The "Elder Futhark", is the runic alphabet which is a composite of
the runic symbols most commonly used in northern Europe. The names of
the runes of the Elder Futhark are speculative recreations of what
linguists call "proto-Germanic" or "Indo-European".
There are many versions of the runic alphabets. Each has
variations in names, shapes, esoteric meanings and magical uses. One
should not mix futharks, or the intent or meaning becomes confused.
The Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, and the Younger (or
Scandinavian) Futhark are the most frequently seen versions of the
runic alphabets in use today.
The runes are broken into three sections or groups of eight,
called aett (aettir, plural). This helps one to remember their order,
and later, you will see, has significance in magical uses.
First the rune name is given, then its phonetic value, its
symbolic image, and finally the esoteric meaning used in divination.
Rune usersdisagree on whether or not to place a different meaning on
a rune that falls in an inverted or reversed position. Some runes
look the same upside down and right side up. These cannot be
"reversed". Nevertheless, any of the runes may appear as a
"merkstave" (which literally means "dark stick" and implies a "dark"
meaning), depending on how the runes are cast. Note that a "reversed"
or "merkstave" meaning is not the opposite of its primary meaning,
but usually has a more negative connotation.

Fehu (F: Domestic cattle, wealth.) Possessions won or earned,
earned income, luck. Abundance, financial strength in the present or
near future. Sign of hope and plenty, success and happiness. Social
success. Energy, foresight, fertility, creation/destruction
(becoming). Fehu Reversed or Merkstave: Loss of personal property,
esteem, or something that you put in effort to keep. It indicates
some sort of failure. Greed, burnout, atrophy, discord. Cowardice,
stupidity, dullness, poverty, slavery, bondage.

Uruz: (U: Auroch, a wild ox.) Physical strength and speed, untamed
potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy,
action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or
unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine
potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of the self.
Uruz Reversed or Merkstave: Weakness, obsession, misdirected force,
domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust,
brutality, rashness, callousness, violence.

Thurisaz: (TH: Thorn or a Giant.) Reactive force, directed force
of destruction and defense, conflict. Instinctual will, vital
eroticism, regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change.
Catharsis, purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, fertilization.
(Thorr, the Thunder god, was of Giant stock.)Thurisaz Reversed or
Merkstave: Danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness.
Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies. A bad man or woman.
Rape?

Ansuz: (A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odin.) A revealing message
orinsight, communication. Signals, inspiration, enthusiasm, speech,
true vision, power of words and naming. Blessings, the taking of
advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom. Ansuz Reversed or
Merkstave: Misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others,
boredom. Vanity and grandiloquence. (Odin is a mighty, but
duplicitous god. He always has his own agenda.)

Raidho: (R: Wagon or chariot.) Travel, both in physical terms and
those of lifestyle direction. A journey, vacation, relocation,
evolution, change of place or setting. Seeing a larger perspective.
Seeing the right move for you to make and deciding upon it. Personal
rhythm, world rhythm, dance of life. Raidho Reversed or Merkstave:
Crisis, rigidity, stasis, injustice, irrationality. Disruption,
dislocation, demotion, delusion, possibly a death.

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.

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.

Wunjo: (W or V: Joy.) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony,
prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the
possibility of going "over the top". If restrained, the meaning is
general success and recognition of worth. Wunjo Reversed or
Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation. Delirium,
intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm.
Raging frenzy, berzerker.

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.

Nauthiz: (N: Need.) Delays, restriction. Resistance leading to
strength, innovation, need-fire (self-reliance). Distress, confusion,
conflict, and the power of will to overcome them. Endurance,
survival, determination. A time to exercise patience. Recognition of
one's fate. Major self-initiated change. Face your fears. Nauthiz
Reversed or Merkstave: Constraint of freedom, distress, toil,
drudgery, laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation,
starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger.

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.

Jera: (J or Y: A year, a good harvest.) The results of earlier
efforts are realized. A time of peace and happiness, fruitful season.
It can break through stagnancy. Hopes and expectations of peace and
prosperity. The promise of success earned. Life cycle, cyclical
pattern of the universe. Everything changes, in its own time. Jera
Merkstave (Jera cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition):
Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing,
poverty, conflict.

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.

Perthro: (P: Lot cup, vagina.) Uncertain meaning, a secret matter,
a mystery, hidden things and occult abilities. Initiation, knowledge
of one's destiny, knowledge of future matters, determining the future
or your path. Pertaining to things feminine, feminine mysteries
including female fertility, and vagina. Good lot, fellowship and joy.
Evolutionary change. Perthro Reversed or Merkstave: Addiction,
stagnation, loneliness, malaise.

Algiz: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The
protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of
evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher
life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your
instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned.
Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine
forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which
repels.

Sowilo: (S: The sun.) Success, goals achieved, honor. The
life-force, health. A time when power will be available to you for
positive changes in your life, victory, health, and success. Contact
between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, power,
elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire. Sowilo Merkstave
(Sowilo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals,
bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction,
retribution, justice, casting down of vanity. Wrath of god.

Tiwaz: (T: Tyr, the sky god.) Honor, justice, leadership and
authority. Analysis, rationality. Knowing where one's true strengths
lie. Willingness to self-sacrifice. Victory and success in any
competition or in legal matters. Tiwaz Reversed or Merkstave: One's
energy and creative flow are blocked. Mental paralysis,
over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war,
conflict, failure in competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in
communication, and possibly separation.

Berkano: (B: Berchta, the birch-goddess.) Birth, general
fertility, both mental and physical and personal growth, liberation.
Regenerative power and light of spring, renewal, promise of new
beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair or new
birth. The prospering of an enterprise or venture. Berkano Reversed
or Merkstave: Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about
someone close to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control.
Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.

Ehwaz: (E: Horse, two horses.) Transportation. May represent a
horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicle. Movement and change for the
better. Gradual development and steady progress are indicated.
Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An ideal marriage or partnership.
Confirmation beyond doubt the meanings of the runes around it. Ehwaz
Reversed or Merkstave: This is not really a negative rune. A change
is perhaps craved. Feeling restless or confined in a situation.
Reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.

Mannaz: (M: Man, mankind.) The Self; the individual or the human
race. Your attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you.
Friends and enemies, social order. Intelligence, forethought, create,
skill, ability. Divine structure, intelligence, awareness. Expect to
receive some sort of aid or cooperation now. Mannaz Reversed or
Merkstave: Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning,
slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help
now.

Laguz: (L: Water, or a leek.) Flow, water, sea, a fertility
source, the healing power of renewal. Life energy and organic growth.
Imagination and psychic matters. Dreams, fantasies, mysteries, the
unknown, the hidden, the deep, the underworld. Success in travel or
acquisition, but with the possibility of loss. Laguz Reversed or
Merkstave: An indication of a period of confusion in your life. You
may be making wrong decisions and poor judgements. Lack of creativity
and feelings of being in a rut. Fear, circular motion, avoidance,
withering. Madness, obsession, despair, perversity, sickness,
suicide.

Ingwaz: (NG: Ing, the earth god.) Male fertility, gestation,
internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths,
family love, caring, human warmth, the home. Rest stage, a time of
relief, of no anxiety. A time when all loose strings are tied and you
are free to move in a new direction. Listen to yourself. Ingwaz
Merkstave (Ingwaz cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition):
Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labor,
work.

Dagaz: (D: Day or dawn.) Breakthrough, awakening, awareness.
Daylight clarity as opposed to nighttime uncertainty. A time to plan
or embark upon an enterprise. The power of change directed by your
own will, transformation. Hope/happiness, the ideal. Security and
certainty. Growth and release. Balance point, the place where
opposites meet. Dagaz Merkstave (Dagaz cannot be reversed, but may
lie in opposition): A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle.
Blindness, hopelessness.

Othala: (O: Ancestral property.) Inherited property or
possessions, a house, a home. What is truly important to one. Group
order, group prosperity. Land of birth, spiritual heritage,
experience and fundamental values. Aid in spiritual and physical
journeys. Source of safety, increase and abundance. Othala Reversed
or Merkstave: Lack of customary order, totalitarianism, slavery,
poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness,
provincialism. What a man is bound to.

Blank Rune: There is no historical support for a "Blank Rune" in
runic divination. It was invented in the 1980's. It should not be
used in a rune casting. If you bought a rune set with a blank piece,
save it in case you lose another rune piece, but don't use it in rune
casting.