Monday, February 6, 2012

Runes 101 - Runes in History 5

As I mentioned in my earlier Runes 101 post, Runes in History 3, at least three versions of ancient Rune Poems exist.  These poems were used to determine the meanings of each Rune.  Remember, the Runes aren't just an ancient alphabet; they each have their own meaning.  We cannot say how they were used in the past with real certainty, but today, those meanings have turned Runes into a cultural oracle. 

If I show you the Runes and give you only an overview of the historical meaning for each, based on those poems, which one would you choose as most representative of your current situation?


Rune
Name
Meaning
f
Fehu
Wealth, money, cattle
u
Uruz
Wild Ox, Auroch, courage, strength
x
Thurisaz
Giant, thorn, focused power
a
Ansuz
Communication, a god
r
Raido
Journey, riding
k
Kenaz
Torch, fire, light
G
Gebo
Gift
w
Wunjo
Joy, pleasure
h
Hagalaz
Hail disruption, destructive and creative forces
n
Nauthiz
Need, necessity, constraint
i
Isa
Ice, standstill
J
Jera
Harvest, process, gain and growth
Y
Eihwaz
Yew tree, toughness, stability
p
Perthro
Board game, friendly competition, initiation
z
Algiz
Self-defense, protection
S
Sowilo
The sun, good fortune
t
Tiwaz
The god Týr, self-sacrifice, justice
b
Berkana
Birch, birth, beginnings
e
Ehwaz
Horse, loyalty, pilgrimage
m
Mannaz
The self, humanity, culture
l
Laguz
Sea, lake, flow
Q
Ingwaz
The god Freyr, fertility, peace and plenty
d
Dagaz
Day, clarity, revelation
o
Othala
Inheritance, home

Jera, as usual is for me.  Today, however, it is of particular importance, because it serves as a reminder to me that I am in the middle of many processes right now.  I must stay focused on the task at hand and not try to jump ahead.  Let me know if I can help you interpret your Rune for this week.

2 comments:

  1. Very nice :) Just one minor thing: The Norse rune poems don't speak of Kaun as torch, but as boil.

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  2. Thanks for your comment Linda. There are three versions of the Rune poems - Old English (which is the one that I use), Old Norwegian and Old Icelandic. The latter two refer to Kaun/Kenaz as a sore that children get. Is that what you mean by "boil"? It is my understanding that the Old English version is the most accepted, because the idea of a torch represents fire and, without this definition for Kaun/Kenaz, the primary element of fire is not represented in the Runes. If you have other information, can you please share it? I want to make sure I provide the most accurate information available, including different possibilities.

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