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Elder Futhark Rune Meanings List — Runes

A Guide to Runes: Norse Alphabet


Introduction to Rune Meanings

The Runic Norse Alphabet


Since about 400 AD, runes were traditionally used for fortune-telling, but have evolved into versatile tools that can also be used in meditation and self-reflection. While their origins are rooted in divination much like tarot-reading, runes have found a place in modern spiritual practices as a means of connecting with deeper, universal forces.

A typical rune set consists of 24 symbols from an the ancient Norse alphabet, often crafted from materials like wood, stones or glass.

Unlike modern alphabets, runes are imbued with meaning and linked to universal energies that have evolved over time, making them just as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago. Each rune carries three key aspects:

  1. The Symbol: The shape and its representation.
  2. The Name: The word’s meaning, letter value, and sound.
  3. The Energy: The spirit or essence that the rune embodies.
Runes can also be read either upright or reversed, affecting their meaning much like tarot cards.

The 24 runes are divided into three groups of eight, known as aettir, meaning families. Each aett begins with a "Mother Rune", like Fehu, Hagalaz, and Tiwaz. We’ll explore more about these individual aettir in another blog post.

In the following pages below, we'll describe each individual meaning of all 24 runes, as well as more structural information about using them, including their families, their mythology and more.

How to Use Runes

Casting Runes for Divination and Insight


Runes have long been used as a tool for divination, providing insight and guidance through their ancient symbols and meanings. Each rune carries a unique energy, representing various aspects of life, from material wealth and personal growth to challenges and transformations. By understanding the individual meanings of each rune, one can tap into their wisdom and gain a deeper understanding of the forces at play in their lives.

The structure of runes is both simple and profound. Each rune is composed of a symbol, a name, and an energetic essence. The symbol represents a visual depiction, while the name provides context and phonetic value. The energetic essence is the core meaning that the rune embodies, linking it to universal energies that have evolved over time. This combination makes runes a powerful tool for reflection, meditation, and divinatory practices.

Using runes in casting involves drawing them from a bag or container and interpreting their meanings based on their positions and orientations. This practice can be as simple as drawing a single rune for daily guidance or as complex as creating a rune spread for in-depth insights. The key to effective rune casting lies in an open mind and a sincere intention, allowing the runes to reveal their messages and guide one towards greater understanding and alignment with universal energies.

A Short Mythology of Runes

Runes and their Legendary Origins


According to Norse mythology, the runes are deeply intertwined with the cosmos; believed to be gifts from the gods. The first to discover their magic was Odin, the God of Wisdom. Brunnhilde, a Valkyrie and one of Odin’s daughters, offers the hero Sigurd a chalice of mead, into which she placed shaved runes. In this legend, when Sigurd drank from the sacred cup, he absorbed the wisdom of the runes, becoming a bridge between the divine and mortal; attaining their knowledge for all of humanity.

Norse legends tell us that runic energies are spread throughout the entire cosmos. Some reside in Asgard with the gods of the Aesir, while others dwell in the underworld. This runic energy also flows through into Midgard (the realm where humans live), thus connecting us to their energy.

It is said that the runes can be seen as a treasure map of sorts, that have the ability to lead us towards the divine. Learning and using runes is a way of following Odin’s footsteps; the thirst for knowledge and wisdom. Runes were supposedly Odin's stepping stones on his journey across the "rainbow bridge" to Asgard, the realm of the gods. And so, like tarot and many divinatory traditions, runes offer us a pathway to greater understanding and a deeper connection to the world around us and the forces beyond.

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