Runes & Elemental Associations

Discussion of runes.
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Xiao Rong
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Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Xiao Rong »

I think it's helpful as a Pagan and a rune-reader to try to associate the runes and the elements. Here's what I've got - I'm missing a few, but this is a preliminary attempt.

*the main elemental duality in Norse mythology is between fire and ice, which made sense given their geography (fire was a life-saving element against the dangerous cold, although both are necessary)

FEHU - Fire/Earth (fire because it is the cow melting the ice in the Nordic creation story, earth because cows are earthy)
URUZ - Fire (?)
THURISAZ - Earth/Water/Ice (earth for thorns, ice for the frost giants)
ANSUZ - Air (for the breath of life and the word of Odin)
RAIDO - Earth (?) (I have in my notes that Raido is the journey into the underworld and the darkness, which is often cyclical, like Persephone's)
KENNAZ - Fire (for the torch - easy!)
GIFU - Fire (?) (for sacrificial fires? I'm quite iffy on this one)
WYNN

--

Anyone else want to take a stab?

HAGAL - Ice/Water (for hail)
NAUTHIZ - Fire (for kindling sticks and the cozy fireplace during winter)
ISA - Ice/Water (duh!)
JERA - Earth (for the harvest and turning of the seasons)
EIHWAZ - Air/Earth (the elm tree connects the nine worlds, including heaven and the underworld)
PERTHO - Water/Earth (water for the mead of inspiration, earth for the rune pieces)
ALGIZ
SIGEL - Fire (for the sun, easy!)

TIWAZ - Fire (?) (for Tyr, god of war)
BEORC - Earth (for the birch sapling)
EHWAZ - Earth (for the horse?)
MANNAZ - Earth/Spirit (for the community/humanity)
LAGU - Water (for the lake - easy!)
INGWAZ - Earth (for the seed)
OTHILA - Earth (for the land inheritance)
DAGAZ - Fire/Ice (day and night)
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Heartsong »

Ooh, awesome list! Thank you for compiling this, Xiao, it's nice to see the elemental correspondences listed out and I feel that they're spot on. :)

If I can add to those you have question marks by:

URUZ: I would add Earth here, since I have in my notes that Uruz is associated not only with the Ox (a very earthy critter), but also with the primal, physical act of creation.

Raido: I would add Fire and Air to Raido. It's close association with Thor (the god of thunder) makes me consider both of those elements (thunder=lightning=fiery, feathery bolt of doom :P). I like the comparison of journeying through the underworld, and to take the analogy a little further: the hero's journey can be compared to a change in direction, like a wind shift, taking control of one's life and seeking empowerment through a metaphorical journey.

GIFU: Water (I say this because of the relationship implied through the giving and receiving of gifts, which can be just as much an emotional exchange as a physical one)

WYNN: Fire/Earth (The warmth of joy combined with the steadiness of shared joy with others)

ALGIZ: Earth/Air (I feel that the groundedness of this rune (protection, friendship, trust, guardian) combines with the shape of the rune resembling to me, not only the elk's antlers, but a person with their arms lifted to the sky (in prayer or rejoicing, maybe?), and thus a spiritual comfort and divine link with the gods)

TIWAZ: Air as well as Fire (due to what Tyr represents: justice, honor, courage)
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Xiao Rong »

I like all the associations you added! I'm going to write them in my book. Thanks, Heartsong!
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Heartsong »

You're very welcome, thank you for starting this thread!
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Isis3Anubis »

Gebo or Gifo: for me I would think it would be fire and water as it is the rune of partnerships and the give and take of energy interchange.
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Xiao Rong »

Ooh, good call, Isis!
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Isis3Anubis »

Uruz is a rune of major changes. It also means vitality and strong recuperation in healing. It is a fire sign as it is a rune of will and manifestation.
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Isis3Anubis »

Uruz is also said to be the first rune of the Futark in German myth it represents the first source of primal energy. It's name means wild oxen.
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Re: Runes & Elemental Associations

Post by Isis3Anubis »

Note: Fehu is the first rune of the Elder Futark, some sources place Uruz first because of its primal power representation.
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