The Runic Alphabet

Here we give a very brief outline of Rune interpretation. As with Tarot cards and other methods of divination, runes can be placed in one of two orentations. If the rune character has its normal orientation (shown in the table below) then the standard themes of the middle column are applicable whereas if the character is the wrong way up, this would be classed as a reversal and the alternate themes of the right hands column would apply. However, because some of the characters are symetrical, they cannot have a reverse condition although they do still have an alternate interpretation for use when placed in opposition against other runes in various spreads. This depends on which particular style of reading you choose to use.

Rune	Normal Themes	Reversal/Opposition Themes
FEHU	Abundance, Hope and plenty, Possessions (won or earned), Luck. Financial strength (in the present or near future). Success and Happiness. Energy, Foresight, Fertility, creation/destruction symbolic of Transformation.	Loss of personal property, esteem, or something that is close, meaningful and needed effort to achieve. Indication of a failure of some sort. Disharmony, Greed, Cowardice, Stupidity, Dullness, Poverty.
URUZ	Untamed potential, Physical strength and speed, A time of great energy and health. Freedom to take direct action, understanding, courage, strength, tenacity, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. A time to see your inner self.	Weakness, obsession, misdirection, Servitude, domination by others. Sickness, inconsistency, ignorance. Lust, brutality, rashness, callousness
THURISAZ	Opportunity, The Great Gateway, A Cross Roads, Strong Forces are available. A time for Decisive Action. Reactive forces, directed force of destruction and defence, conflict. Instinctiveness, vital eroticism, a regenerative catalyst. A tendency toward change. purging, cleansing fire. Male sexuality, fertilization.	Avoiding decisions which should have been taken. Danger, defencelessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness. Evil, malice, hatred, torment, spite, lies.
ANSUZ	Communication, expression, a revealing message or insight, inspiration, enthusiasm, lucidity, eloquence. True vision, blessings. The taking of advice. Good health, harmony, truth, wisdom.	Delusion, Boredom. Vanity, Misunderstanding, manipulation by others
RAIDHO	Travel, movement, migration, relocation, (Physical or Life direction). A journey, holiday, evolution. Seeing the big picture. Grasp an opportunity while it knocks.	Crisis, Rigidity, Futility, Injustice, Irrationality, Disruption, Dislocation, Demotion, Delusion
KENAZ	A warm comforting glow, vision, confidence, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration and ability. Vital fire of life, Harnessed power, Energy from transformation and regeneration. Recharged, Tap into new found strength, energy, and power now. Passion.	Disease, Break-up, Instability, lack of creativity. Nakedness, Exposure, hopelessness.
GIFU	Gifts, both in the sense of sacrifice and of generosity, indicating balance. All matters in relation to exchanges, including contracts, personal relationships and partnerships.	Cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition - meaning: Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice. Obligation, toll, privation, bribery.
WUNJO	Joy, happiness, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward. But also the possibility of going too far. If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth.	Sorrow, Strife, Alienation. Delirium, intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy.
HAGALL	Delays, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather, or within the unconscious. Tempering, testing, trial. Controlled crisis, leading to completion, inner harmony.	Cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition - meaning: Natural disaster, catastrophe. Stagnation, loss of power. Pain, loss, suffering, hardship, sickness, crisis.
NIED	Patience, delays, restrictions. 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.	Constraint of freedom, distress, toil, drudgery, laxity. Necessity, extremity, want, deprivation, starvation, need, poverty, emotional hunger.
ISA	Cessation of activities. A challenge or frustration. Psychological blocks to thought or activity, Grievances. Standstill, or a time to turn inward and wait for what is to come, or to seek clarity. This rune reinforces all runes around it.	Cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition - meaning: Ego-mania, dullness, blindness, dissipation. Treachery, illusion, deceit, betrayal, guile, stealth, ambush, plots.
JERA	Harvest and Justice 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.	Cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition - meaning: Sudden setback, reversals. A major change, repetition, bad timing, poverty, conflict.
EIHWAZ	Strength, reliability, dependability, trustworthiness. Enlightenment, endurance. Defence, protection. The drive to acquire something, Motivation and a sense of purpose. Indicates that you have set your sights on a reasonable target and can achieve your goals. An honest, dependable man who can be relied upon.	Confusion, destruction, dissatisfaction, weakness.
PERDHRO	Uncertain meaning, a secret matter, a mystery, hidden things and 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. Fellowship and joy. Evolutionary change.	Addiction, stagnation, loneliness, malaise.
EOLH	(AKA Algiz) - Friendship, Instincts, Protection - a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defence, warding off of evil, the guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. Can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned.	Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels.
SIGEL	The Sun, victory, power, success, goals achieved, honour. The life-force, health. A time when power will be available to you for positive changes in your life. Contact between the higher self and the unconscious. Wholeness, elemental force, sword of flame, cleansing fire.	Cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition - meaning: False goals, bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals. Destruction, retribution, justice, casting down of vanity. Wrath of god.
TIR	Motivation, success,  courage, honour, 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.	Energy and creativity are blocked. Mental paralysis, over-analysis, over-sacrifice, injustice, imbalance. Strife, war, conflict, failure in competition. Dwindling passion, difficulties in communication, and possibly separation.
BEORC	A Birch Tree. Birth and Family. New Beginnings, general fertility, Mental and Physical and Personal growth, liberation. The regenerative power and light of spring, renewal, promise of new beginnings, new growth. Arousal of desire. A love affair. The prosperity of an enterprise or venture.	Family problems and or domestic troubles. Anxiety about someone close to you. Carelessness, abandon, loss of control. Blurring of consciousness, deceit, sterility, stagnation.
EHWAZ	Changes, movement. Transportation. May represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other mode of transport. Changing for the better. Gradual development and steady progress are indicated. Harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty. An ideal marriage or partnership. Confirms beyond doubt the meanings of the runes around it.	A change is perhaps craved. Feelings of restless or being confined in a situation. Reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.
MANNAZ	Of Mankind, the Self; the individual or the human race. An attitude toward others and their attitudes towards you, Inter-dependence. Friends and enemies, social order, Intelligence, forethought, creativity, skill, ability. Divine structure, awareness. Expect to receive some sort of aid or cooperation now.	Depression, mortality, blindness, self-delusion. Cunning, slyness, manipulation, craftiness, calculation. Expect no help now.
LAGAZ	Water, Intuition, the 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.	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.
ING	Fertility, Successful conclusion. Male fertility, gestation, internal growth. Common virtues, common sense, simple strengths, family love, caring, human warmth, the home. A 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.	Cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition - meaning: Impotence, movement without change. Production, toil, labour, work.
DAEG	Dawn and growth, Breakthrough, awakening, awareness. Daylight clarity as opposed to night time confusion and 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.	Cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition - meaning: A completion, ending, limit, coming full circle. Blindness, hopelessness.
OTHEL	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.	Lack of order, totalitarianism, slavery, poverty, homelessness. Bad karma, prejudice, clannishness, provincialism. What a man is bound to.