Chapter 5: Rune Symbolism and Esoteric Meanings
Each rune can be said to have three types of meanings; language, divination and magic. The phonetic value and letter equivalent meaning is covered in another chapter. The magical and divinatory meanings in the quick reference list below is not exhaustive, and often the meanings may overlap. The form of each rune often relates to its meaning, suggesting that the meanings and symbolism came first and the writing system came afterwards. The position of each rune in its Aett also has a symbolic meaning and the runes serve as a key to the Norse understanding of the physical and spiritual world and the journey of life, death and rebirth.



First Aett
Fehu
Divinatory Meanings:
Wealth, Hard earned wealth or possessions, rewards, luck, abundance, hope, success, energy, future financial stability, domestic cattle (symbol of wealth), prosperity, karma, realisation of goals, self-worth
Magical Uses:
Luck, abundance, money, business success, luck for financial endeavors, finding a job, beginning a new journey, entrepreneurship, acheiving goals, fruitful endeavours, hardwork paying off.

Uruz
Divinatory Meanings:
Energy, Passion, speed, physical prowess, vitality, instinct, strength, rites of passage, unrestrained freedom, wildness, fertility, the unconscious, irrationality, sudden and unexpected changes
Magical Uses:
Strength, energy, speed, vitality, courage, understanding, Freedom through physical strength, dedication, willpower, hunting, bravery

Thurisaz
Divinatory Meanings:
Hardship, a painful event, introspection, focus, discipline, knowledge, reactive force, conflict
Magical Uses:
Regenerative catalyst, study aid, self-discipline, concentration in spite of distractions, purging the negative, focus, thorns.

Ansuz
Divinatory Meanings:
Authority figure, leader, balance of body and mind, health, justice, seer, clairvoyant, a revealing message, insight, communication, inspiration,
Magical Uses:
communication, messages, signals, truth, wisdom, good health, words and naming power, leadership, success, wise decisions

Raidho
Divinatory Meanings:
journey, pilgrimage, change, destiny, quest, progress, life lessons, seeing a larger perspective, relocating, movement, travel, vacation
Magical Uses:
protection for travellers, movement, rhythm, dance, reconnecting, to make change easier, catalyst for change and movement

Kenaz
Divinatory Meanings:
wisdom, insight, solution to a problem, creativity, inspiration, enlightenment, vision, technical ability, power of light, understanding
Magical Uses:
fire, regeneration, passion, inspiration, study aid, dispelling anxiety and fear, energy, heat, light, beacon signals, vision

Gebo
Divinatory Meanings:
gifts, sacrifice, generosity, exchanges, balance, contracts, relationships, partnerships, love, marriage, unexpected fortune
Magical Uses:
to find or strengthen a relationship, luck, giving, fertility, success through partnership, balance, contract

Wunjo
Divinatory Meanings:
success, recognition of achievements, reward, joy, achievement of goals, contentment
Magical Uses:
completion of tasks, motivation, success in any in any endeavour, joy, success, harmony, prosperity, ecstasy, going over the top

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The Second Aett
Hagalaz
Divinatory Meanings:
Sudden loss, ordeal, destruction, disaster, clearance, testing, karmic lesson, drastic change testing, trial, controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony.
Magical Uses:
Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, dangerous weather, removing unwanted influences, breaking destructive patterns

Nauthiz
Divinatory Meanings:
poverty, hardship, responsibility, discontent, obstacle, frustration, facing your fears, self-initiated change, a time for patience, recognition of fate.
Magical Uses:
Representation of a need to be filled, obstacles, frustration, delays, restriction, endurance, survival, determination, necessity

Isa
Divinatory Meanings:
inactivity, blockage, stagnation, potential, patience, reflection, withdrawl, rest , a challenge, a frustration, psychological blocks
Magical Uses:
Ice, reflection, obstacles, freezing, reinforcement of other magics, blockages

Jera
Divinatory Meanings:
The results of earlier efforts are realized, a time of peace and happiness, fruitful season, change, cycle turning, reward, motion, productivity, inevitable development
Magical Uses:
Break through stagnation, harvest, to bring change, growth, fruition, cycles, life and growth

Eihwaz
Divinatory Meanings:
change, initiation, confrontation of fears, turning point, death, transformation, strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness
Magical Uses:
defense, protection,to bring about profound change, to ease a life transition, transformation

Perthro
Divinatory Meanings:
rebirth, mystery, magic, divination, fertility, new beginning, prophecy, uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery
Magical Uses:
Fertility, easing childbirth, to aid in divination and magic, enhancing psychic abilities, knowledge of the future, secrets, uncertainty

Algiz
Divinatory Meanings:
Protection, assistance, defence, warning, support, a mentor, an ethical dilemma.
Magical Uses:
A shield, protection, guardian, a ward against evil, channeling energies

Sowilo
Divinatory Meanings:
Success, positive energy, increase, power, activity, fertility, health, wholeness, power, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire
Magical Uses:
energy, strength, success, healing, elemental force, cleansing fire, life energy

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The Third Aett
Tiwaz
Divinatory Meanings:
Duty, discipline, honour, responsibility, self-sacrifice, justice, conflict, strength, wounds, victory or success in competition, leadership, authority
Magical Uses:
Protection, victory in competition, strength, strengthening the will, healing a wound, analysis

Berkano
Divinatory Meanings:
Birth, fertility, mental growth, physical growth, personal growth, liberation, health, clearance and permission, the time is right, plenty
Magical Uses:
regeneration, encouraging love and desire, liberation, healing (especially infections), starting anew

Ehwaz
Divinatory Meanings:
transportation, motion, assistance, energy, power, communication, will, recklessness, travel, confirmation of other runes
Magical Uses:
movement, energy in motion, momentum, power, communication, will, 'sending' a spell

Mannaz
Divinatory Meanings:
Self, family, community, relationships, social concerns
Magical Uses:
Intelligence, forethought, create, skill, ability, social order, cooperation of others, manpower

Laguz
Divinatory Meanings:
Emotions, fears, unconscious mind, things hidden, revelation, intuition, counselling
Magical Uses:
Enhancing psychic abilities, confronting fears, stabilizing mental or emotional disorders, uncovering hidden things, flow, water, sea, a fertility source, the healing power of renewal

Ingwaz
Divinatory Meanings:
Work, productivity, bounty, groundedness, balance, connection with the land.
Magical Uses:
Connection with natural things, balance, groundedness, general health, farming, growth, common sense, nurture, tying up loose ends, gestation, strengthening, influencing environment

Dagaz
Divinatory Meanings:
Happiness, success, activity, a fulfilling lifestyle, satisfaction, clarity of daylight, breakthrough, awakening, awareness, transformation, opposites meeting, point of balance
Magical Uses:
Positive outcome, sunlight, clarity, breakthrough, awareness, transformation, awakening

Othala
Divinatory Meanings:
property, land, inheritance, home, permanence, legacy, synthesis, sense of belonging, ancestral home
Magical Uses:
aquisition, permanence, property, valuables, heritage, ancestral connection