Rune Meanings

Dan Gronitz

In the last few articles we’ve been talking about the runes and how you can use them in your life. One of the more popular uses for the runes is in the area of divination. However in order to use the runes for such a use you need to know what each rune means or stands for. In this article as well as the next two articles we will be giving the meanings for all twenty-four of the elder futhark runes. With this information and a few guidelines on how to do a rune casting you’ll be able to divine your own future.

The meanings for the runes can be found in books by various authors as well on many web sites about the runes. However the meanings that will be listed for this article, as well as the next two articles, are my own interpretations for the elder futhark runes. But as I always say about rune information, take what you read into consideration but make sure you think about what you’ve read. If you feel that the information you are reading makes sense to you then go with it, if not, rethink what’s being said and try to come up with your own take on the information.

In each article we’ll be dealing with 8 runes, which is called a ætt (or a group of eight). For each ætt a god and goddess from Norse mythology is said to represent the group. The first eight runes are ruled over by Frey and Freyja, both fertility deities. So with that said let’s get to the meanings of the first eight elder futhark runes.

Fehu
Fehu is a rune of power and control. It represents new beginnings and "moveable" wealth such as money and credit. It is a rune that gives us the power we need to obtain wealth as well as power we need to hold on to it.

Uruz
Uruz is also a rune of power, but unlike Fehu it's a power that we can neither own nor control. In a casting it can mean that personal success is near. For charms and talismans use Uruz for its healing powers.

Thurisaz
This rune represents the ability we have to resist unwanted conflicts in a passive manner. It is a rune of protection and can tell us of a possible change that would have otherwise come without warning. You can use the protection aspect of Thurisaz as a defense against adversaries.

Ansuz
Ansuz is a rune that symbolizes stability and shows us order. It is also a rune that indicates intellectual activities and directly represents the divine breath of all life and creation.

Raidho
This rune allows us to focus our energy so that we may obtain our goals. However to do so effectively we must be "in the right place at the right time."

Kenaz
Kenaz is a rune of knowledge, understanding, learning and teaching. It allows us to view situations with more clarity than we normally would.

Gebo
Gebo represents the honor and connection that is created between people when they exchange gifts. The connection and honor is similar to the connection and honor that a person has with the gods for giving them life.

Wunjo
This rune shows us the balance between all things even when in a chaotic world. It is also a rune of fellowship, common goals and well being to all things. If you come across this rune in a reading you can expect good news to come your way.

In the last article we covered the first eight runes of the elder futhark. Here now is part two of three parts, which covers the second group of eight runes. This second set is ruled over by the god and goddess Heimdall and Mordgud, much like the first set of eight runes was ruled over by Frey and Freyja. In the following article we will cover the last eight runes of the elder futhark to conclude the three part series for the meanings of this set of runes. Be sure to have a look back here in the near future so that you can read and learn about the rest of the runes.

So without further delays, here is the next group of runes.

Hagalaz
Representing a hailstone we can expect time and situations to be constricting if Hagalaz turns up in a reading. But much like a hailstone will eventually turn to water, which flows smoothly, these situations and times will eventually flow smoothly for us.

Naudhiz
This rune represents how our need or want of something can put a restriction on us. It restricts our possibilities but also contains the power we need to break free from those restrictions.

Isa
Like an icicle formed at the start of winter, with this rune we can only wait until the warmth of the sun allows us to be free from a constricting form. Isa represents a halt in activity until a change is made.

Jera
Jera is a rune that represents the cycle of life. With this rune we see that we must go with the flow of nature to obtain the goals we want.

Eihwaz
Eihwaz is a rune that can be used as a magical protector and facilitator. It shows us that in the event of an ending situation we find the start of a new situation.

Perdhro
Perdhro reminds us of the uncertainties in life and represents freewill and the connection of the restrictions we have due to our circumstances. It is viewed as a rune of memory and problem solving.

Elhaz
This is a rune of great restraint power, defense and protection. Use this rune in charms and talismans to protect yourself as well as your property.

Sowulo
With the help of this rune we tend to be able to see things more clearly. Like the sun sheds light on dark times, with Sowulo we too can find the light during dark times.

For the past two articles we have been dealing with the first two groups of eight runes of the elder futhark. In this article we will cover the last eight runes of the elder futhark and their meanings. With all three articles you will have the full set of meanings for the elder futhark. You will be able to use these meanings for any rune casts that you do.

You should be aware that the meanings in these articles are the meanings that I personally use for the elder futhark. If you read in other rune books the meanings will be different. True there are similarities between my meanings and other authors, but the more you work with the runes the more you’ll adapt the meanings to better fit your needs. Don’t be afraid to do this, there isn’t anything wrong with it. The runes, when you cast them, are trying to tell you something and the more you use them the more you’ll begin to understand what it is that each rune is telling you.

With that said let’s get to the last set of eight runes and their meanings.

Teiwaz
Teiwaz can promise us success in our actions but this time without personal sacrifice. It also means success in "legal" matters but only if we were in the right to begin with.

Berkana
Like the birch tree coming to life from a seed planted in the earth, Berkana represents a new beginning and is also a powerful birth rune.

Ehwaz
Ehwaz reminds us that in order for success there must be a natural flow in the task at hand. With this rune to give us power as well as it making use of our good intentions we can surely achieve such success.

Mannaz
Mannaz has many powers. First it is a rune that lets us know we can achieve our fullest potential. Secondly it reminds us that we, as humans, all have shared experiences in life. Lastly we can use the power of this rune to gain the upper hand in disputes and arguments.

Laguz
Laguz represents the power of water and its easy flowing nature. We must learn to "go with the flow" when this rune shows up in a reading so that we can take full advantage of our powers.

Inguz
This rune allows us to spread our energy out far and wide. It is a protective rune mainly for the protection of our homes. To use Inguz effectively we must learn to build up our powers over time and then release the power all at once.