The Anglo-Saxon Futhark includes seven additional runes in their system, over and above the Elder Futhark, but I’ve never seen them used in divination, and there are some who advise against it, because the energies behind a few of these runes are so immense and destructive. Nonetheless, for those who would like to incorporate the Anglo-Saxon runes into their divination, here they are:
Yr-pronounced the way it’s spelled, Yr represents a ring, a brooch, a torque, a curisass or a helmet—any kind of body adornment or armor that can be decorated with jewels or engraved or imprinted with glyphs, sigils, runes or scenes intended to invoke victory. Like Ur, it deals with summoning up the courage, will-power and strength to do one’s duty, but this rune speaks to the need to gird oneself properly for battle, to make sure you have the proper equipment to deal with the challenge ahead of you. This can be anything from pursuing a relevant course of study, to wearing the appropriate outfit for the environment you’ll be in, to visiting a sporting-goods or army-navy surplus store for the proper equipment. Reversed, it suggests either a lack of willingness to deal with the challenge, a lack of the proper equipment, or that one is simply not prepared to deal with it.
Ior-pronounced ‘Eeyore’ like A.A. Milne’s memorable character, this rune is nowhere-near as adorable. This rune represents Jormungard, a huge and terrible sea serpent who lived at the bottom of the ocean and was the Norse god Thor’s implacable enemy. Even the giants in Norse mythology were afraid of this monster and steered clear of him. This rune represents powers and forces which are better left undisturbed, powers and forces one cannot hope to match, unless, of course, you fancy yourself someone with the power of Thor, which is the kind of power you would need to deal effectively with the consequences of arousing this monster. There is no reversed meaning to this rune, just as there is no up-side to dealing with the power represented by this rune. Are you sure you want to tangle with this monster?
Ear-pronounced the way it’s spelled, Ear represents the ocean, particularly its destructive aspect. It is cold, merciless and unrelenting, a force which is better cooperated with than opposed. By extension, Ear represents, fires, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and all other ‘acts of God’, those catastrophic natural events which are more important than any individual involved. In a reading, this could represent a natural disaster which will have a considerable impact on the inquirer’s life. The outcome of their problem, issue or situation might well be far out of their hands. In the event of such a catastrophe, the inquirer is urged to ask themselves how they can make this situation work for them. What possibilities does the aftermath open up for them? Reversed, this rune may suggest that the expected ‘storm’ did not do as much damage as was initially feared, or that one’s cold, merciless and unrelenting opposition unexpectedly weakens, fades away or suddenly disappears. Perhaps what looked like a powerful, unopposable, unstoppable force of nature wasn’t as powerful as it looked.
Cweorp-pronounced ‘kwee-orp’ this rune adds onto the power of its cousin Tir. This rune is concerned with not only conquering, but holding onto and maintaining one’s conquest once it is made. This rune represents ruling both oneself and others. This rune is concerned with discipline, everything from giving up smoking to going on a diet or taking up an exercise program, martial art or meditation practice. This rune can mean, “You’ve won, now the real work begins” or “Are you sure you want this victory? Because it will mean an on-going obligation you must fulfill.” Reversed, Cweorp can signify losing possession of something we have gained by our efforts. This can be through a lack of discipline, inattention, or failure to realize that maintaining the fruits of that victory was an on-going obligation.
Cal
c-this rune is concerned with material well-being and the material conditions you most want to have in your life. As there can be more than one material condition you may consider desirable, this rune may be calling on you to determine which material condition you feel the greatest desire to attain. A ranking of priorities may be in order here. Note that this rune resembles two support-rods holding up a center-pole—after identifying that material condition you most desire, the next step for you is building the foundation under your ‘castle in the air’—the material condition you most desire. Reversed, Calc may mean either a state of unconcern for material things, an inability to determine exactly what it is that we want in life, or we know what material condition we want in life, but we are having trouble attaining it. This might indicate either a lack of willingness to do what is necessary to bring that desired material condition about, or attaining that desirable material condition is not destined to be yours.
Stan-this rune represents stone. European shamans of old saw stone as an effective way of imprisoning unpleasant or aggressive enemies for a long period of time. Thus, this rune was used in magical rune-scripts as a way of blocking negative thoughts and actions from the Gods and humans. The only forces this would not work against was Fate and Time. If you have turned this rune up in a reading, something has been blocked and neutralized. You won’t even get the pieces back, or a response to your message. Your words or actions have simply been blocked and neutralized, your best efforts castrated. You have run into a brick wall. Pick yourself up, rub your head, reassess your plan of action, and head off in a different direction. On the upside, this rune can mean you are completely and utterly protected from the malicious intent and actions of others.
Gar-pronounced with a hard ‘G’, this rune represents a spear. Like the Norse Father God Odin’s spear Gungnir, the energy of this rune is such that it is sent forth, finds its mark, delivers its payload, then returns to its sender. This rune embodies the concept of Karma-actions cause reactions. Our actions have consequences. This rune is cautioning the inquirer to be very clear on their intent when they send a message or start a course of action—whether for good or ill, it will rebound on the sender. A good, warning example of this rune would be nuclear weaponry; a weapon of such nature that its after-effects could well end up blowing back on its sender. On a lighter note, this rune could indicate that something or someone you have sent out on a mission will return to you in like form.
Below is the link containing the downloadable Anglo-Saxon rune cards. Print them out (if you want, you can use page two of the Elder Futhark cards to decorate the back of these cards, which I recommend, since you don’t want them to look any different from the Elder Futhark). They have been designed so they will fit seamlessly with the Elder Futhark cards.
EXERCISES:
1. Try any of the spreads discussed in the previous section on the Elder Futhark, preferably the past-present-future spread, or the Runic Cross spread. Only this time, including the Anglo-Saxon Rune cards in the deck. Did any of them show up in the reading? If so, where did they appear? Can you verify that their influence showed up in your situation?
2. Read for someone else, using the full-complement of Elder Futhark and Anglo-Saxon cards. Did any of the Anglo-Saxon cards show up in their reading? Can you verify the influence of these runes in the reading, and in this person’s life?
3. After having practiced with these rune cards for awhile, and taking into account your own inner-knowing, what is your opinion about using the Anglo-Saxon runes in your readings? Do you think they enhance your readings, or would they be better left out?
Thanks for sharing! I always learn from your posts.