The word Rune is usually translated to mean “mystery, secret lore, wisdom, or magical signs”. Each symbol represents much more than a sound associated with a letter. For instance, the first rune, Fehu, means portable wealth—what we would call liquid capital. Edred Thorssen in Runelore describes Fehu as “the Mystery of Gold.” I find this very appropriate as gold was created deep within stars and has properties that go far beyond it being a metal suitable only for jewelry. Just as gold lies hidden within the earth, the power of this rune lies deep within our own psyche. It is often said that “Fehu is like the wolf hiding deep within in the forest.”

There are many different Futharks, but I prefer the Elder Futhark (shown above) as it is the oldest and (I think) the more substantial of the systems. I prefer to go back to the beginning before the meanings got corrupted by outside influences and the language changed. The Elder Futhark consists of three rows (Aetts) of eight runes each. Like the cards of the Tarot, the meaning of each rune is influenced by the runes that precede and succeed the symbol. Each row is governed by one of the three Norns, goddesses that represent the past, the present, and the future.