Ansuz (ᚨ)
Pronunciation: AHN-sooz · Latin equivalent: A · Freyr’s ætt, fourth rune
Name and meaning
Proto-Germanic ansuz, “a god” — one of the Æsir, and by long association the Allfather himself: the god of breath, poetry, and the won runes. This is the rune of the divine voice and the human one.
In the rune poems
Attested in all three (Old Norse óss). The Anglo-Saxon poem reads it as “mouth,” the source of speech and wisdom’s support; the Icelandic poem names the aged Gautr — Odin — lord of Ásgarðr. Same rune, both ends of the same channel.
Upright
Communication, inspiration, counsel, a message arriving — sometimes literally, sometimes as the sudden right word. The breath Odin gave; speech that orders the world. Favorable for teaching, writing, negotiation, and listening for what the moment is saying.
Merkstave
The channel fouled: miscommunication, manipulation, delusion, advice that serves the adviser. Words used as Loki uses them. Check the source before trusting the message.
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