"AA" (Ah)

 The wind-blown cloak of Odin.

 1st aett, 4th rune

 Name of Odin, the Allfather of the Aesir.

 Order, rebirth, consciousness, knowledge, wisdom, 
mental agility, communication, creative expression, 
and reason.

 Ash

 Fly agaric

 Sodalite, aquamarine, sapphire, lapis lazuli, 
labradorite, jade.

 Dark Blue

 August 13 - August 29

 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 The Germanic name: Aza (Ansuz)
 The Norse name: Oss, Ass
 The Anglo-Saxon name: Aesc (Os, Ac)
 The Icelandic name: Oss, Ass
 The Norwegian name: As

 Ansuz is sometimes referred to as the "god rune," 
because it is Odin's rune, associated with the spoken 
word, song, poetry, and magical incantation (galdr), 
especially as an expression of magical force. Ansuz 
also symbolizes the divine source within human beings, 
an energetic force in the conscious mind that influences 
all intellectual activities.
 Often a favorite of bards, Ansuz derives its name from 
the ash tree, one of the most sacred trees in the Northern 
Tradition. The World Tree, called the Yggdrasil, is an ash 
tree. It is the cosmic axis that links all the worlds of 
creation together, illustrating its sacredness. Also, the 
ash and, in turn, the runic power of Ansuz, was instrumental 
in the creation of the first man, named Ask.

 Odin-Known by over 200 different names, Odin was 
the "Allfather," who first helped the forces of 
creation by slaying the giant troll Ymir. He did 
this with the help of his two brothers. They went 
on to fashion all the realms of being from the giant's 
remains. Odin's curiosity about life often drove him 
to do things that took him into precarious situations, 
which didn't seem like good ideas at the time but later 
turned out to be masterful strokes of genius, such as 
hanging on Yggdrasil for nine days and nights.
 Asynjur-They are Norse goddesses who belong to the 
Aesir. Protector of housewives and marriage, Frigga is 
the second and principal wife of Odin, and the primary 
Goddess in this group. A collection of keys hangs from 
her girdle, showing her status as a housewife. She is a 
sky Goddess and weaver of the clouds. Friday is named in 
her honor.

 Wolf, raven, horse, vulture, eagle, hawk, falcon, 
bear, tiger, cheetah, cat, hound, fox, butterfly, 
parrot, mockingbird, cockatoo, emu, snake, turkey, 
bat, and scorpion.

 Air

 4

 Pluto   Mercury

 Death

 After the emergence of Audhumla, the cosmic cow, 
Ymir, the giant, as well as other giants and gods, 
came the first man and woman, Ask and Embla, 
human-shaped trees-the ash and the elm, respectively. 
Ansuz embodies two of several spiritual gifts given 
to Ask and Embla by the gods Odin, Vili, and Ve 
(the threefold aspect of the god Odin). These gifts 
were ond or anda (breath, spirit, life force) and odhr 
inspired mental activity, inspiration, genius).
 While the giants and the Thurisaz rune symbolize 
chaos, the Ansuz rune symbolizes order and the Aesir, 
the gods who descended from Odin. Because of its 
connection to the Aesir, the Ansuz is Odin's rune, 
reflecting his role as the numinous god of magic and 
ecstasy. The poetic mead of inspiration, and the 
vessel that contained it, are both known by the name 
"Othroerir" (the exciter of inspiration), a concept 
closely associated with Odin and this, the A-rune.

 Increases magical powers and intuitive abilities
 Gets in touch with divine power and knowledge
 Communicates with the divine within
 Inspiration in the creative arts (speech, song, and writing)
 Assists in times of transformation
 Shapeshifts and works with power animals

 Ansuz, ansuz, ansuz,
 A a a a a a a a
 A a a a a a s s s s s 
 A a a a a 
 A a a a a a a a a a 

 On a practical level, Ansuz is the counterbalance 
to Thurisaz. The divine order that stays firm no 
matter how difficult conditions may become stands 
as a counterbalance to the chaos inherent in the 
universe. Just as Thurisaz is used to fetter and 
protect, Ansuz is used to unfetter and release. As 
stated in the fourth spell in the acient Norse poem 
"Havamal," the Ansuz rune can be used for releasing the 
chains that bind us. This is also true for psychological 
fetters, such as anxieties, fears, and phobias.
 Because of its connection to the Aesir, Ansuz is 
the receiver and container, as well as the transformer 
and expression of spiritual power and divine knowledge. 
This energy comes from the Aesir. Humankind expresses 
it through acts of divine, religious, or magical nature. 
The polarity in this rune may provide the answer to your 
prayers as a gift of knowledge from Odin, or it may be a 
trick of Loki. Opportunity or temptation, which is it? 
Ansuz can help decide between the two.
 With the energy inherent in Ansuz, you can begin to 
give definite form to your goals and aspirations. Use 
Thurisaz to protect your magical works and patterns, 
and Ansuz to set the stage for bringing them to life. 
By merging with Ansuz, you touch divine energy both 
within and without.
 The Rune of Wisdom and Advising suggests that now is 
a good time to heed the counsels of those around you. 
Avoid them, however, if ANSUZ is reversed: Then it 
stands for lying and deceit.
 This rune represents the instinctive, primal, energy 
of Uruz, ennobled by the discipline and experience of 
Thurisaz. These elements are combined in Odin, who 
simultaneously is the leader and shaman, god of warfare
and god of wisdom.
 Ansuz is a balanced rune. Stands for strength, secular 
and magic, however possibly misleading us exactly because 
of that. Odin has learned the lesson from the first three 
runes that achieve power through agency of wisdom, however 
this being just a new start. This rune stands for only a 
temporary power and one of vehicles for attainment of 
spiritual perfection, which is void of compassion. Odin 
is positioned high, on the top of his world and he makes 
decisions, but he really is not capable of true understanding 
and care about people and his own self. For him to become 
a truly great leader, emotional supplementing is necessary.
 When used in divination it signifies: authoritative personality, 
leader, balance of spirit and body, justice, shaman, keen intuition.

 For use in magik: for bringing wise decisions, success, 
achievement of leadership; as assistance in predicting 
and in magik.

 This rune represents divine power and authority. In spread 
interpretations it advises one to seek assistance and help or 
to expect it from parents or other personalities of authority, 
or, otherwise, to listen from one�s elders and to understand that 
the period of one's learning is still in progress.
 In its upright position this rune ennounces to the person 
asking the question a visit by an elderly person bringing some 
unexpected present or the word of such. This can be a parent, a 
relative, or somebody quite strange or unknown to one. The character 
of the gift in question is possible to learn from neighboring runes.
 In case of younger persons or parents of rather young children 
this rune can signify a scholarship granted. When drawn in the reversed 
position this rune suggests disappointment, delay, or loss. Fehu reversed 
also suggests failures in love. In the financial spheres, too, this is a bad 
sign, as expectations are not going to be materialized. 
 When this rune is drawn in a reverse position, signified is some 
elderly person meaning a burden - due to leniency and serious illness, 
or because of constant meddling into affairs and relations of other persons 
in the family, which leads to inconveniences and trouble. 
 Possibly can also stand for unsuccessful business trip.

Fehu Uruz Thurisaz Ansuz Raidho Kenaz
Gebo Wunjo Hagalaz Naudhiz Isa Jera
Eihwaz Perdhro Algiz Sowilo Tiwaz Berkana
Ehwaz Mannaz Laguz Ingwaz Othala Dagaz


Rune Interpretations

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