Nordic Wiccan

Ear Rune

The Ear ᛠ rune of the ea. Earth, healing energy, body, home.

Death is the end of all.
Even the most powerful
and wealthy people
are seized in the end.
Yet don't despair,
for life goes on
and so do all which die
come back to some form of life.

Ear symbolizes the grave that we will all return to, the dust our bodies become after death. More generally Ear signifies the unavoidable end of all things. It is not death as seen in the Tarot, it is not transformation, it is the dead-end where the physical form ends. This rune has no association with what happens after. Some things in life come to natural ends and cease to have use or purpose, this rune is that end. When the physical body dies, all oaths end, what happens beyond is not our concern, that is all the concern of the Gods.

Connected to the North, Earth is considered the ultimate feminine element. The Earth is fertile and stable, associated with the Goddess. The planet itself is a ball of life, and as the Wheel of the Year turns, we can watch all the aspects of life take place in the Earth: birth, life, death, and finally rebirth. The Earth is nurturing and stable, solid and firm, full of endurance and strength. In color correspondences, both green and brown connect to the Earth.

Ear then is a simple rune to understand, and is useful for putting things to rest, ending bad relationships, cutting ties, ending patterns and accepting that inevitably, everything comes to an end.

Ehwaz Rune

Ehwaz is the name of the e rune ᛖ, meaning horse, movement, loyalty, adaptability.

The horse is a joy to princes in the presence of warriors.

A steed in the pride of its hoofs,

when rich men on horseback bandy words about it;

and it is ever a source of comfort to the restless.

The Ehwaz rune symbolizes inner strength and fortitude. It is a rune of strength, will and determination to perform one’s duties diligently. Ehwaz represents energy and motion and the force and power by which to achieve .

Specifically, this is the rune of the Horse, or Horses. The Ehwaz rune represents ‘horse power’ and the ability to work hard and carry heavy loads.

The horse has been a powerful symbol in every culture, in every age. In Norse mythology, it is believed that the Sun is drawn through the sky by horses. Their relationship with humans is unique in that they have the ability and intelligence to be companions as well as workers. The horse allows us to perform tasks that would normally be beyond our strength, and to travel long distances that would normally be beyond our reach. Horses are known to be strong, swift, loyal and courageous and are one of the most spiritual amongst the animal kingdom. The horse is an animal that never lost its power by being domesticated.

Transportation is indicated when Ehwaz appears. It heralds change for the better brought about by gradual development and steady progress. Ehwaz promises harmony and teamwork, trust and loyalty.

The stallion and mare aspect come into play within the interpretation of Ehwaz. The stallion is headstrong and virile and is the epitome of raw energy. He looks to face the world head-on and on his own terms. The stallion is a powerful tool, but must be carefully controlled and maintained to avoid harming it, yourself and/or others. Balance must be achieved to harness the power of the stallion and use it wisely.

The mare symbolizes fertility, femininity and the intuitive instincts. She is a creature that works with others and often looks for guidance before acting. Ehwaz is telling us that sometimes we must lead – but to be a good leader, we must know how and when to follow.

Remember that each person who comes into your life, for however long, comes to teach you lessons and vice versa. Ehwaz is telling you to always be proud of your achievements, whilst remaining humble. This will ensure that your travels will be swift, positive and rewarding.

Horse

Strength

Temperance

Dragon (Rune)

Dragon, chaos, destroyer, nothingness. Not a true Norse Rune but one that I use for rituals.

Dragons flying in the sky, swooping down and soaring high. Mighty wings, so awe inspiring, always moving, never tiring.

In Norse mythology there are several references to dragons. Many European stories of dragons have them guarding a treasure hoard. Both Fafnir and Beowulf's dragon guarded earthen mounds full of ancient treasure. The treasure was cursed and brought ill to those who later possessed it.

Dragons in European traditions have wings, allowing them to soar freely above, resulting in a perspective that encompasses a huge panorama below. In this context, dragons can be thought to symbolize the ability to see the “big picture” as well as the ability to see far off danger or future circumstances.

In many cultures dragons are viewed as representing the primal forces in nature and the universe. They can alternately breathe Fire, poison or ice. These abilities demonstrate that they are both creators and destroyers. Fire gives life (and sometimes death); ice and poison mete out death. Early muskets were named “dragons” due to their fire-spitting ability. Likewise, muskets can serve either to procure food and preserve life or to dole out death in battle.

Dragon

Daeg Rune

The d rune (ᛞ) is called Daeg day, transition, turning point.

Day, the glorious light of the Creator;
is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,
and of service to all.

This is the rune of Day. Daeg, which translates directly to Day, is a Sweartaelf, son of Delling (Dawn) and the charioteer and companion to Sunna (the sun). While the sun is the source of light and warm in the world, without day, she would neither be able escape Skoll (Treachery) the wolf chasing her to consume her, nor would she appear in the skies. Today we know that the sun does not rise above the Earth, but that the Earth turns to face the sun, we could consider then that Daeg is charioteer taking Sunna on her circuit of the Milky way, and ruler of the day time.

This all aside, Daeg is a rune of beginnings. While the modern culture states that the day begins at midnight, and the Celtic view begins at sunset (relating it to conception, or the planting of a seed), the Heathen view begins the day at sunrise, which is related to birth. You are only your own person once you are born, whilst in womb you are entirely at the mercy of your mother, you grow, like a seed beneath the soil, and yet have to make any mark on the world.

The Mother, represented by Beorc, carries you, nurtures you and puts all her energy into creating you, it is only once you have faced the pain of birth, a shared experience with your mother, whilst she experiences the pain of contractions and childbirth, your head and body are squeezed to the size of a lemon and pushed violently from the warm, calm, nurturing womb, into the cold, dry, bright, loud world, only then can you begin to make your mark.

Cen Rune

Cen is the c rune (torch) c. Loki. As in modern day, c, k and similar sounds vary in use depending on word use.

The inner light which is never extinguished
brightens the dark weary world.
This body is a great hall;
the mind sits in the body's high seat.
The call to faith
a torch carrying procession.

The rune Cen, its basic sense comes to the fore in the Old English 'cennan', with its two meanings, 'to beget' and ' to bring forth from the mind'." In the same book this rune is described as having a shape similar to the female genitalia.

Cen is the rune of the brightly burning torch that lights up the hall in the evening, whose flames represent the safe, tempered Fire of the hearth. Cen depicts the magical-sexual heat of the Goddess Freya, which slumbers within ourselves, waiting to be kindled.

Resourcefulness and practical inventiveness are essential if you are to devise a strategy to improve your present circumstances. It sheds light on the path, dispels the dark shadows of ignorance, and helps us to see with true discernment. It suggests that understand must lead to action, and light in the darkness implies spiritual illumination. It also represents the natural warmth and companionship of the home Fire and good health.