Celtic runes

Unlike Viking runes, most runes of the Celtic set have different meanings when upright and when reversed. Always turn the runes over in the same way, so that you won't influence the way they come up.

Feoh Cattle	Cattle was a sign of status and wealth. Like all animals, cattle were sacred but they were also feasted upon at times of celebration, showing that wealth should be used for the benefit of all. Feoh speaks of a spiritual richness that is to be used for the benefit of all. It is the rune of unselfish abundance. You will never run out of your spiritual richness although you should not waste it on those who will abuse it; discernment is important. Reversed, this Rune means that uou have a great richness within you, but its light is masked by emotional imbalances. You should strive for balance in your life, then you will discover the rich wealth of gifts and talents that are already yours.
Ur Auruch (Wild ox)	Aurochs were wild oxen and a powerful totemic animal of the Nordic tradition symbolizing strength. Nowadays, strength is greatly misunderstood. Many people equate strength with dominance and inflexibility. Strength is not a force with which to exert power over others, but a force to stop others exerting power over you. Use your strength to keep you focused on your path, to stop yourself from being off-balanced by others. There are always some people who are negative. Strength comes from not letting those people upset you. The reversed Rune asks you to look to your weaknesses. To be strong, you must first know weakness. Look honestly within yourself without fear, knowing that once you recognize those areas of weakness, you will be able to work on them to turn them into strengths.
Thorn Thorn	Thorn trees are symbolic of protection and their wood was often used to make talismans to ward off evil. The protection that comes from the thorn tree is the protection of spiritual authority, and gives you the power to stand up for the truth when surrounded by lies, and to claim the spiritual path that is your birthright. Spiritual authority brings power and it is up to you to use that power in an unselfish and loving way. Power can corrupt if you do not have a true and honest heart. You should never need to tell others of your authority; knowing that you have it should be enough. To utilize the power of this rune fully, you must first master the ego. Spiritual authority, like strength, is a power that is designed to help you keep on your path and not a power to exert over others for selfish ends.
Ansur Mouth	The mouth is symbolic of communication. Messages come in many forms and communication problems arise from the inability to decipher these messages correctly. This Rune tells that the answers to your questions are already here: you have just not heard them yet. Look for signs and confirmations which are all around you. If you learn this truth, you will understand the messages around you. Check that you are not ignoring the message because you do not like its contents. Trust that everything that comes to you comes to teach you, and that by acknowledging the truth you will grow in knowledge and wisdom. The reversed Rune tells that you have not found answers because you are asking the wrong questions. Seek in a different way; look within and all will become clear.
Rad Cartwheel	Life is a journey along which we encounter challenges that give us opportunities to learn lessons. Everything in life is cyclical. All things have a beginning, a middle and an end. Recognize that everything comes in cycles and that by following these cycles, you will be able to progress quickly and efficiently. Embrace hard times in the certainty that the harder it is now, the more beautiful things will be in the future. Everything has its opposite, and challenges bring equal and opposite rewards. Reversed, this Rune tells you to stop trying to resist the inevitable. Your path is set out before you; tread it without fear. Take one step at a time.
Ken Torch	You are coming into a new understanding of life and its meaning. New insights await you but this is not a time for complacency. You must use this new understanding or it will be worthless to you. Always look for ways in which you can use your insights for the good of yourself and others. This new understanding also needs to be utilized and tempered with wisdom before its true worth and power can be known. With knowledge comes responsibility, because greater knowledge leads to greater power.
Geofu Gift	A gift is coming to you and this presents you with a choice. You can either accept it or reject it. If you choose to accept it, you must be prepared to give in return. It is up to you to find the balance between giving and receiving and to learn when to give and who to give to. It is not appropriate to give to everyone indiscriminately for there are those who do not wish to receive, so giving to them is a waste of energy and an abuse of your own gifts.
Wynn Happiness	Happiness is yours if you are willing to work for it. True happiness only comes to those how are balanced. Happiness is found within and is not dependent on any other person or thing. To have happiness, you must be at peace with yourself and with your place in life. Always be looking for solutions rather than dwelling upon problems. For happiness to last, it needs to be founded upon truth and honesty. Hide from the truth and you shall never see true happiness. This Rune reversed tells to you that the happiness you seek is already yours, but your attachment to the past is preventing you from seeing it. It is time to let go of the old and embrace the new.
Hagall Hail	Challenges are occurring in your life. These are not to be feared, but to be embraced. Embracee challenges head-on in the assurance that they are just stepping stones to the realization of your dream. Every challenge comes to teach. Remember, the greater the challenge, potentially more wisdom you can acquire once you have overcome the obstacles in your path. When you fix in your mind a vision of how you would like your future to be, you send energy in the form of thought waves out into the universe. These vibrations then attract to you all the things that need to be in place before that dream can become reality.
Nied Need	You are getting exactly what you need at this moment to allow you to make the best progress on your spiritual path. Everything is how it is meant to be. It may appear to be the very opposite of what you want, but what we need and what we want are two completely different things. You need to have total acceptance of what has happened in the past, to keep your mind fixed on where you want to be, while trusting that everything in the present is meant to be there and is to be learnt from. The past is just a memory, the future just a dream, the present is the only place where you can have influence; it is the place in which you exist.
Is Ice	Things appear to be at a standstill and this is not a time to try to force movement. Patience and wisdom are called for: patience because you will have to wait until things change externally before you can proceed; and wisdom because you need to decide how best to use your waiting time. This is not the time to be abandoning your dreams; on the contrary, this is an opportunity for you to reaffirm them. Recognize that the time you are in is just another phase of your unfolding path of learning; when this phase is over, a new one will begin. Use this time to rest a while; you will need to focus all your energies for what is to come.
Jara Harvest	Harvest is the time of hardest work. The fruits of man's labor must be collected and stored if they are not to spoil. It is a time of preparation. This is certainly not a time to be resting on your laurels. The harvest feasting takes place only after the harvest is finished, not before. You are at the end of a cycle, but remember that endings only lead to new beginnings. There are greater harvests for you to experience in the future, but before any harvest there has to be preparation of the land, sowing of seed, tending of the seedlings and support of the forming fruits.
Eoh Yew tree	This is a time of transformation; a time to let go of the old and embrace the new. It is a time of death, the dying of past, and yet it is also a time of new beginnings, new life and new dreams. The only constant is change, and if you want to make quick and efficient progress on your path, you have to learn to embrace change instead of resisting it. To resist change is to risk stagnation instead of walking forwards towards the new birth. Do not be afraid; change is scary, but if you remain true to yourself and keep to your path, you will soon find yourself basking in the fresh sun of new enlightenments.
Peorth Dice cup	People think of fate as an inevitable tide, but it is not. You always have a choice in everything. No one can upset you, you can only choose to be upset. No one can exert power over you unless you choose to allow them to. Claim your power of choice. Do not allow others to compromise your truth and do not let others prevent you from doing what you need to do. The only danger here is not to make the choice, to leave things to fate. Reversed, Peorth means that fate has control of your life, but it does not have to be that way. You can regain power. Start to make choices for yourself instead of following the choices of others.
Elhaz Elk	The elk was a powerful totemic animal with very strong protective energies. The wearing of this Rune is said to guard against all manner of attacks and dangers, both physical and psychic. The protective energies of the elk come not only from its ability to sense danger, but also its speed and the skill with which it flees dangerous situations quickly and efficiently. This Rune tells you to rest assured although your path ahead is fraught with dangers, you need have no fear for you have the power of protection within you. You will be safe as long as you do not act recklessly. This is a favorable time for risky ventures, although all things must be built on firm foundations. Reversed, Elhaz tells you to proceed with caution and warns not to act in haste. You are vulnerable to hostile influences and need to concentrate on building your strength physically, emotionally and spiritually before pressing onwards.
Sigel The Sun	The sun was considered the giver of life, for without its rays there would be no food and sustenance. The sun is associated with all that is good, just and right. The light of the sun banishes darkness and rejuvenates the spirit. Sigel is also a rune of truth; the power of light illuminates the darkness of deception, giving clarity of thought and vision. It will show you not only deception in others, but within you. This Rune tells you you have the power to bring things to fruition. Good fortune awaits you and there is a positive feel to everything. This is not a time to rest and relax, however, rather it is an ideal time to look within at the darker aspects of your nature. The power of the sun will enable you to face those dark parts of your being without fear and finally to gain power over them. This is a good time to seek solutions to problems as they are all within your grasp.
Tyr Tyr (Warrior God)	The warrior is always resourceful and focuses on solutions rather than problems. The wise warrior knows that mistakes are not failures, but rather lessons to be learnt if one is honest and humble enough to seek. The man who makes no mistakes in his life becomes an old fool. This rune symbolizes new challenges and initiations into new understandings. There is a need for fearlessness, for your victory is already assured if your heart remains true. This is a time to make use of all the skills and wisdom that you have learnt so far. Protect your faith, as it will be challenged, but the truth will always be victorious in the end. Tyr reversed tells you that you have all the power you need for the challenges ahead but you need to unlock your true potential. Do not let fear stand in your way. Look honestly at your weaknesses and resolve to turn them into strengths.
Beorc Birch tree	The birch tree is a pioneer tree. When forest or scrub land is destroyed by fire, the birch is one of the first trees to re-colonize the land. Beorc Rune tells that this is an exciting time of new beginnings and fresh adventures, a time of great activity and energy. This is a time to sow seeds, but remember that the harvest is still a long way off; do not except to see immediate rewards for your efforts, as new ideas need nurturing and feeding before they will bear fruit. This is a time to make sure that the past is truly put in its place. If one has learnt all the lessons that the past has had to teach, it need never be revisited. It can be left behind and one can venture forth with boldness to embrace new pastures.
Ehwaz Horse	The horse was regarded as a sacred animal throughout the old world and is recorded in many myths and legends as a faithful and loyal ally. Drawing this Rune means that you have the support to be able to make swift progress along your path, but this is dependent upon you being as loyal and supportive to those around you as they are to you. The horse is a proud animal but it does not let its pride get in the way of its purpose. In the same way, you should always be proud of your achievements while remaining outwardly humble to ensure your travels will be swift and sure. Ehwaz reversed means that you need to make new connections. This will draw the energies towards you that will help you overcome all obstacles. Seek out those who share your attitude, knowing that everyone who enters your life has lessons to teach.
Mann Human	This Rune means that your destiny awaits you, so claim it. Embrace everything - good and bad - with total acceptance and pleasure, secure in the knowledge that everything that comes to you is there to teach. By learning each lesson as it presents itself, you will go onwards. Reversed, Mann can remind you that the path of destiny may seem hard, but as you tread it, you become wiser and stronger. Have faith - you have the strength and power to deal with all of life's problems and to make choices as long as you are willing to learn. Do not let your own ego, or those of others, fill your mind with misgivings.
Lagu Water, sea	It is only by attunement to creation that your life will truly flow as it is meant to. Water is a primal power that can never be truly contained or controlled. Water flows where it will, drawn back and forth by the power of the moon. The sea is always fluid and moving, so it should be a part of your life. Embrace change, for it is the only constant in life. Reversed, this Rune tells that you need to learn to go with the flow. There is a need to initiate some movement into many areas of your life or you will start to become stagnant. A few, simple changes can bring about great, positive effects.
Ing Ing (Fertility God)	Ing symbolizes the spark of creation, the power to give life and to make the land fertile. It is the fire within everyone that drives them forwards and keep them striving towards spiritual fulfillment; it is the power to keep going when things get tough. This fire can lie dormant for many years, but when it is fueled by the breath of acknowledgment, by its existence being recognized, it is almost impossible to extinguish. Feed the fire by always striving to learn more, never resting in the illusion of complacency. Seek only answers and never become waylaid with too many questions. Live one day at a time, knowing that the past is just a memory, the future just a dream, and the here and now is what matters.
Daeg Day (Light)	The power of the light shines before you, guiding you clearly upon your path. As long as you remain true, only good fortune can come your way. You need have no fear, for you are well protected by the power of the light. The light will give you clear vision so that you may see and avoid dangers before they enter your life. The only warning is against being blinded, although it is not the light that will blind you, but your ego.
Othel Possession	Othel is the rune into which energies can be concentrated and focused. It has an image of an enclosure of land or of a magical circle. Although Othel means "a possession", it is in the sense of holding rather than owning. We own nothing; all things are merely loaned to us, including our bodies. Concentration is needed if you are to read all the signs that are appearing before you. allow whatever must happen to proceed unhindered. Do not try to force issues. Your dream is like a dove sitting on the palm of your hand. If you try to possess it or to keep hold of it, you risk killing it. Reversed, this Rune reminds you that if you try to own something, you will risk losing it, and tells you to allow everything and everyone to be. If you do not like something, you can only change by initiating change within yourself.