Runes 101 - Runes in History 6

In the last installment of the Runes in History, I posted a table of the Runes, their names and meanings.  However, it has been brought to my attention that the Runes did not appear as their correct symbols, rather were Roman letters (a b c and so on).  I've saved the table as an image, so the Rune symbols should be visible now.  (If not, please let me know.)  Here's the updated table:

As I mentioned in Runes in History 3,  this list is based on the Elder Futhark and, once the alphabet "split" (was used in England and northern Europe), the Futhark was adapted.  In Scandinavia, for example, it was reduced to sixteen letters, while in England, it jumped to thirty-two.  There were a number of localized or regional symbols as well.

Next week, I will be cutting the wood for my Runes (see Taking the Next Step with Runes and Runes 301- Making Your Own Runes) and will post the details of that process.  Until then, have a wonderful week!

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.