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A Short History
of the Runes
Runes are an ancient Germanic alphabet, used for writing,
divination and magick. They were used throughout northern Europe,
Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland from about 300 C.E.
to 1600 C.E. Runic inscriptions of great age have even been found
in
North America, supporting stories that the Vikings arrived in the
Americas long before Columbus.
Since ancient times, runes have been used for divination and
magic, in addition to writing. The word "rune" actually
means
mystery, secret or whisper. Each rune has esoteric meanings and
properties associated with it, beyond its mundane meaning and
phonetic value. Each translates into a word or a phrase
signifying concepts important to the early peoples who used them,
representing the forces of nature and mind. Each rune has a story
attached to it, a relationship to a Norse God.
Odin, the Norse High God of the Aesir, hung from the world tree,
Yggdrasil, impaled on his own spear, for nine days and nights in
order to gain the knowledge of runes. When the runes appeared
below him, he reached down and took them up, and the runic
knowledge gave him power . He later passed on this knowledge to
the Vanir goddess Freyja. She, in turn, taught him the magic of
seithr. Heimdall, the god who guarded the Rainbow Bridge, taught
the runes to mankind.
Runic alphabets first appeared among German tribes in central and
eastern Europe. Some runes symbols are likely to have been
acquired from other alphabets, such as the Greek, Etruscan, and
the Early Roman. The runes were made of straight lines to make
the characters suitable for cutting into wood or stone. The
earliest runic inscriptions on stone are dated to the late 3rd
century AD,
although it is probable that runic alphabets had been in use for
some centuries before.
The Old Germanic Runic alphabet or "Elder Futhark"
contains 24 runes. The first six runes of the alphabet spell out
the word
"FUTHARK". As the runes spread northwards into
Scandinavia, some rune symbols were dropped and the alphabet was
reduced
to only 16 runes. Between 400 and 600 AD, three Germanic tribes,
the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes, invaded Britain. They
brought the runes with them. The forms of several of the runes
changed, notably the runes for A/O, C/K, H, J, S, and Ng. Also,
changes in the language led to nine runes being added to the
alphabet to compensate for the extra sounds, and several runes
were
given different corresponding letters. This alphabet, expanded to
32 symbols, has become known as the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. The
rune names themselves have been passed down relatively intact.
Although no manuscript exists listing the names of the older,
Germanic runes, the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian rune poems agree
to such an extent that their common origin can be deduced.
The Meaning
Behind the Rune
1. FEHU
The individual's potential creative energies which can be used to
create wealth. Relationship Interpretation: The
financial prospect in this relationship and the attitudes of the
partners.
2. URUZ
The individual's physical strength, endurance and assertiveness.
Relationship Interpretation: Endurability of the
relationship.
3. THURISAZ
The strength of the individual's will and the opposing will power
from the environment. Relationship Interpretation:
General conflict area; battle of wills.
4. ANSUZ
Higher sources of communications from either within or outside
the self. Relationship Interpretation: Interpersonal
communication.
5. RAIDO
You ability to relate and connect; the amount of control you feel
you can exert on your life. Relationship
Interpretation: The fights of the individual within the
relationship.
6. KENAZ
One's knowledge and capabilities, vision and guidance.
Relationship Interpretation: Learning from each other.
7. GEBO
Your attitude towards giving and receiving. Relationship
Interpretation: Give and take.
8. WUNJO
Your potential for enjoyment and her/his chances of being
successful. Relationship Interpretation: Enjoyment.
9. HAGALAZ
Disruptive forces creating change in one's consciousness.
Relationship Interpretation: Unconscious influences
operating within the relationship. Past experiences in other
relationships including projections from parents.
10. NAUTHIZ
Restrictive forces and unacknowledged needs; that which tends to
hold you back. Relationship Interpretation: Areas
of restriction; possessiveness and mutual needs.
11. ISA
Blockages, frustrations and any hindrances. Relationship
Interpretation: Privacy. The areas in the relationship
which are not shared.
12. JERA
The time factor in your development. Relationship Interpretation:
Long-term influences upon each other.
13. EIWAZ
The ability to achieve one's desires. Relationship Interpretation:
Idealism; expectations.
14. PERTHO
The ability of introspection and self awareness. Relationship
Interpretation: Hidden aspects within the relationship.
15. ALGIZ
The ability to defend yourself and protect that which is nearest
and dearest to you. Relationship Interpretation:
Caring and protecting.
16. SOWULO
The source within that guides you on your path. Relationship
Interpretation: Development of individuality within
the relationship.
17. TEIWAZ
The ability of objective judgment and fairness; the potential for
handling a conflict correctly. Relationship
Interpretation: Combined strength; authority; who is the boss.
18. BERKANA
Creative abilities, nurturing and birth processes in the self.
Relationship Interpretation: Fertility; children, parental
projection of the self onto the children.
19. EHWAZ
Emotional responses; adaptability; subjectivity. Relationship
Interpretation: Sexuality; any joint efforts;
adaptability.
20. MANNAZ
The mind and intellectual objectivity. Relationship
Interpretation: Intellectual compatibility and mutual
understanding.
21. LAGUZ
Your intuitive faculties and the potential for sympathetic
feelings. Relationship Interpretation: Affection;
emotionality; flexibility.
22. INGUZ
The potential for individuation and integration. Relationship
Interpretation: Parenthood; integration; cooperation;
unity.
23. OTHILA
Your sense of being connected to your heritage and kin. Your
awareness of your ethnic origins. Relationship
Interpretation: Domesticity; property; "in-laws",
social life.
24. DAGAZ
The ultimate aim of transformation of one's consciousness into
whatever she or he envisions the greater whole.
Relationship Interpretation: Contributions by one partner to the
other's spiritual or psychological welfare.
