Runes

Fehu

Cattle; The symbol of earned income or success, something worked for to generate a return. Think: something of value is coming in or needs managing. While merkstave, this rune means failure, greed, loss of wealth, endings, or hoarding.

Uruz

Wild ox; The symbol of strength, courage, forcefulness, and resilience - also indicative of energy and natural vitality. Think: be strong, push through, use your energy. While merkstave, it means weakness, abuse of power, ignorance, insensitivity, or brutality.

Thurisaz

A thorn; Associated with the thorn as protection, confrontation, conflict and also with Thor´s Hammer. Also, associations link to protection from something or someone who may do you harm. Think: be careful, protect yourself, something sharp is here. While merkstave, this rune means danger, irrationality, defenselessness, betrayal, or explosive, aimless violence.

Ansuz

Mouth; the symbol of the spoken word, messages, insight. Often associated with the getting of wisdom and/or taking advice (often from elders). Rune of Odin. Think: listen, speak clearly, a message matters. While merkstave, this rune signifies misunderstanding, miscommunication, insincerity, and bad advice or manipulation.

Raidho

Wagon; the symbol of travel, movement, transition and change. Think: things are moving forward or need direction. While merkstave, this rune means crisis, stasis, irrationality, hypocrisy, or injustice.

Kenaz

Fire; the fire symbol that conveys warmth, safety, and comfort. Also represents the inner flame that is within us all and drives us to pursue our passions and dreams. Think: something is being shown to you. While merkstave, this rune means delays, failure, arrogance, ignorance, or lack of creativity.

Gebo

Gift; A very positive rune indicating impending good fortune or a favorable outcome in relation to any undertaking currently underway, also friendship and reciprocity. Think: this involves two sides, giving and receiving. If twisted, could mean greed, dependence, loneliness, dishonesty, or unnecessary sacrifice.

Wunjo

Joy; the symbol for inner personal happiness and good karma. Also joy and contentment from a career, personal, and/or family life. Think: this is positive, aligned, or emotionally right. While merkstave, this rune means warning, proceed with caution, blindness to danger, deception, or betrayal.

Hagalaz

Hail; The symbol of havoc, disruption by elements outside of one´s control. Some short term pain for long term gain. Think: expect disruption, something may shake things up. While merkstave, this rune means catastrophe, loss of control and power, stagnation, and disappointment.

Nauthiz

Need; The symbol of postponement, hardship, setbacks, waiting out a difficult period of learning but also a life lesson. Think: something is lacking or feels difficult. While merkstave, this means distress, guilt, worry, cowardice, or unfulfilled needs.

Isa

Ice; the rune of coldness or a freezing/stoppage of some activity, often associated with delays or a cooling in a relationship or self-control/self-containment. Think: nothing is moving right now, wait. While merkstave, this rune means self-centeredness, blindness, egotism, lack of change, or lack of progress.

Jera

Harvest; often associated with receiving a reward for effort expended earlier, cycles, rewards. Occasionally associated with fertility and conception. Think: this will take time but will come around. While merkstave, this rune means repetition, conflict, poverty, regression, or bad timing.

Eihwaz

Yew tree; The most important tree to the Nordic people, a symbol of protection, longevity, and regeneration. Think: hold steady, this is a deeper change. While merkstave, this rune means confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, or weakness.

Perthro

Dice cup; the rune used for gambling to test good fortune, the symbol of luck, mysteries, secrets, and things that may be hidden. Think: you don't know everything yet. When merkstave, this rune means loneliness, stagnation, caution, dishonesty, instability, delusions, or addiction.

Algiz

Elk; an indicator of ability to attack and/or defend oneself from circumstances. Think: protect yourself or trust that you're protected. When merkstave, this rune means hidden danger, fear, lack of growth.

Sowilo

The Sun; one of the three fire runes. For Nordic people the Sun and its power to warm, heal the mind and body, and grow crops was rare and treasured - victory, confidence. Think: strong yes, good energy, keep going. When merkstave, this rune means false goals, false success, naivety, or deception.

Tiwaz

Spear; A rune of victory, associated with justice, fairness, and truth. The spear held by the norse god of Justice, Tyr. Think: do the right thing, stay brave and focused. When merkstave, this rune means injustice, excessive sacrifice, defeat, tyranny, and imbalance.

Berkano

Birch; fertility, birth, family, growth, healing, renewal. Think: something is starting, healing, or growing. When merkstave, this rune means deceit, infertility, stagnation, or conspiracy.

Ehwaz

Horse; Associated with a relocation, a physical shift, some travel, a change for the better. Think: move with someone or trust the process. When merkstave, this rune means disharmony, betrayal, indecision, and stagnation.

Mannaz

Mankind; the symbol of interconnectedness, cooperation, self-awareness and empathy, community, relationships. Think: this is about you, another person, or how people interact. When merkstave, this rune means blindness, delusions, arrogance, ignorance, or isolation.

Laguz

water; Used by Nordic peoples to travel and make new discoveries. The symbol of adventure, a journey into the unknown, a leap of faith. Think: feel it out, trust your gut. When merkstave, this rune means self-doubt, procrastination, toxicity, or manipulation.

Inguz

Completion; The rune of relief. Represents a time in one´s life when all loose strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction, a successful conclusion to the problem at hand, stored potential, completion, inner growth. Think: something is building quietly and will come through. When merkstave, this rune means directionless movement, immaturity, impotence, or lack of focus.

Dagaz

Daybreak; The symbol of endings and beginings, awakening, transformation, clarity; Think: a shift is coming, light is breaking through. When merkstave, this rune means lack of perspective, pessimism, or chaotic changes.

Othala

Home; also associated with possessions and property, ancestral land; Interpretation: home, heritage, inheritance, belonging; Think: this is about roots, family, home, or what is truly yours. When merkstave, this rune means disputes, homelessness, poverty, or being trapped.