One of the few surviving Anglo-Saxon texts we have is, by a stroke of fate no doubt, the Anglo-Saxon Rune poem. From this, almost all knowledge of what they mean, including as they are used today in diviniation, comes.

Here is a look at the poetic descriptions assigned to them by the Anglo-Saxons with some speculation on the deeper meaning behind them. Endless pages could be filled going into the use, magic and meaning of this sacred alphabet, (and perhaps they will be over time), but for now, a beginning...feel free, if you have a set, to try these interpretations in your divination. I'd love some feedback! (Quotes are from the original Anglo-Saxon document.)

Feoh

Older Rune Row (Fehu): livestock, wealth; Younger Rune Row (Fe): money, gold, livestock

"Wealth is a comfort to every man,
Although each should share it freely,
To gain the approval of the Lord."

First, understand that Lord here refers to Odin, first receiver of the runes, not the Christian Lord, (though the poem was undoubtedly Christianized in an attempt to preserve it, hence the absence of the Gods' name). But the concept is the same. Strikingly so really, Odin was also a God who sacrificed himself for the good of mankind, for example.

Feoh reprsents wealth, as it states. It also reminds us that it is not a necessity but a comfort, a gift that is best preserved by the sharing of it. Giving and kindness to others, when you have received beyond the essential, helps ensure that you will keep the wealth you have found, material and otherwise. By doing this, and pleasing the God(s), from whom all abundance was seen to come, their continuing abundance was made more certain.

Ur

Older Rune Row (Uruz): aurochs; Younger Rune Row (Ur): aurochs, drizzle/slag

"Aurochs is a courageous beast, having huge horns,
A savage beast, it fights with its horns,
A noble stalker of the moors, it is a fierce beast!"

The auroch is a now extinct member of the ox family. The represents the sources of all forms of strength in both men and women. The nobility of fierceness when applied correctly, (ie when stalking wild moors, it is neccessary to be fierce, not negative or mean), is seen in the rune.

Horns were symbols of connection to higher consciousness and the divine. So the auroch, the strongest animal in the Anglo Saxon world, was fierce physically but fought with his horns. This tells us that the strongest way to fight is with the mind, particularly by tuning your mind into that of the divine. To do any of these things, great courage is required. So we also learn the uselessness of fear from this rune.

Thorn

Older Rune Row (Thurisaz): Giant; Younger Rune Row (Thurs): Giant

"Thorn is extremely sharp,
Painful to any thane that grasps it,
Immeasurably fierce to any man,
That rests among them."

This is a tricky one. Why grasp it? For the rose of course, or the berry as the case may be. It warns against gambles with brambles; stay out of sticky situations. But it is sometimes essential to grasp a thorn, (particularly if you have to get berries for sustinance, or roses to sustain love). They are merely painful if you are approaching them only when neccessary, immesurably fierce should you choose to put yourself in the thick of them.

So the rune advises that pain is unavoidable, but it is something we choose, (grasp on our own), yet can be sharp and quick. It is when we get stuck in it that we are fighting a fierce battle. That becomes immesurable when we fool ourselves into thinking we are getting a break by staying in a painful situation. (The whole fear of change thing, even when things are really bad).

Os

Older Rune Row (Ansuz): The God; Younger Rune Row (Ass): The God, estuary

"Mouth is the source of every statement,
Wisdom's support and a comfort to the wise,
And the joy and delight of the nobleman."

To the Druids, mouth was not only the physical mouth but the mouth and source of sacred springs, from whence wisdom from the other-world sprung. Only those of noble blood, (the priest/shamanistic class - although, I imagine there were some who were adopted into it if they displayed the correct qualities. One does not choose to be a shaman, rather it chooses you), could reach this source.

So understand this, as the poem points out, to imply not only considering what we physically say, but the source from which our statements come. If our words support wisdom, and give comfort to those wise enough to take counsel from it, (everyone surely who is suffering deserves comforting, but not all are able to listen and absorb it), then joy and delight will follow. If our words come from the top of our heads, different places, they lose their power.

Rad

Older Rune Row (Raidho): riding; Younger Rune Row (Reidh): a riding

"Riding is to the warrior in the hall easy,
But very strenuous for one who sits on top,
Of a powerful horse over the long miles."

This points out the difference between thinking of something and doing it. To a warrior, (and these were brave, war-like people), sitting in the comfort of a mead hall, the idea of riding out to battle or on adventures seems like the obvious, simple thing to do. (What else does one do if one is a warrior, after all?) But in action, the journey may be long and cold.

And riding a horse is strenuous, even for the very strong, especially a powerful one. It may warn against boasting - the stronger he warrior, the stronger the horse needed, and on a long journey, the strength of the horse may well outlast you. So don't put the cart before the horse I suppose.

In all seriousness, this rune, like the fool card in the tarot deck, warns to look before you leap. It does so in a deeper way, however, reminding us to be aware not only of our strengths but our weaknesses. And, wisely, to consider not only those but what we're getting into before setting out.

Cen

Older Rune Row (Kaunaz): sore; Younger Rune Row (shape changes),(Kuan): sore, ulcer

"Torch is to the living, known by its fire,
Shining and bright, most often it burns inside,
Where princes sit at ease."

Torch is more than fire itself, it is the holder of fire, source of life and warmth, particularly for people in colder climates. It is the fire, however, that lets us see the torch. This is, in a sense, representative of our ability to see the true essence of the universe in the reflections of the divine we find in the world. The statement that torch is shining and bright, buring most often inside, may refer to the divine light within. When we access this light, we are at ease.

So the rune, like a torch itself, suggests that we look for guidance within and in the world of the living, (rather than the other-world of the dead, where guidance was often sought by Druid priests). Torch/illumniation can be found outside as well, but it is more fleeting there, more fragile and illusive.

Gifu

Older Rune Row (Gebo): gift; Younger Rune Row: (absent)

"Generosity is a mark of distinction and praise for men,
A prop to their honor and for the wretched ,
A benefit and a means of survival, when there is no other."

Wen

Older Rune Row (Wunjo): joy; Younger Rune Row: (absent)

"He has Joy, who knows little of the woes of pain or sorrow,
And has for himself, prosperity and happiness,
And also the contentment of a fortified town."

Haegl

Older Rune Row (Hagalaz): hail; Younger Rune Row (shape changes),(Hagall): hail with 'special runic name' added (Galdrabok)

"Hail is the whitest of grains,
whirling from heaven's height,
Gusts of wind toss it about,
and then it becomes water."

Nyd

Older Rune Row (Nauthiz): need; Younger Rune Row (Naudh(r): need, distress

"Need oppresses the heart,
Yet often it becomes for the sons of men,
A source of help and salvation,
If they heed it in time."

Is

Older Rune Row (Isa): Ice; Younger Rune Row (Iss): same

"Ice is very cold, and immeasurably slippery,
It glitters, clear as glass, very like jewels,
A floor, wrought by frost, fair to behold."

Ger

Older Rune Row (Jera): year, harvest; Younger Rune Row (shape changes), (Ar): good year, harvest

"Harvest is a joy to men, when God, heaven's holy king,
Causes the earth to produce bright fruits,
For both the rich and the poor."

Eoh

Older Rune Row (Eihwaz): Yew; Younger Rune Row: (absent)

"Yew is a tree, rough on the outside,
Hard and firm in the earth, guardian of fires,
Supported by roots, a joy on the estate."

Peorth

Older Rune Row (Perthro): dice box; Younger Rune Row: (absent)

"Lot-cup is recreation and laughter to the high spirited ...
For the warriors gathered happily together in the mead hall."

Eolhx

Older Rune Row (Elhaz): elk; Younger Rune Row: absent, but same shape becomes Madhr (man)

"Elk-sedge is usually found in the fens,
Growing on the water, Grimly wounding,
Staining with blood, any man who grasps it."

Sigel

Older Rune Row (Sowilo): sun; Younger Rune Row (Sol), (shape turns on its' side), same

"Sun is always hope for seamen,
When they row the sea-stead over the fishes bath,
Until it brings them to land."

Tir

Older Rune Row (Teiwaz): the God Tyr; Younger Rune Row: same

"Tir is one of the guiding signs,
It keeps faith well with noblemen,
Ever it holds on course, through cloudy night
And never fails."

Beorc

Older Rune Row (Berkano): Birch, Goddess; Younger Rune Row (Bjarkan): same

"Birch is void of fruit,
Nevertheless it bears shoots without seed,
It is beautiful by its branches,
High of crown, fairly adorned,
Tall and leafy, touching the heights."

Eh

Older Rune Row (Ehwaz): horse; Younger Rune Row: absent

"Horse is a joy for princes among the noble,
A steed proud in its hooves, when warriors
Prosperous on horseback exchange speech concerning it,
And it is always a comfort to the restless."

Man

Older Rune Row (Mannaz): man; Younger Rune Row: see above Eolhx

"Man rejoicing in life is beloved by his kinsmen
Yet everyone shall betray another,
Because the Lord wills it by his judgement,
To commit that wretched flesh to the earth."

Lagu

Older Rune Row (Laguz): water; Younger Rune Row (Logr): same

"Water seems to be unending to men,
If they are obliged to venture out on a tossing ship,
And the sea waves terrify them exceedingly,
And the sea-steed does not heed the bridle."

Ing

Older Rune Row (Ingwaz): the God Ing; Younger Rune Row: absent

"Ing was first among the East Danes,
Beheld by men, until afterwards to the east,
He went over the waves, (his) chariot ran after,
Then the warriors named the hero thusly."

Daeg

Older Rune Row (Dagaz): day; Younger Rune Row: absent

"Day is sent by the Lord, beloved of man,
Glorious light of the Creator, joy and hope,
To those who have and have not, of benefit to all."

Ethel

Older Rune Row (Othala): ancestral estate; Younger Rune Row: absent

"The ancestral estate is very dear to every man,
If he may there in his house enjoy most often in prosperity,
That which is right and fitting."

Ac

Absent from Older and Younger Rune Rows

"Oak is the nourishment of meat on the earth ,
For the children of men; often it travels,
Over the gannet's bath, the spear-sea tests,
Whether the oak keeps faith nobly."

Aesc

Absent from Older and Younger Rune Rows

"The ash is very tall, dear to mankind,
Strong in its position, it holds its ground rightly,
Though many men attack it."

Yr

Older Rune Row: absent; Younger Rune Row (Yr): yew, bow

"Yew is a joy and honor to all princes and nobles,
And is fair on a mount, reliable on a journey,
A type of army gear."

Iar

Absent from Older and Younger Rune Rows

"Eel is a river fish, and yet it takes its food on land,
It has a beautiful dwelling place, surrounded by water,
There it lives in delight."

Ear

Absent from Older and Younger Rune Rows

"Earth is loathsome to every nobleman.
When irresistibly the flesh,
The dead body, begins to grow cold,
The livid one chooses the earth for a bedmate,
Fruits fail, joys vanish, covenants are broken."