Runes

The Symbolic Language of the Runes

A Companion and Guide to the HandCarved Runestones of Future Relics

Runecasting is a form of augury: the art of gaining insight by interpreting combinations of signals. Long before the ancient Futhark Runes of Europe were employed as an alphabet, they were used as symbols for divination. These Runestones are hand carved with diamond tools on carefully selected river stones. Use these stones intuitively and creatively. Traditional divination methods can be learned from cited sources.
- Bill Bardo Thorpe

=== Feoh, Fehu
(mobile property, cattle)
Wealth; Prosperity; Nourishment

Feoh is a rune of fulfillment and rewards: of ambitions satisfied and nourishment received. Understand that nourishment is an exchange of energy. Success is a reflection of your relationship with the universe. Feoh represents the fruits of one's labors: the returns on an investment of personal energy.

=== Ur, Uruz
(the ox, aurochs, rain)
Strength; Physical Power; Manhood or Womanhood

Uruz is the rune of vital strength and virility; of raw primal power. It is a symbol of strength, independence and animal energy. This rune may indicate some dynamic change or challenge where your own resources are all you have... and all that you need.

=== Thurz, Thorn
Thorn; Gateway

Thurz is a rune of non-action (or no movement). It is associated with getting stuck. Thorn halts the hasty. It is also a rune of defense and sometimes serves as a warning, inviting one to take stock rather than to take action. It heralds challenges and stumbling blocks.

=== Ansus, Ansur, Ansuz
(the mouth)
Answers; Spoken Inspiration

Ansus is the rune of speech and communication. Its attribute is the power of words expressed with clarity and articulation. Ansus indicates instruction, sound advice or guidance to be received rather than dispensed. It is a messenger rune.

=== Radh, Raidho
(a wagon or cartwheel)
Travel; A Journey; Union & Reunion

Radh is a symbol of movement and change. It often quite literally means a journey or travel, but can also indicate news from afar or changes in profession or spiritual direction.

=== Ken, Kano, Kenaz
Torch

A light in the dark. Fire from within. Kano is a rune of power and illumination. It is energy under control: fire wielded as a tool. Kano often betokens a period of positive, creative change.

=== Gebo, Gyfu
Gift; Generosity; Bonding

Gyfu is the rune of connection and co-creative energy between people. It is symbolic of the inherent gifts of clear and equal partnership. Trust and generosity bring good fortune.

=== Wunjo, Wynn
(a fruit-bearing branch)
Joy; Delight

Harmony and fellowship, pleasure and elation are the primary aspects of this rune. It indicates well-being and merriment.
"...joy is the echo of God's life with us." - Dolphin
"All acts of love and pleasure are my rituals." - Charge of the Goddess.

=== Hagl, Hagalaz
(hail)
Primal Power; Disruptive Natural Forces

Hagl is the cosmic egg of primal life and the essence of energy in motion. It indicates challenge and events beyond your control. Let go of attachments and ride the wave of change.

=== Nauthiz, Nyd
Need; Constraint; Necessity; Pain

This rune indicates a period of relative poverty. Either conflict or limited resources challenge you. Let restraint and perseverance guide you and use the opportunity to learn, to mend, to restore or redress.

=== Isa, Is
(the world Ice)
Ice; I; Mirror

Isa is a symbol of the ego and also of the Higher Self. The powers of preservation and reflection are its primary aspects. Ice freezes. It both preserves and impedes and therefore, like Thurz, invites reflection rather than action.

=== Jera, Ger
(year, year with a good harvest)
Fruition

Jera literally means one year or one complete cycle and is usually indicative of harvest in a good year. It represents the marriage of heaven and earth, spirit and matter, and the abundance and blessings which come to fruition from that union. "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

=== Ehwaz, Eh, Aiwas
(the horse)
Steady Progress

Aiwas represents both a means of movement and trusted companionship: loyalty. This is a rune of steadfastness and steady progress.

=== Peordh, Perth
(the dice cup)
Initiation; Chance

Peordh means literally "the casting of lots" and is symbolic of mystery and fortune. Like "The Fool" of the Tarot who is about to take the great plunge into the void, Peordh invites the querent on the cosmic quest into the unknown.

=== Eohl
(elk)
Protection

Generally seen as a very beneficial rune which indicates that the querent is protected from harm. Inverted, Eohl may indicate some form of vulnerability. Remember that the best form of protection is mindful and timely action (or inaction) and a strong spirit.

=== Sigel, Sigil
Sun; Solar Wheel; Wholeness

The sun illuminates the world and vanquishes the darkness. It symbolizes life energy and the impulse toward self-realization. Sigel illuminates the runes around it when present in a runecast. It is a very bright and auspicious rune.

=== Tyr, Tiw, Tiwaz
(Tyr or Tiw, the Teutonic god from which we derive the name Tuesday)
Glory; Warrior Energy

Tyr was the God of Victory and Glory. This rune is indicative of warrior energy and sweet success. Remember that the spiritual warrior's primary struggle is with the self. Tyr is a rune of faith, risk, challenge and attainment.

=== Beorc, Berkano
(birch tree)
Growth; Goddess Energy

Associated with the greening of spring and the nurturing powers of the feminine principle, this rune represents growth and blossoming. It is symbolic of some form of rebirth or renewal.

=== Eihwaz, Eoh
(yew tree)
Yggdrasil; The World Tree

Eoh is associated with masculone energy and the role of defense. Eoh is the earth axis; deeprooted and still. Solid, dependable. Tree of Life - Tree of Knowledge.

=== Mann, Mannaz, Manna
(human)
The Self; The People; Mankind

Symbolic of self and family as well as the whole of humanity, this rune is indicative of relationships: relationships of Self to self; of Self to close kin; and of Self to the collective whole. Avoid attachments, but maintain connections.

=== Lagfuz, Lagus, Laukaz, Lagu
(water, leek)
Water; Flow

One of the 'four elements' of mystic tradition, water is considered the source of all life: from the primeval seas to the waters of the womb. In its ever changing forms it is associated with the human emotions: calm or turbulent. Lagu invites you to "go with the flow".

=== Ing, Ingwaz, Inguz
(fertility god Ing: the Hero)
Hero; Potential; Fertile Ground

This auspicious rune heralds positive change and well-earned success. Follow your instincts and rely on radical trust.

=== Dagaz, Daeg, Dagr
Daylight; Opening; Renewal

Emergence from darkness and new beginnings are the trademarks of this rune.Burdens are lifted and the long night is over. Take a deep breath.

=== Othala, Othal, Odhal
Property; Ancestral Land; Birthright

This rune refers to immobile property: homeland, birthright and inheritance. It is a rune of change and is often a herald of both loss and acquisition.

=== The Mystery Rune
The Rune of Wonder

This rune may remind one of the mysterious workings of divine grace or the fickle nature of fate. It is the blank page, the hidden message, the cosmic question mark. It offers no answers, only more mysteries.

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The work of the following authors has proven most helpful to my longtime exploration of the Runes as talismanic and divinatory tools.

Blum, Ralph. The Book of Runes
St. Martin's Press, NY. 1985

Thorsson, Edred. A Handbook of Rune Magic and Runelore
Samuel Weiser Inc., Maine. 1984

Dolphin, Deon. Rune Magic
Newcastle Pub. Co. Inc., CA. 1987

Willis, Tony. The Rune Workbook
Sterling Pub. Co. Inc., NY. 1990

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