The Third Aett

Tiwaz
Description:

This rune references the legendary Norse warrior "Tyr", who while struggling to save his people, lost his hand to a giant wolf named Fenris. While Tyr was victorious and showed incredible resolve and bravery -- his victory came at great personal cost.

Tyr's victory ensured the safety of his fellow clan, but through the sacrifice of his victory, he rendered himself useless in his chosen trade. Tiwaz is a positive rune, but it carries a stern message of responsibility, cost and loyalty.

How to Interpret "Tiwaz"

Ultimately, this is an extremely positive rune signifying victory in battle and success in competition. Direct action and powerful forward motion is indicated.

Sound leadership is often characterized by selflessness. A good leader places his people and his clan before his own needs. Management and leadership skills are referenced positively here. From a spiritual perspective, Tiwaz represents a spiritual breakthrough that awakens new levels of understanding.
It should be noted, that as with the warrior "Tyr", the success indicated by this rune often carries a painful price. It can literally foretell a minor injury, and may indicate a personal loss (or injury) accompanied by a great gain one's family, company or team.

The appearance of Tiwaz generally means that the proper direction of this force, usually in business, will net the individual a victory through proper application of force and pressure.

Inverted Meaning::

Progress through aggression may not be the answer in this particular situation. Find another way of achieving the desired outcome. Application of too much force will drive success away.

Berkana
Description:

The birch tree was a symbol of fertility in quite a few different myths from European folklore. Likewise, the shape of this rune implies a stylized female form.

Berkana (also "Berkano") represents the universal idea of the Goddess and the powerful bond between mother and child. A powerful sense of nurturing, protection, support and creation are indicated by this rune. All of the feminine mysteries are contained in Berkana, as the traditionally male mysteries are contained in Uruz. As with Uruz, the gender-leaning of the rune does not necessarily mean that the rune applies strictly to a male or a female person -- and can also apply to a nuturing, supportive male.

How to Interpret "Berkana "

Either a pregnancy or a new start in a person's life is indicated here -- or the fertility of a new business venture. Berkana indicates a fresh perspective, a good start. Aside from a physical birth, a rebirth, or a burst of creativity may be indicated.

Berkana frequently refers to domestic issues and personal relationships -- particularly those involving emotional support, nurturing and "standing by" loved ones.

Berkana can also represent a person who is a healer, whether a nurse, doctor, or other kind of medical practitioner. The energies of this rune are healing and life-giving.

Inverted Meaning::

Growth is being stunted through a stubborn refusal to channel creative and healing forces. Learn to accept the rites of passage of life -- don't ignore them or they will just cause you more pain than necessary.
Berkana inverted, can also signify friction within relationships -- or even betrayal.
Ehwaz
Description:

While one horse frequently symbolizes the 'warrior', two horses (as are used to pull carts) symbolize travel and progress. The rune Ehwaz represents journeys, distant places and events which have not yet transpired. In rune lore, Ehwaz is also regarded as being a depiction of Sleipnir, the Norse god Odin's eight-legged horse -- which symbolizes fluidity and smoothness of motion.

Ehwaz, encompasses energy, force, and direct (although not necessarily swift) motion. Like any horse, this progress must be carefully managed and tended in order for its full potential to be realized.

How to Interpret "Ehwaz"

Most simply put, Ehwaz symbolizes 'forward energy and movement'. Ehwaz may represent general travel and steady progress-- or it may literally represent a car, plane or another method of transportation. Ehwaz also symbolizes communication over long distances, and can refer to an important message that one will give or receive. Harmonious concord and pulling together as a team is also referenced here.

When Ehwaz appears in a spread, it empowers the runes around it and augments their meanings simply by virtue of its directional energy and forward movement. Teamwork, forward-motion, communication, and consistent drive will win the day when this rune turns up.

Inverted Meaning::

Blocked movement. An inability to act. The best solution at this point may be passivity, not action. A failure to communicate or act in unison.

Mannaz
Description:

Mannaz symbolizes all of humanity, joined together for the purposes of attaining a common goal. On a more personal scale, Mannaz may represent our circle of family and friends -- and the common goals which unite us. An intertwining of man and woman is also referenced here, and a combining of their souls into a single entity.

On a philosophical level -- Mannaz reminds us that we are one. All purposes and goals ultimately flow into a greater purpose which is shared by all mankind.

How to Interpret "Mannaz"

Mannaz represents a group of people, most frequently the community immediately surrounding the individual -- and often references the ways in which that group perceives the individual in question. Friends are being made and a community is being formed and served. The individual is giving a part of themselves up for the greater good. If a reading deals with great tasks, the appearance of Mannaz often indicates that assistance will come from others.

This rune may also refer to a spiritual community, such as that of a church or a religious group of some kind; the individual may be interacting with this new community soon.

The appearance of Mannaz frequently signifies the intensification and betterment of the person's relationships with people and community. This often refers just to social relationships, rather than business or romantic relationships. The appearance of this rune suggests that the important factor may not necessarily be the individual doing the reading, but the people in his or her immediate sphere of contacts.

While many runes deal with the individual, Mannaz is a reminder to step back and consider a larger group -- the family or community. Mannaz also directly relates to an individual's place within a community, how he or she performs, and how he or she is perceived.

Inverted Meaning::

One must make peace with oneself before turning outward to focus on friends or community. Often we will seek community to heal a problem within ourselves that cannot be fixed from an outward source -- meditation and constructive self-reflection is required.

Laguz
Description:

Like a wave waiting to carry a Viking ship to a distant shore, Laguz represents the endless possibilities and the nourishment of water. To the Norse, Laguz also represented the wild forces of the ocean, which if not respected could lead to destruction and death. Laguz speaks to our primal fears and insecurities -- that ultimately we are small and insignificant in the face of opposition, and that should everything go wrong, we may be powerless to help ourselves.

The ocean, like so many images in Norse lore -- is another highly complex and mixed image: it contains secrets, treasures, promises and dangers. The ocean represents life, death and a vastness of scale which reminds us of our individual insignificance.

The ocean is a strongly female force. The appearance of Laguz in a reading will frequently indicate a woman (either the querent if she is female, or if the querent is male: the most important woman in his life). Laguz also represents the moon and the cycle of the ocean's tides.

How to Interpret "Laguz"

Laguz is typically a negative rune. It signifies uncertainty, and a powerlessness to act in the face of overwhelming opposition. If however, the question being asked is "Should I continue" with something, Laguz instructs very clearly to continue in the same way that water flows uninterrupted.

The appearance of Laguz suggests that something that has previously been hidden will be revealed. What was hidden may not be a pleasant thing to witness, but it will be necessary. This may allude to something like a treacherous spouse or a thieving employee -- unpleasant but necessary for the individual to uncover. Frequently this rune references how other people feel about the someone. Perception is indicated here.

ie: It is necessary to uncover what is hidden in a person's life in order for them to move forward.

Other possible literal meanings of Laguz in a reading are: A woman (either the querent or a woman significant to the querent), the ocean or beach, social opposition.

Inverted Meaning::

An obstinate need to ignore that which is hidden and needs to be uncovered. The rune Laguz may turn up inverted when a spouse knows that their partner is cheating, but is doing nothing about it to maintain the status quo. The appearance of this rune inverted means that the status quo is not worth maintaining and they should remove themselves from the situation as soon as possible.

Ingwaz
Description:

Ing is one of the alternate names for Freyr, Norse god of agriculture. Legend says that Freyr travelled around the Earth in a chariot, dispensing fertility and happiness to his people.

How to Interpret "Ingwaz"

Ingwaz symbolizes the Earth and our deep relation to it. Its appearance may mean that we need to spend more time in nature, or pay more attention to the natural order of things. Outdoor activities are referenced here, including sports, hiking and the ocean.

The appearance of Ingwaz may also indicate a need to pay attention to one's body, either through the addition of an exercise regimen to one's life or a change in diet. A healthy metabolism and lifestyle are indicated here -- and may suggest a need to focus on a sound body in order to achieve a sound mind.

This is also a rune of growth: representing the actual act of growth rather than the rewards that await one at the end of the cycle. Personal growth may occur through some event in the near future.

On a grander level, Ingwaz can represent the wholeness of the Earth or of humanity. Overall human conditions, or global issues.

At a smaller scale, the appearance of Ingwaz may represent food or a meal with friends.

Inverted Meaning::

None.

Dagaz
Description:

Dagaz references the most basic of all cycles: Night and Day. This powerful rune is a reminder of the cyclical nature of all things. What rises must fall. What increases must decrease. All things are interconnected and in a state of constant flux. Dagaz is the rune of awakening -- new worlds, new possibilities and new opportunities arise as others fade away. Day and night are (and will always be) in perfect proportion. There is balance in all things, celestial and material. Night has passed and a new day is beginning.

How to Interpret "Dagaz"

This very positive rune signifies a well-led life, an individual who is happy with themselves and their position in life. Balance has been achieved. Positive, good forces will be at work very shortly, because expectations have been managed and risks properly assessed.

Balance and harmony reign supreme -- events will soon take a turn for the better. One has already crossed through a place of darkness and now a new day dawns.

A major transformation either spiritual or material, is occurring as the first light of a new day breaks over the horizon. Possibilities are everywhere.
If some rare cases, if success in a matter has been at hand for a long period of time, Dagaz may indicate a change to that cycle -- a new day which brings with it fundamental shift to underlying expectations.

More literal references here can also be to a time of day (the early morning), and to new business endeavors, new relationships and new pursuits.

Inverted Meaning::

May not be inverted.

Othala
Description:

Othala is the rune of the ancient clan lands: Historic land and property which has a strong spiritual connection to the individual. Othala is the crowning achievement which lies at the end of the runic journey. (It is the last rune, if one reads them in sequence). These ancestral lands are the result of a life of successful spiritual pursuit and hard work. Othala is that physical manifestation of everything that has been earned by previous generations and by this one: particularly, (but not limited to) a house or property.

Othala represents our home: our lands, our community, our nation, our identity, our personal assets and the assets of our friends and family. Othala is a physical representation of both our past and our destiny -- a reminder of who we are, and a symbol of the greatness we aspire to. The noble rune, Othala references both responsibility and pride, history and future, honor and hard work. It is a reminder both of our ancestry and the material legacy we will leave behind.

Othala is a reminder that there is greatness in small things -- What we do here will survive us. What was done in the past is all around us now and should be respected.

How to Interpret "Othala"

The security and safety that comes with material wealth is referenced here: Richness in the sense of home and family, as well as material wealth. A favorable situation will give the individual greater security very shortly -- but hard work will always be required to maintain the fruits of this situation.

Othala may represent an individual who has overcome many obstacles and has now come home to put their feet up and enjoy their lives as they deserve to. This individual has come to a place in their lives where they have found success -- it is now time for them to recognize the importance of home and family and enjoy the fruits of both.

Wealth, property, and land are all considerations when this rune turns up, and all in a positive fashion.

Alternatively, Othala may represent an ancestral land, or the country of one's forebears.

Inheritance and history are powerfully referenced here.

Inverted Meaning::

Inability to accept family as a source of happiness in one's life. Chaos on the home front. Poverty and loss of land and/or wealth.