Like The Bunny Tarot, this is a quick guide to getting started with learning the runes. The Wildlife Rune Deck combines three elements: Runes, animals from Norse mythology or representatives of the rune, and an introduction to botany.
This guide is organized as follows:
- Alphabetically for quick rune reference.
- Keywords (concise words that summarize the meaning of the rune).
- Interpretation with the animal on the card.
- Flower that represents it. (Common name and Scientific name)
I hope this guide is very useful to you.
Algiz: Protection, spiritual connection.
This rune was represented by the antlers of elks, making the elk the quintessential animal for it.
Flower: Mistletoe // Viscum album Represents protection and spirituality.
Ansuz: Ancestral God, holy inspiration
Ansuz is represented by Yggdrasil, the tree of Midgard, the world, the essence, surrounded by the animals of the runes all in perfect communication.
Flower: The Yggdrasil Tree.
Berkana: Rebirth, new beginnings.
Represented by Hati and Sköll, the two wolves from mythology who chase the sun and the moon to create day and night. They represent rebirth.
Flower: Daisy, the flower of rebirth and innocence
Dagaz: Day, light.
Represented by Gullinkambi, the golden rooster.
Flower: Indian Mallow// Abutilon Vitifolium.
Ehwaz: Movement, teamwork, and companionship.
Represented by Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse. Odin’s loyal companion, always in motion.
Flower: Columbine // Aguilegia A garden flower that stands out for appearing as two flowers in one, symbolizing the teamwork achieved through its intricate forms.
Eihwaz: Resilience, endurance, strength.
Represented by the bear, which has been used as a symbol of strength and power in many cultures.
Flower: Yellow wallflower and Rock Jasmine // Cheiranthus cheiri and Androsace Pyrenaica. The second one is particularly known for its strength in growing, as it thrives in conditions of rapid climate changes and is perennial.
Fehu: Desire, gain, material wealth.
Represented by Audumla, the giant calf now sadly extinct . Cattle have long been a symbol of material wealth.
Flower:
Gebo: Exchange, gift, generosity.
Represented by Heidrun, the goat that produces mead for the gods. Mead was one of the sacred beverages, making Heidrun’s gift of great importance.
Flower: Bellflower // Campanula Flowers that often assist in the pollination of bees and hummingbirds.
Hagalaz: Disaster, chaos, hitting rock bottom.
Represented by the rat, an animal that has been unfairly associated with plague, devastation, and chaos.
Flower: Anemone and Forget-me-not // Ranunculaceae and Myosis Sylvatica During the Victorian era, it was common to give these flowers during times of mourning, and the color purple was strongly associated with accepting changes.
Inguz: Fertility, seed.
Fertility, love, and growth are represented by a rabbit with its little kits.
Flower: Milk Thistle // Silybum Marianum plant with high medicinal properties associated with fertility.
Isa: Stillness, introspection, silence.
This rune is not only represented by an animal but also by the surrounding environment. Winter is strongly linked to this rune, with its static nature and stillness.
Flower: Bare trees, which do not mean there won’t be more life but rather signify a moment of stillness without leaves or flowers.
Jera: Cycles, changes.
Represented by Thor’s goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. According to mythology, these goats were eaten by Thor and brought back to life with the help of his hammer, Mjölnir. That’s why these goats are perfect for discussing cycles and changes.
Flower: Violet // Violaceae Flowers that represent a love that is budding, as well as the beginning of cycles.
Kenaz: Divinity, creativity, cunning, enlightenment.
Represented by a clever fox.
Flower: Sunflower // Helianthus annuus A flower commonly associated with divinity, likely due to its resemblance to the sun, the most powerful celestial body.
Laguz: Flow, imagination, collective memory, dreams.
It is represented by a group of fish flowing in their environment. Laguz is also known as the rune of water, so what better choice than a group of fish to represent it.
Flower: Coral reef. Since an aquatic plant is preferred to represent this water rune, I chose a complex formation of different types of corals.
Mannaz: Normativity, divinity within human structure, agreements, individualism.
Represented by the cat, one of the most complex and fascinating animals in its social structures. Highly individualistic.
Flower: Dahlias // Asteraceae Flowers that represent divinity, similar to sunflowers, and associated with creativity and inspiration.
Nauthiz: Need, limitations, facing adverse situations.
Represented by the dragon Nidhug, who devours the roots of the Yggdrasil tree. Like that great dragon, it presents a strength that helps us achieve stability.
Flower: Begonia // Tuberous Begonia Represents the strength to overcome limitations and thrive in adverse situations.
Othila: Family, familial love, inheritance
Represented by Ottar, the otter who lovingly created a sanctuary for Freyja to continue the inheritance of her teachings.
Flower: Strawberry Flower // Fragaria Strawberries always represent that softness, tranquility, and tenderness, tender love.
Perthro: Mystery, what we cannot see
Represented by the ever-changing and mysterious serpent. This rune warns of decisions.
Flower: Rose // Rosaceae What is seen is not always the whole story in the case of roses.
Raido: Movement, vehicle, path, action
This rune is represented by Ratatosk, the messenger squirrel responsible for carrying news from one side of the Yggdrasil tree to the other. Who better than him to represent movement and action?
Flower: Gladiolus // Iridaceae The flower means sword, due to the shape of its leaves. It is a flower that represents strength but more importantly energy, not of battle but in motion.
Sowilu: Illumination, victory, trust
Represented by the bees that bring the important drink of Nordic culture, mead. A beverage that was used to celebrate a victory.
Flower: Sunflower // Helianthus annuus Here we return to the sunflower and see another of its multiple meanings, victory. Inspired by the sun, which emerges victorious from the night every day to illuminate us again.
Tiwaz: Order, justice, wisdom
Represented by the wise owl that uses its wisdom to impart justice.
Flower: Aubrieta // Brassicaceae Perennial plants symbolize justice, hierarchy, and equity.
Thurisaz: Defense, protection, strength
Represented by Hildisvíni, the battle boar from mythology, tasked with protecting and defending.
Flower: Dahlias // Asteraceae Once again, we turn to Dahlias and explore the meaning of protection symbolized by them.
Uruz: Strength, endurance, momentum, instinct
Represented by the powerful Auroch, the giant ox, now sadly extinct.
Flower: Hydrangeas // Hydrangea Hydrangeas usually represent admiration and abundance. During the Victorian era, they were given as a wish for physical strength, either to recover from an illness or to face a situation that required physical energy.
Wunjo: Celebration, shared joy, harmony, friendship
Represented by the loyal and joyful wolf
Flower: Petunias // Solanáceas
These are just brief interpretations and associations for each rune in the Wildlife Rune Deck. It’s important to note that interpretations can vary, and it’s always best to explore the runes and their meanings in more depth to develop your understanding and intuition.
How to read the runes?
Discovering the best mood, time, and place to enhance your focus and concentration can greatly benefit you. Sometimes, incorporating elements like candles, incense, or being near your altar can create a conducive environment. So, take a moment to set the stage and create a space that resonates with you. Once you’re ready, it’s time to dive into the runes and embark on your journey.
When it comes to reading the runes, there is no definitive right or wrong method. However, I’d like to introduce you to three basic spreads that can serve as helpful tools along your path:
Three-Card Reading:
1. Shuffle the deck to infuse your energy into the runes.
2. Choose three cards and place them face down.
3. Begin turning them over, one by one.
– The central card represents the present, offering insight into your current circumstances.
– The card on the left symbolizes the past, providing context and background.
– The card on the right signifies the future, offering a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Five-Card Reading:
1. Shuffle the deck, allowing the runes to intermingle.
2. Select five cards and place them in the following order:
– Bottom Rune: This rune represents the problem or situation you seek to solve or understand.
– Top Rune: It signifies the factors or influences that Ishtar, the goddess of love and wisdom, can bring to assist with the solution.
– Left Rune: This represents additional factors that might exacerbate the situation or make it more challenging.
– Right Rune: It reveals the immediate outcome or result of the situation at hand.
– Middle Rune: This rune holds the lesson or wisdom gained from the situation and how it will shape your future.
By using these spreads, you can explore the depths of the runes and uncover valuable insights along your spiritual journey. Remember to approach the process with an open mind and enjoy the experience as you connect with the ancient wisdom of the runes.