According to legend, the runes were given to the Norse God Odin after proving his worth by hanging for nine days on the World Tree, Yggdrasil. In addition to serving as the Norse alphabet, the runes are a powerful tool for divination.

The Elder Futhark consists of twenty four runes, and a twenty fifth blank rune is often used, although this is a modern, rather than traditional invention. Each rune has a name and it's own unique meaning. In some cases the meaning of a rune may change when it appears inverted.

When inverted, a rune often means the opposite or a negative version of the upright rune. Fehu inverted, for example, can mean poverty, financial hardship, or greed.

To read your runes, concentrate on a problem or question and draw three runes at random from the bag and place them face down. The first rune you turn over represents the issue at hand. The second offers guidance, and the third foretells the eventual outcome.

Many books and online resources can tell you more about the runes. As you learn more about them and practice using them, you will find your readings will grow more accurate and provide more insight.

You can also download this page as a PDF here, with our compliments!

Rune	Name	Meaning
	Eihwaz	Hunting, or the courage implicit in the hunt.
	Pertho	Birth and new beginnings.
	Algiz	Protection and shielding.
	Sowulo	The sun. Victory, energy, and rapid change.
	Teiwaz	Male energy of the warrior. A fight for justice.
	Berkana	Feminine energy and the bond of motherhood.
	Ehwaz	The horse. Cooperation and friendship. Transportation.
	Mannuz	Mankind. Assistance or a warning to be objective.
	Leguz	Water. A significant female. Intuition or precognition.
	Ingaz	Completion.
	Othala	Heritage, legacy, or wealth. That which is passed on.
	Dagaz	Attitude or outlook.
	Blank, or Wyrd	Fate, secrets. or the unknowable future. Note: this is not traditionally used.

Rune	Name	Meaning
	Fehu	Wealth, posessions (especially cattle), and material needs or comfort.
	Uraz	The Auroch. A test, challenge, or rite of passage.
	Thurisaz	Defense, the taking up of arms.
	Ansuz	The mouth. Communication and all forms of message.
	Raidho	Motion, speed. A journey, quest, or move.
	Kenaz	Knowledge or inspiration.
	Gebo	A Gift, and the obligations it brings. A contract or partnership.
	Wunjo	Joy and happiness.
	Hagalaz	Hail. The disreuptive forces that force change.
	Nauthiz	Needs. A warning that something is required. Getting what you need, rather than what you want.
	Isa	Ice. Delay, suspention, or inaction.
	Jera	Harvest. Time. The wheel of the year. Thigs that fome to fruition.