Runes:
by Christopher Penczak
(Originally appearing in The Second Road)
The runes are a system of magic tracing back to the German tribes of Europe. The entire system can be used much like Tarot cards, to receive information about the past, present or future. Runes can also be used individual as charms to draw the influence of the power, represented by a primal symbol, to the wearer.
Berkano, or Beorc in Old English, is the rune of the Goddess. The rune itself is shaped much like the capital letter "B" and in Norse myth, this rune symbolizes the power of the Birch tree. The birch, due to its white bark, was considered unusual and magical. The archetypal image of the White Goddess of pagan myth is associated with this tree. Birch twigs were often burnt to cleanse and purify the home after winter, and made into brooms to ritually and physically sweep unwanted forces away. The symbolic image is the pregnant mother and the root of the word bher, or bear, meaning to carry or to endure, is intimately tied with pregnancy, or child bearing. Some scholars translate it's meaning into the word birth directly. When placed on its side is reminiscent of the hills of the land. Often such hills were called the breasts of the Goddess, linking Berkano again with the feminine and motherhood. The birch tree was also a sign of fertility and used for blessing new brides. The symbol can also be interpreted as waves, as the ocean is seen as a dark goddess realm.
When found in a rune divination reading, Berkano can symbolize the mother in the family, a strong feminine presence. It also represents the family as a whole, and indicates issues surfacing in the immediate family structure. Since Berkano signifies birth, the most obvious association can mean a new child coming into the family, but on a more symbolic nature, it can indicate new life, energy or enthusiasm entering the household. For some, the birth is very symbolic, representing the birth of an idea, a project, a new career, painting or anything else you can "bring" into existence. Reversed in a reading, this rune can indicate problems and stagnation in the family, disappointment, loss or something wonderful that was expected turned sour.
Carry Berkano with you if you are assuming the role and tasks of the Mother, or wish to become pregnant. Also use it for bringing stability and harmony to the family and home.
by Christopher Penczak
(Originally appearing in The Second Road)
Runes are a system of symbols used by the Norse and Germanic tribes of ancient Europe. The
system is more than a simple alphabet. Within it is contained the mysteries of the universe. The word rune literally means "mystery," "secret" or "hidden," much like the word arcane, from which the name of the Major and Minor Arcana of the Tarot is taken. And just like the Tarot, within the runes are encoded primal symbols, speaking to our collective consciousness through shape, idea and meaning. The Teutonic people used them to gain guidance from the gods, manifest their desires and for tell the future. In essence, to make magic.
Runes are enjoying quite the revival today. You can find them in stores, catalogs, bookstores and even kiosks in the mall. Runes are used like tarot cards, or as talismans in jewelry. The most common set of symbols used today is derived from the Elder Futhark, a set of 24 individual symbols, some of which can be traced back to 2000 B.C.E. Though no one is truly sure when these symbols became the Elder Futhark on the earthly plane, Norse mythology tells us the father god Odin, or Wotan the wanderer, is the author of the symbols. By hanging himself from the world tree for nine days and nights, he was granted a vision of the Rune Ladder, or master symbol containing all the runes, while looking at the fallen branches. Other myths credit the goddess Freya with at least some of the runes.
You can learn the standard definitions of each rune from a book, but these meanings are simply jumping off places, a starting point in your own personal understanding of the energies represented by the runes. Each leads to a series of associations and further clarification. If each rune represents a mystery, it is up to the student to attempt to solve it. Each one can never be fully understood, but only discovered in greater detail.
One of the confusing things about rune work is the many variations in name each symbol has. Most have two very similar names. One is more Germanic and the other is often in old English, since they were studied and used by both peoples. The first rune in the series is called Fehu in German and Feoh in the Old English. The pronunciation is similar, if not the spelling. Usually the names start with the same letter or sound, but are spelled differently. This rune itself looks a bit like an "F" with an upright slant. I prefer the Germanic names and spellings myself. Some choose to mix them.
Fehu means cattle literally, but that is only a springboard for its meaning. To the original users of the runes, cattle were a sign of wealth. If you had cattle, you had milk, meat, leather and other tools given by the animal. You could trade the animal for other resources you needed. They are a sign of success for your family. If you were able to trade cattle, you were successful indeed.
Though we don't use cattle today, we have other signs of success. What symbolizes success and prosperity to you? Money is an obvious sign. Possessions as well, a nice house, car, clothes and jewelry are other indicators. What are other signs of success? Happiness? Fulfillment? A happy, healthy family? Someone whose needs are met on all levels? Someone who likes what they do for a living? Someone satisfied with a job well done? Yes, these are less material signs of success, but success nonetheless. We each have our measure of success. Fehu is fulfillment of your plans, desires and goals. Fehu is success on all levels asked, having the resources to do what you want, like the ancient pagan with the farm full of cattle. The symbols change over centuries, but the energies remain constant, simply open for interpretation.
Fehu reversed, or upside down, indicates a failure to have the resources needed. Success is not forthcoming at this time. Reversed runes simply indicate the opposite forces are at work. They are not evil inherently, simply not beneficial to the forces at hand. For some runes that originally have an "unwanted" meaning, the reverse could mean good news.
Fehu can be used in manifestation, as a charm to bring you the powers of success. Carry this symbol with you or put it in the home and workplace to bring the powers of fulfillment to you and yours. In a fairly modern interpretation related each of the runes and sounds to a letter in the English alphabet, Fehu is equated with the letter "F". Some write out their intentions, translating the English letters to runes, another valid form of rune magic.
Now that you know a bit about Fehu, sit down with it. If you have a set of runes, take them out. If you don't, draw Fehu on a piece of paper. Use this rune like an eastern yantra or mandala, a tool used as a visual meditation focus. Stare at the rune as you meditate. Let the images, thoughts, ideas and words flow freely. Let the power of Fehu come through this window created in your quiet space. When done, write down your own interpretations of this powerful symbol.
Hopefully this is a step in your own personal discovery of Fehu, and possibly inspire you to delve into the rich traditions of runes in general. They are wonderful tools for guidance and introspection. Study of their lore and meaning brings a greater understanding of the world, and ultimately yourself.