Ansuz

"I know a fourth, it will free me quickly if foes should bind me fast with strong chains, a chant that makes fetters fall from the feet and bonds burst from the hands"
                                                                        
                                                         "Havamal - The song of Odin"

  The rune name is Ansuz it is the letter A in the common alphabet, it is the rune for harmony and inspiration, the Anglo-Saxons called this rune Os, while the Norsemen of Norway and Iceland referred to it as Oss. This rune is connected with the faculty of speach and, indeed, with the mouth itself. The variant word, Oss, was used both in connection with the organs of speech and in the sense of a river mouth. Apart from this, Oss also referred to the wise Odin, the one-eyed king of the Gods of Asgard and ruller of Valhalla. For this reason, Ansuz is called the "god rune".

Upright Meaning:

Fast-changing situations are to be expected when the rune Ansuz is drawn. You may find yourself in a set of new circumstances with few clues about the correct way in which to proceed. However. even though the conscious mind may be at a loss, the unconscious knows better and will use dreams and strange coincidences to communicate guidance. The rune may also suggest that the influence of a helpful advisor will become a prominent feature in your life very soon. This person is likely to be a male, with a great deal of wordly experience, and is probably of an older generation. The spoken word and powers of persuasion are the basic meanings of this rune. It should be remembered that the runes are in themselves "words of power" that, as the "song of Odin" states, can make "fetters fall from the feet and bonds burst from the hands". Thus the appearance of Ansuz ensures that you can use your wits and verbal dexterity to remove yourself from restraints if you know, or can learn, the correct way to go about it. The god-rune aspect of Ansuz should not be ignored: a religious influence may be felt in some way, or you could feel touched by cosmic forces.


Inverted Meaning:

A loss of voice is shown by the inverted rune. This may be literally so - a case of laryngitis, perhaps - or, in a more symbolic sense, you will not be able to make yourself heard. Problems with communication in general are highlighted. Letters and documents may go astray and you could find yourself somewhat isolated for a while. There could also be hitches when travelling, or your thoughts could become confused. Problems with parents, or with older people in general, are also likely.

Body Part: Breath and respiratory system - lungs, throat, larynx.
Associated Maladies: Congestion, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis.
Action: Moving quickly, perhaps too speedy
Solution: Quicken, increase metabolism, increase oxygen