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.

3... 2... 1... 0

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