"T"

The point of a spear or arrow, the world column 
holding up the skies

Oak

Sage

Ruby, garnet, jasper, bloodstone, 
golden topaz, citrine

Bright Red

Tiwaz is the oldest name known for Tyr, god of war, 
law, and justice. Tyr ruled not through intervention, 
but by providing direction, consistent leadership, 
and powerful guidance. He sacrificed his hand between 
the jaws of the Fenris Wolf in order to save his fellow 
gods from the forces of darkness. From this act, Tiwaz 
represented self-sacrifice, and thereby was considered 
the rune of great leaders.
 Tiwaz represented Tir, the Pole Star, which was known 
as Frigga's spindle. Tir kept its faith well, and was 
always on course. It represented the guiding principles 
of the universe, which are constant and can be relied 
upon for judging your position and the direction you 
are headed in life. Also because of its depiction as 
an arrow, Tiwaz symbolized a powerful striking force 
that could be used defensively or offensively. In love 
magic, this is the symbol of the male, and its energies 
are strength, power, and direction. Invocation of this 
rune brings those masculine energies into play.

Air

17

Libra

The Tiwaz-rune was the rune of the god of 
heaven, Tyr, and the god of mystery, Mithra 
(MithOdin). Tiwaz is sometimes called Mithra's 
rune. Tyr was also the god of sacrifice and 
the patron of warriors, thus making Tiwaz 
the rune of warriors-in particular, spiritual 
warriors. Traditionally, warriors scratched 
Tiwaz on their spear tips and on the hilts 
of their swords.
 The recording of oaths was done on Odin's 
spear, and violations of those oaths required 
a swift and destructive response. Swearing 
allegiance and the bond of kinship on Odin's 
spear was to hold that vow forever. Breaking 
an oath incurred the wrath of the gods for 
all time.

Tiwaz embodies the mystery of spirituality 
and faith, according to the divine patterns 
of Oneness. Representing the male polarity, 
Tiwaz energy is characterized as being warlike 
and aggressive. On one side, it represents 
law and justice, but on the other side it 
embodies an unemotional energy that can be 
stern and not very nurturing. This rune 
energizes defense and outward expansion, in 
that male energy seeks to defend what it has, 
while at the same time aggressively pursuing 
what it doesn't have yet. This aspect of Tiwaz 
has to do with the energy that traditionally 
surrounded the hunt. The format or plan would 
be set, the hounds let loose, and the rider of 
the runes would bring about the expected results. 
All the factors-the plan, the quarry, the well-trained 
hounds, and a fast horse, as well as the ability to 
ride-were crucial to the success of the hunt.
 By looking into the Orlog, you can see the 
inevitable outcome of your actions. You can 
purposefully influence this outcome by the 
choices and decisions you make, but you cannot 
change it. The ways of magic are the same. 
Your magical goals must conform to basic 
universal laws in order to wind up anywhere 
near their intended mark. Use the energy of 
the T-rune to move your goals forward, 
particularly when there seems to be a 
struggle among the energies present.
 The Rune of the Warrior connotes success, 
leadership, will, honor, and triumph in 
competition. Tyr was the Norse god of war. 
Normally a masculine and powerful rune,
Tiwaz signals waning and decay when 
reversed.
 The way the second aett starts with 
purgation thanks to differentiation 
and realizations brought by Halagaz, 
the third one starts with a loss.
The gods message to us is that for our 
own development and progress necessary 
is sacrifising everything that is of 
no absolutely vital importance.
 Tiwaz stands symbolically for a 
voluntary sacrifice, speaks of the 
necessity to understand what is given 
away and why, ie what is gained in
return.
 Tyr's sacrifising his arm in his clash 
with Fenrir is a noble act, expression 
of Tyr's sense of duty and ethical 
responsibility. The way Tyr is one of 
the oldest Scandinavian gods, his rune 
is also one of the oldest in futhark - 
having survived, practically unchanged, 
since the earliest Bronze Age. It symbolizes 
all the qualities possessed by Tyr: strength, 
heroism, sense of duty and responsibility, 
however also the deeper mystery of wounding 
the god. Same as in case of Thurisaz, Tiwaz's 
pains are focused on attention/care and 
maintenance of discipline, which gives 
the wounding its sense.
 This is the true path of a warrior.

For use in magik: for protection, victory, 
strength, reinforcement of will, wound 
healing.

When Tiwaz is drawn in the upright position it signifies
energy and activity of any kind. Announces warrior mentality  
steadiness, motivation and courage, that, united, achieve 
positive results.
 Tiwaz signifies a passionate love affair. Means that it 
is necessary to give a part of one's own self to make it 
possible for that relationship, full of strength, passion, 
and emotions, to last.
 In the business sense Tiwaz speaks of necessity of 
maximum effort and engagement, and giving up some 
firm attitudes and positions in order to achieve 
progress and improvement.
 If Tiwaz happens to be drawn reversed, the person 
asking the question is advised to be restrained 
in relations with the one he/she cares about, as 
this partner person is unreliable, one of those 
who leave their partners very easily. If you are 
careful enough and bear this in mind all the time, 
you will be prepared for such an unwished situation, 
without exposing yourself to unnecessary blows and 
injuries.
 If the question is asked by a man, the meaning 
may be that such will experience some disappointment, 
as a friend of his is going to interfere his love
affair.

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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