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Runic Knowledge/Rune Casting As long as can be remembered, people have yearned for knowledge. With the ability to read and write came more knowledge. Nobody knows for certain how far back Runes actually go, some say they have their origin in the paintings on the walls of prehistoric caves. 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 Futhark and the
Younger (or Scandinavian) Futhark are the most frequently seen
versions of the runic alphabets in use today. We will discuss just the "Elder Futhark" the runic alphabet
which is a composite of the runic symbols most commonly used
in northern Europe. There is a legend that says the Norse God Odin was the giver of
Runes. It is believed that Odin had the power to raise the dead,
divine the future, fly through the sky on his eight-legged horse
and change his shape at will. Mythology tells us that Odin
gained his knowledge & wisdom through a grisly self-sacrificing
act. He hung for nine days and nights, impaled on the Tree of
the World, by his own spear. At the end of the nine days, he
received a vision of the magickal runic alphabet. This alphabet
consisted of 24 symbols or glyphs. The 24 Runes are divided
into 3 groups of 8. Each of these groups is called an AEtt (AEttir, plural). Each AEtt is often referred to by the name of a Norse
God/Goddess. The first group being called Freya's AEttir, the
second group referred to as Hagal's AEttir, and the last group
as Tyr's AEttir. 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 color association, its
number associations, astrological association, tarot card and
symbolic image, and finally the esoteric meaning used in
divination. Rune users disagree 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.
A "reversed" or "merkstave" meaning is not the opposite of its
primary meaning, but usually has a more negative connotation. 
Freya's AEttir
Freya's AEttir is concerned with:
Love, Life and Happiness Fehu
Color: - Red
Numbers - 6, 24
Astrological sign - Tarus
Associated Tarot - III The Empress
(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:
Color - Yellow
Number - 3
Astrological sign - Leo
Associated Tarot - VIII Strength
(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:
Color - Orange
Number - 5
Astrological sign - Libra
Associated Tarot - XI Justice
(TH: Thorn or a Giant.)
Reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense, conflict.
Instinctual will, vital eroticism, regenerative catalyst.
Atendency 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:
Color - Green
Number - 4
Astrological sign - Gemini
Associated Tarot - I The Magician
(A: The As, ancestral god, i.e. Odhinn.)
A revealing message or insight, 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, manipulationby others, boredom.
Vanity and grandiloquence.
(Odin is a mighty, but duplicious god.
He always has his own agenda.) |  | Raidho:
Color - Indigo
Number - 4
Astrological sign - Sagittarious
Associated Tarot - XIV Temperance
(R: Wagon or chariot.)
Travel, both in physical terms and those of life-style 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:
Color - Magenta
Number - 3
Astrological sign - Scorpio
Associated Tarot - XX Judgement
(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, break-up, instability, lack of creativity.
Nakedness, exposure, loss of illusion and false hope. |  | Gebo:
Color - Blue
Number - 6
Astrological sign - Gemini
Associated Tarot - VI The Lovers
(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 Reversed or Merkstave:
(Gebo cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition):
Greed, loneliness, dependence, over-sacrifice.
Obligation, toll, privation, bribery. |  | Wunjo:
Color - Violet
Number - 6
Astrological sign - Capricorn
Associated Tarot - XXI The World
(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. |  | 
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