“Find your ears before you search for words.”
Ansuz - “Anne – suhz” – Literally: “Woden” – Esoteric: “Breath” or “Ancestral Sovereign God”
Key Concepts: order, gods, Odin, transmission of intelligence, communication, reason, inspiration, language, breath, sound, origins of language, the Voice of the Universe, spellsong, casting, chanting, ancestors, passing of the breath along the ancestral line, evolution of gods, speech, poetry, discussion of runes, memetics, semiotics, etymology, linguistics.
Psi: mental stability, communion, inspiration, listening
Energy: sovereign ancestral god, animating spirit, breath, communication, exploration, order, answers
Mundane: words, conversation, symbols, elders, music
Divinations: Divine inspiration, word-power, synthesis, transformation, intellect, open paths of communication; or misunderstanding, delusion, manipulation by others, boredom, bad advice
Governs:
All powers of naming and conceptualization
Convincing and magnetic speech and writing, and the power of suggestion and hypnosis
Acquisition of creative wisdom, inspiration, ecstasy and divine communication
Reason, analysis and good advice
Connecting and networking
Listening to oneself and one’s own particular inner-voice
My Notes:
Odin’s gifts to the first humans is said to be the breath of life and inspired mental activity, along with form, speech and the cognitive senses. The root energy of this rune triggers inspiration and ecstatic mental states. The ability of our minds to work with patterns (which computers for the most part completely lack) is inherent in the energies of Ansuz. Thorsson aptly states that Ansuz is the “rune of ancestral sovereign power of the mind consciousness, inspiration, enthusiasm and the power of the use of symbols for transformation of consciousness.”
The spirit takes up its residence in the human body when the babe breathes its first breath. It leaves the body with the last breath. Breath is the actual point of osmosis between the physical world of the human being, and the transpersonal energy that animates the universe. Emphasis on the breath is seen in meditation practices in all traditions. Inspiration means to breathe in the exalting or quickening influence of cosmic awareness. The breath is also connected to ancestry, as even the word spirit comes from the same root as breath. Our ancestral lines are unbroken with those of the gods still to this day, in blood and in breath.
Ansuz governs our mental capacities to name all things. Whereas THURISAZ deals with chaotic forces, Ansuz is a rune of ordering. Naming a thing properly can give power over that thing, and in ancient traditions, naming has often been used to dispel mischievous spirits, bind demons or break psychological fetters. The relationship also is indicative chaotic events can be used to shape ordered circumstances and one’s own thoughts, or the thoughts of others. Ansuz is suggestive of the relentless patterns that modern chaos theory declares are universal in every system. The newest theories of language are also found in the mysterious order and ‘strange attractors’ of chaos linguistics.
It is here that all speech can be deciphered and understood as well, so Ansuz is a rune connected with listening and speech: communication and meaning in general. Use such skills wisely for manipulation can, through temptation, become an end in and of itself, and corrupt the power of the rune. The problems with propaganda and misdirection are that the mind will follow its own words into confusion and create hypocrisy, which will damage the hamingja. Thought and action are most powerful when aligned and honesty is the best policy.
The rune of secrets, silence and true listening is BERKANO, but there is a type of listening that will allow one to hear the Voice of the universe, and this power lay within the power of Ansuz. The rune of higher reasoning and mental abilities particular to human is MANNAZ. These three runes, used in conjunction are extremely powerful.
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37 Responses to Ansuz – Rune Meaning
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[...] awareness. It is the rune of leading by example and of actions that speak louder than words. Though ANSUZ may tell the stories, Raidho lives the stories. It represents our deepest personal life journey and [...]
Thank you Tyriel for all the experience you share with us.
I just want to add a little pebble. I think it is interesting that in Greek there is a word that simultaneously means “speech”, “reason” and “thought” (Logos). It was a surprise for me to discover that Ansuz can combine all these attributes. It is another evidence that dispise the various cultures, people share the same World and can hearken the same Voice of the Universe.
The idea of Logos and Ansuz have much in common, and I’m certainwe could find other examples from other cultures in different times and places.
Incidentally, why did you capitalize ‘Voice of the Universe’. Any particular reason?
I study and deal with the runes for no more than 2 months.
For now, I cannot justify it, I just felt that this expression (independently of the notation) could mean that, among others, Ansuz expresses the humanity seeking for a unique truth under the same Spirit, no matter the time and place. Voice is produced as a “coloured edition” of the Breath.
On the notation, I just respected the one used above.
If there is a meaning underneath, I would definitely like to be aware of it.
With Ansuz I always like to note that things like the ‘story’ are fairly universal, with a beginning, middle and end… cross cultural. Our minds are story-making machines, in a sense, no matter the language we use, or where we were born.
Therefore, can we say that Voice denotes the whispered dictation of these stories by the same Spirit, and, since it represents its Logos/Ansuz (at least as speech and thinking) and its essence, it can only be sacred and should be noted in capital?
But why do people that hear this Voice n e e d to convert its mental words to explicit stories? Sometimes what you can feel can be expressed in no way that does not spoil its meaning.
I think that we do not always need to convert the mental words to voice – and that probably in the 21st century we do so far too soon and too often, without the reason and thought aspects! On the other hand, I think it is definitely part of the northern tradition(s) to pass on knowledge. For this we must give to it a ‘voice’ and one that can be understood readily. Stories (myths) have been used in all of the ancient traditions to accomplish this. Story telling requires that we give thought and add reason before we give voice.
As someone who has also studied, at one point, astrology, I often contempate the possible relationships of the runes to the zodiac signs and planetary rulers. I have never discovered anything on this I find even remotely satisfactory, so there is plenty of room for contempalation! I bring this up, because I often think about the likenes of Anzuz to the communication role of Mecury in the sign of Gemini – very much to speak or give voice. In contrast, Jupiter in the opposite sign of Sagitarius has more to do with that we just ‘know.’ In french there are two ways to say it – “je sais” and “je Connais” – Anyway, just a few tangental thoughts to add to this discussion.
Welcome to the study of runes, Vanr!
Being also interested in the astrological part of it- Mercury is certainly the communicator of the zodiac.But Jupiter represents to higher degree the aspects of Mercury for eg. mercury represents Education upto the level of a sophomore while Jupiter represents Higher studies- Mercury _ Travel,Jupiter-Travel abroad across the countries.Well here the question is who comes on to the higher degree? Ansuz or Kenaz?I have my doubts on kenaz – eventhough kenaz is a fire rune – it means torch- but lights just enough to create a spark and not enough to remove darkness.
I realize that I didn’t quite complete one of yesterdays thoughts. I intended to relate my point about Sagitarius/Jupiter to Kenaz as the torch of knowlege. I think perhaps the energy of Kenaz can shine through us without speech, but through action – lighting the way …
I have drawn this rune 3 times at different times when I have asked about a certain person in my life. I am taking this as an answer, like this person relation to me is the answer. that maybe I am waiting for divine message maybe communication since I haven’t spoken with this persone in over a year?
Yes, it could.
Nevertheless, I would take it as a notice that in the near future I would understand the reason why we haven’t met so long.
Yes that is true also.
Well I asked if we would meet again and I pulled sowilo, hmmmm?
Sometimes Ansuz simply means communication, where Algiz would be more ‘divine’ communication. Sowilo could mean wholeness, success, or that the person is a potential guide in some aspect of life.
If I’d drawn Ansuz repeatedly for someone I’d been out of touch with, I might drop them a line or give them a call.
Tyriel
thanks for the differentiation on the ansuz and algiz communications definitions. i will note that. This is something I will have to think about as it was a relationship that ended over a year ago, but there somehow seems a connection and I have asked the gods about him and our connection and it has come up ansuz each time. I have been debating whether to contact him or not. So maybe this is the answer. I am sure it can hurt. Maybe I will email that way it will give them the opportunity to reply if the want to with no pressure.
thank you tyriel.
Tyriel,
So I asked if I should email him pictures of a goalie mask that I had painted. (his name is on it) and I chose ansuz again. So that makes 4 times. So I have sent him an email. We shall see.
Kat – it will be interesting to know what happens. I would agree with Tyriel that repeated drawings of Anzuz suggest making a communication.
Sowilo in connection with relationships I find difficult. Sowilo is a rune of wholeness and usually considered a positive energy. However, my experience is that it is often connected with difficult struggles towards healing or wholeness of spirit, by one or both of the people in the relationship. One may be more willing to grow toward the sun than the other, which can be painful. Still, there seems always to be a lesson of growth if we embrace it – so walk in the sun!
Wow mahryan, with the sowilo and your explination it hits the nail on the head. It is one of those where I am growing more towards the sun as you would say. I am growing and wish he would open his heart and close his eyes. Thanks for the explination.
Funny thing is I asked about him again the other day about what how he was and I pulled ansuz again, so now that is a 5th time. I also asked what would he think of the email and I pulled fehu.
Mahryan, you make the definitions so smooth. I wish I had that much knowledge of the runes. I am trying to pull one everyday and learn and I am just have one or two little words and not sure how one works with the other. It is always great to have yours and others input.
Kat: I don’t feel that I have much knowledge of the runes at all. There is so much to discover. In fact, I have been contemplating Fehu for weeks now, prompted by comments made on that rune. I plan to post something there a little later today.
We learn a little at a time – and then we learn more – maybe re-think what we thought we knew. As is life ;-)
So true :-)
Well I have communicated with him but so far he has not communicated with me. No worries, we will see what comes of the sowilo part of it.
I just though of sharing an observation … when I pull Ansuz reversed or merkstave, it seems to be a warning, advising me to listen deeper without personal interpretation or spin. When I listen to my inner voice and it doesn’t make sense to my conscious mind, there is a part of me that wants to change what I hear, interpret or modify it to fit some “more logical” form. Ansuz merkstave is like the Divine finger wagging back and forth to remind me that I shouldn’t go there. The message is what it is, and it isn’t mine to change.
I fully agree.
Our Ansuz/Logos (by means of speech and thought simultaneously) is an external alphabet. It is useful to communicate with other people and state things we are sure that other people can understand, because they are o-b-j-e-c-t-i-v-e.
But inner voice uses an entirely different alphabet. And, for sure, it should not be translated carelessly. That’s the reason why Runes have the same basic flavour for all people but they some times use different words to describe them. That’s the reason why one is always advised to search for its own contact with the Runes.
About the word “objective” connected with the word “logos”. There is so-called mirror effect as a reaction of “object” (see, objection). :)
For example, if you read the word “logos” in reverse order, you get the word “golos”, which in Russian SOUNDS/means “voice”. So, it’s not different, actually :) I know that those who have keen ear already “fo-und” that consonance of the word so-und with so-wulo (as “und” so “s-oul”, etc. in all its meanings in “different” languages). And then everything comes to ONE, which in Russian (again!)… this combination of sounds makes a wird (typing error :), … so it makes a word ODIN, that means ONE, just it.
I’ve come across this rune this past week out of inspiration, syncronisity, and fun. I am actually quitting smoking and after not having a cigarette for a night the next day I noticed that my lungs and breath flow were more healthy and open. So when I was outside breathing in muc more oxygen then I did for a while I noticed that my senses were sharper and a crow seemed to flying right around a power spot of mine. Crow being associated with Odin I immediately ahd a flash of Ansuz and could feel better connection with the universe through my breath! So for fun, this rune is good for helping with breath flow and overcomming smoking addicition :)
I had a powerful realization with Ansuz recently. I have just moved to a new city, and have been struggling to create a balance between getting financially stable, and meeting new people, and had been feeling isolated as of late. Something quite odd for me, as I frequently meditate on interconnectedness of reality. I asked the runes for advice and Ansuz was my answer. I then felt compelled to analyze all my thoughts and feelings in the form of a journal, and low and behold, once I had all the thoughts in my head converted and expressed, and analyzed as symbols, all my negative feelings just sort of evaporated. I was aware the entire time, that any experience of isolation only existed inside my own mind, as the universe is a rich and beautiful place, but it took conscious identification and analysis of specifically what I was feeling, not just a philosophical belief, to get past what was holding me back. It really impressed upon me not only the extent of which our unconscious mind can sneak things into our mentality, but also the vigilance required to continuously analyze our unconscious minds and though conscious organization, gain control over the direction of our thoughts.
PS, I have been working with runes for almost 2 years now, and this site has been one of the best resources for runic analysis I could have hoped for, keep up the good work!
Hey Kjolig! Thanks for sharing this, it’s interesting that this came from the analysis of Ansuz for you. There are a few other runes that also heavily oriented around our interconnectedness, but I really, really like Ansuz for this realization as well. I’ll be certain to mention what you’re talking about in my book.
P.S. This site is based on my notes from about 3.5 years ago. The book I’m writing, due out very soon now, is going to be much better, so stay in touch and look for it in a couple months :)
Berkana, Ansuz, and Mannaz. In a word, “BAM!” Here’s a poem I wrote yesterday:
the fire
in my heart
is at war
with the ice
in my veins
love
the great destroyer
creates
a hostile earth
and seeds it
with my fury
I love it when people share poems they feel have runic connections. I especially liked the first stanzas William as It’s something I often feel as my emotions and intellect struggle for control! I would like to know more about why you feel the connection with these teo runes ( Anzus for intellect?) but why Mannaz?
@ Mahryan
Thanks. The first part of the poem hit me like a bolt of lightning yesterday, and is inspired by my recent trip to Iceland, which caused the runes to re-emerge in my life after a long time being dormant. After studying Icelandic today, I asked the runes “Am I on the right path?” and received Ansuz upright. Then I visited here to investigate its deeper meaning. I wasn’t expecting to find connections to Berkana and Mannaz, but combined with Ansuz, they appear (based on Tyriel’s comments) to be a very good combination for studying a foreign language. Icelandic is challenging. I need all the help I can get! :) I think “Find your ears before you search for words” is good advice. Poetic too. Another description of Ansuz (from another site) I really like: “It is the truth heard in the wind.”
[Manas] There is Narrative of Manas, sure, …you can go to Wikipedia (to find out about this legendary NAME), but only for the sake of the picture of mausoleum there… Déjà vu feeling is granted (about Аrabian ligature and Celtic tracery).
But the word/cjmbination of so-unds [manas]…
“It is often translated as “mind”, as it is its literal meaning. Manas is also the value of a higher sentient reincarnating ego or principle in man. Manas makes a person as a reasonable and moral being. (See, a man…)
(Sanskrit) Mind. The internal device, a tool of thinking, the functional complex, perceiving, evaluating, summarizing, and it converts the information from the senses. On this basis, it creates a higher level of information. Manas is able to distinguish internal and external, subject and object, material and ideal. Using logic, it creates a concept. Created by logic information, manas can pass it to lower levels of consciousness, fulfilling a feedback mechanism. It determines the ability of consciousness to distinguish and it is included in total internal organ (antahkarana), which is responsible for the mental functions of humans. In the Vedas, Manas serves as a thought, spontaneously arising from Brahman at his waking moment. According to the “Rig Veda”, manas located in the heart. It feels pain, disgust, happiness, etc. Sankhya believes it’s a form of three modes associated with karma and it represents a separate category (tattva). Yoga suggests that it is linked to the spirit, soul (purusha), with “I” and the higher mind (buddhi). In the Nyaya-Vaisheshika Manas is called substance. In traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) Manas and Buddhi determine psychophysiological personality type. Jainism recognizes its materiality. Buddhist Madhyamika school asserts that it is VOID, like the whole world. … Manas is in contact with the outer aspect of higher consciousness. It is interpreted as self-consciousness or unenlightened, waking consciousness. … It’s one of the nineteen mouths, gates, through which we percept the world . It is believed that transformation of consciousness during spiritual practice occurs with participation of Manas. In Buddhism, it is associated with person’s ability to actualize dharmas and to project them into the world, creating mental designs. The term “Manas” (mano) forms a phrase like “manoratha” (Dream), “manogata” (innermost thoughts), “manodzhata” (generated by the mind, thought).”
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@ abhijit:
This is an excellent site. You should start right here. Trust and listen to yourself and follow where your curiosity takes you.
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