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Runes Meaning: The 25 Runes and How to Cast Them

Fehu, Ansuz, Algiz, Dagaz: the meaning of the 25 Futhark runes, their three families, Odin’s myth and the spreads to consult them.

Last updated by Madison Carter

Runes Meaning: The 25 Runes and How to Cast Them

Carved in stone or wood, runes are both an ancient alphabet and a divination tool. The Elder Futhark has 24 runes, plus a blank rune with no inscription.

Fehu, Ansuz, Algiz or Dagaz: discover the meaning of the 25 runes, their families and the spreads to consult them.

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The meaning of the 25 runes

Each rune has a name, a symbol and a message. Here they are in Futhark order:

ᚠ 1. Fehu

ᚠ 1. Fehu

Prosperity

Cattle and food: a symbol of movement and change. Flow is vital and brings prosperity, as long as you stay prudent.

ᚢ 2. Uruz

ᚢ 2. Uruz

Vital strength

The aurochs, the mother: vital energy, procreation, but also transformation and purification.

ᚦ 3. Thurisaz

ᚦ 3. Thurisaz

The hammer

Dedicated to Thor, god of thunder, it stands for trials, but also regeneration, help and protection. It is linked to cosmic forces and the cycle of life.

ᚨ 4. Ansuz

ᚨ 4. Ansuz

The word

The mouth, sacred to Odin: wisdom, communication, intuition and clairvoyance. It may announce an exam or an apprenticeship.

ᚱ 5. Raidho

ᚱ 5. Raidho

The journey

The wheel: a symbol of travel, outward or spiritual. It invites you to open up to others.

ᚲ 6. Kenaz

ᚲ 6. Kenaz

The flame

Mastered energy and power: the rune of artists and craftsmen, of knowledge, passion and desire.

ᚷ 7. Gebo

ᚷ 7. Gebo

The gift

Union and generosity: giving, hospitality, marriage and partnership. It symbolizes peace, harmony and love.

ᚹ 8. Wunjo

ᚹ 8. Wunjo

Joy

A promise of happiness, pleasure and hope: it advises optimism, especially in social and family life.

ᚺ 9. Hagalaz

ᚺ 9. Hagalaz

Hail

A symbol of chaos and the power of fate, it shakes things up but promises renewal and victory. The whole Hagal family.

ᚾ 10. Naudhiz

ᚾ 10. Naudhiz

Need

Progress, but also constraint: it pushes you to let go of material goods and move towards spirituality.

ᛁ 11. Isa

ᛁ 11. Isa

Ice

The force of inertia opposed to fire in Norse mythology: shining, it can also be slippery. In love, it calls for patience.

ᛃ 12. Jera

ᛃ 12. Jera

Harvest

Growth, fertility and rebirth: it announces the end of a difficult cycle and rewards past efforts.

ᛇ 13. Eihwaz

ᛇ 13. Eihwaz

The yew

The evergreen tree, linked to death and rebirth: eternity, endurance and longevity.

ᛈ 14. Perthro

ᛈ 14. Perthro

Fate

The cup of secrets: festivities, games and happiness at home, but also divination, revelations and hidden wisdom.

ᛉ 15. Algiz

ᛉ 15. Algiz

Protection

Carved on weapons to ensure protection and victory: it also announces encounters and favorable changes.

ᛊ 16. Sowilo

ᛊ 16. Sowilo

The sun

Life force and success: the union of opposites that gives birth to all life, and the victory of light.

ᛏ 17. Tiwaz

ᛏ 17. Tiwaz

Justice

Linked to Tyr, god of war and law: the goal to reach, courage, tenacity and willpower.

ᛒ 18. Berkano

ᛒ 18. Berkano

Beginnings

The birch: birth, renewal and the mysteries of creation. It favors new projects.

ᛖ 19. Ehwaz

ᛖ 19. Ehwaz

Progress

The horse: change, transition, passage from one world to another. It also symbolizes trust and loyalty.

ᛗ 20. Mannaz

ᛗ 20. Mannaz

Humankind

The link between humans and gods, between reason and creation: clarity and self-acceptance.

ᛚ 21. Laguz

ᛚ 21. Laguz

Water

Intuition, dreams and the unconscious: a feminine rune, linked to the magic of plants, to the symbolism of water and to the Moon.

ᛜ 22. Ingwaz

ᛜ 22. Ingwaz

Fertility

The energy within us waiting to bloom: balance in relationships, the start of a happy period, the freedom to dare to change.

ᛞ 23. Dagaz

ᛞ 23. Dagaz

Day

The dawn that overcomes the shadow: transformation, the union of light and darkness. Growth, however slow, is certain.

ᛟ 24. Othala

ᛟ 24. Othala

Heritage

The rune of the ancestors: inheritance, homeland, a goal achieved, the end of the journey.

Wyrd

25. Wyrd

The blank rune

With no inscription, it depends on the runes around it: what begins and what ends. A sign of trust and renewal, it opens up every possibility.

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What are runes?

Runes form an ancient alphabet, the Futhark, named after its first six letters: F, U, Th, A, R, K. They are often called “Celtic runes” or “Viking runes”; in fact they are the script of the Germanic and Norse peoples, from the first centuries AD.

They are found carved in stone and wood, but also on shields, spears, amulets, and today in tattoos. Their origin remains uncertain: they may derive from the Greek, Latin or Etruscan alphabets, brought back by peoples who traveled far.

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Odin and the three families of runes

According to Norse mythology, Odin discovered the runes after hanging himself for nine days and nine nights from Yggdrasil, the world tree: this sacrifice opened their knowledge to him. The 24 runes are divided into three families of eight, the aettir:

  • Freyr’s family (from Fehu to Wunjo), god of fertility and prosperity: Freyr’s runes.
  • Hagal’s family (from Hagalaz to Sowilo), that of the forces of nature and fate.
  • Tyr’s family (from Tiwaz to Othala), that of justice, human bonds and heritage.

The blank rune, added later, stands outside the families: it is the unknown part of every reading.

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How to cast the runes?

Mix the runes in a bag, ask your question and keep your intention in mind. Then choose your spread:

  • The one-rune spread, to get familiar with them or for a simple answer.
  • The 3-rune spread: the past (the origin of the situation), the present (a piece of advice), the future (where you are heading).
  • Thor’s hammer, with 5 runes, laid out in a cross for a deeper view.

In Thor’s hammer, the bottom rune shows the influences around you, the left one the warnings, the top one the blessings, the right one the outcome, and the center one your destiny.

As with reading coffee grounds, it is your intuition that links the symbols together.

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Runes in everyday life

Runes are not only for divination: many people wear a rune as an amulet, Algiz for protection, Fehu for prosperity, or meditate for a few minutes with the rune of the day.

Renowned for their great power, they accompany those seeking answers, protection or a deeper connection with the Universe.

Key takeaways 📌

  • The Futhark has 24 runes and a blank rune.
  • Three families: Freyr, Hagal and Tyr, eight runes each.
  • To start: the one-rune spread, then three.

Madison's insights: need to see more clearly?

If you have questions right now, one of our rune specialists will enlighten you. The future is mine.

Talk to a spiritual guide 🔮

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