| The tenth rune and second of the Second Aett of the Elder Futhark is called "Naudhiz" or "Not". It's sound is "N". Naudhiz represents the two balks of wood once used for kindling the need-fire, a powerful ritual fire that was only kindled at times of disaster, such as famine or an outbreak of plague in cattle. Naudhiz literally means "need", which is both scarcity and the absence of things, as well as the principle of necessity. All needs are constraints, and we see that Naudhiz restricts our possibilties. This is brought out in the Anglo-Saxon rune poem, which calls "Nyd" (the Anglo-Saxon name for Naudhiz) a "tight band across the chest". But within the Naudhiz rune is also the power to be released from need: It can often be turned into a symbol of help", we are told, "if needed early enough". Like Hagalaz before it, Naudhiz is a rune of change. When we use Naudhiz, we must be cautious, bearing in mind the ancient maxim "know thyself". In using it, we must not attempt to strive against our wyrd - fate - but should use it constructively. Then it may enable us to overcome difficulties. Normally, however, the rune binds and hinders us. |