Ehwaz Rune
Movement, Partnership, and Progress
Ehwaz Rune in the Poetic Edda
Ehwaz is the rune of mutual trust. In the Norse world, a horse was not just property, but a faithful comrade who shared the dangers of the journey with its owner and upon whom one could rely at the most critical moment.
Hávamál, Stanza 89-90:
“Bróðurbana sínum
þótt á brautu mæti,
húsi hálfbrunnu,
hesti alskjótum,
— þá er jór ónýtr,
ef einn fótr brotnar —,
verði-t maðr svá tryggr
at þessu trúi öllu.
Svá er friðr kvenna,
þeira er flátt hyggja,
sem aki jó óbryddum
á ísi hálum,
teitum, tvévetrum
ok sé tamr illa,
eða í byr óðum
beiti stjórnlausu,
eða skyli haltr henda
hrein í þáfjalli.”
His brother’s slayer,
though he meets him on the road,
a half-burned house,
a horse over-swift,
— then is the steed useless
if a single leg breaks —,
let no man be so trusting
as to believe in all of these.
Such is the love of women,
those who think deceitfully,
like driving a horse unshod
on slippery ice,
a spirited two-year-old
and badly tamed,
or in a raging gale
steering a rudderless ship,
or as if a lame man should catch
a reindeer on a thawing mountain.
General Meaning of the Ehwaz Rune
Sleipnir — the eight-legged horse of Odin — carries his master between the worlds. The very word “Yggdrasil” translates as “Odin’s steed.” It is the axis that pierces all existing worlds, and magicians use it for their travels.
Therefore, the Ehwaz rune (horse) is precisely connected with such movements between worlds. It is also close to the Raido rune (journey). In the northern tradition, the horse is the most magical animal.
Furthermore, the Ehwaz rune is connected with karma and justice. In many myths, a person’s good and evil deeds are weighed on scales in the underworld. Consequently, the rune itself resembles scales in its shape.
Interestingly, sometimes this sign is seen as a horse, and sometimes as two people shaking hands. In this way, another meaning of the rune is revealed — partnership.
Ultimately, Ehwaz symbolizes movement, travel, and cooperation. It represents forward motion, often in the form of a physical or spiritual journey.
This rune encourages adaptability and teamwork. It suggests that trust and loyalty are the key to progress and success.
Reading the Ehwaz Rune
Upright Position
Progress, travel, cooperation, overcoming obstacles, partnership.
Reversed Position
Conversely, a reversed Ehwaz warns of delays, mistrust, and stagnation.
Ehwaz Rune in Love and Relationships
In love, Ehwaz speaks of overcoming conflicts in relationships. This may be accompanied by arguments. However, the main thing right now is to make sure that you and your partner are, first and foremost, a real team.
Ehwaz Rune in Career and Finance
In career and financial readings, the rune indicates that right now all attention must be dedicated to establishing communication with management, within the team, and also with external clients. For instance, clients must understand that you are their partner, a means to achieve their own benefits, and not a rival on a battlefield.
