At this point, we will give only a brief overview of what they are and where they came from. This is only a survey.
Runes come from the Nordic area where the ancient Vikings once lived, worked, and fought. Though they were relatively savage in their outings, the Vikings were people in touch with Earth and the many forces that coexisted with them. They have a whole lore that includes many popular god figures such as Thor, the son of Odin. Thor carried a mighty hammer and many of us know him from comic books. The father of Thor, Odin, was the creator of the Runes and is the most important holy figure of the Viking people. Odin hung upside down from a tree limb for a chance of higher knowledge and right before he came down from the tree limb, he was bestowed with the new system called the Runes. These symbols were used for writing and magic by the high priests. On this page, we will discuss the 25 runes most used today and their meanings.
Algiz | Ansuz
| Berkana | Dagaz
| Ehwaz | Eihwaz
| Fehu | Gebo
| Hagalaz
Inguz | Isa
| Jera | Kano
| Laguz | Mannaz
| Nauthiz | Othila
Perth | Raido
| Sowolu | Teiwaz
| Thurisaz | Unknowable
| Uruz | Wunjo
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PERTH - Things Unexplainable
We often wonder why things are still so random when science explains so much. The female end of the miracle of life is also noted. The so called "Murphy's Law" is also a big part of this rune. Vikings often wondered why some survived in battle that shoud have died. Mysteries bothered them and seemed to not have anything to do with the gods. We can meditate on this rune that there will always be things unexplainable and to hope for these mysteries to work in our favor.
RAIDO - Journeys
There was always a time when a far traveled journey must be taken. Sometimes it is a spiritual journey and sometimes it is physical. Anxiety is always a factor, some positive and some negative. Journeys are a type of calling for a learning. Meditate on what is the right time and method of your particular journey. Identify if the higher forces are telling you that it is time to learn away from your home base. Most journeys are favorable in retrospect.
SOWOLU - The Sun, Giver of All Life
The spiritual warrior knows where the true power of all things reigns. The life force which is felt from the warm sun on a cold day makes itself obvious. Be aware of your essence and where life began. We are dependent on the sun which is the ultimate ruler of all the forces and is in a sense the true source of all the gods. Meditate on the fact that realization of this truth can bring you to wholeness.
TEIWAZ - Spiritual Warrior
This is the rune of Tyr, the god of war, and was often seen painted on the shields of many warriors in battle. This is the protector of the warrior and the giver of victory. For meditiation, this rune is best known for gaining strength in overcoming an adversarial situation. It is also a great rune to keep serious physical harm as far away as possible.
THURISAZ - The Seeing of Things to Pass
There is a controversy of the meaning of this rune. Some note the negative forces of the dark side ourselves. Some say that it represents the ugly things like demons, trolls and giants. Overall these may be in the same area of meaning. There is a dark side that we must take control of in ourselves to break free of them and not become them. Be careful on the meditation. Focus mainly on the identification and overcoming of the darker sides of things inside and outside ourselves.
THE UNKNOWABLE - Rune of No Meaning
Some dispute the existence of this as a true rune. The meaning is that of the non-knowable nature. It is the black hole of knowledge. Zero by anythng is still zero and it sometimes represents the darkest fears of us because it represents the nothingness we may come from and may return to. Use meditation on this concept to confront your darkest fears of our reality.
URUZ - Brut Strength
The strength of the wild animal is desired by the best warriors. The notion of living to survive and to know the possibility of death and to accept it as the simple answer to what life is. Meditation is knowing that life is to be lived at full speed and to live life for life. When your life is over, a new life will begin in your place on earth and you will go on. A person who lives like this has no regrets of a premature death, for each day was fully lived.
WUNJO - Bliss and Glory
This can mean a lot of aspects of joy, but mainly it is the lack of need and lack of pain. It is the realization of what you have worked for and the temporary enjoyment of all your goods. Being in this mindframe sometimes induces a separate state of mind. It is a good meditation to realize where you are now and what you have and being satisfied to the point of bliss. Preparation for meditation is not needed when a tough task is completed.
