The Elder Futhark Runes

Home , Ehwaz, Eihwaz, Fehu, Runes, Thurisaz

The Elder Futhark rune set consists of twenty four runes and sometimes a blank rune.

Here is a visual list of all the runes and their meanings.

Note: The information and images for the section were taken from this source: http://sunnyway.com/runes/meanings.html. I do not claim ownership over the images or information. I am just including them in my Rune Casting guide.

Fehu (F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned, earned income, luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or near future. Sign of hope and plenty, success and happiness. Social success. Energy, foresight, fertility, creation/destruction (becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal property, esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates some sort of failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty, slavery, bondage.

Uruz: (U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of the self. Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected force, domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, rashness, callousness, violence. Thurisaz: (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense, conflict. Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change. Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, fertilization. (Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman. Rape?

Ansuz: (A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message or insight, communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech, true vision, power of words and naming. Blessings, the taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom. Ansuz Reversed or Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others, boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but duplicitous god. He always has his own agenda.)

Raidho: (R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and those of lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation, evolution, change of place or setting. Seeing a larger perspective. Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding upon it. Personal rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or Merkstave: Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption, dislocation, demotion, delusion, possibly a death.

Kenaz: (K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave: Disease, breakup, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion and false hope.

Gebo: (G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, over- sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery.

Wunjo: (W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going "over the top". If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo Reversed or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation. Delirium, intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berzerker.

Hagalaz: (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.

Nauthiz: (N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to strength, innovation, need-fire (self- reliance). Distress, confusion, conflict, and the power of will to overcome them. Endurance, survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. Recognition of one's fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears. Nauthiz Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger.

Isa: (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.

Jera: (J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier efforts are realized. A time of peace and happiness, fruitful season. It can break through stagnancy. Hopes and expectations of peace and prosperity. The promise of success earned. Life cycle, cyclical pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. Jera Merkstave (Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict.

Eihwaz: (EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defense, protection. The driving force to acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be relied upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.

Perthro: (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge of one's destiny, knowledge of future matters, determining the future or your path. Pertaining to things feminine, feminine mysteries including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise.

Algiz: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned. Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.

Sowilo: (S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honor. The life-force, health. A time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life, victory, health, and success. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire. Sowilo Merkstave (Sowilo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals, bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, casting down of vanity. Wrath of god.

Tiwaz: (T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honor, justice, leadership and authority. Analysis, rationality. Knowing where one's true strengths lie. Willingness to self-sacrifice. Victory and success in any competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz Reversed or Merkstave: One's energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis, over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly separation.

Berkano: (B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general fertility, both mental and physical and personal growth, liberation. Regenerative power and light of spring, renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair or new birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed or Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.

Ehwaz: (E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the better. Gradual development and steady progress are indicated. Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An ideal marriage or partnership. Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes around it. Ehwaz Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change is perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation. Reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.

Mannaz: (M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you. Friends and enemies, social order. Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz Reversed or Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now.

Laguz: (L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing power of renewal. Life energy and organic growth. Imagination and psychic matters. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld. Success in travel or acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You may be making wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity and feelings of being in a rut. Fear, circular motion, avoidance, withering. Madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness, suicide.

Ingwaz: (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are tied and you are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor, work.

Dagaz: (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan or embark upon an enterprise. The power of change directed by your own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.

Othala: (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or possessions, a house, a home. What is truly important to one. Group order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage, experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed or Merkstave: Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.

Blank Rune: The blank rune is a modern invention and while it is usually included with rune sets, it should be taken out and disregarded in most readings. However, you CAN use the blank rune stone as a male or female modifier similar to the way the female and male stones are used in the Goddess Rune set. I will explain how to use the blank stone for this in the follow sections.

Divination Cloth/ Casting Cloth

There are many different ways that the Elder Futhark runes can be read but they should always be cast on a divination cloth. The divination cloth serves as a carrying case for your rune set when they are not in use as well as a casting cloth for rune spreads and rune casts.

As you get better at casting runes, you can make your own divination cloth. The most important elements are typically included with the casting cloths that come bundled with most rune casting sets, but you can add your own casting cloth as you see fit.

Once you have mastered using the casting cloth that has come with a rune casting kit, or a casting cloth that has been given to you by someone else, it is recommended that you make your own. This can easily be done by taking a square, cloth napkin and drawing the directions and element affiliations on it with paint or a permanent marker. Another way for making a casting cloth is by sewing or embroidering the casting patterns into it. You can add other casting marks on it based on your personal preference and revelations received during rune casting sessions.

Traditional Casting Cloth

Here is a casting cloth design that is commonly used in rune casts and rune spreads. The interpretation of each section depicted on the cloth is listed below.

1.) Asgard: The realm of the Gods. Runes that fall here denote spiritual ambitions. 2.) Vanaheim: The realm of feelings. Runes that fall here denote pleasures, prosperity and feelings. 3.) Lightalfheim: The realm of the light alfar. Runes that fall here denote mental activities and creativity. 4.) Muspelheim: The realm of fire. Runes that fall here denote intuition. 5.) Nifelheim: The realm of mists and the dark side of the conscious. Runes that fall here reveal your darker side. 6.) Midgard: The realm of humanity. Runes that fall here denote the conscious self, the "I" or ego. 7.) Swartalfheim: The realm of the Inner Earth. Runes that fall here denote sensations and transformations. 8.) Jotunheim: The realm of the male aspect of the psyche. 9.) Hel: The realm of Hella, Goddess of death. This realm is associated with the female aspect of the psyche.

Instructions: Hold all the Runes in a cup or other suitable container, invoke the three Norns, and cast the Runes upon the cloth. Ignore any Runes that fall outside of the cloth, and interpret the Runes in the areas where they have fallen.

Modern Casting Cloth

Here is another example of a casting cloth that is used for rune casting and rune spreads. The marked sections are self-explanatory.

Rune Casting

There are two methods to casting runes.

Method One: Rune Spreads

To do a rune spread, unfold the casting cloth and place it in front of you. Draw the runes from a hidden area, preferably a bag, and place them on the casting cloth in a specific pattern to read. Make sure you do not get a look at the runes prior to pulling them from the hidden cache.

There are thirteen basic spreads that you should learn before moving onto more advanced rune casting.

Important Note on Rune Spreads

When doing Rune Spreads, determine the gender of the person you are doing the reading for, and put either a male identifier or female identifier on the side of the casting cloth to match the gender of the person you are reading. When using the Elder Futhark rune set, you can use the blank rune as a gender modifier. Simply draw a female sign on the front and male sign on the black of the blank rune and turn it to reflect the gender of the person you are performing the reading for.

This simple gesture adds accuracy to your rune spread. Do not put the opposite gender of the person on the casting cloth or put both genders out at the same time or you will not get an accurate reading.

Spread One: Celtic/ Runic Cross

Unfold the casting cloth and set it out in front of you. Place the runes in the Runic Cross pattern shown below on top of the drawn casting image. Place either the male identifier or female identifier to the side of the casting image, making sure it matches the gender of the person for whom the runes are being cast.

1) The root of the problem. 2) Where you should direct your energy. 3) Problems you're facing now. 4) What will help you overcome the problems. 5) What are you still lacking? 6) Outcome of the situation.

Spread Two: Thor’s Hammer Spread

1.) What mask do I show the world? 2.) What fears are within me? 3.) What am I seeking? 4.) How should I best approach this? 5.) What do I hope to become? 6.) What is stopping me? 7.) What is my destiny? 8.) What do I need to learn to find my true self? 9.) What is my true self?

Spread Three: The Field/ Five Rune Spread

1. Overview of the current situation. 2. Challenge to overcome with this situation. 3. The course of action called for to manage this situation. 4. Sacrifice; what you will have to set aside or consider in order to handle the current situation. 5. New situation evolving and usually the outcome of the current situation.

Spread Four: Three Rune Spread

1) Past, issues leading up to the current situation. 2) Present, issues currently affecting the situation. 3) Future, outcome of the current situation.

Spread Five: Quest for Truth

1.) The bottom right Rune (drawn by the Runemaster/mistress) representing the Querent is known as the significator. 2.) The second Rune reveals the inner self and cast middle row right. 3.) The third Rune is cast top row right and deals with the goals or ideals of the Querent. 4.) The fourth Rune is cast top row middle to represent the past. 5.) The fifth Rune is cast at the center of the square and tells of family matters. 6.) The sixth Rune is cast bottom row middle and deals with the Querent's health. 7.) The seventh Rune is cast bottom row left and speaks of religious matters. 8.) The eighth Rune is cast middle row left and represents the Querent's friends. 9.) The final Rune is cast top row left and reveals the final outcome of the matter.

Spread Six: Three Lifetimes Spread

1.) Birth and Childhood. 2.) The Present. 3.) Future in this Life. 4.) Past Incarnation. 5.) Future Incarnation.

Spread Seven: Circle Spread

1 / 2) Problems you face. 3 / 4) Factors influencing from the past. 5 / 6) Advice you should take. 7) Result if you follow the advice.

Spread Eight: Four Elements Spread

1) Earth. Physical lessons. 2) Water. Emotional lessons. 3) Fire. Unfolding destiny. 4) Air. Future wisdom.

Spread Nine: Seven Rune Spread

Spread Ten: Futhark Layout

*Note: Only use this layout if you are familiar with the Elder Futhark alphabet. This spread is for advanced rune casters.

1.) Fehu: Money matters. Psychic energies. 2.) Uruz: Physical health. Vital energies. 3.) Thurisaz: What opposed you (perhaps physical). 4.) Ansuz: Sources of inspiration and intellectual expression. 5.) Raidho: Travels; inner or outer. 6.) Kenaz: Creativity. Erotic relationships. 7.) Gebo: What will be given to you. 8.) Wunjo: Relationships, friends. What will give you happiness. 9.) Hagalaz: Area of possible crisis leading to transformation. 10.) Nauthiz: What resists you (psychically). Source of discontent. 11.) Isa: What is constraining you. 12.) Jera: Where rewards can be expected. Relationship with the natural environment. 13.) Eihwaz: Hidden influences, state of whole being. Relationship with the numinous environment. 14.) Perthro: How you will find joy. 15.) Algiz: Thing that needs attention. Way to the gods. 16.) Sowilo: What will guide you. 17.) Tiwaz: Cognitive state. Legal matters. Ideals. 18.) Berkano: What provides growth and beauty. 19.) Ehwaz: With what or whom you should work. Erotic relations. 20.) Mannaz: Overall psychic state. Attitude toward death. 21.) Laguz: State of emotional Balance. What will test you. 22.) Ingwaz: What you should contemplate. 23.) Dagaz: Area of unexpected synchronicity. 24.) Othala: Greater family matters. National or community issues.

Casting Spreads in Airts

The last three spreads deal with casting the runes in Airts. An Airt is an eight-fold wheel which encompasses all of the subject matter that is casted in it. Place either the male identifier or female identifier to the side of the casting image, making sure it matches the gender of the person for whom the runes are being cast.

Spread Eleven: First Airt of Freya/The Eight-Fold Wheel of Freya

1.) Fehu - Financial strength and prosperity of the present and near future. 2.) Uruz - Health matters. 3.) Thurisaz - Conflicts and complexities of an aggressive nature; psychological problems. 4.) Ansuz - Communications and transmissions; points things back to sources in the past. 5.) Raidho - What is right or not right; what move to make; decisions; returns. 6.) Kenaz - Opening up of new ways; opportunities; information. 7.) Gebo - All matters of an exchanging nature; contracts; personal relationships. 8.) Wunjo - Gain; accomplishments; that which is wished for.

Spread Twelve: The Second Airt of Hagalaz/The Eight-Fold Wheel of Hagalaz

1.) Hagalaz - The uncontrolled forces in the unconscious, which are usually of a disruptive nature and which usually originate in the past. 2.) Nauthiz - Restrictive forces in the unconscious; fears, anxieties; feelings of guilt. 3.) Isa - Blocks; stultified conditions; grievances; anything that the individual is not prepared to let go of; the formation of the personality; conditioning. 4.) Jera - Hopes and expectations; turning points; gradual changes; results of earlier actions. 5.) Eihwaz - The driving forces in the unconscious; motivation; sense of purpose. 6.) Perthro - The deepest creative part of the unconscious; the hidden realm of higher material that is waiting to come to fruition and birth; hidden talents; occult or psychic abilities. 7.) Algiz - The strong protective side in the unconscious; the influence which will protect you; religious aspirations. 8.) Sowilo - Position of the higher self in relations to the unconscious; the direction in which you will be guided by the higher self; the ability to establish contact between the higher self and the unconscious.

Spread Thirteen: The Third Airt of Gebo/ The Eight-Fold Wheel of Gebo

1.) Tiwaz - Creative energies in the martial sense; where your strengths lie; where to direct your energies in taking initiatives; honor and justice, leadership and authority. 2.) Berkano - Fertility; birth' rebirth; growth; maternity; family life; feminine mysteries. 3.) Ehwaz - Adaptability; relationships with others; joint efforts; cooperation; sexuality. 4.) Mannaz - People at large; attitude toward others; other people's attitudes towards you; legal matters, friends and enemies; intellect. 5.) Laguz - Emotions; stability; imagination; psychic matters; affections. 6.) Ingwaz - Integration; gestation; expectations; progeny. 7.) Dagaz - Transmission; opposites; position between light and darkness; initiation; balance between the worlds outside time and space; cosmic consciousness; change from one thing into its opposite; new beginnings. 8.) Othala - Home life; country; spiritual heritage; experience; foundation; fundamental values; establishing.

Method Two: Rune Casts

To do a Rune Cast, unfold the casting cloth and throw or drop the runes onto its surface so that they fall randomly on top of the drawn image. Read the displaced Goddess Runes according to their location on the casting cloth surface.

Unlike Rune Spreads, it is possible to use BOTH the male identifier and female identifier in a Rune Cast. The reason for this is because the male and female modifiers may be talking about other people than the recipient of the rune cast. You can also choose to read with just the female identifier or the male identifier if you want to do a specific reading on the person for whom the runes are cast. You can accomplish this with the blank Elder Futhark rune stone which has been changed to have a female sign on one side and a male side on the other. In order to do a reading with both, simply turn the modified blank rune on its side so both the female and male signs show.

I wouldn’t recommend doing this type of cast until you feel comfortable enough with using the runes. This is method is primarily for advanced users, but it is good to learn once all of the Rune Spreads have been practiced and memorized.

Combining Methods

Rune casting can be used in conjunction with tarot reading, pendulum work, mirror reading, I Ching, Zodiac Forecasts, Stick Pulling, Tea Stalk Reading, Star Reading, and other diving techniques. Just be sure to be familiar with the divining method you intend to utilize with rune casting before you overlap the methods.

Casting Journal/Notebook

When doing readings for yourself and other people, keep a journal of the outcomes received by each of the rune casts and run spreads. This helps keep all of your results in one place, in the event that one of your family members, friends, or clients would like a copy of the outcomes of their readings to share with others or to have a record of for their own personal use.

Other Notes

Runes should not be used to tell the long-term future with! They should only be used as a guide for self- improvement. Think of runes as a medieval form of therapy; your client asks you for a diagnosis and you give it to them. Using the runes to tell the long-term future with is dangerous because it robs a person of making their own destiny and there are dire consequences for it. So remember, always use the runes to diagnose a personality problem, NEVER to pull unwanted or unhappy futures into place!

But the ultimate rule of rune casting is to have fun! Runes have a long history and have been used to determine the possible destinies of famous Scandinavian rulers for thousands of years. Use your runes to give your family members, friends, and potential clients advice by asking the universe how each person can achieve enlightenment by overcoming a hidden obstacle within.