Runes: Modern Meanings and Uses
Runes have transitioned from ancient divination to powerful tools in modern-day spiritual practices. Each rune carries its own meaning and energy, which people now use for protection, guidance, and personal empowerment. This guide will explain each rune’s modern meaning, how it’s used today, and whether it can be used in combination or reversed.
Can You Use Multiple Runes Together?
Yes, you can use multiple runes at once. In fact, combining runes into bindrunes—where multiple symbols are merged into one—is a common practice. The combined runes amplify their individual meanings, creating a powerful talisman or sigil for a specific purpose like protection, love, or strength.
Reversed Runes and Their Meanings
Some runes have additional meanings when drawn or carved upside down (reversed). Not every rune has a reversed meaning, but those that do often indicate a blockage, warning, or the opposite of their standard meaning.
The Runes and Their Modern Meanings
Fehu ᚠ
- Meaning: Wealth, prosperity, and success.
- Modern Use: Often used in talismans for financial abundance or business success.
- Reversed: Loss, financial difficulty, or stagnation in goals.
Uruz ᚢ
- Meaning: Strength, vitality, and health.
- Modern Use: Used for physical or emotional strength and healing practices.
- Reversed: Weakness or lack of motivation.
Thurisaz ᚦ
- Meaning: Protection and defense.
- Modern Use: Provides protection from harm and helps ward off negativity.
- Reversed: Vulnerability or danger.
Ansuz ᚨ
- Meaning: Communication, wisdom, and insight.
- Modern Use: For clarity in communication and intellectual pursuits.
- Reversed: Miscommunication or deceit.
Raidho ᚱ
- Meaning: Journey, travel, and movement.
- Modern Use: For safe travels or to navigate life transitions.
- Reversed: Delays or obstacles in progress.
Kenaz ᚲ
- Meaning: Knowledge, creativity, and inspiration.
- Modern Use: Used to spark creativity or gain insight in artistic projects.
- Reversed: Creative blocks or ignorance.
Gebo ᚷ
- Meaning: Gift, generosity, and partnership.
- Modern Use: For strengthening relationships and giving/receiving gifts.
- Reversed: No reverse meaning.
Wunjo ᚹ
- Meaning: Joy, harmony, and success.
- Modern Use: Attracts happiness and peace in relationships or life goals.
- Reversed: Conflict or sadness.
Hagalaz ᚺ
- Meaning: Disruption, change, and chaos.
- Modern Use: Used when embracing transformative changes.
- Reversed: No reverse meaning.
Nauthiz ᚾ
- Meaning: Need, hardship, and resilience.
- Modern Use: For overcoming challenges or building inner strength.
- Reversed: Lack of motivation or stress.
Isa ᛁ
- Meaning: Stillness, reflection, and patience.
- Modern Use: Helps with meditation, patience, and freezing negative energy.
- Reversed: No reverse meaning.
Jera ᛃ
- Meaning: Harvest, rewards for effort, and natural cycles.
- Modern Use: For success after hard work or aligning with natural rhythms.
- Reversed: No reverse meaning.
Eihwaz ᛇ
- Meaning: Protection, endurance, and transformation.
- Modern Use: A talisman for protection and spiritual growth.
- Reversed: Confusion or delays.
Perthro ᛈ
- Meaning: Fate, mystery, and secrets.
- Modern Use: For exploring unknown paths or gaining insight into hidden truths.
- Reversed: Bad luck or misfortune.
Algiz ᛉ
- Meaning: Protection and defense.
- Modern Use: Used in rituals or amulets for safeguarding against harm.
- Reversed: Vulnerability or a need for caution.
Sowilo ᛋ
- Meaning: Success, vitality, and strength.
- Modern Use: For boosting self-confidence and achieving goals.
- Reversed: No reverse meaning.
Tiwaz ᛏ
- Meaning: Victory, justice, and leadership.
- Modern Use: Enhances courage and leadership abilities.
- Reversed: Defeat or injustice.
Berkano ᛒ
- Meaning: Growth, fertility, and new beginnings.
- Modern Use: For fertility, nurturing projects, or starting fresh.
- Reversed: Stagnation or neglect.
Ehwaz ᛖ
- Meaning: Partnership and movement.
- Modern Use: Strengthens bonds in partnerships and aids in moving forward.
- Reversed: Miscommunication in relationships or delays in progress.
Mannaz ᛗ
- Meaning: Humanity, community, and support.
- Modern Use: Strengthens personal connections and social interactions.
- Reversed: Isolation or betrayal.
Laguz ᛚ
- Meaning: Water, intuition, and flow.
- Modern Use: Enhances intuition and emotional clarity.
- Reversed: Confusion or emotional instability.
Ingwaz ᛝ
- Meaning: Fertility, peace, and internal growth.
- Modern Use: For fertility, inner peace, or completion of personal projects.
- Reversed: No reverse meaning.
Dagaz ᛞ
- Meaning: Breakthrough, hope, and new beginnings.
- Modern Use: For personal transformation or ushering in positive change.
- Reversed: No reverse meaning.
Othala ᛟ
- Meaning: Heritage, inheritance, and home.
- Modern Use: For strengthening family ties or gaining stability in life.
- Reversed: Loss of stability or disconnection from family.
Examples of How to Use Runes
- Personal Protection: Carve or wear Algiz and Eihwaz together as an amulet to protect yourself from negative energy.
- Attracting Success: Create a bindrune with Fehu (wealth) and Sowilo (victory) to boost prosperity in business.
- Healing and Strength: Use Uruz for physical strength combined with Berkano to promote healing and growth in health.
- Home Protection: Etch Othala (home) and Algiz (protection) near entrances to safeguard your living space.
- New Beginnings: Meditate with Dagaz (breakthrough) or wear it as a talisman when starting a new project or chapter in life.
By combining runes or using them individually, you can focus their energies on specific areas of life. Whether you’re seeking protection, guidance, or strength, runes can be powerful tools for modern spiritual practice.
Photo by petr sidorov on Unsplash