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GMCFehuproperty, cattle
GOFaihucattle, property or wealth
OEFoehcattle, or money
ONFelivestock or money
Sound: f
The basic meaning is wealth in the sense of money or
currency. Cattle were a measuring of one's wealth. Fee, a payment,
comes from this term. as a distribution of wealth as does fellowship
and friendship, wealth of another kind.
Gold, being one of Freya's attributes is also associated with Fehu.
Sharing or "loaning" cattle to others who then
returned the cattle with "interest" in the form or a larger
herd or other property was a way of increasing wealth. Those who
herded the cattle and kept them safe were thought to have magical
powers to call and to protect the cattle.
This is money or wealth that comes form one's energy and use
of resources. Since cattle breed, and from cattle come more cattle,
it could also represent the concept that 'money makes money.' Freya
(or Frey) is also represented by this first rune in the aett of Freya
(or Frey). Many first letters of alphabets have similar meanings.
Cattle were considered suitable for sacrifice, and as
offerings at festivals. Audhumla, the primal cow is also represented
by Feoh, a creative force, it can be a dynamic shaping force.
In divination it can represent any of those forces.
GMCUrazthe auroch
GOUrusthe auroch
OEUrox, bison
ONUrdrizzle, rain
Primal force, strength.
Sound: u, v oo
The auroch was a wild ox, very large and very fierce, in
description it sounds very much like the Longhorn. Uruz is associated
with the primal creative force, primitive, earliest or original. The
German _ursprache_ used linguistically to refer to "original
sounds." In the Oxford English Dictionary Ur also refers to the
unarticulated sound which would also be apt. It is also an archaic
form of "our."
Audhumla, the great cow which was fromed form the dripping
rime produced from fire and ice. She was the "shaping force"
that licked the ice into the primal giant, and was the source of
sustenance for the cosmic giant Ymir.
It is a spiritual or creative force which pervades the
universe, something like "mana" of the Polynesian
traditions, a vital essence. The shape is likened to the horns of the
primal cow or the auroch.
The runemaster or magician learns to control or direct it
with the knowledge that it can be dangerous, and though controlable,
it is undomesticable. It represents force and freedom, or a force
always straining to be free if contained. It is protective, as the
auroch, when used in defense of one's territory or children.
I associate it with the primal well, Urth.
In a runic reading it is a formative or protective force,
unmanifested but which can shape things to come.
GMC Thurisaz The strong one, giant
GO Thuith The good one
OE Thorn Thorn
ON Thurs Giant
Asa-Thorr, the enemy of unfriendly forces.
Thorn on a branch or Thor's hammer.
Sound: _th_ as in "thorn"
Thurisaz is a force of defense and destruction.
"Bramble" or thorny bushes were used to "fence"
and protect boundaries. One form of Norse/Germanic execution was to
throw criminals "into thorns". Thor is the god that
protects sacred enclosures in much the same way that the thorny
hawthorne, blackthorn, or rose does. It is the thicket that protected
Sleeping Beauty's castle, the hedge that surrounded sacred enclosures.
The thorn or the "spindle" was used to put
"sleep" spells on beings, even those on a cosmic level, and
was equally a thorn of awakening.
No matter how beautiful the rose, one should be careful to
watch for thorns.
The TH-rune is also associated with the thurs, (pl. thursar)
or a "giant" in the Old Norse. There were several groups of
these beings, the "rime-thurses" or frost-giants, were wise
(or witless..according to various sources) and very old and who
fought with the gods. They are primal forces, elemental in nature.
Thorn is a rune of testing and challenge, as well as
protection and defense.
GMC ansuz: a god, ancestral god
GO ansus: a runic god name
OE os: a god
ON ass: a god, AEsir
ansur: a mouth or the mouth of a river
Phonetic value: "a"
Windblown cloak, Odhinn, inspired speech
This is the rune of inspired speech and incantation as a
creative expression. It is is linked with the ancestors, the magic of
speech which passes along knowledge with the breath of life, the
passing of knowledge through the spoken word, as differentiated from
the written. It is the rune of the poet, the saga, the seer, those of
inspired speech. It thus represents the ecstasy of inspiriation, the
"swan song" chanting out one's life as he or she prepares
to meet death, the first cry of a newborn baby. It is whistling in
the dark to banish fear. It encompasses the power of suggestion and sublimination.
It is the rune of the Wild Hunt, the movement of the
gods/goddesses who ride the howling winds, gathering lost souls and
those newly released from life back into the arms of the ancestors
who await them with horns of mead and pleasurable company.
Magically it increases the active powers and ond, inspires
speech, writing and poetry. It can be used for the acquisition of
inspiration, and understanding.
Divination: Inspiration, enthusiasm, transformation,
manipulation, encouragement, compassion.
GMC raidho wagon
GO raidha wagon, ride
OE radh a riding, way
ON reidh riding, chariot
rad/raed wheel/vehicle
Phonetic value "r"
A cosmic chariot, solar chariot, the wheel of stars
A chariot of a god or goddess
Estatic journey
Rhythm and movement are important to the concept of Raidho.
The sound and dance of the estatic traveler who is carried on a
circular journey. The spiral journey of the sun on it's annual course
from North to South and back, as in the journey of Nerthus and
Freyr's processions. It is the wheeling of stars around the cosmic
axis. It can be thought of as the chariot of Thor or Freya or any
other cosmic "transportation." As the chariot is primal
forces controled by conscious thought.
It can mean a possible or necessary journey in a reading, or
transportation. It can mean a path or road, a way through a dilema.
It can be a journey in consciousness, or a change in viewpoint.
GMC kenaz torch
GO kusma swelling
OE cen torch
ON kaun sore, boil
kaunaz
{The Gothic and Old Norse names are "secondary" according to Thorsson,
internal fire, inflammation, etc. The terms were drawn from rune
poems.
It is the flame of transformation and regeneration. It is
associated with kin and the sacred fires of sexual generation as well
as the "kith and kin" who gather around the hearth. It is
the flame of the forge, the volcano and deep earth energies. It is
the controlled flame of the artist and craftsman. It "breaks
out" in unexpected ways, and holds the power to create and/or
destroy. It is a primal force of creation, in the myths it is fire
and ice that produce the life force.
Ken in English and kennen in German are also terms meaning
"to know." They are also realted to OE Cen, "to
know" or "to beget." It is a fire that is expressed in
physical forms, and knowledge that although intuitive is obtained
through physical means and experience.
Magically it can bring about change, or effect a
transformation, or create. It must be used carefully and in a
controlled manner or it will break out with destructive results.
In divination It can be a symbol of a sexual relationship or
the product of that relationship. It can be a craft or a creative
outlook. It can be the "barrier" that must be crossed to
reach the inner secrets of the shaman or hero on his journey through
the labryinth darkness.
GMC gebo gift, hospitality
GO giba gift
OE gyfu gift, generousity
ON gipt gift, wedding
gifu
Phoenetic sound "g" as in "gift."
Exchanged gifts
Gebo represents hospitality, generousity and giving. It is
the joining of giver and the one who receives. As Thorsson points out
in _Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic_ it also has the meaning of a
gift from the Deities, particularly through union. He relates the
gift to the wisdom received by the hero from the valkyrja.
It is a form of the solar wheel used traditionally on the
saffron colored sweet rolls which celebrate the changing of the
seasons and the gifts of grain and wealth from the gods which is
given back in the form of sweetened offerings.
It is a symbol of exchanged vows, marriage, ecstacy both
physical and mystic. In the Norse traditions a gift required "a gift."
In divination it can represent sacrifice, giving and
receiving, exchange, marriage, partnership, increase because of consolidation.
Magically it would be used to promote harmony, bring about
union, receive divine instruction and gifts, increase magical power.
GMC wunjo: joy
GO winja: pasture
OE wynn: pleasure, delight
ON vend: (a rune name) joy, hope
(not in the younger row)
Phonetic value: w
Happiness and joy, glory. The battle well-fought and won. A
wand. Prosperity and good fellowship. Peacefullness.
There is a term in Anglo-Saxon, _wuldortanas_, which is
"glory twigs." which many experts associate with the rune.
It is especially good in bind runes for ensuring victory. ON
_vend_or Vindr, "Wind." As such wynn, or vend, can be
visualized as a wind-vane, which shows "which direction the wind
is blowing." Wend, also means to change the direction of
something, to turn or to run with or against the wind. To change one
situation into another, is another use of Wunjo both magically and in divination.
GMC Hagalaz hail, egg (?)
GO Hagl hail
OE Haegl hail
ON Hagall hail
Phoentic value: "h"
The Anglo-Saxon rune poem refers to "hail" as being
"grain" which falls and turns into water after being tossed
about by wind. The layered nature of a hailstone was recognized, as
well as the potential for destruction and the transformative
qualities. The concepts that surround Hagalaz recognize that the
destructive potential for hail out of season is balanced by the
potential for transformation that will bring new fertility and growth.
It can be seen as representative of the cosmic "egg"
that primal layered egg of ice that was transformed in combination
with fire. Out of the primal chaos which we think of as destructive
comes a tangible force that carries the potential for destruction
and/or transformation. The transformation from destruction to
fertility comes after "being tossed by the winds," and in
its own season.
Hagal reprents a dramatic event or trauma which comes from
outside your own immediate perceptions. It represents a deep
reshaping. The rune is deeply integrated into the mysteries of
renewal through destruction, the shaman who, like Odin, loses all in
order to find his or her own personal power. It is the rune of
winter, the grain of that season.
It is a crystaline form, one that is sharp and hard, yet
clear and possibly deadly. It is one of the runes that can not be
reversed nor turned upside down.
I also read it as the rune of the bridge of the cosmos, the
dangerous path between worlds or experiences which can bring
transformation or destruction. It was used in weather magic to ward
off hail, even by Christians.
GMC Naudhiz need
GO Nauths necessity, need
OE Nyd need, distress
ON Naudh(r) distress, need, constraint
Phonetic value "n"
Naudhiz is another of the cosmic forces which is recognized
as being a "shaping" power which form the fates of the
world and mankind. It is associated with the Nornir who are the
"shapers." In the rune poems it represents the layerd
concept of necessity providing the friction that leads to
transformation. It represents the fire bow which engenders the "need-fire."
It is a rune of desire that produces the "need-fire"
that drives a man or woman to obtain that which he or she desires.
It is strongly associated with love magic, and the driving desires
that produce not only the heat of sexual desire, but that of the
desire to obtain or achieve. It is representative of the
"spinning tree" or the windy tree which was the source of
all fertility. The fire that combines with the cosmic ice to achieve transforamtion.
If directed, and used with knowledge and wisdom, the
need-fire becomes creative and procreative. If used unwisely it can
become a force for destruction burning to useless ashes.
Another of the runes that can not be reversed or turned
upside down, it is the worker's own will that is paramont in
directing the force. It can be used to obtain a lover, to elimante
hate and strive, develop will and resistance.
GMC Isa ice
GO Eis ice
OE Is ice
ON Iss ice
Phonetic value: "i" as in "ee" (deed).
It is the primal ice, the icy stream (or glacier) that flows
from Niflheimr. Is is an "elemental" rune. It's form can be
seen in nearly all of the other runes. It is associated with the
rime-giants, the hrimthursar and the wisdom of age. Ice can be
considered "static" as many do, however, ice whether one is
speaking of the rune or of actual ice is a mysterious substance. Isa
can bring things to a halt, or place something in suspension. But the
mysterious flow of the glacier is also inherent in Isa, as it is
realted to the primal stream. Ice can also be an expansive force, or
one that crushes anything caught in its grasp.
It can provide a bridge over an expanse of dark water, or a
dangerous trap. It is self-contained, and as such has the power of
control and constraint. It should be used cautiously.
GMC Jera the (good) year, harvest
GO Jer year
OE Ger year
ON Ar year, (good) season
Phonetic value: 'j' or 'y' as in 'yard'
It is the completion of a cycle, a season, or a year,
representing the dymanic rotation and changes of the cycles. It is
the fruitful completion of a cycle, or the eternal contrast of
opposites which provide a whole. It is invoked for a good season (or
harvest) and is associated with fertility. The Old Norse name ar is
similar to 'ari' which is the ON word for eagle, a solar symbol.
Magically it is used to invoke fertility and increase, or to
bring something to fruitation or completion. It can bring peace and
harmony. It represents the nearly universal law of harvest. What was
sown will be reaped.
GMC Eihwaz or iwaz yew tree
GO Eihwas yew tree
OE Eoh or eow yew tree or mountain ash
ON ihwar yew (in runic inscription only)
Phonetic value is uncertain, "e/i"
Eihwas represents the spinning World Tree, Yggdrasil. It is
the axis about which all else revolves and spins out of. It contains
the mystery of life and death. It is a life giving force which has
its roots in the Underworld and death. The yew is a powerful stave of
protection and banishing, not only because of its association with
the forces of life and death, but because of its association with the
bow made of yew wood.
Magically it can be a rune of wisdom when invoked in
accessing the mysteries of Yggdrasil. It provides protection, and can
help increase personal power and defense. It suggests the passage and
communication between different worlds and layers of reality.
GMC perthro device for casting lots
GO pairthra dice cup
OE peordh chess man (gaming piece)
ON * (Not in Norse futhark)
Phonetic value: 'p'
Pertho is one of the mysteries of the runes. As a container
with the lots of life, pertho represents the vagaries of chance which
can not be controlled. However the pieces fall, the player must move
boldly taking what is cast and make up for in skill and wisdom any
lack in the casting itself. It contains the mystery of the Nornic
runes. It is the rune of the vitki, the one who seeks the mysteries
of the cosmos through the understanding of synchronicity. It is the
rune of the warrior who constantly tests himself against chance and luck.
Magically it is luck in action, or gambling. It is the
mystery of luck and life.
Germanic name: Elhaz, elk; or algiz,
protection.
The Old English name, "elk-sedge" is a kenning for
sword. It represents a two-edged blade. It can be seen as the godhi
or gydhja in the attitude of addressing or invoking the gods.
Thorsson gives the esoteric interpretation of the name as the
protective forse, valkyrijur. It can represent the splayed hand, the
horns of the elk, a swan in flight, a divergance or convergence of
paths or forces. It is a sign used to promote victory and protection.
The Gothic word "alhs" or sanctuary. It is used to
strengthen magical power and luck, as well as the life force.
GMC Sowilo Sun
GO Saugil Sun
OE Sigil Sun
ON Sol Sun
Phonetic value "s"
The S-rune is that of the sun, part of the solar wheel. Both
the words "sol" and "sunna" for the sun in Old
Norse are feminine in nature as were the cosmic forces represented by
the sun. It is the counterforce to Isa, or the cosmic ice. The S-rune
is often connected to the lightning bolt, or a flash of inspiration
or ecstacy.
It strengthens the spiritual and psychic powers and
abilities, increasing spiritual might. It provides
"enlightenment" and success through individual will. The
sun is refered to as the White Sow even today in Scandinavian
countries. It is a rune of education and understanding, as well as
one that transforms ice to water, a transformative force. It can
represent high achievements, honor and obtained goals.
GMC Tiwaz the god Tyr
GO Teiws the god Tyr
OE Tir the god Tyr (OE Tiw) glory
ON Tyr the god Tyr
Phonetic value: 't"
A spear point, or arrow. A guiding star.
The T-rune is primarily one of justice since Tyr is the Norse
god who presided at the _thing_, (the Germanic general assembly).
Judgement was not always arrived at by discussion, judgement by arms
was a common concept to the Norse/Germanic cultures. It is associated
with the idea that "justice will prevail."
The Old English Rune Poem, says Tir is a star, it keeps its
faith well. It is always on its course over the mists of night. It is
represents the guiding principles which are steadfast and can be
relied on to judge one's position.
Magically it can be invoked where justice should be done. In
divination it will mean judgement, matters of law, decisions, or guidance.
GMC Berkano, birch, the birch goddess, birch twigs
GO bairkan birch twig
OE beorc birch tree
ON bjarkan runic birch goddess
(from ON bjork: birch)
Phoenetic value: "b"
The B-rune is related to the Great Mother, the Earth Goddes.
It is the mother of manifestation and of birth and rebirth. The birch
tree was often planted before a home to protect it in Scandinavian
countries, and the custom continued to be observed in America where
settlers built new homes.
It is used in "birthing" new ideas, bringing them
to life.
Magically it is used in protective work, and in concealment
spells, promoting safety and secrecy. It can represent or bring about
a rebirth in spirit, as well as the renewal of spring after a period
of winter.
GMC ehwas horse, or ehwo: the "two" horses
GO aihwas stallion
OE eh war horse
ON ior horse (not found in Younger Futhark)
Phonetic value "e"
Ehwo is associated with "twin" gods or heroes, the
divine twins, or two horses. The Saxon conquers of Britain were
Hengist and Horsa (stallion and horse). It is the harmonious
relationship between two forces. The ehwas was connected closely to
the concept of a man's fetch, the "horse" that carries one
on the journey between worlds. It is the rune of Sleipnir. With its
close connection to the horse it is also a symbol of fertility, and partnerships.
It facilitates "soul travel" or the shaman's
journey. As such it can be used to obtained hidden knowledge or
knowledge from a distance.
It can represent a journey in consciousness, a swifter flight
then that of Raidho, and one that is protected or guided.
GMC Mannaz Human, mankind
GO Manna Man, Human
OE Mann Man, Human
ON Madhr A Human being
Phonetic value "m"
The Old English Rune Poem says: (Mann) is in his mirth dear
to his kinsman; although each shall depart from the other. It is a
rune of the human existence, of which life and death are both part.
It is the rune of mortality. It also represents interdependence and
support, as well as duty and responsiblity. No individual is
independent of others, each is part of a larger pattern.
The similarity to Dagaz should be noted, here, the cyclical
pattern is "smaller" the microcosm of mortality compared to
the larger cycles of the cosmos.
In divination, Mannaz can represent either an individual (man
or woman) or a group. It can also represent the inner qualities that
represent one's connections to other people. Is is a rune of
assistance and can indicate a need for assistance or a willingness to assist.
Magically it invokes assistance, and bonding with the
community. It is a rune of social order and can invoke cooperation.
GMC laguz a body of water (or laukaz: leek)
GO lagus water
OE lagu sea, water
ON logr sea, water (or laukr: leek) law, (ON log)
Phonetic value "l"
The sea and other bodies of water, like the earth, were
considered a source of wealth and fertility and an expression of the
unconscious and undiscovered mysteries of life and death. The Aegir,
the gods and goddesses of the sea, both gave and took life and
offered fertility and wealth. They were the brewers and the Norse
looked at the foaming vat of beer and related it to froth of the ocean.
It represents ebb and flow, and dark currents. Laguz can be
the water in a well, bubbling up from secret depths, or dark and
still reflecting the querent but revealing nothing beneath the
surface. It seeks its own level, taking the path of least resistance
at times, at other times sinking into the earth to rise in a distant
place. The ship burials, and stone "boat" graves reveal the
assocation of water with the journey of death, a rite of passage.
Representing the Well of Wyrd, laguz holds all the secrets of
the unconscious and the collective or universal knowledge. It
represents psychic abilities. It is the ale which can be charged with
runic knowledge.
Magically it can be invoked to develop second sight and
psychic powers. In divination it is the unknown, the primeval water
of birth and creation as well as death and the abyss.
GMC ingwaz the god Ing
GO enguz or iggws the god Ing, a man
OE Ing the god or the hero, Ing
ON Ing, or Yngvi the god Ing (a title of Freyr)
Phonetic value "ng" as in "long"
Ing is associated with Nerthus as well as Ing. The circuit of
the wagon that was associated with their respective worship
represented the "king's circuit", the walking of the
bounds, or the circuit of the sacred wagon which insured fertility to
the land.
It is a rune of ritual embodiying action on behalf of the
earth and mankind. Just as the greening of the earth follows the
northerly progression of the sun, and retreats in it's wake, the rune
is one of movement as well as action and reaction.
It is a rune of invocation and action, as well as
responsiblity. It is a rune of warmth and inner fire. It can be used
to stimulate the growth of slumbering abilities into full growth.
In divination it represents a gradual change or an adherence
to ritual or ceremonial responsiblities.
GMC dagaz day
GO dags day
OE daeg day
ON dogr day (not in Younger Futhark)
Phonetic value "d" and voiced "th" as in "then"
Dagaz refers to the a day, a period of darkness and light,
since the Norse counted their days from evening to evening, with the
mid-point being dawn and the rising of the sun. It is the rune of
awakening, and metaphorically, rebirth.
It is a rune of paradox, the balancing of opposites and
movement, not as contraditions and opposition, but as counterbalances
and compliments. It represents light, paradox, syncretization. It is
the rune of "clear vision" and "enlightenment."
It represents time and space, and the weaving movement of the loom of life.
In divination it is the rune of polarization, of sunlight and
good fortune. It can be invoked to bring new invoke an awakening of
the senses.
Often, Dagaz is found as the last rune of the futhark, which
is the position that I prefer. However, since I used Eldred
Thorsson's arrangement and names as a basic place to start from, I
have maintained the arrangement that he uses most often.
GMC othala ancestral property
GO othal property
OE ethel homeland, property
ON odhal nature, inborn quality
(not in Younger Futhark)
Othala is the rune of the sacred enclosure, the homeland, the
village, the homestead. It is the family group, its customs, lands
and language as well as the duties and responsiblities that go along
with maintaining family ties.
It can be used to invoke a solid and peaceful family or group
life, and to continual growth and prosperity. It is the
"inherited" wealth that comes from one's ancestors, the
customs as well as property or physical attributes. It represents the
wise management of family assets or one's family or kin.
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The Anglo-Saxon Futhark added nine extra runes and some
alternate forms of the runes that are found in the Elder Futhark.
Several of the runes take on slightly different forms.
Os (Ansuz) takes on a slightly different form with the
addition of upward lines, while Aesc is the form that was Ansuz and
Ar and Aes are added to the end of the Futhark
Is Ansuz or "Os" in the Anglo-Saxon futhark
Ac phonetic value "a" Oak Tree
Aesc Phonetic value "a" as in "at"
Ash tree, or primal human material
Yr Phonetic value "un" gold decoration
Primal human material
Ior Phonetic value "io" serpent
Midgard serpent
'Ear Phonetic value "ao" or "eo"
"earth-grave"
Cweorth Phonetic value "ao" or "oe"
"fire-twirl"
Calc Phonetic value "k"
chalk, cup, or crystal goblet
Stone Phonetic value "st"
stone, or altar stone
Gar Phonetic value "g"
Spear, Odhinn's spear
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Valkyrie valkyrie@eskimo.com
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This series was written by Valkyrie* and posted originally
on Runes/Asatru on PODS. The names, primary definition and sound
assignment are from Edred Thorsson's books on runes, _Futhark_, _ At
the Well of Wyrd_ and _Runelore_. Other sources and personal
experience have been drawn on for the discussions.
Copyright January 1994 by *Susan Granquist
All rights reserved. This file may be reproduced
electronically and distributed for non-commercial use as an
information file as long as it remains intact and unaltered and this
notice is included.