The runes are part of the cultural tradition of the ancient peoples of Northern Europe. Magical and prophetic, they are symbols of the wisdom of the gods and humanity that functioned as protective talismans and amulets. The rune stones consist of a runic alphabet of 24 letters, usually made out of wood or stone that were used as a method of fortune-telling and protection sigils. In this article, we are going to talk about the runes and their meanings so you can lear more about this ancient oracle.
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The Runes Meanings
The runes are a sequence of letters with a literal and symbolic value. They constitute the ancient sacred alphabet of the Germanic peoples and were used for purposes of divination and the practice of magic but, also as protective amulets and talismans.
The letters of the runes were engraved on swords for luck in battle, on women's hands when they were about to give birth to their children, or on fishermen's oars to attract plenty. Rune inscriptions have survived on wood, bone, coins, weapons, rings, and hundreds of stones from the Viking era.
What Are Runes And What Are They Used For?
The runes are a sequence of letters whose word originates in the Gothic language meaning "secret" or "mystery". They constitute the ancient sacred alphabet of the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe, based on Norse or Scandinavian mythology, and were used for purposes of divination, for the practice of magic, but also as protective amulets and powerful talismans.
As the Germanic languages developed, so did the runes meanings: nowadays, there are variations in the formation of the letters and in the number of runes of a given set of or Futhark. This word is an acronym composed of the six letters of the runic alphabet: Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raido and Kaunaz.
The word “rûna” means whisper, advice or secret. In the simplest terms, runes are stones that are used to connect to your intuition, predict aspects of the future, and develop a sense of our destiny.
The Runic Alphabet Three Sections
The 24 Elder Futhark runic alphabet is split up into 3 equal parts of eight runes each: Freyr’s Aett, Heimdall’s Aett, and Haeg’s Aett (“aett” meaning family or alphabet). These three parts tell the story of life’s cycles. Some of the meanings of the runes are derived from ancient rune poems: the Norwegian rune poem, Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon. Each one of the Aetts is ruled by a God:
- The first Aett is ruled by the Freyr;
- The second Aett is ruled by Heimdall - the wonderful Gatekeeper of the God Realm;
- The third Aett is ruled by Tir - the War God who sacrificed his hand to protect the Gods from malevolent chaos.
The Freyr’s Aett - Creation and Productivity
The first set of runes is representative of finding our footing in the material plane and the accumulation of worldly possessions.
Frey is the Norse god of virility, initiation and prosperity. The first 8 first Frey runes are a journey of creation, from the beginning of the Cosmos with Fehu, until ending with Wunjo, the gift of divine order in the Universe.
Frey's Aett consists of the Runes: Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raido, Kaunaz, Gebo and Wunjo.
The Heimdall’s Aett - Rupture and Fate
This set of runes tells of our increasing maturity and growth.
Hagalaz is the rune of the hailstone, so this Aett symbolizes and represents rupture. Humanity is subject to the laws of Nature and the unpredictability of fate. Thus, this set begins with the transformation of Hagalaz and ends with Sowelo, lyrics of expansion, success and power.
The Aett of Hagalaz is made up of the runes: Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Pertho, Algiz and Sowelo.
The Haeg’s Aett - Values and Relationships
The final set of runes portrays our developing spirituality and legacy.
Haeg’s Aett relates to the material world, social values and relationships. This set starts with Tiwaz and Berkana, the masculine and feminine principles and ends with Dagaz, symbol of optimism and positive change.
Haeg’s Aett consists of the runes: Tiwaz, Berkana, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, Inguz, Othila and Dagaz.
How to do a Rune Reading
As with any other ritual, the place where you will cast the runes must be quiet and clean. Preferably, the surface should be white, symbol of pure intent. You can play in two ways:
- Removing the runes from the bag as you formulate the question in your mind, placing them with the inscribed face up;
- Picking them out of the bag as you think the question and gently tossing them on a white cloth or surface. Runes that fall face down indicate the future.
How to Interpret the Runes?
Although the runes are a coherent system, their interpretation is not at all linear. Like Tarot cards, some runes have different meanings when they come out in the right position or in the inverted position. Runes without inverted meaning are those whose symbol is symmetrical, those with the same figure regardless of their position.
Each rune points to a principle, a law, a force or an energy in the Universe that is somehow manifesting in a particular area of a person's life. These areas are therefore what should get our attention. Like other oracles, namely the Tarot or the I Ching, the runes are a technique that invites introspection, contemplation and meditation.
Oracles represent a system that allows and helps us to organize our innermost thoughts and to elevate our spiritual side. This is a profound process of self-knowledge. This is the magic that lies at the base of all oracles: the opportunity to know ourselves, to get in touch with the deeper "I" that hides beneath all thoughts, desires and motivations.
How to Use the Runes Meanings as an Oracle
As a system of divination, rune give us clues to reflect. A letter can have a meaning for a certain person, in a certain context and in a certain area of life. When reading, it is important that this framing is done properly.
Use intuition. How does the metaphor, enigma and wisdom of the runes meanings fit into your reality? What message do you want to convey to him? What makes you think? What does it feel like? How can it help you understand and "peel off" your deepest emotions? What learning can you learn from this "provocation" that ancient wisdom arouses in you?
Knowing and integrating the runes meanings is a process that can lead us to a higher level of consciousness, to enlightenment. According to several experts in this art, this is one of the most important contributions of this technique to the well-being of those who play runes. The possibility of emotional healing and spiritual evolution through self-knowledge and self-realization.
24 Rune Symbols And Their Meanings
Freyr's Aett
The first Aett, ruled by Freyr, the Norse god of virility, initiation and prosperity. This section is about living a full life at the basic human level. Valuing yourself, being strong, finding enlargement, expressing yourself and finding joy through partnership.This Aett symbolizes the journey of creation, from the beginning of the Cosmos with Fehu, until ending with Wunjo, the gift of divine order in the Universe.
Fehu - “Cattle" / "Wealth”
- Symbol - ᚠ
- Latin Letter - F
- Meaning - Fehu symbolizes wealth, prosperity and material gain. It can represent good luck, abundance and financial success in the near future. It can also relate to social success.
- Reversed Meaning - Loss of personal possessions or income, dip in self-esteem, some kind of material struggles.
- Keywords - Abundance, luck, hope, prosperity, wealth, fortune.
Uruz - “Ox”
- Symbol - ᚢ
- Latin Letter - U
- Meaning - Uruz is a stone of strength, endurance, hard work, perseverance, motivation, and determination. It can indicate a time of great energy, speed and health. It also shows increasing power and masculinity.
- Reversed Meaning - Loss of health, endurance, blockage, dominance of others, misdirected force.
- Keywords - Strength, endurance, health, courage, vigour, vitality, force, perseverance.
Thurisaz - “Mallet" / "Giant”
- Symbol - ᚦ
- Latin Letter - Th
- Meaning - Thurisaz indicates a powerful direction of energy and force, for either destruction or defence, so may also indicate conflict. This could be cathartic, cleansing and purgative.
- Reversed Meaning - Defencelessness, compulsion, spite, betrayal.
- Keywords - Defence, challenge, danger, protection, attack, strength.
Ansuz - “Message”
- Symbol - ᚫ
- Latin Letter - A
- Meaning - Ansuz is the rune of communication. It can mean good advice, wisdom, truth, inspiration and enthusiasm.
- Reversed Meaning - Miscommunication, deceit, misunderstandings and manipulation.
- Keywords - Revelation, signs, visions, insight, message, knowledge, communication.
Raidho - “Journey”
- Symbol - ᚱ
- Latin Letter - R
- Meaning - Raidho is indicative of a journey and represents a wheel. This could be both physical travel or a spiritual voyage. It can also indicate things being put into perspective, evolution and the cycle of life.
- Reversed Meaning - Rigidity, injustice, irrationality, disruption.
- Keywords - Progress, movement, evolution, perspective, journey, travel.
Kaunaz - “Torch”
- Symbol - ᚲ
- Latin Letter - K
- Meaning - Kenaz represents the beacon of truth and finding the true north guided by our own shining light. It can indicate that you are on the right path of finding your true calling in life. It also means knowledge, creativity, inspiration, vitality, regeneration and energy.
- Reversed Meaning - Lack vision, false hope and instability.
- Keywords - Enlightenment, knowledge, comprehension, insight, illumination, calling, purpose, idea.
Gebo - “Gift”
- Symbol - ᚷ
- Latin Letter - G
- Meaning - Gebo is the rune of gifts. It relates to generosity, balance, and positive relationships.
- Reversed Meaning - There is no reverse meaning of this rune.
- Keywords - Generosity, partnership, gifts, talents, charity, service, assistance, luck, fortune.
Wunjo - “Joy”
- Symbol - ᚹ
- Latin Letter - W
- Meaning - Wunjo is representative of victory. It represents triumph and joy, security, safety, celebration and belonging. It can also indicate harmony, prosperity and spiritual rewards.
- Reversed Meaning - Sorrow, alienation, loss.
- Keywords - Pleasure, joy, feast, celebration, comfort, belonging, community, success, festivities.
Heimdall's Aett
The second Aett, ruled by Heimdall, deals with going beyond the basic patterns of behaviour to grow through facing hardships. Represents one level up from the basic human level of the first Aett. Hagalaz is the rune of the hailstone, so this Aett symbolizes and represents rupture. Humanity is subject to the laws of Nature and the unpredictability of fate. Thus, this set begins with the transformation of Hagalaz and ends with Sowelo, lyrics of expansion, success and power.
Hagalaz - “Hail”
- Symbol - ᚺ
- Latin Letter - H
- Meaning - Hagalaz represents hail and it´s indicative of sudden and cataclysmic change. Similar to The Tower card in the tarot, Hagalaz represents an unavoidable change but that is not necessarily bad - some storms come to clear our path. The lesson of this rune is to learn from our hardships and grow through our mistakes.
- Reversed Meaning - There is no reverse meaning of this rune.
- Keywords - Destruction, natural wrath, uncontrolled forces, testing, change, external input.
Nauthiz - “Needs”
- Symbol - ᚾ
- Latin Letter - N
- Meaning - Nauthiz is indicative of our needs. All the deep feelings and day to day habits that make us feel balanced and in peace with our choices and way of life. It can also indicate delays, restriction, and endurance. This is a time to practice patience.
- Reversed Meaning - Depression, exhaustion, distress.
- Keywords - Need, restriction, disagreements, resistance, survival, necessity, lacking.
Isa - “Ice”
- Symbol - ᛁ
- Latin Letter - I
- Meaning - Isa represents ice. It’s symbolic of the Hangman card in the Tarot. indicates the need to pause, wait - sometimes a break is what’s needed to put things into perspective. Waiting can be the best way to overcome some difficulties in life . It can also indicate frustration or psychological blocks.
- Reversed Meaning - There is no reverse meaning of this rune.
- Keywords - Suspension, delay, stillness, frustration, blocks, pause, waiting.
Jera - “Harvest”
- Symbol - ᛃ
- Latin Letter - J
- Meaning - Jera is representative of the harvest. It indicates that we can now reap what we’ve sown and enjoy our plentiful abundance. It's time for you to express gratitude for all your achievements. It also represents the life cycle and the natural cycle.
- Reversed Meaning - This rune cannot be reversed.
- Keywords - Year, conclusion, harvest, life cycle, endings and beginnings, abundance, learnings, growth.
Eihwaz - “Yew”
- Symbol - ᛇ
- Latin Letter - Y
- Meaning - In Norse mythology, the ash tree is representative of The Tree Of Life. As such, it relates to the cycle of life, similar to the Death Tarot card - signifying the dying of something old and the rebirth of a new reality. It can also represent reliability, dependability, trustworthiness, enlightenment, and a sense of purpose, symbolising the connection between all the worlds.
- Reversed Meaning - Confusion, isolation.
- Keywords - Connection, inspiration, endurance, sacred knowledge, protection, life cycle’s, divinity.
Perthro - “Destiny”
- Symbol - ᛈ
- Latin Letter - P
- Meaning - Perthro indicates that influences in life may be down to chance, and so can go either well or not. We must learn to make the best with what life gives us and appreciate it. In Tarot, this would be similar to the Wheel of Fortune card.
- Reversed Meaning - Stagnation, loss of faith.
- Keywords - Fate, mysteries, occult, feminine fertility, secrets, hidden meanings, chance, fortune, mysticism, unknown.
Algiz - “Elk”
- Symbol - ᛉ
- Latin Letter - Z
- Meaning - Algiz represents defence and protection. This stone tells that you have all it takes to fulfill your dreams. Your spirit will guide you and protect you along your path. It can also represent an awakening and strong intuition.
- Reversed Meaning - There could be a hidden danger.
- Keywords - Protection, guardian, awakening, courage, defence, instincts.
Sowelo - “Sun”
- Symbol - ᛋ
- Latin Letter - S
- Meaning - Sowelo represents a time of joy, abundance, luck, and good fortune. It can indicate success, excellent health and an elemental power. In Tarot, its card is, likewise, The Sun.
- Reversed Meaning - There is no reverse meaning of this rune.
- Keywords - Success, vitality, inspiration, justice, success, joy, happiness, abundance.
Haeg’s Aett
The third Aett is ruled by Tir and represents the realm of magic power. We become the Drighten, the Rune Magician, at the summit of human potential, having the consciousness and ability to transform life into magical transcendence. Haeg’s Aett relates to the material world, social values and relationships. This set starts with Tiwaz and Berkana, the masculine and feminine principles and ends with Dagaz, symbol of optimism and positive change.
Tiwaz - “Victory”
- Symbol - ᛏ
- Latin Letter - T
- Meaning - Tiwaz indicate victory and knowing of your true strengths with a willingness to self-sacrifice. This rune shows you possess great leadership skills, authority and rationality.
- Reversed Meaning - Blocked creative energies, over-analysis, imbalance, lack of passion.
- Keywords - Leadership, rationality, victory, honour, bravery, courage, strength, perseverance, endurance.
Berkana - “Birch'“
- Symbol - ᛒ
- Latin Letter - B
- Meaning - Berkana indicates fertility and creation - the birth of a new baby or a new project, partnerships and rebirth. It indicates mental and physical growth, and a regenerative power and liberation of spirit.
- Reversed Meaning - Family troubles, anxiety, rigid control.
- Keywords - Fertility, growth, renewal, new beginnings, birth, creation, new projects, creativity.
Ehwaz - “Horse'“
- Symbol - ᛖ
- Latin Letter - E
- Meaning - Ehwaz represents man’s trusty aid. This rune can be seen as The Lovers Tarot card. This rune indicates a moving forward and change for the better with gradual but steady progress. It can also show teamwork, trust and loyalty.
- Reversed Meaning - Restlessness, craving of change, mistrust, disharmony.
- Keywords - Progress, movement, harmony, trust, loyalty, friendship, assistance, duality, animal instincts.
Mannaz - “Man”
- Symbol - ᛗ
- Latin Letter - M
- Meaning - Mannaz is representative of humankind and humanity. It is social order and cooperation, our sense of morals and values.
- Reversed Meaning - Self-delusion, manipulation, isolation.
- Keywords - Humanity, collective, mortality, community, relationships, morals, values.
Laguz - “Lake”
- Symbol - ᛚ
- Latin Letter - L
- Meaning - Laguz represents the Element of Water and so is tied to emotions, dreams and intuition. It can also be related to mysteries, secrets, the unknown and the underworld. It can indicate a healing power of renewal, heightened imagination and psychic abilities.
- Reversed Meaning - Fear, misjudgement, lack of creativity, avoidance.
- Keywords - Intuition, imagination, healing, dreams, mysteries, insight, instinct, knowing.
Ingus - “Fertility”
- Symbol - ᛝ
- Latin Letter - Ng
- Meaning - Ingwaz is the rune of fertility, representing the Earth God Ing. It points to male fertility, common virtues, common sense, wellbeing, strength, family, rest, and loose ends being tied up.
- Reversed Meaning - There is no reverse meaning of this rune.
- Keywords - Fertility, virility, inner growth, virtue, peace, harmony.
Othila - “Heritage”
- Symbol - ᛟ
- Latin Letter - O
- Meaning - Othala is the rune of inheritance. It tells of our lasting legacy, spiritual heritage and fundamental values.
- Reversed Meaning - Bad luck, prejudice.
- Keywords - Legacy, inheritance, spiritual growth, abundance, values, contribution.
Dagaz - "Awakening"
- Symbol - ᛞ
- Latin Letter - D
- Meaning - This rune can represent the move into adulthood, or into one's own independence. This evolution my be in your personal life in a material sense or spiritual. Dagaz also stands for the power of change, and your own power to incite change when it is time.
- Reversed Meaning - There is no reverse meaning of this rune.
- Keywords - Hope, positive change, optimism.
Know the runes meanings is the first steep to discover the ancient knowledge of human insights and to recognize the power of the natural world in human life. Runes stones are full of powerful and magical history and should be carefully used. These days, runes are used as a method of connecting to one’s higher self, inner guidance and tapping into intuition.
