Germanic name: FEHU
Anglo-Saxon: FEOH
Old Norse: FE
Phonetic value: F

Traditional meaning: cattle, wealth

This is the first rune of the first aett. The runes are divided into groups of eight (called aettir), which reflect the ancient mystical numerological tradition of Northern Europe. The classical meaning of Fehu as handed down through various sources is cattle or wealth, in particular, movable wealth. In a so-called primitive society such as existed in Northern Europe when the runes were first developed, cattle represented wealth. The status of the chieftain was usually measured by the number of cattle which he or she owned.

In those days, cattle provided both a livelihood and a barter medium used in much the same way as money is used nowadays. Hence the present-day association with the modern English word “fee,” by which name this rune is also known. Fehu is therefore currency in all its forms. It is mobile wealth and is meant to circulate through the system, much like a blood circulation or the food chain.

The ultimate meaning of Fehu is food.

Germanic name: URUZ
Anglo-Saxon: UR
Old Norse: UR
Phonetic value: U

Traditional meaning: aurochs

The aurochs was a ferocious native species of wild ox which is now extinct. The energy behind this rune is the life force of the masculine polarity, the unconscious drive for manifestation. While the energy of Fehu is the active element in creation, the fire of Muspelheim, the fire of Fehu interacts with the energy of Uruz, which is the element of ice, and life is generated.

Uruz contains a primal Earth energy – the inextinguishable impulse to be, the energy behind the forms of nature which survives all attempts at destruction, re-forming itself in new patterns when the old ones are outworn. So the energy of Uruz is indestructible, raw, primitive and unbelievably strong. Uruz symbolizes strength, persistence, durability and adaptability to environmental changes. On a higher plane, Uruz represents healing energy-a strong, restorative recuperative physical process. This is the energy which manifests itself along ley-Iines. Fehu and Uruz are closely interlinked, both relating to cattle. They are a pair, and operate together in a process of creating and sustaining the life-forms on this plane.

Germanic name: ANSUZ
Anglo-Saxon: OS
Old Norse: ASS
Phonetic value: A

Traditional meaning: cattle, a god

This is the fourth rune of the futhark. Whereas Thurisaz represents the forces of chaos, Ansuz represents order, the defenders of which in our mythology are the Aesir. In Norse cosmology, after the creation of the giant Y mir (chaos ), another being was created, Buri, who was the ancestor of the Aesir (order). Buri fathered Borr, although it is not mentioned who was Borr’s mother. Borr married Bestla, who was also of the giant race. From this we see that there is a certain amount of integration and cooperation between the two opposing forces of chaos (giants) and order (Aesir).

The integration of the forces of order and chaos explains why Odin, albeit a god of order, has an element of chaos within him and tends to use unconventional means to achieve his ends. Ansuz represents consciousness, intelligence, communication, eloquence reason, and above all the god Odin.

Germanic name: RAIDO
Anglo-Saxon: RAD
Old Norse: REID
Phonetic value: R

Traditional meaning: riding

“Riding” or “journey ,” has been the accepted interpretation in runic circles as the meaning of this rune. Riding has the more symbolic connotations of creating movement, generating motion, taking charge of situations, being in control, taking the initiative, starting a new venture, decision-making or directing a course of action. Rad, the Anglo-Saxon name of the rune, is correlated with the German word “rat” and Dutch “raad”, both meaning “counsel” or “advice,” which is one of the meanings of Raido. It gives sound advice in a reading.

There is another word of Gothic origin, “raiht” which in my opinion is closely related to rad or Raido. This word means “right,” or in Dutch recht, and the verb “rechten” meaning in English “to do right, to dispense judgment, to litigate.” Thus we can clearly establish that the Raido rune is a rune that speaks to us of leadership and nobility.

Germanic name: GEBO
Anglo-Saxon: GIFU
Old Norse: none
Phonetic value: G

Traditional meaning: gift

The god primarily associated with this rune is Odin, although some people allocate this rune to Thor. In fact, there are certain aspects of Gebo connected with marriage contracts and boundary-markers which are indeed attributes of Thor. The element of this rune is air. Giving, as well as receiving, has always been an important part of Northern European customs, as is well documented in the Havamal. The implication is that a gift was given on the understanding that a gift was to be received in return. It is therefore not only a matter of giving, but also of receiving.

Everything points to balance and equilibrium. The shape of the rune confirms this: two crossed bars, their arms of equal length.

Germanic name: WUNJO
Anglo-Saxon: WYNN
Old Norse: none
Phonetic value: W, V

Traditional meaning: perfection

The god primarily associated with this rune is [[Odin]]. But there is an Anglo-Saxon magical tradition connecting this rune with the god Uller. The name of this rune is usually translated by other rune-workers as “joy” or “pasture.” This association with joy is evidently derived from the rune-name’s similarity to the modem German word Wonne.

Although this interpretation is not altogether wrong, more light will be shed on our understanding of this rune if we concentrate on the original meaning of the word, i.e. “perfection,” according to the philologist Jacob Grim. In all pagan traditions, gods are seen as being partly good and partly bad, just like us – except that these characteristics are portrayed in the gods on a grander scale. The Odinic aspects of Wunjo are more beneficial than is implied by the writers of the Eddas, in which Odin is usually depicted as a warmonger, or an evil sorcerer. Wunjo contains all that is beautiful and lovable in Odin who after all is the fulfiller of wishes.

Germanic name: NAUTHIZ
Anglo-Saxon: NEED
Old Norse: NAUDR
Phonetic value: N

Traditional meaning: need

Nauthiz is another rune closely associated with one of the three Noms, in this case Skuld, who rules the future. The word Skuld relates to the Dutch and German word Schuld, meaning “debt,” i.e. that which is owed. It can mean in traditional Nordic terms wergild. Wer is Old Germanic for “man ” and gild means both money and guilt; hence, man-guilt.

These associations combine to form a Norse version of what is commonly known as karma. The actions in the past (Hagalaz) create the conditions prevailing in the future (Nauthiz = need). Skuld is the youngest of the three Noms. She cuts the thread of life when it comes to its end. The fate created during that life will be meted out accordingly. This shows that the future is in the hands of fate and Nauthiz reflects this in its meaning.

Germanic name: ISA
Anglo-Saxon: IS
Old Norse: IS
Phonetic value: I

Traditional meaning: ice

Like the first two runes in the second aett, lsa is also associated with an element – ice. Ice is water in its densest frozen state. Water is fluid; ice is solid and static. Isa therefore represents the principle of preservation and resistance to change. It is the counter-force to evolution, slowing down change; as such it performs a function equivalent to the principle expressed in occult terminology as “The ring pass not.” Isa is a necessarily antagonistic force whose controlling effect is essential in order to prevent evolution from running riot in unrestrained and random growth.

Our ancestors saw ice as a challenge, and not only succeeded in the struggle for survival in unfavourable conditions, but were also spurred on by Isa to evolve faster than others. Thus necessity proved to be the mother of invention. Our ancestors also had to develop as a sturdy warrior race.

Germanic name: EIHAZ
Anglo-Saxon: EOH
Old Norse: none
Phonetic value: E, Y

Traditional meaning: yew

Eihwaz represents Yggdrasil. However, it also resembles the human spine or backbone, which supports the rest of the body. Eihwaz is the psychic equivalent of the backbone, as Yggdrasil, supporting creation, resembles a cosmic spine. The spine has 24 vertebrae and this could be a correspondence with the futhark.

Eihwaz is traditionally associated with hunting, especially by means of a bow, for bows used to be made of yew, and hunting requires daring, especially so in olden days. The power of this rune is a strong and assertive power. It can give you the necessary impetus to take a headlong plunge into the deep end. It is an outgoing rune of action, striving, persistence and endurance. On the magical path, Eihwaz is a testing force. Eihwaz invariably advises that a risk should be taken. It says, “Go for it!”

Germanic name: PERTHO
Anglo-Saxon: PEORTH
Old Norse: none
Phonetic value: P

Traditional meaning: birth?

The traditional meaning of this rune has not been established, but various suggestions have been made, including “secret” and “chess piece.” This is the fourteenth rune of the second aett and it is one of the most obscure runes in the futhark. Often it has been left unexplained and described as a secret by uninformed authors. Yet it really should not be that difficult to tune into the mysteries of this rune.

Thanks to the book “Runelore” by Thorolf Wardle, I found the exact information explaining why this is a birth-rune and I explain this more fully in “Northern Mysteries and Magick”. I made an exception to my general rule of not quoting from other authors, because this information is too valuable not to be shared. Thorolf Wardle puts forward the suggestion that the Anglo-Saxon rune-poem has been inaccurately edited in the past and that the fourteenth verse dealing with Pertho actually relates to birth, life and destiny. I do not subscribe to the “secret” meaning, but the “chance” or “gamble” interpretations are supportable in the context of destiny.

Germanic name: SOWULO
Anglo-Saxon: SIGIL
Old Norse: SOL
Phonetic value: S

Traditional meaning: sun

The ancient Northern people, like all primitive peoples, regarded the Sun as a life-giving force. It should, however, be emphasized that they regarded the Sun as feminine. Even in modern German the grammatical gender of Sonne is feminine. The idea that the Sun is feminine is evidently very old and may well stem from a more ancient matriarchal magical tradition.

Sowulo represents the higher will or intent as well as the sense of self and self-worth. It is the highest force in the self, directing the individual’s evolution along a specific path. Sowulo is associated with spiritual guidance and leadership. It can direct a course of action or state a positive purpose.

Germanic name: TEIWAZ
Anglo-Saxon: TYR
Old Norse: TYR
Phonetic value: T

Traditional meaning: the god TYR

This is the first rune of the third aett, which is named after it. Teiwaz is the oldest name known for the god Tyr; its origin is contemporaneous with Wodenaz and Thurisaz. The shape of the Teiwaz rune is like a spear. It also resembles the traditional astrological sign of the planet Mars, identified with the Roman god of war. Tyr resembles this god in some respects. Both are associated with war and battle. Tyr was the original god of battle in the Northern pantheon, although this attribute was later assumed by Odin.

Tyr is a warrior motivated by a sense of justice. He is more of a god of law and order, governing social values, legal contracts and oaths. The Teiwaz rune should be used in workings to gain justice or to win victory in a conflict. Tyr is a god of valour and bravery and in divination Teiwaz reflects these qualities along with that of selfless sacrifice for the common good.

Germanic name: EHWAZ
Anglo-Saxon: EOH
Old Norse: none
Phonetic value: E

Traditional meaning: horse

Most runologists agree that this rune indicates a pair of horses. The most obvious meaning of Ehwaz implies vehicles and control of vehicles. In the olden days a horse and chariot were common vehicles. In modern days this rune could refer to a car or, more probably, a motorbike. Ehwaz also represents the physical vehicle and may be incorporated in a healing working.

On a deeper level, the Ehwaz rune represents the vehicle, or in psychological terms the persona, which is used to relate the external world to one’s own emotional attitudes. In other words, it stands for one’s ability to adjust to various situations. Ehwaz, moreover, emphatically relates to Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse.

Germanic name: MANNAZ
Anglo-Saxon: MAN
Old Norse: MADR
Phonetic value: M

Traditional meaning: man

The term men in old Germanic languages, as for example in Anglo-Saxon, denoted not just the male section of the folk. The words for man and woman were “weapmen” and “weavemen” respectively; clearly the former means men with weapons, and the latter translates literally as “men who weave,” i.e., women. Thus the word-ending “-men” was used for both sexes and it is in this context that the Mannaz rune should be viewed.

This rune not only means “man ” or “mankind,” it is also the name of mankind’s ancestor and progenitor. It signifies relationships between people sharing the same environment and should therefore be taken to mean people, legal affairs, and mutual cooperation in general in divination.

Germanic name: INGUZ
Anglo-Saxon: ING
Old Norse: none
Phonetic value: NG

Traditional meaning: the god Frey

The name of this rune refers primarily to the god Yngvi Frey. The position of the Inguz rune in the futhark ties in with the preceding runes. Just as Mannaz relates to Heimdal and Laguz to Nerthus and Niord, so Inguz signifies Niord’s children, Frey and Freya. Frey is the son of Niord; “son of” is one of the meanings of this rune. In Anglo-Saxon and Frisian patronomic names were formed by adding “-ing” after the father’s forename; this is the usual significance of the “-ing” in names like Bunting and Harding which are found throughout modern Britain and the Netherlands.

In divination Inguz often denotes the completion of a situation and the progression to the next stage of one’s affairs. It can mean a transformation or even a dark night of the soul, or indeed a light and harmonious conclusion, depending on the surrounding runes.

Germanic name: OTHILA
Anglo-Saxon: ETHEL
Old Norse: none
Phonetic value: O

Traditional meaning: inherited land

The oldest literal meaning of this rune passed down to us from the continental Germanic source is “noble.” In this sense it is directly related to the Anglo-Saxon word atheling, meaning “prince” or “noble.” The German word adel and the Dutch word edel also mean “noble.” Both derive from the same root. The god who is most obviously related to this rune is Odin.

The shape of Othila is a combination of Inguz and Gebo, and Othila can be interpreted as the “gift of Ing,” which probably explains why Othila has been related to the concept of inheritance by some modem commentators. By comparing the concept of inheritance to the Inguz rune, the previous rune in the futhark, it can be established that it is genetic material that is being inherited on an esoteric level. On a material level Othila implies inherited land and the rights to its possession.