Rune Study: Jera

Rune #12: Jera
The goddess Sif

Sif was the wife of Thor and the mother of Uller. She had long, following hair the color of wheat and was therefore associated with the harvest. She was the earth mother and symbolized spring and summer. Loki attacked her one day and cut off her hair, thus posing a dire threat to crops and the harvest. Thor was outraged and demanded that Loki make amends or endure a severe beating. Loki had the dwarf Dvalin make her new hair from the finest magical thread.

Jera's meaning is the year. The object is they scythe and her color is black.

Meaning: One year. Gaining back what is rightfully yours. Legal matters, obligations and harmony.
Reversed: Completion cannot be rushed and taking a situation stage by stage.

Isa

Rune Study: Isa

Isa is considered to be the 11th Rune and relates to the goddess Skadi who belongs to the God Hagal. It symbolizes ice. It's object is the ski or sled. It's animal is the reindeer, it's tree the alder and it's color is black.

Skadi was the daughter of Thjazi. She married the god Njord who lived by the seashore and loved the sun, the crashing of the waves and the sea gulls. Skadi preferred the north with their mountain peaks of snow and ice. She loved the wind, the snow and the wolves. Njord agreed to live with her for nine days of every twelve with her in the north and she in turn lived with him by the sea for the remaining three. They became the goddess of the winter and the god of the summer because the Scandinavian people have nine months of winter and three months of summer each year.

Meaning: Withdrawn or taking a step backward. All progress halted. A lack of interest or drive. A parting or a chilly response.

Reversed: Treachery or infidelity.

Rune Study: Sowulo

Sowulo (soe-wee-low)

Belonging to the God Hagal, the rune Sowulo symbolized the god Baldur and it's number is 16. It's meaning is life force or the sun. It's object is the shield, it's animal the eagle, it's color green and it's tree is the oak.

Baldur was the much loved son of Odin and Frigg and the twin brother of Hodur. He was loved by one and all for his wisdom, fairness, and gentleness. Hodur killed his brother with a lance made by Loki.

Meaning: Take care of health. Rest and relax. Clear vision and achivement.

Reversed: Self-centered and egotistical.

Rune Study: Hagalaz

Hagalaz - The goddess Hella

Hagalaz (hag-ah-lahz) is the 9th rune and is the symbol for "hail" and the color Indigo.

Hella is the goddess of death and the underworld. She is the daughter of Loki and the giantess Angrboda. She is the sister of Fenris Wolf and the snake Jormungand. She is often betrayed as having her upper body a pale pink and her lower body a dark, greenish black decaying color. She rules Hel and her task is to look after all who die of illness or old age.

Divination:
Uncontrolled forces either physical or psychological. Upsets, risks or disruption. Natural events that could affect future plans.

Reversed: Events that are beyond control. Chaos.

Rune Study: Berkana

Berkana #18 - The Goddess Urd

As happens so many times with me, I selected this rune out of the blue to name my new DeathKnight gnome in World of Warcraft. I didn't have my study guide handy and didn't really read about this rune until later. I made the character a gnome with long white-gray hair and a couple of days after I made it, Blizzard gave everyone a cute little polar bear companion to commemorate their fourth anniversary. Also, DeathKnight are warriors that the Lich King has brought back to life (rebirth). One of the first areas she will play in is called "Tyr's Hand."

Berkana is the 18th rune and symbolizes the goddess Urd and belongs to the God Tyr. Urd is the oldest of the three Norn sisters and has long, white hair. Her totems are the polar bear and the swan. The meaning of the rune is growth or rebirth, and enterprise. Her tree is the birch and her color is yellow.

Spooky huh?

Upright meaning: Family or a member of the family. Motherhood, news of a birth or rebirth.

Reversed: Upset or quarrel with a family member. Anxiety.

Nauthiz

Nauthiz (now-these) rune #10

Nauthiz meaning need. It is the need of material restraint, but can also mean spiritual need. There is no god or goddess associationed with Nauthiz. It is the sign of the tree spirits.

Meaning: Plan carefully, there is need to use restraint.

Reversed: Unfortunate decision or unsuitable behavior. Greed or covetousness.

Runemarks

Runemarks by Joanne Harris
Unabridged audio - 14CDS

Ok, best book of the year so far. Maddie is born with a rune mark on her hand. She is feared by most of the small village she lived in. Her only friend is "one-eye" a wanderer who comes to the village on his travels. When he discovers her powers, inborn in her, he helps her uncover an opening to the underhill where she meets, Loki, the trickster, Hella, the lady of the dead, Skadi and a host of other lost Norse gods and legends. The story was awesome and since I am very interested in runes, it made it even more so.

Rune Study: Kenaz

Kenaz (kane-awez) rune #6

I have began naming my World of Warcraft characters after runes. Today I named my new blood elf mage "Kaynaz" (Kanaz and Kenaz were already taken). The rune's ancient meaning is boil or sore, something I had forgotten when I went to name today's toon or I might have reconsidered. The more modern meaning is torch. Since my toon is a mage, she can throw a pretty good fireball, so torch seems much more appropriate. It also symbolizes knowledge and enlightenment. It is the sign of discomfort (which I mean for my enemies on WOW to be!)

Kenaz is the rune of Skuld, one of the three Norns or Fates. She was the norn of the future. She also rode with the Valkyries to collect fallen warriors on the field. Her animal is the owl, her tree the pine and the color associated with her is blue.

Upright: Good fortune, giving and receiving gifts, lust, empathy, enlightment, dicomfort.

Reversed: Loss, endings, casting out things from the past.

Runes study: Gebo

Gebo - Gift
The Goddess Gefjon

Gefjon is the goddess of unwed women. He dwells in Frigg's palace where she welcomes them when they die. They are made comfortable and happy and will be forever under Gefjon's protection.

The main legend surrounding Gefjon is the agreement she made with King Gylfi of Sweden. Odin sent Gefjon to the king requesting ownship of some land. Gylfi told Gefjon that she could have all the land she could plough in one day. She turned her four sons into oxen and ploughed a huge piece of land. The oxen sons then dragged the land out to sea where it became the island Seeland.

Gefjon means the giving one and therefore Gebo's meaning is gift. The object associated with Gebo is glass and the color blue. The animal is the ox.

It's meaning is a good partnership or relationship, love, and gifts bestowed. It can also mean emotional problems or disharmony depending on what runes are cast with it.

Othila

Rune: Othila (oath-awe-law) #23 ; The god Vali and belonging to the god Tyr.

An amazing infant, Othila was said to have developed so quickly that he grew to his full height on the day after his birth. He is the son of Odin and Rind. He is known as the god of light because he hunted down and killed Hodur, the slayer of Baldur, afterwhich he took his seat in the hall of Gladsheim. He was one of the gods that survived the end of the world. In Christianity, he became Valentine because he was known for his archery and as the god of light.

Object: seat
Symbol: vegetation
Color: red

Meaning: inheritance, legacy, land, property
Reversed: an accident, damage, mechanical equipment failure

Raido

Rune: Raido (rye-though) #5: The god Thor belonging to the goddess Freya.

Thor was the son of Odin and Jord. He is the patron god of farmers and peasants. His mighty hammer Mjollnir represented the power of regeneration and ferility on earth. He was said to have a fiery temper and a soft heart. He was the god of peasants and the working class and was probably more widely worshipped than Odin.

Symbol: Hammer
Animal: Goat
Tree: Oak
Color: Blue

Meaning: A journey, travel.
Reversed: Obstructed plans or a lack of direction.

Wunjo

Rune: Wunjo (woon-yo) #8. The Valkyries belonging to the goddess Freya.

The Valkyries rode onto the battlefield and selected the bravest of the warriors that had been slain. In some stories they rode white winged steeds, in others they rode packs of wild, vicious wolves. They carried the heroes to an afterlife in the halls of Valhalla. Odin presided over Valhalla and the slain heroes were given mead poured into drinkhorns and served by the thirteen Valkyries. The Valkyries were said to be the most beautiful of women. When not eating and drinking and being served by the lovely maidens, the heroes would spend their time in mock battles, training for the final conflict of Ragnarok.

Object: The Drinkhorn
Color: Indigo

Meaning: joy, comfort, bliss, devotion and yearning
Reversed: Be wary in business matters. Impatience and uncertainly. Guard against strong impulses.

Ansuz

Rune: Ansuz #4 (awn-sooze) The god Odin belonging to the goddess Freya

Odin, the All-Father was the most revered and most powerful leader of the gods. Warriors went into battle knowing that should he be slain, he would go to the halls of Vaihalla in the company of Odin. To be blessed by Odin was the highest honor for both men and gods. His throne was callled Hidskialf and was the highest vantage point in Asgard. His companions were the ravens Huginn & Muninn and the two wolves, Geri and Freki.

Object: Spear
Animal: Wolf
Color: Purple
Tree: Ash

Meaning: A gift, visit or advice from an older person. Learning & wisdom.
Reversed: duplicity, interference by an older person.

Thurisaz

Rune: Thurisaz (thoor-ee-saws) #3 The god Loki and belonging to the goddess Freya

Loki was known as the Prince of Lies and Sly One because he delighted in causing trouble. He was one of the gods who lived in Asgard. He was the trickster who shape-shifted. He used his magical ability for personal gain. He eventually became malevolent and was destined to be responsible for triggering Ragnarok, the final conflict that resulted in the destruction of the world.

Object: Knife
Animal: Snake
Tree: Blackthorn
Color: Purple

Meaning: Mischief making, unrealiability.
Reversed: A hasty decision that causes anxiety and regret.

Mannaz

Rune: Mannaz (mawn-nawz) #20 The All-Father and belonging to the god Tyr.

Man is represented in runes because he has gained supremacy over the other creatures by his power of reason.

Object: Man
Animal: Hawk
Color: Orange

Meaning: Man-woman-human being. Reflection, self, humaniarian attitude.
Reversed: Selfish, egotistical. Be warned of an enemy.

Kaunaz

Rune: Kaunaz (kane-awze) #6 The Goddess Skuld belonging to the Freya.

Skuld was one of the three Norn sisters, Skuld, Urd and Verdandi. The Norn sisters impart wisdom to the gods. Skuld is therefore identified with enlightenment and divinatory meanings. Urd represented the Past, Verdandi, the present. Gods visited and sought the sisters for their advice, but the ultimate fate of the gods was kept secret from the sisters. The Norns lived near the Urdar Fountain where Skuld collected water for the roots of the sacred ash tree, Yggdrasil. Skuld road with the Valkyries to collect fallen warriors.

Object: Torch
Aminal: Owl
Tree: Pine
Color: Blue

Meaning: For a woman - good fortune. For a man - giving a giftl Lust, empathy, enlightenment are also meanings. The possibilty of health problems.
Reversed: Loss, endings, resignation.

Teiwaz

Rune: Teiwaz (tea-wawz) #17 The god Tyr.

Try is the god of justice and defence. He is the patron god of the sword. To the majority of Germanic people, he was the original sun god. He had no consort. When the evil Fenris Wolf had to be contained, he did what needed to be done even though it cost him his hand. He was made one of the council of twelve gods because he was honorable, his leadership qualities and his concern for humanity.

Symbol: Sword
Meaning: Victory
Tree: Hazel
Color: Yellow

Meaning: Success is indicated, a legal advantage. If the querient is a man, he is love smitten. If a woman, great love will be hers.
Reversed: untrustworthy relationship, romantic troubles

Algiz

Rune: Algiz (all-yeese) #15 The god Heimdal and belonging to the god Hagal.

Legend has that Heimdal was the son of Odin and nine maidens who simultaneously gave birth. He grew swiftly and was strong. The gods chose him to guard the rainbow bridge, Bifrost, and to take note of all who passed over. He had acute hearing and sight and needed little sleep. Because of these attributes, he became the watchman of the gods. His most important possession was a blowhorn that he used to sound a warning when enemies approched. The horn was kept in the branches of the world tree, Yggdrasil, or beneath the water of Mimir's well. While in the water, it became the new moon, and the eye that Odin sacrificed was the full moon. At the time of the final world battle, Heimdal and Loki destroyed each other.

Symbol: Horn

Animal: Elk

Tree: Lime

Color: Green

Meaning: Defence or to protect. A reward , new job or pursuit to stimulate intellect. Can also be a warning.
Reversed: Beware, there are those who would take advantage of you. Caution

Inguz

Rune: Inguz (eeeng-gooz) #22 The god Frey and belonging to the god Tyr.

Frey was the son of Njord and the brother of Freya. When he was a child, he and his sister lived with Njord in Asgard. When he cut his first tooth, he was given the realm of Alfheim where he ruled over the fairies and elves. He is attributed with bringing light forth from darkness. He is the god of fertility, sunlight, peace and prosperity.

Symbol: Helmet
Animal: boar & cuckoo
Color: Orange

Meaning: Male fertility, family, children, health.
Reversed: Conclusions, beginnings.

Hagalaz

Rune: Hagalaz (haw-gaw-laws) #9 The goddess Hella and belonging to the god Hagal

Hella is the goddess of the underworld and death. Her father is Loki and her mother the giantess, Angrboda. She has two siblings Fenris the Wolf and Jormungand the snake. Her home is Hel, where she is surrounded by death mist and corpses. She looks after all those that died of disease or old age. She is described as having an upper body of pink skin, but her lower body is dark, decaying greenish black.

Symbol: Hail
Color: Indigo

Meaning: uncontrolled forces, disruption, risks
Reversed: beyond any control, negativity