Uruz

First Ætt – Freya's Ætt
Phonetic Value: U
Pronounced: OO-rooz
Other Names: Ur, Uriz

Color: Dark Green
Herb: Sphagnum Moss
Gemstone: Carbuncle
Tree: Birch
Deities: Ullr, Loki, Odin, Ymir, Thor
Meaning: Auroch (Wild Ox), Strength

Keywords: Strength, courage, passion, health, desire. Also Weakness, defenseless, lust, rashness.

When Interpreting Upright: Uruz is a rune of primal earth energy, a rune of manifestation, survival and perseverance. Courage, Strength, Raw Creative Power, Passion, this is a rune that makes you want to yell a war cry and run into battle, the rune that gives you the will power to overcome difficult tasks. Everything that is Primal about you is this rune. It shows us our basic selves. The need to survive, to mate, to protect what's ours.

Uruz is also a rune of adaptability. Sometimes changes are needed in order to survive. This rune can signal that a change in your life must occur but it also lends you the strength to get through it. This can lead to risks but usually the outcome is beneficial. It's a rune to signify a rite of passage. Death and rebirth.

When Interpreting Merkstave ( Reverse or Upside Down): When drawn reverse, Uruz often signals the necessity to use caution, make no decisions quickly, pause, take no risks. It could also signify a weakness in yourself or your life. Showing you that it needs to be addressed. It may also mean that you may not be able to protect yourself from what is to come.

Uruz is manifestation and creation and is sometimes associated with the Norse creation goddess Audhumla, a great cow who licked away the ice to reveal the first god Bur. This lends to the idea that Uruz can also be used for healing. To invigorate the body, destroying that which isn't needed to be replaced with that which is. Using Uruz in a healing spell will give it an added extra punch of of primal energy. Use it to promote new passion in your love life, draw the rune in red on a piece of paper and stick it under you mattress. Wear it around your neck to give you the willpower to help overcome any obstacles in your way.

Disclaimer: This is not the end-all only interpretation for runes of the Elder Futhark. This is a learning guide written by me for teaching purposes. Each rune guide is a compilation of information that I’ve put together over the years. It is, by far, not the only source for runic meanings and I encourage everyone to research the runes further. Find out what each rune means to you.