Blood Axis

Eihwaz

Eihwaz means yew. It's a sacred tree in Runic magical tradition and its wood was used to make arrows. It's connected to the God of hunt Ull, whose sacred weapon was the bow. Yew was used to make poison that arrow-heads were tipped in, seeing how this tree's sap is poisonous. However, yew was also used in shamanic practices. Namely, during the summer, the great heat would cause the trees to exude a psychoactive substance. Practitioners would then meditate under that tree and use those natural fumes for shamanic journeys. Naturally, this practice was not recommended if the shaman who practised it was not completely prepared and trained. Eihwaz also signifies Yggdrasil as the tree Odin sacrificed Himself to Himself. This event manifests itself on the mental plain as a symbolic death of the adept, that is his old Self. However we consider Eihwaz, it will carry in itself death and transformation from one state into another. This is the Rune of facing oneself, the symbolic descent into the underground kingdom of Hel.

Jera

This Rune is connected with a fertile year or season, that is the period that can be in any way considered successful. The very concept of a fertile year or season is very important in insecure and unstable regions of Northern Europe. Moreover, a fertile year is of vital importance for its residents. Fertility can be viewed as a psychological state as well as a physical one. As a state of consciousness Jera signifies the beginning oh psychological progress that follows the state of stagnation (Isa). It is the beginning of spring that comes after winter and the lushness of life that was until recently blanketed with snow. Jera is also the reaping time, during which we collect the fruits of our own labours. It's also connected to the year's cycles – Sabaths, and any other type of cycle. Some authors connect Jera to Karma, the laws of which always reward the ones who make an effort and punish the ones whose actions cause destruction and regression.

Iceland

Isa

Isa translates as “ice” and the interpretations of this Rune are almost always negative. Whenever one's blocked in life, whether it's an emotional, sexual or even a financial block, it's ruled by the force contained in Isa. Therefore, Isa is the state of stagnation and one's inability to move psychologically, which often causes sadness and depression. One needs lots of strength to overcome Isa, which is evident from the physical characteristics of ice. Isa's action prevents any possible movement, be it phychological or physical; it also blocks the action of other Runes which are opened with Isa in divination. This Rune is also connected to the Ego which can be the source of stagnation. Isa is actually a representation of a frozen state in which hides the germ of life. A mind in the state of stagnation actually hides within itself the possibility of spiritual progress, possibilities that can be accomplished with extraordinary effort, but is in no way unattainable. Regardless of its alleged negativity, Isa can be a very useful Rune. As a magical image it's used to stop some processes as well as to stabilize a current state of affairs.

Nauthiz

Nauthiz is need. It can be physical or psychological, true or false. It's very important to recognize which are our real needs, and which aren't. One could say that this Rune is quite unstable because it's between desire and need, i.e. between what we have and what we don't have. This lack of balance is indicated even by the Rune's shape, with its upper line reminiscent of a see-saw whose balance is off. Because of this Nauthiz often signifies frustrations that come about when we hit a road-block. This resistance can come from the outside world, or from within us, no matter whether we're aware of the obstacles we create ourselves.  Nied is always there when we run into something that we can't overcome, something that requires a great amount of effort to overcome. Nauthiz also tells you whether you're going in the wrong direction and that it's time to try something else. Some authors connect this Rune to the Nornas seeing how it's the Rune of Fate.

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Hagalaz

This Rune represents the forces out of our control. Sometimes it's connected to Hel, mistress of the world of the dead and thus considered bad, even an evil Rune. However, a true magician knows that good and bad don't exist, that they're only human ideas. The wrath of Mother Earth, that is the wrath of nature is also an aspect of Hagalaz. The word “hail” represents the angry emotion of nature but also the flight of a weapon in battle. The so-called “hail-wheels” were used to protect the fields from bad weather. That's how people came to the idea that the power of this Rune can be stopped by using the Sun wheel. Another interesting battle against “hail” was lead by one bishop. It's interesting that this Christian priest used a purely pagan ritual. Taking wax from a saint's grave, he would carve certain Runes and place this “talisman” on a high tree near the fields, by which he would allegedly protect them from negative influences of the Hagalaz Rune. Hagalaz is the symbol of suffering and misfortune that has struck us, which at first seems like the wrath and punishment of the Gods, however the consequences of Hagalaz can also be positive if they serve our future spiritual development.

Wunjo

This is the Rune of joy and pleasure, celebration and absolute lack of suffering. While making Runic talismans or in general – connecting Runes – Wunjo is often placed in the end because of its stability. Wunjo also symbolizes resting from a long journey, be it physical or the psychological one, i.e. the journey of spiritual evolution. It's also Valhalla as the end of life's journey for a warrior. Perfection is also connected to this Rune, the Rune that signifies the completion of a project or undertaking. The summit, satisfying one's goal.
Seeing how Wunjo is at the end of first aett, it signifies the completion of the first stage of spiritual development followed by the first temptation – Hagalaz. Wunjo is also the end of a life cycle, whether it's an age at the end of which we reap the fruits of experience, or a long running project we're ending. Peace, success, fulfilment and self satisfaction.

Kjærlighet

Gebo

The Rune Gebo signifies gift, but we can interpret this in more than one way. One gives offerings to Gods but he can also expect something in return. The connexion between men and Gods goes both ways, and this Rune symbolizes that connexion. Gebo also signifies a connexion between people. Whether it's marriage, friendship or even business communication, these connexions are founded on the balanced relationships of every factor. Because whether in marriage or friendship, there is always the mutual taking and giving, it's the same with a business communications. Gebo was used in rituals connected to marriage and it was most often engraved or etched on appropriate objects for this purpose. If we observe the shape of this Rune we shall see that it represents two mutually entwined forces. These forces could be sexual energies of men and women, but also the efforts and ambitions that join business partners, or the love that connects Gods and men. This is the ideal Rune you could use to connect with the Gods as well as your higher Self.

The torch

Kenaz

Kenaz

Kenaz signifies a torch. It represents the light leading us in the darkness, helping us to rise from the dark depths of our spirit by knowing our selves. Seeing that fire is the element here, all aspects of this Rune are connected to physical and spiritual traits of fire. It can be the fire of creation, but also creative sexual energy. This Rune can also symbolize inspiration and understanding, that is every flash of light which can lead to enlightenment or understanding of something previously unknown to us; it can also signify the forming of a good idea in a creative sense. The inspiration Kenaz brings can be not only the creative kind but also the kind of inspiration that brings new motivation for life. Whenever your life becomes a routine Kenaz brings a breath of fresh air. The fire of artistic inspiration is strictly controlled, and the human passion must be the same; if it isn't, the relationship can become hell. Fire is connected to purification. One of the possible interpretations of this Rune is the association with cremation and it corresponding with Kano, the holy vehicle in the cult of Nerthus, Nordic Goddess of the Earth.

Raidho song

Raidho

Raidho

Raidho is the Rune of travelling. In the days of yore it was used as a lucky charm for the journeys of the living and the dead, and it was also connected to Thor. The Nordic word “raid” means a vehicle with wheels (like a cart), but also thunder. As we know, Thor made thunders by travelling in his chariot across the sky, like the Slavic God Dazhbog. This is the Rune of cyclic journeying, whether it's the Sun's journey across the sky, or the journey of man into himself. As an internal journey Raidho represents the next level of psychological development coming after Ansuz, a level in which a person only starts to know the world and him or herself, in which one shows the will for further learning and advancement. So, Raidho can signify a journey or a change in any shape or direction. It can be the change of understanding or an expansion of consciousness, as well as a journey in the physical world. Since Raidho is connected to movement, change and progress of all kinds, this Rune can be used to enable progress and making easier the circumstances that cause change.

Ansuz

Ansuz is the Rune of the Asir Gods, most of all Odin as their leader. As we know, Odin is the God of word magic and it's Ansuz that represents the word as a fully formed unit of energy. The process of control we commenced with Uruz is here completed by controlling the energy, be it physical or psychological. Therefore, Ansuz is the Rune of the king – the absolute ruler. In the Runic poem Ansuz is also connected to the word, it's the “source of all tongues” and the “pillar of wisdom”. Because of it Ansuz can be used to better one's eloquence, to put chaotic thoughts into order. Even though Ansuz represents the goal we reached through Uruz and Thurisaz, this goal is fickle because establishing absolute control is not the peak of spiritual development. Even though a person is now capable of controlling one's life and circumstances, one still has a lot to learn and the spiritual journey is nowhere near its end.

Even though this is the Rune of wisdom and the Rune of Odin as the searcher of wisdom, in its negative meaning it can be the Rune of illusion, and as such it's connected to Loki.

Thurisaz

Thurisaz means thorn, and it's connected to giants and trolls. This Rune can be considered as the heart of the giant Hrungnir, which, according to legend, was shaped like this Rune, sharp and triangular. It was Thor who killed this giant; it's well known that this God was the greatest enemy and killer of these beings. Because of it the positive aspect of this Rune is connected to Thor, protector of the Universe, the most powerful among all men and Gods; on the other hand, the negative aspects of Thurisaz is connected to giants – chaotic forces of nature. Thurisaz represents an even larger degree of control than the one in Uruz, so Thurisaz can symbolize discipline and directed energy. This Rune is used to overcome obstacles, its action is penetrating, as suggested by the Rune's shape and the form of the thorn. It can also be used for assault or defence because Thurisaz is the Rune of protection and destruction. Thor's battles with giants actually represent the conflicts of these forces – an offensive one and a defensive one, both being potent and aggressive.

Uruz

Uruz signifies the ancient beast aurox, similar to a buffalo. In his work De Bello Gallico, Julius Caesar described these animals as smaller than an elephant, the shape and colour of a bull. They were extremely strong, swift and dangerous beasts of Northern Europe that are now, unfortunately, extinct; the easiest way to hunt them down was by covered holes in the ground. The proof of a caught animal were the enormous horns that were later used for drinking. Aurox is a symbol of wild, untamed nature as well as raw natural strength. But this strength can be tamed and used, so Uruz, among others, is also the Rune of the hunter.
As we already know, in the olden days hunting was an exam of maturity and a sort of initiation; all these aspects are contained in Uruz. It's also the sexual energy as a primary force of nature. Besides the aurox, Uruz is als connected to Audhumla, the cosmic cow that created life in our Universe. Uruz is used to reawaken energy, especially in people who's lacking in energy (a sick of depressed person). This Rune can also be used to bolster one's will.

Fehu

 

This is the Rune of wealth and expansive energy. It represents a new beginning, so it is used to enable the beginning of a project. Its number is One, the number of the beginning. In its original interpretation Fehu means cattle. If we imagine an agricultural community, we will easily realize that the livestock plays a vital role in life within the community. Fehu represents possessions, earned or deserved, so it also represents material gains. Since bulls were sacrificed to Frey, which we know from some sagas as well, we can directly connect Fehu to him, although it's often connected to his sister Freya. Seeing that Frey and Freya are fertility Gods, Fehu is also connected to this phenomenon. The aspect of Fehu must always be present in our life if we want to live it in a good way. Because if we're not materially set, if we don't have good employment or a place of residence, we can hardly advance in a spiritual way. Fehu is also connected to Gulveig, the deity of gold, i.e. material wealth. Gulveig is actually just another aspect of Freya.