Viking Lore Articles — Runes

Kenaz: (K: Beacon or torch.) Vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration, technical ability. Vital fire of life, harnessed power, fire of transformation and regeneration. Power to create your own reality, the power of light. Open to new strength, energy, and power now. Passion, sexual love. Kenaz Reversed or Merkstave: Disease, breakup, instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion and false hope. Kenaz (the Torch) – one of the Fire Runes, the symbol of the fire that turns clay into ceramics and darkness into light. Kenaz is good for artists, musicians, and scientists. The tree of Kenaz is the oak....

Gebo: (G: Gift.) Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships. Gebo Merkstave (Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery. The act of giving is a wonder for two: the one who gives and the ones, who accepts the gift. Gebo can symbolize both sides of the exchange. It is a rune for relationships and for meetings, a good symbol for anyone who has to work with people. The tree for Gebo is elm....

Hagalaz: (H: Hail.) Wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony. Hagalaz Merkstave (Hagalaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis. Hagalaz stands for hailstone. Metaphorically it symbolizes uncontrolled forces of nature coming your way. If you came upon Hagalaz, it is the perfect time to stop trying to control everything in you life. Can you see the challenges, that mother Nature has up in her sleeve especially for you? Hagalaz...

Isa: (I: Ice.) A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, including grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces runes around it. Isa Merkstave (Isa cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots. Isa, the Ice, is the simplest rune of Norse alphabet. This is the rune of stability and stagnation, but mostly (and what is more important) – the symbol for the potential underneath the seemingly sound surface (like living...

Eihwaz: (EI: Yew tree.) Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defense, protection. The driving force to acquire, providing motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest man who can be relied upon. Eihwaz Reversed or Merkstave: Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.