The Elder Futhark Runes

Runes are far more than an old alphabet tucked away in history books.
They are keys—mysterious little symbols humming with layers of wisdom, power, and story.

For centuries, these marks were carved into stone, wood, and bone, carrying knowledge across generations and opening doorways into unseen realms. Each rune of the Elder Futhark is more than just a letter—it is a vessel of magic, a whisper from the ancestors, and a tool for guidance.

Here at Madame Meerkat’s, we see the 24 runes as a treasure chest of insight. Whether you seek clarity, protection, or a nudge from the cosmos, each rune has a voice waiting to be heard. Step closer, curious traveler—the runes are ready to speak, if you are ready to listen.

Buy your own here: Norse Runes

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What Is a Rune?

At first glance, a rune may look like a simple mark—a line scratched into wood, carved into stone, or etched into bone. But to those who know better, these symbols are living mysteries, each one carrying a story, a spell, and a secret.

The very word rune comes from Old Norse, meaning “secret letter.” And indeed, in the eyes of ancient peoples, writing itself was a kind of magic. Imagine: to someone who had never seen symbols form words, a message carved into a piece of wood would have seemed nothing short of sorcery.

Among the many forms of runes, the Elder Futhark is the oldest and most widely known. With its 24 distinct symbols, this system was carried by Germanic and Nordic tribes as both language and talisman. Each rune is more than just a letter—it is a sigil of guidance, protection, and transformation.

The earliest runes weren’t written with ink on parchment, but inscribed on natural materials—bone, stone, wood—then painted with bright pigments to make their presence undeniable. These symbols have been discovered far beyond Scandinavia, turning up as far as Iran, Turkey, England, and even India. The oldest known rune carving still standing is a Viking runestone near Tängelgårda, Sweden, dating back to around 400 CE—a stone that whispers across centuries, though the full story of its making is forever cloaked in mystery.

 

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The Mythology of the Runes

If you follow the roots of the runes deep enough, they lead you to the World Tree itself.
Norse legend tells us that it was Odin, the Allfather, who first unlocked their secrets. In a great act of sacrifice, he hung upon Yggdrasil—the cosmic ash tree—for nine long days and nine long nights, neither eating nor drinking. In this liminal state between life and death, he glimpsed the hidden knowledge woven into the fabric of existence.

From this trial, the runes revealed themselves. Odin gathered them into his keeping, not as mere symbols, but as living forces—each carrying its own current of wisdom and power. When he returned, he shared this gift with the vitki, the rune-workers and seers who used these mysteries for divination, protection, and spellcraft. With the runes, futures could be read, curses lifted, and destinies shaped.

Norse mythology reminds us that each rune is tied to something primal:

• Fehu to cattle, wealth, and prosperity
  
  

• Uruz to the great aurochs, symbol of raw strength
  
  

• Thurisaz to the Jotunn, the ancient giants who embody chaos and challenge
  
  

In truth, every rune is not just a letter, but a spirit, a whisper, and a key to deeper realms.

 

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The Elder Futhark Runes & Their Meanings

ᚠ Fehu (Fay-hoo)

Meaning: Cattle, wealth, prosperity.
Fehu is the rune of abundance and flow—the energy of resources moving through your life. Once it was measured in herds of cattle, now it speaks to money, success, and energetic exchange. When Fehu appears, it reminds you that true wealth isn’t just gold, but the health of your connections and the generosity of your spirit.

 

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ᚢ Uruz (Oo-rooz)

Meaning: Aurochs, primal strength, endurance.
This rune carries the wild, untamed power of the aurochs—the mighty ancestor of modern cattle. Uruz is about raw vitality, determination, and the strength to transform. It urges you to embrace your own life force, test your limits, and trust that challenges are shaping you into something stronger.

 

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ᚦ Thurisaz (Thoor-ee-saz)

Meaning: Giant, thorn, chaotic force.
The rune of giants and thorns, Thurisaz is both a warning and a weapon. It’s the disruptive energy of chaos, but also the sharp edge needed for protection. This rune reminds you that sometimes obstacles are teachers, and that destruction can clear the way for new growth. Handle it carefully—like fire, it can warm or burn.

 

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ᚨ Ansuz (Ahn-sooz)

Meaning: Odin, communication, wisdom.
Ansuz is the breath of the gods, the rune of divine inspiration and messages. It speaks of clear communication, wisdom passed from teacher to student, and the gifts of language itself. When Ansuz shows up, expect guidance through words, omens, or sudden insight—listen closely.

 

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ᚱ Raidho (Rye-tho)

Meaning: Journey, movement, rhythm.
Raidho is the rune of the road—whether it’s a literal journey or the winding path of your life. It calls you to trust the process, keep moving, and honor the rhythm of your own footsteps.

 

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ᚲ Kenaz (Keh-nahz)

Meaning: Torch, illumination, knowledge.
Kenaz is the spark that lights the dark. It represents clarity, revelation, and the creative fire. This rune shines a light on hidden truths, guiding you toward inspiration and understanding.

 

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ᚷ Gebo (Gay-bo)

Meaning: Gift, exchange, partnership.
Gebo is the rune of balance and generosity. It symbolizes the sacred act of giving and receiving, the harmony of relationships, and the bonds forged through equal exchange.

 

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ᚹ Wunjo (Woon-yo)

Meaning: Joy, harmony, fulfillment.
Wunjo is a deep breath of happiness—the rune of contentment, friendship, and community. It’s a reminder to celebrate victories, nurture bonds, and embrace the joy of the present moment.

 

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ᚺ Hagalaz (Hah-gah-lahz)

Meaning: Hail, disruption, sudden change.
Like a storm of hail, Hagalaz brings unexpected upheaval. Though it can be destructive, it clears stagnant energy and creates space for renewal.

 

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ᚾ Nauthiz (Now-these)

Meaning: Need, resistance, survival.
This rune speaks to hardship and necessity. Nauthiz is the spark struck from friction—the challenge that forces growth. It reminds you that constraint can sharpen your focus and strengthen your will.

 

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ᛁ Isa (Ee-sah)

Meaning: Ice, stillness, delay.
Isa is the rune of pause, patience, and frozen time. It counsels stillness, urging you to conserve energy and wait for the thaw before moving forward.

 

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ᛃ Jera (Yair-ah)

Meaning: Harvest, cycles, reward.
Jera represents the turning of the seasons and the fruits of hard labor. It assures that what you sow, you will eventually reap—be patient, your harvest is on its way.

 

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ᛇ Eihwaz (Eye-wahz)

Meaning: Yew tree, endurance, death and rebirth.
This rune embodies transformation, resilience, and connection between worlds. Like the yew tree, it bridges life and death, reminding us that endings are gateways to new beginnings.

 

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ᛈ Perthro (Perth-row)

Meaning: Mystery, fate, hidden things.
Perthro is the rune of chance and the unknown. It speaks of destiny, secrets, and the unseen forces shaping your path. A reminder that not everything is meant to be revealed at once.

 

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ᛉ Algiz (All-geez)

Meaning: Protection, guardian, higher self.
Algiz is the outstretched elk antlers, a symbol of shielding and spiritual guardianship. It offers protection and urges you to stand tall, rooted in your higher self.

 

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ᛋ Sowilo (So-wee-lo)

Meaning: Sun, success, vitality.
Sowilo is the radiant sun rune, symbolizing triumph, clarity, and life force. It brings warmth, illumination, and confidence—the spark that drives away shadows and lights your way forward.

 

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ᛏ Tiwaz (Tee-wahz)

Meaning: Tyr, justice, honor.
This rune belongs to the god Tyr, the upholder of law and sacrifice. It stands for courage, fairness, and noble leadership, reminding you to act with integrity.

 

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ᛒ Berkano (Bear-kah-no)

Meaning: Birch, growth, fertility.
Berkano is the rune of new beginnings, nurturing energy, and healing. Like a birch sprouting fresh leaves, it signals renewal, birth, and gentle care.

 

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ᛖ Ehwaz (Eh-wahz)

Meaning: Horse, partnership, trust.
Ehwaz is the rune of movement and teamwork. Symbolizing the bond between horse and rider, it speaks of loyalty, cooperation, and forward momentum built on trust.

 

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ᛗ Mannaz (Mah-nahz)

Meaning: Humanity, self, community.
This rune reflects both the self and the collective. Mannaz calls you to consider your role within the web of humanity, balancing individuality with cooperation and compassion.

 

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ᛚ Laguz (Lah-gooz)

Meaning: Water, intuition, flow.
Laguz is the deep, flowing current of water and the unconscious. It represents intuition, dreams, and the mysteries of the soul. Trust your inner tides.

 

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ᛝ Ingwaz (Ing-wahz)

Meaning: Fertility, potential, gestation.
This rune carries the energy of incubation—ideas forming, projects developing, seeds preparing to sprout. It holds the promise of completion and fulfillment.

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ᛞ Dagaz (Dah-gahz)

Meaning: Daylight, breakthrough, awakening.
Dagaz is the rune of dawn—the moment the first light chases away the shadows. It speaks of clarity, transformation, and sudden realization. When Dagaz appears, expect a breakthrough, an “aha!” moment, or a shift that changes everything for the better. It’s the promise of a new day.

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ᛟ Othala (Oh-thah-lah)

Meaning: Ancestry, heritage, home.
Othala is the rune of inheritance, tradition, and sacred belonging. It reminds you to honor your roots, protect your legacy, and create a sanctuary for those who come after you.

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Working with the Runes in Readings

Runes are not just artifacts of the past—they are living tools for insight. Reading the runes (sometimes called casting) allows you to step into conversation with the unseen, receiving guidance from the symbols themselves.

Here are a few simple ways to begin:

🪶 One Rune Draw

When you need quick guidance, draw a single rune from your pouch. This is perfect for a daily meditation, a yes/no inquiry, or when you’re seeking the heart of a situation.

🌀 Three Rune Spread

A classic layout for clarity. Draw three runes and lay them left to right:

• First Rune: The past influence or foundation.
  
  

• Second Rune: The present situation or challenge.
  
  

• Third Rune: The likely outcome or path forward.
  
  

✨ Casting the Runes

For a more traditional approach, place your runes in a pouch, focus on your question, and scatter them across a cloth or surface. Notice which symbols land face up, their placement in relation to one another, and any patterns that emerge. The runes closest to you may show personal influence, while those further away can point to larger forces at play.

🔮 Meditation & Spellwork

Runes can also be carved, written, or visualized in magical practice. Inscribing a rune on a candle, stone, or piece of paper can call in its energy. Meditating on a rune symbol draws its power into your awareness, sharpening intuition and focus.

 

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✨ Remember: the runes don’t predict with certainty—they reveal possibilities, guide your choices, and nudge you toward wisdom. Treat them with respect, and they’ll become loyal companions on your journey.