Runes Academy
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Self-paced

Runes 101

The Elder Futhark in 27 modules

A placeholder course for testing the academy. Learn the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark one lesson at a time, with readings, written assignments, self-check quizzes, meditations and book references, framed by an introduction, a logistics module and a wrap-up.

What you will study

  1. Introduction: what the Elder Futhark is

    The scope, the sources and the approach of Runes 101.

  2. Course logistics: how Runes 101 works

    Pace, format, materials and how progress is tracked.

    • Fehu: Cattle — Rune 1 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚠ cattle; movable wealth.
    • Uruz: Aurochs — Rune 2 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚢ aurochs (wild ox).
    • Thurisaz: Giant — Rune 3 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚦ giant (þurs).
    • Ansuz: A god — Rune 4 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚨ a god (one of the Æsir).
    • Raidho: Riding — Rune 5 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚱ riding; journey.
    • Kenaz: Torch — Rune 6 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚲ torch (disputed: also sore, ulcer).
    • Gebo: Gift — Rune 7 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚷ gift.
    • Wunjo: Joy — Rune 8 of 24 in Freyr's aett: ᚹ joy.
    • Hagalaz: Hail — Rune 9 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᚺ hail.
    • Nauthiz: Need — Rune 10 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᚾ need; constraint.
    • Isa: Ice — Rune 11 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᛁ ice.
    • Jera: Year — Rune 12 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᛃ year; harvest.
    • Eihwaz: Yew — Rune 13 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᛇ yew.
    • Perthro: Uncertain — Rune 14 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᛈ uncertain (perhaps a fruit tree or a dice cup).
    • Algiz: Elk — Rune 15 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᛉ elk (or a protective sign).
    • Sowilo: Sun — Rune 16 of 24 in Hagal's aett: ᛊ sun.
    • Tiwaz: The god Tyr — Rune 17 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛏ the god Tyr.
    • Berkano: Birch — Rune 18 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛒ birch (twig).
    • Ehwaz: Horse — Rune 19 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛖ horse.
    • Mannaz: Human being — Rune 20 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛗ human being.
    • Laguz: Water — Rune 21 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛚ water; lake.
    • Ingwaz: The god Ing — Rune 22 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛜ the god Ing.
    • Dagaz: Day — Rune 23 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛞ day.
    • Othala: Inheritance — Rune 24 of 24 in Tyr's aett: ᛟ inheritance; ancestral estate.

  3. Wrap-up: reading a real inscription

    Review the 24 runes and read the Gallehus horn inscription.