Perthro (ᛈ) is the fourteenth rune in the Norse Futhark runic alphabet and represents the sound p. It also represents the concepts of a dice cup, which links it to ideas of fate, mystery, and chance.
Perthro is also the sixth rune in the second aett. The Norse runes are divided into three eight-rune families, which represent distinct themes. The second aett is ruled by Heimdall and represents challenge, transformation, and disruption.
In divination, the Perthro rune suggests that fate’s fickle hand is at play, and you need to roll with the punches. It can point to hidden knowledge revealed as whatever is happening, you didn’t see it coming. It is a reminder that while you can’t control everything that happens, you can control how you respond to it, and it is your actions and attitude that will shape your future.
The Perthro rune is linked with the Norns, the Norse Fates. They reportedly attend every birth and cut the new person’s life string, so that the date of their death is set, but everything that happens between is to play for. They are also sometimes described as carving runes into the bark of Yggdrasil to shape fate. Norse magic, including both rune magic and Seidr magic, pulls on the strings of fate to change destiny.
Perthro 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 Anglo-Saxon poems for many runes, but only the Anglo-Saxon poem survives for the Perthro rune.
Anglo-Saxon
The dice cup is ensamble playing and laughter, proud in middle, there warriors sit, in beer-hall remain united.
Games were popular in Norse society, and many dice, chess pieces, and other game paraphernalia have survived. It was a way to bond, teach, and develop tactical skills. It was also a chance for competition, which was central to the Norse psyche. Many stories of the gods include competitions, whether it is Odin racing his horse with the giant Hrungnir to prove whose is better, or Thor and Loki competing with the deceitful giants of Utgard-Loki.
Perthro in Divination
In divination practices, the Perthro rune can have several meanings:
- Fate and Destiny – while we control our own path, a greater destiny is at play, and you need to find your place within the greater universal flow
- Hidden Knowledge – it can point to the unknown being revealed
- Decisions – taking control of the parts of your fate that are within your control through your actions and attitudes
- Intuition – trust your intuition; it is your subconscious processing more than your conscious mind can comprehend and sending you important messages to your gut
The position of the runestone in relation to the reader influences the reading:
- Upright: The Perthro rune is a reminder that while you are caught up in destiny, you can control your fate through your actions and attitudes
- Merkstave (reversed): The Pertho rune reversed suggests that you are letting yourself get swept away in events, and you may not end up where you want
- Sideways: In this case, the Perthro rune can point to an important decision that needs to be made
How it should be read also depends on where it falls in relation to other runes.
- Combined with Ansuz – trust your intuition to divine the right next steps
- Combined with Laguz – navigate uncertain situations with grace
- Combined with Isa – pause and read the signs before acting
- Combined with Eihwaz – remain resilient and stoic in times of challenge, as things will be better on the other side
- Combined with Raidho – remember that the journey is as important as the destination
Perthro Associations
Pisces – an emotional and intuitive sign that tends to be tapped into the flows of fate
Twelfth House – governs hidden matters, the subconscious, and introspection
Neptune – the planet of mystery, intuition, and the unknown
The Wheel of Fortune – is a reminder that life is cyclical and neither the good nor the bad is permanent
Seven of Cups – says to make decisions in line with your personal compass and don’t try to jump to the end without doing the work
13-28 January – prepare for secrets to be revealed and surprise changes in circumstancs
Perthro in Magical Rituals
Use the Perthro rune in magical rituals for divination, intuition, and destiny rituals.
- Combine the Perthro rune with a blue candle for candle magic spells to strengthen your intuition
- Draw the Perthro rune on a mirror and stare into it to see your destiny; reveal hidden knowledge by asking what parts of yourself you are not seeing clearly
- Draw the Perthro rune on the bottom of a water bowl and stare into it as part of divination rituals
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