Haikus about the runes: Eihaz, rune of Yggdrasil

Great yew, evergreenResurrection, Tree of LifeYou are Yggdrasil The rune ᛇ is called eihaz, meaning ‘yew’. It is pronounced like the letter ï. The yew is a sacred tree in many traditions. In the Norse religion, the world tree Yggdrasil is sometimes believed to be a yew. It has in the past been translated as

Haikus about the runes: Logur, the water rune

Child, be like waterFor logur is powerful,breaks mountains by touch The l-rune ᛚ is called logur, meaning ‘water’. It is associated with all things we associate with water: softness, flow, multifacetedness and flexibility. As Lao Tzu, a great spiritual teacher from another tradition (Daoism), taught: softness is seen as weak by many but is in

Haikus about the runes: Madur, rune of humans

Man came from the GodsThe Goddesses birthed Madur,A gem in Midgård The m-rune is called ‘Madur’, meaning man (as in human beings in general, not just males). According to the traditional understanding in Norse religion, both the runes and humans were created by the Gods. One of the All-Father Odin’s many names is Gautr, which

Haikus about the runes: Tiwaz, rune of the God of war

Tiwaz is Týr’s spearI invoke the mighty GodThe one-handed Lord The t-rune is called Tiwaz and is associated with Týr, the God of justice and war. Its shape is supposed to remind one of a spear. It was often carved into weapons, as a prayer to Týr to grant victory in battle. Týr is known

Haikus about the runes: Ár and Jera, runes of plenty

Plenty’s been givenGenerous jera grantedLet’s rejoice and share ᛅ or ár (ᛃ or jera in the Elder Futhark. The Old Norse of the Younger Futhark had no j-sound) is a rune whose name means ‘plenty’ or ‘good harvest’. Speaking of enjoying the Earth’s gifts: it’s strawberry season here in Scandinavia and I’m thoroughly enjoying it

Haikus about the runes: Nauðr

Hasten to the callNauðr says there is much to doChild, stand up and fight! The n-rune ᚾ is called nauðr, meaning need or distress. Meditating on this rune can conjure thoughts of personal suffering and longing. But it can also be a reminder of the needs of others and one’s responsibility to lend a helping

Haikus about the runes: Haglaz

Terrible haglazStones of ice fall from the skyStrike the Earth with fear The ᚺ (or ᚼ in the Younger Futhark) rune is called haglaz, meaning hail. It stands for the h sound. One mention of hail in the myths is in relation to the world tree Yggdrasil, which is said to stand in a shower

Haikus about the runes: Kaun, the wound rune

Memories is kaunScar like a rune on my skinA word that reminds The rune K rune is called kaun, meaning ‘scar’, ‘wound’ or ‘ulcer’.

Haikus about the runes: Raidō

The mighty SleipnirEight-legged reið of OdinKing among horses The ᚱ rune makes a r sound and is named Reið or Raidō, meaning ‘ride’ or ‘journey’. It is associated with horses and travelling.In the Norse religion, the most famous horse is Sleipnir. He was conceived when the shape-shifting God Loki turned Himself into a mare and

Haikus about the runes: Ansuz, rune of God(s)

Gods and GoddessesPetals of the One I loveMy prayers They hear Ansuz (a) is the fourth letter of the Futhark. It is associated with the word ‘Áss’, meaning ‘God’ and is therefore associated with the Deitys and particularly with Odin and His Æsir.