Rune 4 of 24 · Freyr's aett
Ansuz
“a god (one of the Æsir)” · sound: a
Can be drawn reversed when reversals are on.
Historical evidence
The reconstructed name means one of the Æsir, the Norse gods. The Old English poem (os) calls it the source of all language and a pillar of wisdom; the Norwegian poem reads óss as a river mouth, and the Icelandic poem names the god as 'aged Gautr', a name of Odin.
The name Ansuz is a modern reconstruction of the Proto-Germanic name; the Elder Futhark’s own names are not recorded.
In the rune poems
Original
Os byþ ordfruma ælcre spræce,
wisdomes wraþu ond witena frofur
and eorla gehwam eadnys ond tohiht.English
The mouth [or: the god] is the source of all speech, a prop of wisdom and a comfort to the wise, and a blessing and hope to every noble.
Original
Óss er flæstra færða
fǫr; en skalpr er sværða.English
The river mouth is the way of most journeys; but the scabbard is the way of swords.
The Norwegian rhyme pairs each rune with a second line that rhymes with the first and often has no obvious connection to it.
Original
Óss er aldingautr
ok ásgarðs jǫfurr,
ok valhallar vísi.
Jupiter oddviti.English
Óss is the ancient creator and king of Ásgarðr and lord of Valhalla. Jupiter. Commander.
Each Icelandic stanza ends with two words: a Latin gloss of the rune’s name and a poetic word for a king or chieftain that alliterates with the rune. Both are translated as they stand.
Original texts as printed in Bruce Dickins, Runic and Heroic Poems of the Old Teutonic Peoples, Cambridge University Press, 1915. Public domain. The English translations are Scryway’s own, made line by line from these texts; square brackets mark uncertain or added words. No published translation is reproduced.
Modern interpretation
From 20th-century and later divinatory practice, written for Scryway. Not a historical meaning.
Keywords: speech, messages, inspiration
Upright
Communication, advice and inspiration. Listen for the message in what is said around you, and consider your own words carefully.
Reversed
Miscommunication, poor advice, or words used to mislead. Check sources before you act on what you hear.