t A.-S. rune name Tír**, Proto-Germanic Tiwaz, Roman Letter t
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Glory is some token ---it holds troth well
With æthelings---aye it is on course
Over night's mists---it never swikes(i.e. "wanders/deceives").
** alternate name Tiw "the god Tyr."
The rune Tír actually has two names, the one used in the "Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem" means "glory,' but the name used in Old Norse was Tyr, the name of the Norse god, the Anglo Saxon equivalent of this name being Tiw. Tír is a guiding force, a mark to live one's life by. This guiding mark is the troth or loyalty between friends and family. The Norse god Tyr was the god of troth or faith kept between warriors of the same war band. Tyr was also god of victory in war, legal matters, and any other undertaking that required one to strive. Tales in the Icelandic sagas portray warriors invoking this rune for victory.
Tír is the rune of justice in all matters. However, this justice is often recieved only after undergoing trial by ordeal. The god Tiw lost one of his hands in order to bind Fenris the wolf so that justice could be served. Thus the rune Tír is not the symbol of easy victory, but victory to come if one does what is right and true and is honest in every undertaking.
In divination, Tír means a successful venture, an existence of troth and loyalty. Guidance may be in the offering. In spellwork, it can be used to gain success or to force someone to obey a legal agreement.
b A.-S. rune name Beorc, Proto-Germanic Berkano, Roman Letter b
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Beorc is shootless---it bears even so
Tines without fruit---it has shining branches
High in its crown---fair adorned
Loaded with leaves---it touches the luft (sky).
The rune Beorc represents motherhood and productivity. Where Éoh, the yew is a rune of death, Beorc is a rune of new birth. Many runesters interpret this rune as symbolizing the barren mother, but this is largely due to the vagueness of the words used in the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem which many take to describe a poplar. However, a slightly different translation reveals the verse to describe the birch we know. Birch was used in Maypoles, and its leaves in bridal arrangements which mat indicate the rune is one of new birth. Beorc can indicate new birth or rebirth, a time of beauty and transcendence to almost the divine. Its qualities are those of spring, of flowers blooming forth, of young maidens in the spring atTíre. A few runesters interpret this rune as one of the barren mother, but this is not so, for the symbolism of the tree itself is strongly linked to springtime festivities. It is a rune of fertility, birth, and motherhood.
Beorc is also a rune of protection, in Medieval Europe birch twigs were used to drive away evil spirits and twigs of it hung over door ways. This protection is that of the loving mother or sister or lover. The feeling of safety a child gets when it lays its head on its mother's bosom. It is also a rune of healing as it can be linked to the profession of mid wife, mid wives having been some of the best healers in ancient Europe.
In divination, Beorc may mean new growth, a time when motherly tenderness is called for. In spellwork, it can be used to ensure the safety of a child or adult, to promote new growth or healing.
e A.-S. rune name Eh, Proto-Germanic Ehwaz, Roman Letter e
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Eh (horse) is for earls---an ætheling's wynn (pleasure),
A horse's hooves are bold---when around it heroes
Wealthy on war horses---exchange speech
And is for the restless--- ever a help.
Eh is another rune of movement, but unlike Rædd, the concern is the vehicle of movement, the war horse and all the symbolism surrounding it. Eh is a rune of motion, pride, joy, and confidence. It is the rune of pleasurable journeys. It is also a rune of cooperation like that between horse and rider. Some therefore see it as symbolic of marriage though the usual rune associated with that institution is Giefu. Eh can be symbolic of the fetch, one's guardian spirit. In folklore the fetch often appears as a horse. And the fetch often aids the spellcaster on his or her journey.
Eh, like Wynn is a rune of harmony, of two things or people working together on a journey to achieve a common goal. This harmony includes working with others, pride in one's partner, and communication. It is a rune of comfort, the creation of the contentness. It draws forth imagery of the road trip, a trip taken for the mere pleasure of it to quell restless feelings. Most of all, Eh is the ability to set forth on such a journey, it is the vehicle for travel. Eh is one of the runes linked to nobility, the others being Cén, Tír, and Éthel.
In divination, eh may refer to a period of cooperation, it can indicate marriage, but rarely one in the making. In addition, it can indicate a pleasurable journey or a period of well being. In spellwork, it can be used to contact one's fetch or to ensure cooperation.
m A.-S. rune name Mann, Proto-Germanic Mannaz, Roman Letter m
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Mann is in mirth---his kinsmen's leif (dear),
Though each shall - others swike (deceive)
When the Drighten (i.e. "lord") wishes---in his doom
That poor flesh---betaken (committed) to the earth.
Mann in the ancient Northern European tongues meant both sexes not just the male. The word for male in Anglo-Saxon was wer while in Old Norse it was ver. Mann represents all humans can be, it is a rune of mortality, of happiness and betrayal. The moral of the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem is clear, when things are going good it is easy for humans to be kind and loyal, but when death is near, personal survival takes over. One noted runester takes Mann to indicate the perfect man, the sort found in Plato's philosophy. However, the "Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem" verse seems to indicate something much different; a typical human with all their flaws.
Mann is the rune of Mankind's mortality. We are quick to act and behave with honor and dignity when the going is good, but when our worlds begin to crumble around us, the survival instinct kicks in, and we betray even those whom we love. Even so, Mann also represents all of Mann's noble qualities, though these are better represented by other runes such as Tír. Mann is neither a negative or positive rune, but one of reality. For all we are, we are still mere mortals questing to comprehend what we often cannot.
In divination, Mann can mean many things, but it usually indicates to beware of betrayal, to watch ones self and others. In spellwork, it can be used to reinforce one's own mortality.
l A.-S. rune name Lagu, Proto-Germanic Laguz, Roman Letter l
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Lagu is to lede (people)---thought long
If they should go thence---on a shaky ship
And the sea waves---strongly bree (terrify)
And the brime steed ---obeys not its bridles.
Lagu is another journey rune, this one of the sea. It is to Sigel, what Eh is to Ræd. It is the rune of the rough passage, of the terrifying transformation. An alternate name for this rune in the Proto-Germanic is Laukaz or the leek. Leeks are known for their rapid growth and are sacred to the god Thunor (Thor). Here again we see the North Sea storm symbolism for Thunor is god of the Thunderstorm. Lagu, therefore refers to rapid uncontrolled change which if geared towards growth can be helpful, but if allowed to go astray may lead to destruction. Leeks were also used for healing though, and this is Lagu's good aspect. Physical healing in and of itself can be a rapid though controlled process like the growth of a leek, and rapid change if controlled can lead to great progress for any undertaking.
Lagu's name means "sea" and this indicates that the rune itself may have links to Wyrd. Much of the water symbolism in Norse Mythology was tied to the concept of Wyrd (see Bauschtaz), and the rune Lagu is perhaps no different. Lagu may refer to one caught in the results of their own deeds, caught in their own wyrd, being tossed about like an uncontrolled ship on the ocean. Lagu may then be those times in life of great travail, bankruptcy, divorce, family deaths, things that often seem beyond our control.
In divination, Lagu can indicate rapid change good or bad. In spellwork Lagu can be usedto promote growth and healing, but one must be careful to control these processes. A safer rune to use for such things is Beorc.
N A.-S. rune name Ing, Proto-Germanic Ingwaz, Roman Letter "ng"
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Ing was first---among the East Danes
Seen by men---but he since went eft (back)
Over the wet way---his wain (wagon) ran after
Thus the Heardings---named the hero.
The name of the rune Ing is also the name of the Norse god Frey. Therefore the rune Ing is a rune of fertility, peace, and plenty. Many runesters see it as the "castrated male," but in truth, it is the virile father. Ing is the principal of male virility and along with Beorc is the rune of the start of new life. While Beorc is the nurturing of motherhood, Ing is the protectiveness of the father. Ing was protector of the frith, the peace that surrounded a community along with the prosperity that kept it safe. Frith guilds in Anglo-Saxon England kept the peace, and Ing is a good rune for policemen and other "officers of the peace." Wars and strife broke the peace necessary for the care of crops and animals. Ing therefore symbolizes a provider, protector, and leader.
Ing is also tied to the hero who shows up out of nowhere to save a kingdom and then returns whence he came. This motiff is common throughout Northern European mythology and may give the rune added meanings. Ing may indicate the knight in shining armor, the one that shows up suddenly to set things to right and then leaves as quickly as they came. In this sense Ing may indicate unexpected gifts from the gods, the sudden happy surprise.
In divination Ing can indicate a prosperous period of peace, sometimes romantic love. In spellwork, it can be used to promote fertility and peacefulness.
d A.-S. rune name Dæg, Proto-Germanic Dagaz, Roman Letter d
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Day is the Drighten's (i.e. "lord's") sender - dear to man
The Metod's great light - mirth and hope
To rich and poor - for all to brook ("use/enjoy").
Dæg is the rune of daylight and the happiness associated with it. It has much in common with Jera, in that it reflects a cycle of nature, but this one is much shorter. Day can be seen as symbolic of a short though happy process of change. It can also be associated with the feeling of elation felt on warm sunny spring days. Many associate it with the principle of shamanic ecstasy, though it is probably more indicative of the burst of enthusiasm, of true joy, than it is any spiritual awakening. No doubt this sudden burst of enthusiasm may be due to a sudden realization, one that may be linked to the divine. In this sense, Dæg may be related to the Christian principle of agape, the love for the divine sometimes felt when divine revelation is recieved.
Dæg however is only the last part of a process. The ancient Northern Europeans started the "day" with nightfall, so that by the time daybreak had come, half the cycle of light and darkness had passed. Dæg therefore represents something that must be achieved only by surviving the dark of the night. To see the light of day, one must first survive the darkness before dawn
In divination, Dæg sometimes means a change for the better is about to take place. In magic it can be used to achieve happiness and intuitive thoughts.
O A.-S. rune name Éþel, Proto-Germanic Othala, Roman Letter O
Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Verse:
Éþel is very lief (agreeable) - to every man
If he may straight away - keep what's fit
And brook in his house - blead (increase) often.
Éþel is the rune of the household and the estate, its sentiment is summed up in the phrase "A man's home is his castle." It is the rune of the home life and the safety of the home. However, to keep this estate one must uphold what is right and keep the moral codes of the community. Éþel symbolizes the customs and morals of the tribe, its laws. It is also the rune of inheritance and of nobility. It is therefore linked to one's hereditary traits as well as one's personality traits brought about by their up bringing. This can be seen as part of one's personal wyrd or that of the family or clan.
Éþel can also be seen as that type of mægen which is linked to one place or group of people. Whereas other runes symbolize mægen in general, the mægen Éþel represents is tied to specific families. It is the might of ancestral homelands, of ancient clans. Whereas féh represents mobile power, Éþel represents that power which is fixed, stable, and far more powerful in the long run.
It is the rune of the enclosure known as the tribe, a group of people banded together for mutual protection from the wilds outside. Ancient Northern Europe was sometimes a difficult place to survive, in many ways like the American frontier. Warfare with Celts and Romans and even with other Germanic tribes was often the case. Yet, one's homeland was safe, a place where one was surrounded by a loving caring community. Yet this safety can only be kept as long as ancient customs and laws are observed, as long as what is right is done.
In divination, Éþel can indicate an inheritance either of a physical or spiritual nature. In spellwork, it can be used to enforce customary law or to protect one's estate.