man mankind, human
Interpretation - yourself, forethought, self awareness, social order
Reversed - depression, self delusion, manipulation
Interpretation - yourself, forethought, self awareness, social order
Reversed - depression, self delusion, manipulation
Laguz - (law-ghooze) L as in life water
Interpretation - healing, renewal, growth, dream, fantasies, passing a test
Reversed - confusion, poor judgement, going in circles, fear
Interpretation - healing, renewal, growth, dream, fantasies, passing a test
Reversed - confusion, poor judgement, going in circles, fear
Ingwaz - (eng-waz) NG as in sing the God Yngvi
Interpretation - family harmony, caring, the home, internal growth, time for yourself
Reversed - none
Interpretation - family harmony, caring, the home, internal growth, time for yourself
Reversed - none
Dagaz - (daw-gaz) D as in day day, dawn
Interpretation - a breakthrough, awareness, happiness, clarity, hope
Reversed - none
Interpretation - a breakthrough, awareness, happiness, clarity, hope
Reversed - none
Othala - (oh-thaw-law) O as in oat inheritance, ancestral land
Interpretation - inheritance, abundance, your ancestors, a source of safety, group order
Reversed - lack of customary order, poverty, prejudice
Interpretation - inheritance, abundance, your ancestors, a source of safety, group order
Reversed - lack of customary order, poverty, prejudice
Runes
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