FEOH (Frey) In ancient time this rune signified cattle, which were commonly used as a form of hard currency among the Indo-European tribes. This rune therefore represents wealth, but as cattle raids between the warring tribes were frequent, it is a wealth which can be easily won or lost.
	UR (Power) This rune symbolizes the auroch or wild ox, and ancient breed of European bison dating back to prehistoric times. The Ur rune is a symbol of elemental power and masculine energy in its untamed form. The ritual hunting of the auroch was undertaken by young warriors as a test of manhood. Therefore Ur can be seen as representing the pioneer spirit, rugged individualism and spiritual strength.
	PORN (Thor) This runic character represents a thorn but also the magickal hammer of the god Thor which is called Mjollnir. Although a thorn is on tiny in size it can still cause physical discomfort which is increased hundredfold if thorns are encountered in large numbers.
	OS (Odin) Often known as 'the divine rune', Os is sacred to Odin the Allfather as the Supreme Being of Norse pagan religion in its historical period. Oding was regarded by the Romans as the northern European equivalent of Mercury or Hermes. This rune is therefore associated with communication through the written and spoken word.
	RAD (Wheel) In rune lore this character was associated with the symbol of a wheel or wagon. The latter was a recurring motif in the Norse myth and could be either the chariot or the sun which crosses the sky every day, the magickal vehicles which transported Freyja and Frey, Thor's chariot drawn by two giant goats of the sacred wagon of the earth goddess Nerthus.
	CEN (Fire) This is a rune symbolizing the elemental power of fire. A torch or sacred fire is an universal symbol of the enlightenment found in most religions. In Nordic mythology the two primal forces responsible for creation, which brought the physical universe into manifestation, are fire (masculine energy) and ice (feminine energy).
	GYFU (Gift) In tribal society the giving of gifts had a very special significance. A wealthy person was judge by the number of frequency of the gifts he or she gave to those less fortunate. Personal relationships and close friendships were also cemented by the exchanging of gifts which were of small value but had a considerable symbolic meaning.
	WYN (Joy) The meaning of this rune is usually rendered as 'joy' or 'happiness', which were highlights in the lives of the inhabitants of the cold and dark northern regions. Especially near the Arctic Circle, the winters were long and darkness lasted most of the day. The coming of spring was therefore a joyous event celebrated with the worship of the life force.
	HAGEL (Air) Translated this rune's name means 'hail', and it symbolizes the unexpected spring storms which could devastate the germinating crops. Hagel therefore represents the delays and limitations which can often hinder progress, either in daily life or on the spiritual path. These delays had to be seen in a positive light as part of the natural pattern.
	NYD (Need) Often modern runecasters use a blank rune to signify Wyrd or 'destiny'. Alternatively, this rune can be used as a substitute. Nyd is ruled by the Norms who, were goddesses who personified the cosmic powers of destiny and fate. It is the Norms who record the deeds of mortals on the scroll of eternity.
	IS (Ice) This is the second primal rune, the opposite to Cen. It represents the elemental power of water (spirit) which is transformed into ice (matter) to create physical reality. In the Norse creation myth it was primordial interaction between fire and ice which triggered this process and manifested Middle Earth.
	GER (Earth) The Ger rune is a symbol of growth, rebirth, regeneration and the harvest which ends the agricultural year. Its form represents the wheel or cycle of the seasons which is Nordic belief turns at the winter solstice or Yule. The upright line intersecting the circle signifies the two high points of the year and midwinter and midsummer.
	EOH (Death) The death rune is symbolized by the yew tree, which was also the best wood for carving runes. In Norse mythology the World Tree Yggdrasil was said to be a yew. For obvious reasons the yew tree is also a tree sacred to Odin in his role as sacrificed god.
	PEORTH (Hearth) This is and ambiguous rune which has been given several meanings. It has variously been translated as 'hearth', 'fruit tree' and chessmen'. It would appear to be connected with games and therefore the power of Wyrd. Alternatively, it can be linked with sacred music, bardism and the sacred dance.
	EOLH (Protection) As its name suggests, this is a protection rune. It derives its magickal name from as species of the giant elk which used to roam the forest of prehistoric Europe. It was used as a warning device to keep trespassers off private property and to protect the wearer from harm. As it shape dictates, it is also as feminine sign of the fertility Goddess.
	SIGIL (Sun) The title of the rune means quite literally 'the sun', which was and important element of worship in the Bronze and Iron Age cultures of northern Europe. Symbolically the sun represents the life force but in the Germanic myth it was regarded as feminine. This gender reversal probably dates back to the matrifocal of pre-patriarchal times.
	TYR (Tiw) Tyr, Tew or Tiw was one of the principal gods of the divine dynasty known as the Aesir, which included Odin and Thor. He was a deity of war and gave his name to our modern Tuesday. From its shape the Tyr rune is obviously a phallic symbol. It denotes 'victory in battle' and represents martial values and attributes.
	BEORC (Birth) In rune lore Beorc signifies the birth tree, which is a symbol of fertility. Its shape resembles female breasts. Beorc is also known as the 'birth rune' and is connected with fecundity, children and the Great Mother Goddess.
	EH (Horse) The horse was sacred to the fertility god Frey and this divine animal is represented in the rune alphabet by Eh. Indo-European myth presents the horse as the important sacred beast and the Celtic and Saxon hill figures of southern England celebrate this fact.
	MANNAZ (Man) Kingship and bloodlines were very important to the Aryan races of northern Europe. Each individual belonged to a clan to whom they owed primary loyalty and this extended beyond this life into the next world. Each tribe erected the mound where their kin would be buried and had to ensure they carried out the correct burial rites so the dead did not become 'nightwalkers' haunting the living.
	LAGU (Water) This is the water rune signifying the lake or the sea. The ocean is symbolically the womb of the Great Mother Goddess which is the source of all life in the universe. The association between the tides, the lunar cycle and menstruation is well known.
	ING (Fertility) This unusual rune is named after the mysterious god who was seen traveling over the water in a wagon by the East Danes. They at first thought he was the sea god Njord but he was later identified with Frey.
	DAEG (Dawn) The name of this rune refers to the dawn of a new day. This was an event welcomed in the northern lands especially after the long nights of winter. Where the sun was worshipped as a symbol of the life force its rising was ritually greeted each day.
	ODAL (Home) The Odal rune signifies the ancestral home. It is the special place from which the tribe or individual originated or theur present homeland. The concept of the sacred landscape and the importance of the bloodline were key beliefs in the pagan world view.