Runes of the elder futhark4/10/2024 Runes are the most popular method of divination. What better way to solidify my understanding than to teach others? Since there is so much information available, I decided to turn my learning journey into a mini-blog series. Well, I just spent the last few weeks learning everything I can online about runes and how to use them. They told me to turn them into runes, but I don't know the first thing about runes. I pondered over what to use them for before it hit me like a sack of stones (ha!). While most of my stones contain fossils (I went to school for paleontology/evolutionary biology) and will not be used, many I picked because they spoke to me. Second, I recently took a trip to the Great Lakes with my mother and grandmother where I collected a large number of beautiful stones. Why runes? First, runes are the most popular form of divination, making access to detailed information easy. I decided to change that, starting with runes. However, I have never dabbled in the art before. The Ehwaz rune, as part of Tyr’s aett, carries the warrior god’s sense of justice and balance, guiding us on our journey with its steadfast energy.I have always been fascinated with divination or the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or unknown through magical means. It’s not just about individual runes, but how they interact and relate to each other within their aett. The aett system is a crucial part of understanding the Elder Futhark. It’s a symbol of the mutual trust and respect that are essential in any partnership, much like the balance Tyr upholds in the Norse pantheon. The Ehwaz rune, with its symbolism of partnership and journey, fits perfectly within this aett. Tyr’s aett is a collection of runes that embody themes of courage, justice, and balance, much like Tyr himself, the god of law and heroic glory. Each aett is associated with a specific Norse god or goddess, and in this case, it’s the brave warrior, Tyr. The rune belongs to Tyr’s aett, one of the three groups of runes in the Elder Futhark. The Ehwaz rune, with its connection to the horse, reflects these deeply ingrained cultural beliefs. It was a trusted companion, a partner in the journey of life. In the Viking Age, the horse was more than just a beast of burden. It’s no surprise then that Ehwaz is often associated with the journeying god, Odin. The horse, after all, is a creature of companionship and service. Its Proto-Germanic translation, ‘horse’, encapsulates its essence perfectly. The Ehwaz rune is a symbol of partnership, trust, and journey. Whether in Old Norse, Old English, or Old High German, Ehwaz continued to be associated with the ‘e’ sound, further cementing its connection to ‘ehwaz’, the horse. As the Germanic languages evolved, this phonetic value remained consistent. In the Proto-Germanic language, the Ehwaz rune represented the ‘e’ sound. Despite these variations, the core symbolism remains unchanged – a symbol of partnership and trust. Some versions depict it as a single vertical line with a diagonal line branching off towards the right. Over time, variations of the rune have appeared. This is the essence of Ehwaz, a symbol that captures the partnership and trust between a rider and his horse. Picture two vertical lines, connected by an inverted point at the top, like two horses yoked together. The Ehwaz rune is a simple yet powerful symbol. The horse, after all, was a vital companion in the harsh Nordic climate. Its enduring presence speaks volumes about its significance in the Viking Age. Its name, derived from the Proto-Germanic word ‘ehwaz’, means ‘horse’.Īs the Elder Futhark evolved into the Younger Futhark, around the 8th century, the number of runes was reduced, but Ehwaz retained its place. The Ehwaz rune, the nineteenth in this ancient alphabet, sits between Berkanan, the rune of Fertility, and Mannaz, the rune of humanity. Its origins trace back to the 2nd to 4th centuries, with evidence found on artifacts like the Kylver Stone from Gotland, Sweden. The Elder Futhark, the oldest form of the runic alphabets, is a system of writing steeped in mystery and magic. This is our destination, the world of the Ehwaz rune, a symbol as steadfast as the horse it represents. The stone is cold, but the symbol it bears is one of warmth and companionship. Now, picture a Viking warrior, his hand resting on a runestone etched with the Ehwaz rune.
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