Norse Runes – Ansuz

 

Odin – Lynn Perkins

 

Ansuz
“Anne-sooz”

Translation
Literally: the As, the ancestral God, or Odin
Associated: breath, ancestral sovereign God

Meaning
When Ansuz shows up in a reading, it is a time to be on the lookout for messages and communications. You could be just about to receive some information, or the Rune could be telling you to be mindful of your communication skills with other people. Be open and aware of the words you hear and the words you choose to convey your thoughts, use your intelligence and wisdom.

It is also a rune of inspiration, of that ecstasy that allows inspiration to flow in. Remember, it is connected to Odin, and He is the very epitome of ecstasy. Connected to this inspiration is also poetry, voice, chanting, singing, songspells, language. The tools we use to convey whatever inspires us.

Touching on the ancestral aspect of this Rune, it is the breath of the ancestral line that we take in for the first time when we are born, given to us by our Ancestors. It is also exhaled the last time before we die, given back to our ancestral line, ready for the next life.

Reversed or Merkstave

It goes without saying that Ansuz reversed denotes misunderstandings, miscommunications. You will not be able to receive clear information at this time, whether that is because you cannot understand it at this point, or because someone is being dishonest.
This isn’t a time to debate or reach a decision as you will not have the right information.

Inspiration is blocked, and words fail you.

Ansuz reversed also reminds us that we may have many words to describe something, but it doesn’t mean that those words are said thing. Can we not experience something we have no words for?