Yew was perhaps the most important wood to ancient northern peoples. It was the mother of the longbow, the weapon that brought them food and, in times of war, protection. Not only was the yew tree of immense practical value to these people but it also held mystical significance as a symbol of death and resurrection. It is still found to this day in many church cemeteries.

when Yr appears in a rune cast it is generally a very positive sign. It signifies that the querent is in striking distance of is or her target and, with a steady aim, will achieve it before too long. Sometimes Yr may denote delay, but nonetheless the outcome is still more than likely to be positive. On a mystical level, Yr represents the ability to put one’s inner self into stronger and safer territory. The yew tree is evergreen and highly flexible, yet very strong, and is excellent for making staffs which may, in turn, be seen as symbols of inner strength. The yew tree in a churchyard exists symbolically to direct the souls onward to the other side, revealing that Yr has more than one side to its nature.

As with Jara and Is, Yr shows no distinction whichever way it falls in a rune cast. Because of this, particular attention must be paid to the surrounding runes in the cast, as they reveal the kind of anticipatory actions the querent should take to avoid problems. Yr shows that there is a way out of any difficulty as long as the situation is approached in the correct manner.