Tiwaz Rune
Justice, Honor, and Leadership
Tiwaz Rune in the Poetic Edda
The third aett begins with the Tiwaz rune — the rune of the god Tyr, symbolizing military prowess, justice, law, fortitude of spirit, and readiness for self-sacrifice for a righteous cause. Therefore, Tiwaz is a rune of an unshakable spirit, courage, and honor. It characterizes a person who does not run in the face of danger but boldly accepts battle, defending their values.
Stanza 15 of Hávamál (The Sayings of the High One) perfectly describes this archetype of a true warrior. Odin speaks about what an ideal king or man should be like: silent, thoughtful, but absolutely fearless in battle. Consequently, Tiwaz represents that very inner readiness to maintain steadfastness and courage until the very end, meeting any fate with a raised head.
Hávamál, Stanza 15:
“Þagalt ok hugalt
skyli þjóðans barn
ok vígdjarft vera;
glaðr ok reifr
skyli gumna hverr,
unz sinn bíðr bana.”
Silent and thoughtful
should a chieftain’s son be,
and bold in battle;
glad and cheerful
should every man be,
until he meets his death.
General Meaning of the Tiwaz Rune
Tiwaz is the force that grants laws to people and maintains balance and order in the world. In terms of shape, this rune simultaneously resembles scales and a spear. Furthermore, Tiwaz symbolizes the pillar that supports the heavens. This is the part of the world tree Yggdrasil that is located above the ground — like the Saxon Irminsul.
But most importantly, Tiwaz is a rune of bravery and readiness to sacrifice oneself. Here is the most famous story: when the gods decided to bind the huge wolf Fenrir, Tyr put his own hand into his mouth as a sign of trust. As soon as the chains tightened, the wolf bit it off. Thus, Tyr lost his hand, but the gods were able to neutralize the monster.
Therefore, the Tiwaz rune brings victory, but one that requires a sacrifice. This is a very courageous, strong, and even masculine rune — it is often called precisely that: the rune of men.
In addition, Tiwaz is one of the runes of victory. It promises success in any competition or rivalry. In this sign, like in no other, lives the spirit of struggle. Consequently, until the period indicated in the divination passes, this mindset will influence all your actions.
The rune may indicate that you are about to take on a certain matter or have already taken it on. Most often, we are talking about a fight for justice. You are ready to defend what you believe in, even if the chances of victory are low. However, whether you win or not depends on the layout as a whole.
Tiwaz is a rune of very strong motivation. It says: your willpower and ability to move toward a goal will help you cope with any difficulties.
Finally, this rune encourages courage and responsibility. It serves as a guiding force for those who hold leadership positions, emphasizing the necessity of honesty and truth.
Reading the Tiwaz Rune
Upright Position
Justice, victory, including by the will of the gods, responsibility, protection, strength.
Reversed Position
Conversely, a reversed Tiwaz warns of obstacles, defeat, and the weakening of strength.
Tiwaz Rune in Love and Relationships
In love, the rune speaks of the timeliness of a new romance, which promises to be happy and passionate.
Tiwaz Rune in Career and Finance
In career and financial readings, the rune indicates a serious advancement up the career ladder, authoritative powers, and a high position in service. Therefore, apply your strength to obtain the maximum result.
