What Is A Rune?

“A rune is a letter in a set of related alphabets native to the Germanic peoples. Runes were written in Germanic languages before they adopted the Latin language.”

(From Wikipedia)

Probably the most well-known runic language is the scandinavian Futhark which is commonly used in divination today. However, you can find images of some other systems below. The earliest runic inscriptions date from around AD 150 starting with the most well-known Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhark and the Younger Futhark. In some ways they are similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics and were the predominant source of visual communication before writing in the Latin and subsequent English alphabets became popular.

FEHU

CATTLE - RUNE OF WEALTH AND FULFILMENT

Gemstone - Moss Agate

Colour - Light Red

Element - Earth and Fire

Gods - Frey, Freuya

Astrological Association - Aries

Tree - Elder

Plant - Nettle

URUZ

AUROCHS (WILD BULL OR OX) - Rune of Strength

Gemstone - Almandine

Colour - Dark Green

Element - Earth

God - Thor

Astrological Association - Tarurus

Tree - Birch

Plant - Iceland Moss

THURISAZ

THORN/GIANT - Rune of Chaos

Gemstone - Sapphire

Colour - Bright Red

Element - Fire

God - Thor

Astrological Association - Mars

Tree - Blackthorn

Plant - House Leek

ANSUZ

ESTUARY - Messenger or Odin’s rune

Gemstone - Emerald

Colour - Dark Blue

Element - Air

Gods - Odin, Eostre, Loki

Astrology Association - Venus

Tree - Ash

RAIDHO

WAGON - The Rune of Travellers

Gemstone - Chrysoprase

Colour - Bright Red

Element - Air

Gods - Ing, Nethus

Astrology association - Sagittarius

Tree - Oak

Plant - Mugwort

KENAZ OR KANO

TORCH - Rune of Fire

Gemstone - Bloodstone

Colour - Light Red

Element - Fire

Gods - Heimdal Freya, Freuya

Astrology association - Venus

Tree - Pine

Plant - Cowslip

GEBO

GIFT - Rune of Love and Forgiveness

Gemstone - Opal

Colour - Dark Blue

Element - Air

Gods - Odin, Gefn

Astrology association - Pisces

Tree - Pine

Plant - Elm

WUNJO

JOY - Rune of Joy

Gemstone - Diamond

Colour - Light Blue

Element - Ice (Water)

Gods - Odin, Frig

Astrology association - Leo

Tree - Ash

Plant - Flax

HAGALAZ

HAIL - Rune of Disruption

Gemstone - Onyx

Colour - Light Blue

Element - Ice (Water)

Gods - Urd, Heimdall

Astrology association - Aquarius

Tree - Ash

Plant - Bryony

NAUTHIZ

NEED - Rune of Necessity

Gemstone - Lapis Lazuli

Colour - Black

Element - Fire

God - Skuld

Astrology association - Capricorn

Tree - Rowan

Plant - Snakeroot

ISA

ICE - Rune of Ice

Gemstone - Cat’s Eye

Colour - Black

Element - Ice (Water)

God - Verdandi

Astrology association - Moon

Tree - Alder

Plant - Henbane

JERA

HARVEST - Rune of Success and Continuity

Gemstone - Carnelian

Colour - Light Blue

Element - Earth

Gods - Frey, Freuya

Astrology association - Sun

Tree - Oak

Plant - Rosemary

EIHWAZ

YEW TREE - Rune of Defence

Gemstone - Topaz

Colour - Magenta

Element - Earth, Fire, Air and Water

God - Ullr

Astrology association - Scorpio

Tree - Yew

Plant - Lilac

PERTHRO

UNKNOWN - Rune of Chance, Mystery and Science

Gemstone - Aquamarine

Colour - Black

Element - Water

God - Frigg

Astrology association- Saturn

Tree - Aspen

Plant - Aconite

ALGIZ

ELK ANTLERS - Rune of Protection and Opportunity

Gemstone - Aquamarine

Colour - Gold

Element - Air

God - Heimdall

Astrology association - Cancer

Tree - Spruce

Plant - Sedge Grass

SOWILO

SUN - Rune of Energy and Revelation

Gemstone - Ruby

Colour - White

Element - Air

God - Baldur

Astrology association - Sun

Tree - Juniper

Plant - Mistletoe

TEIWAZ

GOD TYR - Warrior’s Rune

Gemstone - Coral

Colour - Bright Red

Element - Air

God - Tyr

Astrology association - Libra

Tree - Oak

Plant - Aconite

BERKANA

BIRCH TREE - Rune of Fertility and Growth

Gemstone - Moonstone

Colour - Dark Green

Element - Earth

Gods - Nerthur, Holda

Astrology association - Virgo

Tree - Birch

Plant - Lady’s Mantle

EHWAZ

HORSE - Rune of Momentum

Gemstone - Iceland Spar

Colour - White

Element - Earth

Gods - Frey, Freuya

Astrology association - Gemini

Tree - Ash

Plant - Ragwort

MANNAZ

HUMANITY - Rune of Humanity

Gemstone - Garnet

Colour - Deep Red

Element - Air

Gods - Odin, Heimdall, Frigg

Astrology association - Jupiter

Tree - Holly

Plant - Madder

LAGUZ

WATER - Rune of Water

Gemstone - Pearl

Colour - Deep Green

Element - Water

Gods - Njord, Nerthus

Astrology association - Moon

Tree - Willow

Plant - Leek

INGUZ

SEED OR FERTILITY - Rune of Peace and Harmony

Gemstone - Amber

Colour - Yellow

Elements - Earth and Water

Gods - Ing, Frey

Astrology associations - Cancer, New Moon

Tree - Apple

Plant - Self Heal

OTHALA

INHERITANCE - Rune of Home, Family and Acquisition

Gemstone - Spinel

Colour - Deep Yellow

Element - Earth

God - Odin

Astrology association - Full Moon

Tree - Hawthorn

Plant - Clover

DAGAZ

Dawn or Day - Rune of Transformation

Gemstone - Chrysolite

Colour - Light Blue

Elements - Fire and Air

God - Heimdall

Astrology association - Full Moon

Tree - Spruce

Plant - Clary Sage

ODIN

THE UNKNOWABLE - Blank Rune

CWEORTH

Flames of a fire

CHALC

Dreams

STAN

Stone

GAR

Spear

AC

Oak tree

YR

Bow made from a Yew tree

IOR

The world serpent

EAR

Soil or Earth

SUN

New beginnings

MOON

Feminine energy

FLIGHT

Communication

RINGS

Connections

ROMANCE

Love and relationships

WOMAN

Healer, Nurturer, Carer

MAN

Provider, Protector

HARVEST

Rewards

CROSSROADS

Decisions

STAR

Wishes

WAVES

Flow

SCYTHE

Sudden change

EYE

Seeing the truth

SARATHAI

World Dragon

ARHAIN

Shadows, Night

LATHAIN

Storm, Wrath

ELUI

Ending, Denial

SAROIR

Eternity, Passion

CALADAI

Dragons, Lordship

ASUR

The eternal flame

BALANCED JOY

PROMOTE EASY BIRTH

GAIN INSPIRATION

SUCCESS IN LEGAL ACTION

REALISATION OF AMBITION

For Realising Of Ambition In The Bind Runes

PROVIDE DIVINE ENERGY

PERSONAL WEALTH

FINANCIAL SECURITY

DISCOVERY OF HIDDEN

KNOWLEDGE

PERSONAL GOOD HEALTH

PROMOTE ENDURANCE

PROMOTE DETERMINATION

PROMOTE MEDICAL HEALING

PROTECTION FOR A VEHICLE

ELDER FUTHARK RUNE MEANINGS

Runes of the First Aett

Freya’s Aett - The Forces of Creation and the establishing of the Gods

Fehu is the rune of wealth and fulfilment and represents cattle

Uruz is the rune of strength and represents the wild bull or ox

Thurisaz is the rune of chaos and represents a thorn or giant

Ansuz represents the messenger or Odin's rune in rune divination

Raidho represents the wagon and is the rune of travellers

Kenaz is the rune of fire and represents the torch

Gebo is the rune of love and forgiveness and represents a gift

Wunjo is the rune of joy in rune divination

Hagalaz is the rune of disruption and represents hail

Nauthiz is the rune of necessity and represents need

Isa is the rune of ice in rune divination

Jera is the rune of success and continuity and represents the harvest

Eihwaz is the rune of defence and represents the yew tree

Perthro is the rune of chance, mystery and science and represents the unknown

Algiz is the rune of protection and opportunity

PROMOTE LOVE FROM MAN TO WOMAN

BINDING POWER

PERSONAL MAGNETISM

READY POWER FOR INSTANT

DEPLOYMENT

SUCCESS IN SPEAKING AND

WRITING

PROMOTE CREATIVITY

PROMOTE LOVE FROM WOMAN TO MAN

FERTILITY AND GROWTH

SECURE JUSTICE

Codex Runicus circa 1300

Vellum manuscript

(Source - Wikipedia)

MEANINGS - Abundance - Success - Luck - Hopes - Property - Food - Possessions - Fertility - Security

MEANINGS - Devil’s Rune - The Gateway - Adversity - Conflict - Chaos - Defence - Turbulent times - Catalyst for change - Suffering

MEANINGS - Communication - Reason - Self expression - Signals - Gifts - Creativity - Divine power - Inspiration - Blessings - Ancestors

MEANINGS - Journey - Departure - Arrival - Rhythm - Direction - Responsibility - Communication - Reconciliation - Agreement - Work - Destiny

MEANINGS - Enlightenment - Knowledge - Inspiration - Vision - Clarity - Insight - Opening - Revelation - Creativity - Understanding

MEANINGS - Gift - Partnership - Generosity - Exchange - Balance - Union - Connection - Trading - Love - Marriage - Agreement - Talents

MEANINGS - Joy, Hope, Fulfilment, Potential, Light, Restoration, Understanding, Pleasure, Comfort, Reward, Success, Peace, Good news, Wishes

Runes of the Second Aett

Heimdall’s Aett - The Norns and Wyrd, Development of consciousness and magic, psychological growth and personal development

Sowilo is the rune of energy and revelation and represents the sun

MEANINGS - Disruption - Delay - Loss - Destructive forces of nature - Sudden change - Out of control -The past - Unresolved matters

MEANINGS - Need - Necessity - Friction - Constraint - Compulsion - Pain - Hardship - Sort out priorities

MEANINGS - Ice - Standstill - Restrictions - Delay - Challenges - Introspection - Waiting - Blockage - Inactivity

MEANINGS - Harvest - Fertility - One year - Cycle - Cause and effect - Reward - Abundance - Earth

MEANINGS - World tree - Transition - Balance - Enlightenment - Death - Regeneration - Flexibility - Perseverance - Stability

MEANINGS - Chance - Fate- Secrets - Gaming - Initiation - Unknown - Destiny - Mystery - Magic - Feminine - Birth rune - Laughter - Cup

MEANINGS - Protection - Shield- Self defence - Power - Spiritual path - Reaching out to the divine

MEANINGS - Life force - Clarity - Awakening - Understanding - Wholeness - Vitality - Success - Triumph - Positivity - Health

Runes of the Third Aett

Tyr’s Aett - Human condition, social aspects and spiritual transformation

Teiwaz is the warrior's rune in rune divination

Berkana is the rune of fertility and growth and represents the birch tree

Ehwaz is the rune of momentum and represents the horse

Mannaz is the rune of humanity and represents humanity

Laguz is the rune of water and represents water

Inguz is the rune of peace and harmony and represents seed or fertility

Othala is the rune of home, family and acquistion and represents inheritance

Dagaz is the rune of transformation and represents the dawn or day

NORTHUMBRIAN RUNE MEANINGS

Cweorth is the flames of a fire in the Northumbrian runes

Chalc represents dreams in the Northumbrian runes

Stan represents stone in the Northumbrian runes

Gar represents the spear in the Northumbrian runes

Ac represents the oak tree in the Northumbrian runes

Yr from the Northumbrian runes is a bow made from a yew tree

Ior represents the world serpent in the Northumbrian runes

Ear represent soil or earth in the Northumbrian runes

WITCHES RUNE MEANINGS

The Sun in the Witches runes represents new beginnings

The Moon in the Witches runes represents feminine energy

Flight in the Witches runes represents communication

The Rings in the Witches runes represents connections

Romance in the Witches runes represents love and relationships

Woman in the Witches runes represents the healer, nurturer and carer

Man in the Witches runes represents the provider and protector

Harvest in the Witches runes represents rewards

Crossroads in the Witches runes represents decisions

The Star in the Witches runes represents wishes

Waves in the Witches runes represents flow

Scythe in the Witches runes represents sudden change

Eye in the Witches runes represents seeing the truth

HIGH ELF RUNE MEANINGS

CHAROI

Strength, Ferocity

DAROIR

Remembrance, Memory

QUYL-ISHA

Sorrow, Mourning

Quly-isha represents sorrow and mourning in the High Elf runes

SENLUI

Swiftness, Accuracy

CYTHON

Wisdom, Fertility

CADAITH

Grace, Power

HARATHOI

Youth

SUCCESS IN BUSINESS

PERSEVERANCE,

EVERLASTINGNESS

THE GIFT OF JOY

Binding power and personal magnetism in the Bind runes

PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND

UNITY

PROMOTE DISCIPLINE

ENHANCE ATHLETIC

PERFORMANCE

PROTECTION AGAINST EVIL

MAGIC

YENLUI

Balance, Harmony, Chaos

CEYL

Law, Order, Justice, Passion

SETHAI

Flight, Wind

SARIOUR

Moon, Magic, Fortune, Evil deeds

MENLUI

Water, Life, Majesty, Weakness

LECAI

Light, Nobility of the soul

ORIOUR

Blood, Birth

BIND RUNES

SAFE JOURNEY

FARSIGHTEDNESS

ENCOURAGE GOOD LUCK

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE POWER

HELP GIVING UP BAD HABITS

SUCCESS IN RISK - TAKING

PROMOTE EMOTIONAL

STRENGTH

A HAPPY FAMILY AND

MARRIAGE

ENCOURAGE A FINANCIAL

WINDFALL

MEANINGS - Masculinity - Bravery - Leadership - Justice - Dedication - Victory - Competitiveness - Honour - Authority - Morals

MEANINGS - Femininity - Fertility - Mother Earth - Nurturing - Rebirth - Growth - Healing - Renewal - Home - Family - New beginning

MEANINGS - Movement- Travel - Transportation - Duality - Progress - Horse - Progress - Trust - Change - Loyalty - Partnership

MEANINGS - Humanity - Self - Intelligence - Identity - Friendship - Modesty - Charity - Consideration - Devotion - Kindness

MEANINGS - Flow - Healing - Renewal - Intuition - Emotion - Dreams - Hopes and fears - The unknown - Body of water

MEANINGS - Goals - Growth - Change - Common sense - Home - Fertility - Gestation stage of projects and relationships

MEANINGS - Estate - Property - Inheritance - Family ties - Heritage - Tradition - Home - Possessions

MEANINGS - Breakthrough - Day - Dawn - Enlightenment - Transformation - Fresh start - Improvement - Awareness - Light - Hope

MEANINGS - Fate - Empty - Trust the Universe

MEANINGS - Purification - Destruction - Transformation

MEANINGS - Desire - Dreams - Inspiration

MEANINGS - Keystone of beliefs - Indicator rune -Obstruction

MEANINGS - Wait - Watch - Learn

MEANINGS - Potential - Growth - Perseverance

MEANINGS - Focus - Mindfulness - Artistry

MEANINGS - Boundaries - Protection - Opposites

MEANINGS - Death - Change -Transition - Let go -Move on

MEANINGS - Healing - Good health and vitality - Good choices - Good news

MEANINGS - Transitions - Changes are imminent - Secrets - Hidden agendas - Imagination

MEANINGS - Communication - Movement - Information - Travel

MEANINGS - Circumstances connecting people - Combining elements to create something new

MEANINGS - Emotional connections - Harmony - Soulmates

MEANINGS - Feminine energy - Creative abilities - Strong associations with the home - Mother

MEANINGS - Masculine energy - Empowerment - Action - Father

MEANINGS - Providing for oneself - Education - Investment in oneself - Blessings

MEANINGS - Major life decisions - Fear of moving forward - Being stuck

MEANINGS - Fulfil ambitions - Life purpose - Being accepted by others - Honouring oneself

MEANINGS - Movement - Flow in life - Deep connections to the spiritual world - Insecurity - Overwhelm - Out of control

MEANINGS - Final decisions - Endings - Completion - Danger - Walking away from a situation

MEANINGS - Lifting the veil - Psychic abilities - Need to focus

CYNATH

Chill, Death, Silence, Loneliness

THALUI

Hatred, Vengeance

ELTHRAI

Doom, Inexorable fate, Hope

SENTHOI

Unity, Loyalty, Broken promises

THANAN

Hidden power, Inner strength

URITHAIR

Destruction, Conquest

LACOI

Might, Glory, Fear of death

DYNAMIC POWER

PROVIDE ENERGY FOR SUCCESS

BOOST SELF-ESTEEM

MIND POWER

QUICK RESULTS

RAPID ACTION

ENABLE SEXUAL LOVE

ACADEMIC BRILLIANCE

RETURN ILL-WILL TO THE

ORIGINATOR

LASTING PARTNERSHIP

ENCOURAGE ETERNAL

LOVE

PROMOTE ASSERTIVENESS

PROTECTION OF HOME AND

PROPERTY

Beginners Guide To Divination With Runes