“The eyes cannot hide it if a woman loves another.” - Gunnlaugssaga ch 11.
(this image refuses to be reasonably small though the photo is somewhat better than the last)
Literal Meaning & History
I have seen this rune translated to a bear while the last (Fehu) gets translated as cattle, this is incorrect. There are no old norse names for bears that begin with the letter U. There appears to be a tendency to like Uruz with Ursa, which means bear, yes, but probably originates in latin.
Uruz in all likelyhood refers to an Ox. The word úruxi in the Icelandic language is considerably old (likely a slightly modernized form of the name of this rune) and refers to a species of oxen that went extinct around 1627.
This species of oxen was very large and had a temper. Many words are found that start with the “úr” sounds that refer to things like violent or ill tempered; for example úrillur meaning mad as an ox (ill tempered and prone to violent reactions - modern use: “grumpy”).
Never the less the beasts were also great and powerful forces with which to work the land.
Never the less the beasts were also great and powerful forces with which to work the land.
It’s possible that the specific oxen referenced with this rune is Auðhumla a central creature of the origin of the world in the heathen tradition.
In the very beginning was only a great and gaping void, surrounded by the contradicting forces of fire and ice. Within this void, from the mixture of these forces, was formed a great cow and her udders overflowed with milk. This milk went to feed the formation of the first other living, sentient being.
In the very beginning was only a great and gaping void, surrounded by the contradicting forces of fire and ice. Within this void, from the mixture of these forces, was formed a great cow and her udders overflowed with milk. This milk went to feed the formation of the first other living, sentient being.
Úr as such therefore has another meaning, as a prefix, then reference to the ox. It refers to something great, something big, something powerful. It’s often used in reference to natural forces such as the rain, and in that context it shows up in the start of the small icelandic rune poem.
Úr is the tears of the sky
The quenching of drought
And the bane of the court.
The quenching of drought
And the bane of the court.
In this context, the renewal and the balancing of forces is at play, and how when the land prospers, the grasp of those that mean to control the land is weakened.
Figurative Meaning & Symbolism
The words above, in the image, are little keystones to what this simple rune represents.
“Creative Force” is probably the closest one can get to defining the concept this rune represents.
“Creative Force” is probably the closest one can get to defining the concept this rune represents.
It’s the energy that drives action.
It’s the inspiration and passion of creation.
It’s the raw lust part of fertility.
It’s the base instinct at the core of your being.
It’s the ability to understand, the thing that differences between knowing and knowledge.
It’s the inspiration and passion of creation.
It’s the raw lust part of fertility.
It’s the base instinct at the core of your being.
It’s the ability to understand, the thing that differences between knowing and knowledge.
Like the last time, there’s no “good or bad” meaning specifically. It’s all context.
Just as wealth can bring good things as well as bad, depending on how it affects you, how it affects your life, and where you are in relation to it, the same thing applies here.
An artist can get so lost in inspiration and passion that they forget to tend to their basic needs.
An artist can be driven by inspiration and passion of creation and still not sell a single piece.
Creative passion alone won’t feed you and can hinder you.
An artist can be driven by inspiration and passion of creation and still not sell a single piece.
Creative passion alone won’t feed you and can hinder you.
Lust can be blinding.
Your instincts can falter.
Your knowledge can be wrong.
Suggested Homework
Find something that gets your proverbial or literal juices flowing, something that sets off that spark within your body and soul, something that makes you hunger for more, something that makes your blood quicken and your hands eager to work, no matter what kind of work it is.
Write this thing down.
Write down, in simple words, something that ignites your passion, your lust, your basal forces, your creativity and desire.
Write down, in simple words, something that ignites your passion, your lust, your basal forces, your creativity and desire.
Then think of how this thing could make your life better, how doing this thing, engaging in this thing, makes you a better person.
Then think of how this thing can make your life worse, how doing this thing, getting lost in this thing, can destroy you as a person.
Then think of how this thing can make your life worse, how doing this thing, getting lost in this thing, can destroy you as a person.
Note those down, side by side, and remember this if/when you work with the rune.
A force of nature is merely a force of nature, whether it comes as the quenching rain or the torrential storm. It is neither inherently good or bad, but can easily become either or both.
