Algiz Archives » Rune Secrets

How to Memorize Rune Meanings

The Elder Futhark Runes: The Aettir.

Here is a list of the Elder Futhark runes, their literal translations, and some keywords I’ve found that best hint at the meanings of these runic mysteries.

I’ve included the ASCII rune symbols for copy and pasting. If you use this on your blog or site, please link back to https://runemeanings.com … thank you!

First Aett

ᚠ

Fehu – “Fay-Who” – Literally: “Cattle” – Esoteric: Mobile Property, New Beginnings, Wealth

ᚢ

Uruz – “Oo – Ruse” – Literally: “Aurochs” – Esoteric: Endurance, Formation, Manifestation

ᚦ

Thurisaz – “Thor-is-as” – Literally: “Thurses” or “Giants” – Esoteric: Strong one, Conflict, Tool/Weapon

ᚫ

Ansuz – “Anne – suhz” – Literally: “a god” – Esoteric: Breath or Ancestral Sovereign Spirit, poetic inspiration

ᚱ

Raidho – “Ride-ho” – Literally: “Ride” or “Wagon” – Esoteric: Journey, Vehicle, Righteousness

ᚲ

Kenaz – Literally: “Torch” – Esoteric: ‘Ken’ or Knowledge, Craft, Controlled Fire

ᚷ

Gebo – “Gay-boo” – Literally: “Gift” – Esoteric: Fair Exchange, Sacrifice, Sacred Marriage

ᚹ

Wunjo – “Won-joe” – Literally: “Joy” – Esoteric: Hope, Harmony, Perfection

Second Aett

ᚺ

Hagalaz – “Hag-all-az” – Literally: “Hail” or “Hailstone” – Esoteric: Crisis or Radical Change, Opportunity

ᚾ

Nauthiz – “Not-this” – Literally: “Need-fire” or “Necessity” – Esoteric: Constraint, Friction

ᛁ

Isa – “Iss-ah” – Literally: “Ice” – Esoteric: Stasis, Stillness, Self

ᛃ

Jera – “Yehr-ah” – Literally: “Year” – Esoteric: Harvest, Patience, Cycles

ᛇ

Ihwaz (also: eihwaz) – “Yew-was” – Literally: “Yew” – Esoteric: Mysteries of Life and Death, Timeless, Eternity

ᛈ

Perthro – “Per-throw” – Literally: unknown – Esoteric: The Norns, Fate/Chance, Lot-Cup

ᛉ

Algiz (or Elhaz) – “Al-jiz” – Literally: “Elk” – Esoteric: Protection, Higher Self, Divine Connection

ᛋ

Sowilo – “So-iölo” – Literally: “Sun” (Sol) – Esoteric: victory, guidance, goals

Third Aett

ᛏ

Tiwaz – “Tea-waz” – Literally: “The god, Tyr” – Esoteric: Justice, Sacrifice, Sovereign Order

ᛒ

Berkano – “Burr-can-oh” – Literally: “Birch Goddess” – Esoteric: Birth, Sanctuary, Plantlife

ᛖ

Ehwaz – “eh-was” – Literally: “Horse” – Esoteric: Trust, Teamwork, Love,

ᛗ

Mannaz – “Man-az” – Literally: “Mankind” – Esoteric: Humankind, Mind and Memory, Intelligence

ᛚ

Laguz – “Log-uhz” – Literally: “Water” or Ocean – Esoteric: Unconscious, Collective Memory, Unity of Life

ᛝ

Inguz – “Ing-guz” – Literally: “Seed” or “The god, Ing” – Esoteric: Creation, Replication, Wholeness

ᛞ

Dagaz – “Day-gahz” – Literally: “Day” or Dawn – Esoteric: Awakening, Enlightenment, Invisibility

ᛟ

Othala – “Oh-thall-ah” – Literally: “Homeland” or “Ancestral Lot” – Esoteric: Inheritance, Estate, Peace on Earth

ALGIZ (also called Elhaz) is a powerful rune, because it represents the divine might of the universe. The white elk was a symbol to the Norse of divine blessing and protection to those it graced with sight of itself.

Algiz is the rune of higher vibrations, the divine plan and higher spiritual awareness. The energy of Algiz is what makes something feel sacred as opposed to mundane. It represents the worlds of Asgard (gods of the Aesir), Ljusalfheim (The Light Elves) and Vanaheim (gods of the Vanir), all connecting and sharing energies with our world, Midgard.

Image by H. Koppdelaney

The Symbolism of Algiz

The symbol itself could represent the upper branches of Yggdrasil, a flower opening to receive the sun (SOWILO is the next rune in the futhark after all,) the antlers of the elk, the Valkyrie and her wings, or the invoker stance common to many of the world’s priests and shamans. In a very contemporary context, the symbol could be powerfully equated to a satellite dish reaching toward the heavens and communicating with the gods and other entities throughout this and other worlds. I find this metaphor particularly useful, due to my embrace of technology, but if it doesn’t work for you, use the older interpretations.
Continue reading Algiz - Rune Meaning Analysis

Algiz - Rune Meaning

“Fear has its place in every heart. Courage is only a response.”

Algiz (or Elhaz) - “Al-jiz” - Literally: “Elk” - Esoteric: Protection, Higher Self

Rune of the essential link or connection with the patterns of divine or archetypal consciousness, such as the Valkyrie. Rune of the possible danger of realizing this link when unprepared.

Psi: divinity, higher self, the state of listening

Energy: protective teaching force, the divine plan, Valkyries

Mundane: protection, safety, spirituality

Divinations: Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life, protection; or hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of the divine link, fear.

Governs:
Strengthening of hamingja (personal gravity, ‘luck’) and life force through courageous deeds
Mystical and religious communication with non-human sentient beings
Communication with other worlds, especially Asgard
Protection/defense
Receiving instruction on the magical potential of the runes
Banishing the fear of death

My notes:

Algiz is the single strongest energy connected with my own existence. It is a protective teaching force that promotes independence and autonomy as well as faith. Courage in the face of fear is central, not the absence of fear, because fear may or may not be a warning to us that protection and defensiveness is necessary. Algiz supplies the insight necessary to make such judgments and stand in true service to Asgard.

The spiritual force, hamingja, generated by Algiz envelops the invoker with so much energy that he or she becomes sacred, set apart and protected by Divine power. The image of the Valkyrie in mythology is fully representative of the way in which the energies of Algiz work to protect you. Meditating on the image of a Valkyrie in her teacher, swan and warrior forms is a powerful method of invoking Algiz energy.

The Valkyrie will not assist in evading punishment for wrong deeds, or illegal or immoral acts. It will act to soften the blow of punishment if the person willingly accepts accountability for the harm cased by his or her acts and begins to take steps to compensate.

Do not mistake the archetypes encountered through use of this rune. Ask them politely of their purpose and to identify themselves. Good entities always will respond favorably to such requests, and mischievous or harmful entities tend to become offended or refrain from answering. Have courage and fortitude, as you will sometimes be tested. These entities come in many forms, so be prepared to open your mind as to allow their unique methods of communication to take place.