Futharks of Sigrdrífa

It is well known that, besides the straightforward Futhark order of the Runes, at least two other accounts of the runic arrangement exist. These are the so-called “Futharks of Sigrdrífa”, which assign to the Runes different categories and different applications.

Two views are widespread as to how these futharks, described in the eddic song “The Words of Sigrdrífa”, should be read.

The first view, which we have already discussed, distinguishes eight categories of Runes, holding that in each aett there is a rune of every category. Thus, for example, the “Runes of Victory” are counted as Fehu, Hagalaz, and Tiwaz, the “Runes of Ale” as Uruz, Nauthiz, and Berkana, and so on.

The second view regards the “Futharks of Sigrdrífa” as a simple poetic description of the Runes, in which there is no strict system or correspondence.

Clearly, both views are somewhat limited. On the one hand, it would of course be wrong to grant the Runic order Pythagorean exactness. That does not reflect the dynamic nature of the Runes; it stops their flow. Yet, on the other hand, the runic order is not arbitrary: the Runes unquestionably reflect both stages of the World-process and the cycles of the calendar.

And understanding the order is important — it’s no accident the valkyrie says: “Do not confuse them!”.

Therefore, while by no means claiming sole truth and universality, we will present another variant of reading the “Futharks of Sigrdrífa” that proceeds precisely from the mythic-poetic view of the nature of the Runic order.

How the runes are read in the name of each runic group (taking into account the possibility of mutual transformation of Runes) is used as the criterion for assigning runes to a group.

6
”Runes of Victory,                                  (Sigrúnar) – Sowilo, Tiwaz, Kenaz
if you strive toward it, –
carve them
on the hilt of your sword
and mark them twice
with the name of Tyr!

7
Runes of Ale (Ölrúnar) – Ansuz, Nauthiz, Ehwaz
learn them, so that deceit
may not frighten you!
Trace them on the horn,
inscribe them on your hand,
the rune Nauthiz — on your nail.

9
Midwifery Runes (Bjargrúnar) – Perthro, Eihwaz, Jera, Raido, Ingwaz
learn them if you wish
to assist at births!
Apply them to the palm,
clasp your wrists,
calling to the dísir.

10
Surf Runes (Brimrúnar) – Berkana, Thurisaz, Uruz, Algiz
learn them to save
ships that are sailing!
Carve those runes
on the prow, on the rudder
and burn them into the oars, —
let the surf be fierce
and the waves black, —
you will make landfall safely.

11
Healing Runes (Limrúnar) – Laguz, Isa, Wunjo
To heal, learn them;
on the trunk whose branches
lean to the east,
carve them.

12
Learn the runes of speech,                         (Málrúnar) – Mannaz, Othala, Fehu
if you do not want
them to take vengeance on you!
They are composed and arranged,
they are woven
into that fabric,
where justice is administered.

13
Learn the runes of thought,                      (Hugrúnar) – Hagalaz, Dagaz, Gebo
if you wish
to become wiser!
Hropt discovered them
and inscribed them,
he formed them from a moisture
which once flowed from Heiddraupnir’s brain
and Hoddrofnir’s horn.

Such a reading of the stanzas not only provides a practical guide to applying the Runes, but also accords with the internal logic of the runic order and the worldview of the ancient Scandinavians, who favored analogies and allegories. It is worth adding that reading the runes in this order also helps better understand the categories.

What follows is another list. It too can be interpreted from an imagistic or poetic viewpoint, either on the basis of mythological associations or on the grounds of the shapes of the runes.
15… the runes adorned
the shield of the god of light,             (that is, Freyr, the rune Ingwaz)
the hoof of Alsvinn                 (the Sun-horse, the rune Sowilo)
and Arvak’s ears                         (another Sun-horse, the rune Dagaz)
and the chariot
of the slayer of Hrungnir,             (that is Thor, the rune Raido)
Sleipnir’s teeth                (of course, the rune Ehwaz)
and the sled’s cut,                       (tracks of the sled, the rune Hagalaz)

16
the paw of a bear                                    (naturally, Uruz)
and Bragi’s tongue,                         (speech and inspiration — the rune Ansuz)
wolf’s claws                                     (the rune Laguz)
and the eagle’s beak,                   (for example, Suttung or Thiazzi — the rune Thurisaz)
bloody wings                        (that is, the bow — the rune Eihwaz)
and the edge of the bridge,                               (that is, the boundaries of worlds — the rune Mannaz)
the midwife’s palm                   (of course, Berkana)
and the helping track,      (the bird’s track — the rune Algiz)

17
glass                        (ice, the rune Isa)

and gold                                 (fire, the rune Fehu)
and talismans,                                     (protective signs, the rune Othala)
wine                                       (a product of the harvest, the rune Jera)

and wort,                              (the winter drink — beer, the rune Kenaz)
benches of revelry,                  (Valhalla, Wunjo)
the iron of Gungnir,                  (spears, probably Tiwaz)
the breast of Grani’s horse,                       (Sigurd’s companion-horse, the crossing of the harness — the rune Gebo)
the norn’s nail                        (of fate, the rune Perthro)
and the owl’s beak.                   (a night bird — the rune Nauthiz)

18
They scraped off
all the various runes,
mixed them with sacred honey,
and sent them far and wide, —
some went to the Aesir,
others to the elves,
to the wise Vanir,
to the sons of men.

19
These are the runes of writing,
midwifery runes,
runes of ale,
and runes of magic, —
do not confuse them,
do not abuse them,
use them to good effect;
make use of the knowledge
until the death of the gods!»

Note again that this reading of the futharks enriches both understanding of the Runes and their practical use.