RUNES For as long as anyone can tell, runes have been around helping people in the northern European area and now they are making quite a comeback on a worldwide basis due partly to commercialism and partly due to the unknown uprooting of many occult practices. People are looking for a better way to live and people are looking towards oracles for answers and guidance to their troubles. This is where the runes come into play. In this area, we will be looking at the meanings of runes and how they can help you. At this point, we will give only a brief overview of what they are and where they came from. This is only a survey. Runes come from the Nordic area where the ancient Vikings once lived, worked, and fought. Though they were relatively savage in their outings, the Vikings were people in touch with Earth and the many forces that coexisted with them. They have a whole lore that includes many popular god figures such as Thor, the son of Odin. Thor carried a mighty hammer and many of us know him from comic books. The father of Thor, Odin, was the creator of the Runes and is the most important holy figure of the Viking people. Odin hung upside down from a tree limb for a chance of higher knowledge and right before he came down from the tree limb, he was bestowed with the new system called the Runes. These symbols were used for writing and magic by the high priests. On this page, we will discuss the 25 runes most used today and their meanings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEHU - Wealth, honesty, truth Fehu is the light of truth that illuminates the way home where peace and comfort abide. The desire to know and speak truth. To be true to yourself and others is Fehu's counsel. The resulting harmony is a wealth beyond measure. URUZ - Understanding, Strength, Health Through empowering the components of mind, body, and soul creates a synergy which manifests the desired reality. Each component supports the health and growth of the other. THURISAZ - Introspection, Withdrawal, Regeneration Withdraw, reflect, review, and the correct path will become clear. Caution against impulsiveness. ANSUZ(on-sus) - Communication, Wisdom, Creative incitement Energy is focused on the creative power of words. Acquiring knowledge through a wise counselor promotes confidence in scholastic or communication issues. The rune for a student or apprentice. RAIDHO (raytho) - Movement, Action, Journey Travel in comfort. A journey is encouraged, be it from one location to another or from one stage of life to another. Now is the time to proceed from your present position on to the next port on your journey. KENAZ - Recuperation, Transformation, Healing Recovery from any adverse condition, be it physical or material. A stabilizing energy that heals and harmonizes. Transformation is highlighted, be it from the state of disease to health, poverty to security, apprentice to artisan. GEBO - Gift, Allowance, Acceptance The gift of love is offered. The attainment of inner balance allows for the acceptance of love from others. Self-acceptance which honors strengths and weaknesses. The equal and harmonious union of two whole and complete components provides a supportive and loving environment to share an adventurous journey. WUNJO(wun-yo) - Joy, Happiness, Artistic expression Artistic expression finds a medium. Joy and happiness through allowing the freedom to pursue inner dreams, desires and ambitions. HAGALAZ - Compliance, Disruption, Risk Compliance with the natural flow of life. Struggling creates disharmony. Look for the silver lining in any cloud, it awaits your joy of discovery. Disruption occurs when one is out of balance. Do not be afraid to take leaps out of the chaos. NAUDHIZ(now-thees) - Deficiency, Tempering, Need Need creates motivation to achieve or acquire. Focusing of fulfilling needs creates self-reliance and inner strength. Frustration creates determination, melancholy can inspire poetry or music. ISA - Controlled strength, Inner will-power Pure inner confidence empowers the will to influence and draw support from any opposing factors. Like ice itself, this rune can be used to freeze a moment preserving the strength from the situation. JERA(yera) - Completion, Harvest, Gain You have built your foundation. Provided that it has been structured with attention to detail and no short-cuts have been taken, the outcome will produce a fruitful return. A plant grown with love and care will blossom. EIHWAZ( A - was) - Patience, Enlightenment, Awareness Being centered and aware of your position promotes patience at this midway point. Now is not a time for extremes, be it gains or losses. Knowingness comes from the central point of being. PERTH - Change, Rebirth, Revelation As coal is transformed by intense pressure into a diamond jewel and pearls are created by the irritation of sand granules, so too can your greatest challenges be presented as gifts. Change is a reflection of creation not destruction. Through a diversity comes the opportunity of joyous revelation. A higher purpose may be revealed. ELHAZ - Protection, Friendship, Union Powerful protective energies avail themselves. An invisible shield repels negative influences. Honor this gift with honesty and compassion for others and the energy will continue to guard you. A rune of harmonic union and positive influences. SOWILO - Achievement, Guidance, Clarity Listen for the opportunity for guidance as wisdom follows. Time to further education or successful completion of studies. The warmth of this rune is a blessing of union and the simple pleasures in life. This energy provides a direct path to victory. TEIWAZ(Tay-was) - Analysis, Sacrifice, Honor The gathering of pertinent facts, combined with critical analysis provides a firm basis from which appropriate skill may be applied. Fairness and equality are essential. A sacrifice willingly accepted yields success, honor and power. This runes protection should neutralize competitive situations. BERKANA - Motherhood, Domesticity, Nurturing Time for domestic nurturing. This rune may announce a forthcoming marriage or birth of a child. Simply, it denotes the qualities of nourishing and caring for the development of an idea, project or relationship. EHWAZ - Change, Partnership, Creative beginnings. Growth through physical change, possibly involving travel, residence, or job Creativity combined with harmonious team effort. A partnership is highlighted based on trust and loyalty. MANNAZ - Cooperation, Awareness, Awakening The rune of humanity carries the message of collaboration, especially between the conscious and subconscious. Emotional (ego) detachment is uplifting and provides access to untapped resources. Viewing your situation as an impartial observer will provide room for objectivity. Remember, energy takes the path of least resistance, move in balance with the universal flow. LAGUZ - Intuition, Talent, Initiation Latent intuition and creative talents emerge. Fear of the unknown should be replaced with trust in yourself and your instincts. This rune releases imaginative and creative talents which should be cultivated. Rationality and analytical thinking should be put aside to allow psychic energy to flow through. INGUZ - The Void, Intermission, Introspection The state between the completion of an old cycle and the gestation of a new cycle. Relaxation, introspection and rejuvenation provide preparation for the birth of a new and exciting stage on the wheel of life. OTHALA - Communal energy, Tradition, Stability Community minded thinking, members of a group working for the betterment of the whole will provide support and security. Knowing that the foundation is firm will provide freedom from constraint. Ancestral tradition instills comfort and confidence. Heirlooms, or inheritances of objects symbolic of loving energy may be passed down to you. Honor these gifts by preserving the tradition and evolving from it. DAGAZ - Truth, Hope, Illumination This rune is synonymous with the sun's dawning rays supporting an awakening to a new broader perspective. A change in consciousness may result, manifesting as a change in previous plans in light of increased knowledge. THE BLANK RUNE - Unknown, Karma, Universal Responsibility Knowing the answers to your questions may not be advantageous to your growth at this time. Knowing may affect your natural actions. Make sure that you have been specific when posing your question. This rune also indicates that the karmic wave may be flowing back to you. A negative or positive vibration that originated with you will be coming back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORNIC RUNE LAYOUT: The following is a step by step guide to a personal RUNE cast. For the novice seeker it is not essential to have a traditional hand crafted cache of Runes. An easy make-shift set can be created by simply cutting 25 equally sized squares from paper or cardboard. Then inscribe each of the squares with one of the Rune symbols. For those who are more intent on learning the ancient method and traditions of the Rune cast, it is suggested that when inscribing each symbol, its teachings should be meditated upon. This process activates the energy of each of the Runes symbolic wisdom. 1. Formulate a specific question and meditate upon it. 2. After you feel your question has been sufficiently stated, reach into your pouch and withdraw three rune stones one at a time. 3. Lay the runes in front of you in the order that they are drawn, successively from left to right 4. Make sure that the runes are placed as you naturally have pulled them. If a rune is reverse position, it must be recognized to be in the reverse position. *Reversed runes will indicate that the qualities invested in the Rune appear blocked or inappropriately applied. It would denote that the energy of the rune is available to you if you open yourself to receive. 5. First Rune: Past Influences concerning situation 6. Second Rune: Present influences and energies 7. Third Rune: Probable outcome as it relates to the conditions of the first two. The future is changeable with a shift in current management. 8. These three runes can also be read as body, mind, and spirit when understanding or clarification of self is sought.