Incantation
Runes are best known for their use in divination, however, the sounds of the individual Runes, can be chanted and used in magick as an incantation. Verbal rune magick is called Galdr or Galdor, from the Old Norse, which originally meant ‘incantation’. The verb “gala” is also used for “to crow”. It later came to mean magick in general.
Each of the links below will take you to the individual Rune along with a longer explanation and the incantation to empower it. Also included are the Runic Postures (Rune Yoga), and Hand Positions (Rune Mudras).
- Fehu – For attracting wealth and protecting property.
- Uruz – To clear obstacles and change circumstances.
- Thurisaz – For protection and defense.
- Ansuz – To increase communicative skills, pass exams and gain wisdom.
- Raidho – To ensure a safe journey.
- Kenaz – To restore self-confidence and strengthen will-power.
- Gebo – To create harmony in personal relationships.
- Wunjo – To bring happiness and spiritual transformation.
- Hagalaz – To attract positive influences.
- Nauthiz – To achieve long-term goals or help lost causes.
- Isa – To make a situation static, ground wayward emotions and calm volatile actions.
- Jera – To bring events to culmination.
- Eihwaz – To end situations and solve problems.
- Perthro – To find lost property, obtain inner guidance and make financial speculations.
- Algiz (or Elhaz) – Strengthening of magical power and luck and life force.
- Sowilo – To increase good health, vitality and sexual powers.
- Tiwaz – To achieve victory over adversity and justice.
- Berkano – For fertility, family matters and love affairs.
- Ehwaz (or Ehwo) – To cause changes.
- Mannaz – To attract goodwill and new social contacts.
- Laguz – To manifest psychic powers.
- Ingwaz – To end a cycle of events or specific situation.
- Dagaz – To create new beginnings or opportunities.
- Othala – For property matters.
- Basic Powers: For property matters.
- Pronunciation: “oath-awe-law”
To call on ancestral powers, including calling up their spirits. This is a rune of merchants, but also the land-holding nobles and both classes in which inheritance, property and goods play a key role. It thus aids in partnerships, whether those of business, politics, or marriage.
It can be used to guard family fortunes or build the strength of a dynasty. It can also develop strengths and talents in an individual. These abilities are considered latent, and brought out by reference to ancestral (or genetic) potential. In Odin’s poem, the seventeenth rune is a charm that will make a girl loathe to leave him; that is, it draws her into a commitment.
Othala signifies possessions or ancestral lands and characteristics. This rune encourages a down-to-earth attitude of life. When paired with Fehu, good for monetary gains. Use wherever the health of the elderly is the issue. Protection of possessions.
Maintaining order among fellows. Concentration on common interests in home and family. Shift from ego-centricity to clan loyalty. Collection of numinous power and knowledge from past generations. Acquisition of wealth and prosperity.
The Chant
othala othal othal
o o o o o o o o o
o o o o o o
othul othal othil othel othol
othol othel othil othal othul
o o o o o o
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent:
One loves the land they live upon
sharing in its rights and duties.
Thus the land protects its friends
if its friends respect it.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Runic Posture
Rune Yoga, or Runic postures are used to anchor the energy of the Rune in your physical body. More about them can be found here: Runic Postures.
Assume the recommended runic posture and sing the name of the rune in a non-exhaustive way that you can feel your body vibrating – in magic literature it is called vibrating. It could be that you can hear overtones clearer as usual during vibrating. Take this as a good sign. You are visualizing the rune with your inner eye, as its form is being represented by your body and the energies are flowing through your body.
Stand up straight, legs apart. Bring your hands up to the top of your head, arms bent as shown in the picture. Hold the palms of the hands flat and level with the ground.
Before practicing a rune it is recommended to know everything on the powers of the rune you want to practice. The flow of energy is different for each rune, a field of research for your sensitivity.
The hand positions, or mudras are effective only after you have anchored the runes in your own aura and body. They can be made silent and unobtrusive.
Sources:
- Understanding Runes
- Asatru
- Futhark
- Flight of the Condor
- A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Esoteric Rune Magic
- Basic Powers: To create new beginnings or opportunities.
- Pronunciation: “thaw-gauze” with a voiced “th”
It is a good luck charm, and can also be used to advance one’s station in life. It is helpful for spiritual advancement and understanding. It is an expression of universal love. Symbol of day, daylight and the powers of life: powers which exceed human control, structuring things by their own right, yet human-oriented.
Dagaz (or Daeg) is the rune of the New Day. It symbolizes the feelings embodied in the expression “Today is the first day of the rest of your life”. It is particularly good for fresh starts in any endeavor. Good for financial increase. To change an attitude, either yours or someone else’s. New beginnings.
Attaining mystical moment through penetration of paradox. Reception of mystical inspiration.
The Chant
dagaz dagaz dagaz
dh dh dh dh dh dh dh dh dh
d d d a a a g g g a a a z z z
du da di de do
dh dh dh dh dh dh dh dh dh
odh edh idh adh udh
od ed ud ad ud
d d d a a a g g g a a a z z z
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent:
We shine in the light of the deities.
Tho day is followed by night;
life by death,
we know that after night comes a new day.
So death is followed by new life
in whatever way that arises.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Sources:
- Howard, Understanding Runes
- Thorsson, Futhark
- Peschel, A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Cooper, Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
- Basic Powers: To end a cycle of events or specific situation.
- Pronunciation: “eeeng-wawz”
To gather people or to influence them. It can be used to establish dedication and loyalty, the “we” of a group. It can be used as a rune of fascination, which makes it suitable for strengthening hypnosis, trance, or meditation. It can also be used for gaining the respect of others, or gaining influential positions in a community.
Ingwaz (or Ing) represents the male consort of the Earth Mother and as such is also a symbol of fertility. It is often used in the final position of the runescript to indicate a successful outcome. It is a very positive rune. Fertility. To release energy suddenly. To bring something to a satisfactory end. To “fix” the outcome of your runescript so that the benefits indicated therein do not drain away.
Storage and transformation of power for ritual use. Fertility rites. Passive meditation and centering energy and thought. Sudden release of energy. Sex magic.
The Chant
ingwaz ingwaz ingwaz
i i i i n n n n g g g g
ung ang ing eng ong
ong eng ing ang ung
i i i i n n n n g g g g
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent:
He moves across the lands;
visiting his farmer friends
giving gifts of great bounty.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Sources:
- Howard, Understanding Runes
- Thorsson, Futhark
- Peschel, A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Cooper, Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
- Basic Powers: To manifest psychic powers.
- Pronunciation: “law-gooze”
Useful as a symbol of water, of transitions between states, e.g., birth, life, growth and death. It is a perfect means for building an oath.
Laguz is a rune of intuition and imagination. It is also a feminine rune, but unlike Beorc it represents a strong and assertive female type. Use to contact your intuitive faculties. Increase in vitality and the life force (especially in women). Helps to gather in energies for use by the will.
Guidance through difficult initiatory tests. Increase in vitality and life force. Gathering of amorphous magical power for formation and structuring by the will. Increase in “magnetism”. Development of “second sight”.
The Chant
laguz laguz laguz
l l l l l l l l l
lu la li ke lo
(lug lag lig leg log)
ul al il el ol
lo le li la lu
l l l a a a g g g u u u
l l l l l l l l l
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent
The sea is the cauldron of chaos;
creative matrix,
playground of Ran,
from which human beings came.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Runic Posture
Rune Yoga, or Runic postures are used to anchor the energy of the Rune in your physical body. More about them can be found here: Runic Postures.
Assume the recommended runic posture and sing the name of the rune in a non-exhaustive way that you can feel your body vibrating – in magic literature it is called vibrating. It could be that you can hear overtones clearer as usual during vibrating. Take this as a good sign. You are visualizing the rune with your inner eye, as its form is being represented by your body and the energies are flowing through your body.
Stand up with your left arm down at your side. Your right arm is brought up above the shoulder. Bend the elbow as shown in the image above. Hold the palm of the hand flat and level with the ground.
Because the traditional position seems almost impossible to accomplish, here is a more comfortable variation.
Stand up, with your arms extended forward and down. The palms of the hands point towards the ground. Practice also with the palms facing up.
Before practicing a rune it is recommended to know everything on the powers of the rune you want to practice. The flow of energy is different for each rune, a field of research for your sensitivity.
The hand positions, or mudras are effective only after you have anchored the runes in your own aura and body. They can be made silent and unobtrusive.
Sources:
- Understanding Runes
- Asatru
- Futhark
- Flight of the Condor
- A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
- Basic Powers: To attract goodwill and new social contacts.
- Pronunciation: “mawn-nawz”
Mann helps in knowing oneself. It can therefore be used in mediation, to increase dreaming, or to enhance the truth of dreams. It can be used in conjunction with other runes to personalize matters or magick for (or on) a particular individual. It is also useful for cleansing oneself, a ritual which makes the afterlife more pleasant.
In Odin’s poem of runes, the second is one that must be learned by anyone who hopes to be a healer. Without knowing the patient, no healing is possible.
Mannaz is the symbol of mankind as a whole and is often used when assistance from others is needed. It also symbolizes the powers of the rational mind. To gain the assistance of others. Increase in memory and mental powers.
Realization of the divine structure in mankind. Increase in intelligence, memory, and mental powers generally. Balancing the “poles of personality”. Unlocking the mind’s eye.
The Chant
mannaz mannaz mannaz
m m m a a a a a a n n n
mu ma mi me mo
mun man min men mon
um am im em om
mon men min man mun
m m m a a a a a a n n n
m m m m m m m m m
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent:
Be happy in life.
Bring happiness to your friends
and relations.
Yet be aware that death is always waiting.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Sources:
- Howard, Understanding Runes
- Thorsson, Futhark
- Peschel, A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Cooper, Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
- Basic Powers: To cause changes.
- Pronunciation: “ay-wawz” or “ay-woh”
A call for divine aid in times of trouble, gathering of bonds of friendship, and the protection of friends. It can call aid from unlooked-for places. It is also a general good luck charm. In the poem of Odin, the seventh rune puts out fires of a friend’s house.
This is a rune of abrupt changes and is good for initiating bold new ventures. Use Ehwaz after the “subject” runes in your runescript to facilitate change. Brings change swiftly. Ensures safe travel.
Facilitations of “soul travel”. Realization of fundamental unity of the psychosomatic complex. Imparts trust and loyalty. A source of prophetic wisdom. Projection of magical power.
The Chant
ehwo ehwo ehwo
e e e e h w o o o
ehwu ehwa ehwi ehwe ehwo
ehwo ehwe ehwi ehwa ehwu
e e e e h w o o o
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent
Embodiment of godly power
thought the body of the horse
people share its might.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Runic Posture
Rune Yoga, or Runic postures are used to anchor the energy of the Rune in your physical body. More about them can be found here: Runic Postures.
Assume the recommended runic posture and sing the name of the rune in a non-exhaustive way that you can feel your body vibrating – in magic literature it is called vibrating. It could be that you can hear overtones clearer as usual during vibrating. Take this as a good sign. You are visualizing the rune with your inner eye, as its form is being represented by your body and the energies are flowing through your body.
Stand up, with both arms slanted on the sides, the left one upwards and the right one downwards, to form the alternative form of the rune E (shown in lower left hand corner of the image).
Before practicing a rune it is recommended to know everything on the powers of the rune you want to practice. The flow of energy is different for each rune, a field of research for your sensitivity.
The hand positions, or mudras are effective only after you have anchored the runes in your own aura and body. They can be made silent and unobtrusive.
Sources:
- Understanding Runes
- Asatru
- Futhark
- Flight of the Condor
- A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
Sources:
- Howard, Understanding Runes
- Thorsson, Futhark
- Peschel, A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Cooper, Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
- Basic Powers: For fertility, family matters and love affairs.
- Pronunciation: “bear-kawn-oh”
Healing, good health, calming troubled minds and atonement, childbirth and fertility.
Berkano (or Beorc) is the rune of the Great Mother and as such is the primary rune of fertility. It also conceals and protects and rules over all protective enclosures, such as houses or temple areas. It is very good to use in a runescript for the peace, projection and harmony of a household. It represents a very feminine and nurturing female type. Fertility. Protection. Family matters. To bring ideas to fruition. To represent a certain type of female in a runescript.
Rebirth in the spirit. Strengthens the power of secrecy. Works of concealment and protection. To contain and hold other powers together. Realization of the oneness of the moment as the mother of all things. Bringing ideas to fruition in the creative process.
The Chant
berkano berkano berkano
bu ba bi be bo
b e e e e e r r r r r
(burk bark birk berk bork)
ob eb ib ab ub
b e e e e e r r r r r
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent
Your green leaves bloom early
giving us knowledge
that Spring has come again.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Runic Posture
Rune Yoga, or Runic postures are used to anchor the energy of the Rune in your physical body. More about them can be found here: Runic Postures.
Assume the recommended runic posture and sing the name of the rune in a non-exhaustive way that you can feel your body vibrating – in magic literature it is called vibrating. It could be that you can hear overtones clearer as usual during vibrating. Take this as a good sign. You are visualizing the rune with your inner eye, as its form is being represented by your body and the energies are flowing through your body.
Standing with the right arm bent at the elbow and the right hand palm up. The left arm is bent at the shoulder with the left palm down. The two hands meet in the middle. Bend the right knee, and hold your foot against the front of your left leg.
Because the traditional position seems almost impossible to accomplish, here is a much more comfortable variation:
Stand up, with the left arm bent at the elbow and the palm of the hand on the hip. The left leg is bent at the knee, the heels touching. The left foot is placed at a 90º angle with respect to the right foot. The elbow and knee form the corners of rune B.
Before practicing a rune it is recommended to know everything on the powers of the rune you want to practice. The flow of energy is different for each rune, a field of research for your sensitivity.
The hand positions, or mudras are effective only after you have anchored the runes in your own aura and body. They can be made silent and unobtrusive.
Sources:
-
- Understanding Runes
- Asatru
- Futhark
- Flight of the Condor
- A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
- Basic Powers: To achieve victory over adversity and justice.
- Pronunciation: “tea-wawz”
A symbol of divine protection, of justice and honor in war or duel. It can be used to defend against or attack known enemies. It ensures victory and the righting of injustice, and can be used to bind an oath. Painted on shields to give bearers more courage and to protect in battle.
This is the great rune of victory and symbolizes kings and leaders of men. Tiwaz is the rune of “might for right” and as such is valuable in a runescript when you have been unfairly denied something or have been falsely accused. It is indicative of the fighting spirit, of trial by combat and fearlessness. It is the primary masculine rune. Victory. Use whenever competition is a factor. Good for health and encourages quick recuperation. In love matters, Tiwaz is used to symbolize the ardent male.
Obtaining just victory and success. Building spiritual will. Develops the power of positive self-sacrifice. Develops the “force of faith” in magic and religion.
The Chant
tiwaz tiwaz tiwaz
t i i i i i r r r r r
tu ta ti te ter tor
tur tar tir ter tor
ot et it at ut
(Tyr Tyr)
T i i i i i r r r r r
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent:
Tyr is the way.
He is the sky father
who guides us
thru life winding paths,
never abandons us
to darkness.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Runic Posture
Rune Yoga, or Runic postures are used to anchor the energy of the Rune in your physical body. More about them can be found here: Runic Postures.
Assume the recommended runic posture and sing the name of the rune in a non-exhaustive way that you can feel your body vibrating – in magic literature it is called vibrating. It could be that you can hear overtones clearer as usual during vibrating. Take this as a good sign. You are visualizing the rune with your inner eye, as its form is being represented by your body and the energies are flowing through your body.
Stand up, with the arms out of the body and inclined downwards, in the form of the sign. The palms of the hands have to look towards the ground although you can also experiment by turning them upwards.
Before practicing a rune it is recommended to know everything on the powers of the rune you want to practice. The flow of energy is different for each rune, a field of research for your sensitivity.
The hand positions, or mudras are effective only after you have anchored the runes in your own aura and body. They can be made silent and unobtrusive.
Sources:
- Understanding Runes
- Asatru
- Futhark
- Flight of the Condor
- A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts
- Basic Powers: To increase good health, vitality and sexual powers.
- Pronunciation: “soe-wee-low”
Transcendent power, salvation, knowledge, strength in times of trouble. Also useful for matters of success and divination. Will counter all dark forces. The sun is a symbol of personal, transcendent salvation.
Sowilo is the rune of the will. It is that spiritual energy which guides all true seekers. A rune of success. Victory, success. Used for healing. Used when strength and self-confidence are needed.
Strengthening of the psychic centers. Increase in spiritual will. Guidance through the pathways, “enlightenment”. Victory and success through individual will.
The Chant
sowilo sowilo sowilo
s s s s s s s s s
s s s o o o l l l
su sa si se so
(sul sal sil sel sol)
us as is es os
si se su sa su
s s s s s s s s s
It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.
The Statement of Intent
Sunna is the goddess of hope.
She points out the way
and gives us the energy for life’s work.
This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.
Runic Posture
Rune Yoga, or Runic postures are used to anchor the energy of the Rune in your physical body. More about them can be found here: Runic Postures.
Assume the recommended runic posture and sing the name of the rune in a non-exhaustive way that you can feel your body vibrating – in magic literature it is called vibrating. It could be that you can hear overtones clearer as usual during vibrating. Take this as a good sign. You are visualizing the rune with your inner eye, as its form is being represented by your body and the energies are flowing through your body.
With the body in the form of the rune S, fold the arms at the side of the body while the hip and knee joints form the rune Sowilo. Balance the position on your toes.
Because the traditional position seems almost impossible to accomplish, here is a more comfortable variation:
Sit on your heels, so that your legs and calves meet tightly along their length. Keep the torso vertical, with the arms along the sides of the legs.
Before practicing a rune it is recommended to know everything on the powers of the rune you want to practice. The flow of energy is different for each rune, a field of research for your sensitivity.
The hand positions, or mudras are effective only after you have anchored the runes in your own aura and body. They can be made silent and unobtrusive.
Sources:
- Understanding Runes
- Asatru
- Futhark
- Flight of the Condor
- A Practical Guide to the Runes
- Esoteric Rune Magic
- Image from Deep Earth Arts