RUNES HISTORY AND FACTS
There are many types of rune systems, including Younger Futhark, Anglo-Frisian Futhorc, Medieval runes, and Elder Futhark, which are the ones I’ll be talking about.
The Younger Futhark (long twig) has 16 runes and is typically used in translation with Old Norse. It was used in Scandinavia during the Viking Age, from 800 A.D to 1200 A.D.
Then you have Anglo-Frisian (Frisian being Dutch), which had around 30 runes and was used in Britain. It’s also known as Anglo-Frisian Futhorc.
The latest and closest to us is the Medieval Runes, which fall back into a 24 system (like Elder Futhark) with the Roman/Latin alphabet, which is also used in translation to Old Norse.
Finally, the Rune system we’re talking about is the Elder Futhark used in a 24-rune system and is used to translate proto-European languages (proto-Germanic, high Italic, proto-English, etc, NOT Old Norse!) None of the names of the Elder Futhark have truly been written down; they have come from reconstruction and guesswork from scholars. The names have come from Old English/Gothic sources and the Rune poems that feature names and pieces associated with names.
Norse=Runa English=Rune both meaning “a secret” or “mystery”
Old Norse=Rún Old Irish=Rún Middle Welsh=Rhin “to whisper” “secret” or “mystery”
Scots=Roun “To whisper” or “speak often about one thing”. It’s also associated with the Rowan tree in Scots, which is a very well-known magical tree in many folklores (also known as the “rune tree” or “the whisper tree”).
It was believed the Elder Futhark came from the Rome/Latin alphabet and had ancient Greek relations—due to the closeness of the Germanic tribes there and the mingling of Elder Futhark and High Italic.
The runes were not traditionally used as magical symbols. they were used in divination but were not considered magical themselves until later centuries, far after the Viking Age when they became popular as magical symbols. The furthest back they were found to be used was theorized to be Germania, as typically (but not always) female diviners would “cast lots” which were believed to later influence the Norse people to cast the runes. It was widespread for Norse kings, warlords, and explorers of this time to have a rune caster or diviner with them wherever they traveled. Diviners and Rune Casters at this time were well respected and always welcomed into people's homes.
Then in the myths, we find where Odin discovers the runes and shares them with the other gods. Later the gods share them with humanity. The god Odin stabbed himself with his spear, Gungnir, and hung himself from Yggdrasil for 9 days and nights without food or water sacrificing himself for the runes till they appeared to him in the Well Of Urd. This myth differs depending on the source you found it on. Then in the Havamal 80’ page, 31 of Jackson Crawford's translation of the Poetic Edda (elder edda), it states, “What you ask the runes will prove true; they are gifts of the Aesir, made by the gods and painted by Odin. You’ll learn best with your mouth shut.”
Freyr’s Aett
Fehu Uruz Thurisaz Ansuz Raidho Kenuz Gebo Wunjo
Hagal’s Aett
Halagaz Nauthiz Isa Jera Eihwaz Perthro Algiz Sowulo
Tyr’s Aett
Tiwaz Berkana Ehwaz Mannaz Lagaz Ingwaz Dagaz Othala
24 runes in total for the Elder Futhark
Freyr’s Aett
Everything for your basic human existence, talking with the divine, human social life, and the earth and its bounty, and how to live our lives happily or at least contently.
Hagal’s Aett
shows us how to navigate the difficult parts of life when things take a rough turn and you don’t know what to do. This Aett shows us how to move forward in life and cause change and unexpected luck for ourselves.
Tyr’s Aett
This Aett shows us how to connect with life around us like. We learn to connect with and communicate with Humanity, deities, and nature around us, as well as how to connect our physical worlds to the unseen spiritual worlds we work in.
Getting into the runes themselves and the meanings and associations
Fehu
Letter-F
God/Goddess-Freyja, Freyr
Meaning-Wealth or cattle
Association-Wealth, Livestock/cattle, prosperity, abundance, fulfillment, stability, success, new beginnings, things earned and won, reward, good health, unexpected good luck
Runic poems- Old English, “Wealth provides comfort, but you must share it who hopes to cast lots for judgment before the gods.”
Norwegian, “Money causes strife among kin; the wolf grows up in the woods.” Icelandic, “Money causes strife among kin, and the fire of the flood tide and the path of the serpent.”
Uruz
Letter-U
god/goddess-Ullr, Audhumla (the creation cow), Thor
Meaning-Ox or bull sometimes bison
Association- challenges, endurance, courage, strength, untamed potential, good health, good luck, moving forward after being stuck in stagnation, sudden breakthroughs, overcoming challenges, trials, power, creative forces
Rune poems- Old Norse, “The wild ox has great high horns with which it gores; a fierce fighter who boldly stamps the moors.”
Norwegian, “Slag is cast from bad iron; reindeer cross the hard snow.”
Icelandic, “Drizzle is the weeping of clouds, and blights the harvest and is hated by the herdsmen.”
Thurisaz
Letter-Th
god/goddess-Thor
Meaning-Giant or Thorn
Association-Strength, breaking down barriers, Thor's hammer, defense, reaction, temptations, resisting temptations, disruption, passion, protection, conflict, power
Rune poems- Old Norse, “Thorn is wickedly sharp and causes pain to those who grasp it, hurt to you who rest among them.”
Norwegian, “Giant causes the sickness of women; bad luck pleases nobody.”
Icelandic, “Giant is the torment of women, and the dweller of rocky vales and husband of Varthrun the giantess.”
Ansuz
Letter-A
God/goddess-The aesir, Odin
Meaning-Aesir, the ancestor god
Association-communication with the gods, wisdom, divine power, knowledge, creativity, understanding, passing tests, understanding, communication
Rune Poems- Old Norse, “Mouth is the source of the word, bringing wisdom and counsel to the wise, hope, inspiration, and a blessing to all.”
Norwegian, “Rivermouth opens most journeys; but the sword belongs in it’s sheath.” Icelandic, “Odin is the ancient creator, and Asgards king and lord of Valhalla.”
Raidho
Letter-R
God/goddess-Sol
Meaning-Wagon or chariot
Association-Rythme, journey, travel, personal development, change, evolution, decisions, taking the opportunity, movement
Rune poems- Old Norse, “Riding is easy for heroes inside a hall; it’s much harder astride a strong horse pounding against the great mile.”
Norwegian, “Riding is said to be the worst for horses; reginn forged the best sword.”
Icelandic, “Riding is a sweet sitting and a swift journey and the toil of the horse.”
Kenaz
Letter-K and C
God/goddess-Loki
Meaning- the torch
Association-Knowledge, Light, warm, illumination, visions, enlightenment, intuition, learning, Improvement, creativity, Inner voices, Breakthroughs
Rune poems-Old Norse, “The torch we know by its flame, which brings illumination, and light wherever noble souls encourage.”
Norwegian, “Ulcer is the curse of children; grief turns us pale.”
Icelandic, “Ulcer is the bane of children and a grievous blight and the house of rotting flesh."
Gebo
Letter-G
God/goddess-Odin
Meaning-gift
Association-Love, partnership, giving and receiving gifts, generosity, sacrifice, balance, joy in relationships, talents, abilities
Rune Poem-Old English, “A gift returns to adorn the giver with greatness and honor; it helps and heartens those who have nothing.”
Wunjo
Letter-W
god/goddess-Baldr
Meaning-Joy
Association-happiness, light, perfection, comfort, harmony, recognition of worth, reward, success, good health, prosperity, flourishing, bliss
Rune poem-Old English, “Joy comes to you who know no sorrow, blessed with grain and plenty, content in a strong community.”
Halagaz
Letter-H
God/Goddess-Hel
Meaning-Hail
Association-interference, disruption, corrections, changes for long-term good, change, being tested, nature, overcoming obstacles, wrath, chaos, misfortune, transformation
Rune poem-Old English, “Hail, whitest of grains, whirls down from heaven, is tossed by the wind, and turns water.”
Norwegian, “Hail is the coldest of grains; All-Father shaped the world in ancient times.”
Icelandic, “Hail is cold grain and a shower of sleet, and the bane of snakes.”
Nauthiz
Letter-N
gods/goddess-Skuld
Meaning-Need
Association-resistance, demand, desire, personal development, constraint, willpower, endurance, self-reliance, patience, necessity, kindling passion, recognizing your needs
Rune poems-Old English, “Need constricts the heart but can bring help and healing if heeded in time.”
Norwegian, “Need leaves one little choice; the naked freeze in the frost.”
Icelandic, “Need is the bondmaid’s grief, and a hard condition to suffer, and toilsome work.”
Isa
Letter-I
God/Goddess-Skadi
Meaning-Ice
Association-cold, lack of change, stagnation, challenge, self-control, harsh reality, concentrated self, clarity, watching and waiting, delay, obstacles, danger
Rune poems-Old English, “Ice is cold and slippery; jewel-like and glistening, fair to behold, the frozen field.”
Norwegian, “Ice we call the board bridge; the blind need to be led across.”
Icelandic, “Ice is the rind of the river and roof of the waves, and a mortal danger.”
Jera
Letter-J
God/goddess-Freyr, Idunn
Meaning-Year, Harvest
Association-cycles, harvest, efforts rewarded, plenty, good spirits, change, completion, fertility, growth
Rune poems-Old English, “Harvesttime brings joy when the goddess Earth gifts us with her bright fruits.”
Norwegian, “Harvesttime brings bounty; I say that Frothi is generous.”
Icelandic, “Harevsttime brings profit, and a high summer and a ripened field.”
Eihwaz
Letter-Ei, Y
God/goddess-Ullr, sometimes Skadi
Meaning-Yew tree
Association- strength, endurance, protection, movement, balance, death and life, Yggdrasil, change, magic, rebirth, friendships
Rune poems-Old English, “Yew has rough bark without but holds the flame within; deeply rooted, it graces the land.”
Norwegian, “Yew is winter’s greenest wood; it splutters when it burns.”
Icelandic, “Yew is a taut bow, and brittle iron and the arrow of Farbauti.”
Perthro
Letter-P
God/Goddess-The Norns, Frigga
Meaning-Lot cup/casting cup
Association-fate, gambles, hidden things, unknown outcomes, chance, destiny, pregnancy/birth, luck, common sense, revelation,
Rune poems-Old English, “Gaming means to play and laughter among the high-spirited who sit merry together in the mead hall.”
Algiz (Elhaz)
Letter-Z
God/goddess-All the Aesir, Heimdall
Meaning-Elk, the white elk
Association-Protection, awakening, teachings of the divine, ward off evil, defense, guardianship, opportunity to grow, fulfilling dreams, employment, shelter
Rune poems-Old English, “Elk sedge grows in the fen, waxing in the water, grimly wounding; it burns the blood of those who would lay hands upon it.”
Sowilo
Letter-S
God/Goddess-Sol, Baldr
Meaning-The Sun
Association-motivation, action, the sun, guidance, health, victory, cleansing, life purpose, enlightenment, spiritual will, goals, light, energy, self-confidence
Rune poems-Old English, “The sun guides seafarers who ferry across the fish’s bath until the seahorse brings them to land.”
Norwegian, “Sun is the light of the world; I bow to its holiness.”
Icelandic, “Sun is the sky shield, and a shining radiance, and the nemesis of ice.”
Tiwaz
Letter-T
God/Goddess-Tyr
Meaning-The god Tyr
Association-Courage, victory, peacekeeping, faith, loyalty, leadership, logic, sound judgment, compassion, honor, passion, masculine energy, truth revealed
Rune poems-Old English, “Tiw is a sign that spells confidence to the noble; unfailing, it holds true though the night clouds.”
Norwegian, “Tyr is the one-handed of the aesir; often has the smith to blow.” Icelandic, “Tyr is the one-handed god, and the leavings of the wolf and ruler of the temple.”
Berkano
Letter-B
God/Goddess-Nerthus, Freyja, Frau Holle
Meaning-birch tree
Association-New life, life changes, growth, healing, new beginnings, femininity, birth, regeneration, renewal
Rune poem- Old English, “The birch thought fruitless sends out countless shoots; leafy branches, high crowned, reach to the sky.”
Norwegian, “Birch has the greenest-leafed branches; Loki brought the luck of deceit,”
Icelandic, “Birch is a leafy limb and a little tree and a youthful wood.”
Ehwaz
Letter- E
God/Goddess-Freyja, Gullveig, sleipnir, loki
Meaning-horses
Association-momentum, trust, harmony, change, healthy relationships, progress, transportation, loyalty
Rune poem- Old English, “The horse brings Joy; proud on its hooves, by heroes praised, it is a solace to the restless.”
Mannaz
Letter-M
God/Goddess-Odin, Thor, Heimdall
Meaning-Mankind
Association-Humanity, soul, divine influence, social order, society, friendship, teamwork, self, family, support
Rune poems-Old English, “We are each other’s mirth yet must one day take leave, for the gods will allot our frail bodies to the earth.”
Norwegian, “Man is the waxing of dust; mighty is the hawk’s talon span”
Icelandic, “Man is the joy of man and the increase of dust and the adorner of ships.”
Lagaz
Letter-L
God/Goddess-Loki, Freyja, Hel
Meaning-Water, Lake
Association- Emotion, cleansing, intuition, dreams, flow, guidance, love, memory, feminine, physic abilities, renewal
Rune poems-Old English, “Water to land folk seems never-ending when they set sail on a heaving ship; the huge waves overwhelm them and the seahorse won’t head the bridle.”
Norwegian, “Waterfalls free from the mountain; gold trinkets are so highly prized.” Icelandic. “Water wells from the spring and the great geyser and the land of fish.”
Inguz (Ingwaz)
Letter-Ng
God/Goddess-Freyr, Ing
Meaning-The ancient god
Association-love, peace, internal growth, harmony, approval, agreement, completion, Masculinity, time of rest, goals, common sense, home, channeling force
Rune poem-Old English, “Ing, first seen by the East Danes, later rode his wagon away eastward over the waves; thus was the great god named.”
Dagaz
Letter-D
God/Goddess-Dagr, Baldr, Sol
Meaning-Day, dawn
Association-Dawn, daylight, change of direction, prosperity, clarity, awakening, breakthrough, hope, completion, balance, transformation
Rune poems-Old English, “Day is the gods’ messenger; the light of the gods grants ecstasy, good hope, and a boom to all.”
Othala
Letter-O
God/Goddess-Odin, Hel
Meaning-Home, Ancestors
Association-Family, inheritance, Home, Knowledge from the past, heritage, experience, value, group prosperity, positive mental state, good health, good financials
Rune poem-Old English, “Home is loved by all who prosper there in peace and enjoy a frequent harvest.”
Bind runes
Bind runes are 2 or more runes combined to make one bigger Bindrune. Used historically as a way to shorten up writing or just as a fun way to write, we now use them as stronger versions of runes, or as a way to have many runes together without having to write them all out.
Famous ones, Vegvisir and Aegishjalmaur (Helm of Awe) aren’t runes or bind runes, but instead Sigils that came around centuries after the Viking Age, and were found to be from the 1800s. Vegvisir is a path finder, not a compass. The Helm of Awe is used as a warding symbol but historically wasn’t actually used for anything as far as our sources note.
Resources
https://oreamnosoddities.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-a-bindrune-Bindrune explaining
https://oreamnosoddities.com/blogs/news/rune-meanings-the-elder-futhark-elder futhark source
http://www.shieldmaidenssanctum.com/blog/2019/3/12/the-elder-futhark-runes-and-their-meanings- elder futhark sources
https://youtu.be/nK51UmwJxRU-bindrune source from witches view with a little misinfo on Helm of Awe and Vegvisir
https://youtu.be/wG9d95vJibk-Bindrune source from Jackson Crawford
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLATNGYBQ-TjrPCf9YGy0qzqca1ypcGs50-Jackson Crawfords videos on runes through historical source
https://youtu.be/IROvre0w6hc-Vegvisir info
https://youtu.be/kW9KbtjyHN4-intro to runes
https://youtu.be/Gjmxu7z04kk-explaining the connection between the runic writing and languages
“Runes For Beginners” Lisa Chamberlain
“A Little Bit Of Runes” Cassandra Eason
“Nordic Runes” Paul Rhys Mountfort
“The Poetic Edda” Translated by Jackson Crawford
“Tales Of Norse Mythology” Helen A. Guerber
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1F5INHBpAeUZ8Ux632760FbNQ0SUHDUGX/view?usp=drivesdk-Reading Past Runes book
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p5L1BFpUFRte-BVq7XgBdXLjAqqZKKkI/view?usp=drivesdk-Nine Doors Of Midgard book
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EGtRedzunDGtUYkAbtdDrOQS0ppBBH9t/view?usp=drivesdk-The Big Book Of Runes book
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