Ansuz (ᚨ) is the fourth rune in the Norse Futhark runic alphabet and represents the phonetic sound A. It also means God, Mouth, or One of the Aesir and represents communication and creativity, and also inspiration and divine or ancestral wisdom.
The rune is intrinsically linked with every type of communication, shared and received. It encompasses all kinds of self-expression, including artistic and creative endeavours. Ansuz also links with spiritual communication, whether it be ancestral knowledge – we must all remember that we stand on the shoulders of giants – or divine messages and intuition.
The Ansuz rune is linked to the god Odin, the creator and the leader of the Aesir gods. He is a multifaceted god, considered the god of war, but also wisdom. He would infamously do anything to obtain wisdom, even plucking out his own eye to drink from the Well of Wisdom. He is the god of poetry and creative endeavours, the god who discovered the secrets of the runes, and a magical practitioner. He is also a god of the dead, choosing the bravest who die in battle to dwell in his hall in Asgard, Valhalla.
Ansuz Rune Poems
Our understanding of the Old Norse runes comes from rune poems, which provide explanatory stanzas for each letter. There are Norwegian, Icelandic, and even Anglo-Saxon poems for each rune.
Norwegian:
The mouth is the way of most journeys, but a scabbard is of swords.
Icelandic:
Aeisr (Odin) is olden Gaut and Asgard’s chief and Valhalla’s leader; Jupiter (Odin) is king
Anglo-Saxon:
The mouth is the source of all language, a pillar of wisdom and comfort to wise men, a blessing and a joy to every knight.
These poems recognize the need for wisdom to balance force and that one without the other is empty.
Ansuz in Divination
In runic divination practices, the Ansuz rune can have several meanings:
- Wisdom Gained Through Life Experience – it can point to recent lessons that you should pay closer attention to
- Speaking Truth Clearly – the rune can explore how you express yourself and if you are projecting what you want into the world
- Access to the Divine – it can relate to spiritual work and connecting with the spiritual
- Creative Expression – potentially encouraging you to make greater use of your creativity and skill
The position of the runestone in relation to the reader influences the reading:
- Upright: Teaching and learning, expressing yourself clearly, and connecting with the spiritual
- Merkstave (reversed): miscommunication and misunderstanding, deception and false information, and spiritual disconnection
- Sideways: finding a mentor and giving respect to your ancestors, plus recognizing those who have helped you along the way
How it should be read also depends on where it falls in relation to other runes.
- Combined with Gebo – reciprocity and relationships that build both people up
- Combined with Laguz – smooth communication and heightened intuition
- Combined with Mannaz – community bonds and groups that are more than the sum of their parts
Ansuz Associations
Gemini – as an air sign linked with clear communication, but also a mutable nature that adapts to different people and situations
Ninth House – governs higher learning, philosophy, and spiritual explorations
Mercury – the planet of communication and intellect, and it governs how we express ourselves and connect with others
The Magician – represents the creative force within each of us that allows us to create our own lives
Suit of Swords and Pages – in the Minor Arcana, Ansuz aligns with the suit of swords, which is about intellect, communication, and truth, and also Page cards, which represent messages, inspiration, and new ideas
13 August-29 August – During this period, spend time with older people with experience and mentors, and appreciate their lessons
Ansuz in Magical Rituals
Use the Ansuz rune in magical rituals for protection, to build your spiritual psyche, and to aid in transformation
- Combine the Ansuz rune with a purple candle for candle magic spells for divination
- Carve an Ansuz rune into the bottom of a water bowl that you gaze into for spiritual visions
- Combine with bay leaves for spells to make contact
- Include an Ansuz rune in your ancestor altar
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