The Rune Uruz

The rune Uruz is number two in the row of runes.

As soon as I felt I had made contact with the rune Fehu, or Fe, as I call it – I took hold of Uruz. I felt that calling it Ur was perfectly fine. We set off on a number of walks, Ur and I, where I walked along saying: «Ur, ur, ur – introduce yourself, now it's your turn!» I have a habit of humming self-composed mantras, and Uruz got to experience that.

Uruz is the wild ox's rune. I looked at a couple of drawings of the aurochs. It was a mighty animal that could weigh about a tonne. Sadly, domesticated cattle displaced this animal, and reckless hunting did its part – and in the end it was wiped out. In 1627 the last wild ox died in Poland.

But we still have the rune Ur, and it is the symbol of the earth, of the primal instincts and the power that exists within us and around us.

When I look at the rune Ur, I think of the zodiac sign Aries and the planet Mars. Once, the war god Mars was also an agricultural god. So, Ur and Mars carry this within them. The peaceful, strong farmer and a “wild beast” that simply will not be tamed.

When I look more closely at the Tarot cards, I see Ur in both “The Fool” and in “The Nine of Wands”.

In The Fool because The Fool has so much drive, and in the Nine of Wands because the card shows so well the wildness that lies smouldering within us. We all have a portion of primitive wildness, even though we like to think of ourselves as advanced and refined creatures.

Ur is actually a popular healing rune. If someone, or you, needs strength to get back on your feet, it is wise to work with Ur. Some healers use oil and draw it on the sick person. I used Ur once when I bandaged a horse's leg. As soon as the bandage was in place, I drew Ur on the bandage and hoped the horse would quickly regain the strength in its leg. Somehow this must have worked, for the owner was impressed at how fast the horse's leg healed. And I am no healer, but Ur is a healing rune in itself and it seems to sort things out on its own.

A natural healer I know writes the Ur rune on a bay leaf, burns it, mixes the ash with a little olive oil and applies it to the sore spot. She is a healer and I have great faith in her knowledge, so I hope some of you can use this “trick” in your healing.

In hunting and fishing circles I have seen the Ur energy come to the fore. I lived for a few years in Trysil, and there I saw a feeble office worker transform into a small, slight but rugged hunter. He looked tough as he set off with the rifle nicely positioned over his shoulder. An amusing sight. I have seen salmon fishermen standing by the rivers, with the “Ur gaze”. Legs spread wide, they stood exchanging experiences and more or less truthful fishing stories.

Unfortunately, I have also seen Ur's shadow side awaken in connection with inheritance. I have seen relatives transform into “wild beasts” and seen them grab for themselves and start wars on the flimsiest of grounds. For Ur, like other runes, also has a shadow side. I have seen primitive people rampage and take whatever they please. “Walking over corpses” is one of Ur's shadow sides. Psychopathy is the Ur force out of control.

Earthquakes are the Ur force beyond our control, landslides likewise.

We need the Ur force to keep ourselves going, but we must constantly take care that we do not lose control of this dangerous power.

But when the dandelion uses the Ur force to fight its way through asphalt, then the Ur force is simply beautiful, I think. 🙂

Among crystals that resonate well with Ur, Irene Resaland holds that Flame Quartz is the right crystal. Flame quartz lifts willpower, builds up energy and helps you with grounding. I choose blue aventurine because the stone reduces anxiety and fear and promotes creativity. It also teaches you to listen to your inner voice. If you choose a completely different stone, then go ahead – do exactly as you wish 🙂

Among plants I have selected a few.

I'll begin with horsetail, or perhaps you call it field horsetail? A beloved child has many names. Did you know that horsetail is a small, tough plant that defends the “spirits”? It really is! 🙂 My old great-aunt once had a visit from two communists, who were also atheists. God was dead, the gods were just myth, spirits were nonsense … She liked these two brothers and always described them as warm-hearted behind a cold façade. She came to think of the horsetail, which was a little warrior in itself – and gathered in a number of sprigs before the brothers came by. She brewed horsetail tea and served it to the brothers every time they visited. Over the course of the summer they were just as ardent communists, but no longer such great atheists. They admitted that the forest Finn's magic was a bit strange … So, my great-aunt said that one must never underestimate horsetail. She called horsetail Rävsvans – and held that the plant resembled a fox's tail. She is right about that. A green version of the fox's splendid tail.

I would advise readers to think of horsetail if they are pursued by misfortune or illness. Make a small pouch, fill it with horsetail and place Ur in the pouch. You can write Ur on a bay leaf or on whatever you like. Ur can also be written or embroidered on the pouch. Do you feel “heavy”, as if the energy has stagnated in your body? Then you can burn the horsetail as an incense. It is said to help. Horsetail can also be burned and the ash mixed with oil for medicinal use. Then you rub oil on the sore parts for healing. Horsetail is good to use for many different health complaints, so I recommend you read more about this herb.

If you take medication for blood pressure or blood-thinning medication, you should stay away from internal use of horsetail. The same applies to pregnancy.

Bay leaf.

The bay tree was sacred to the god Apollo. Wreaths were made of bay as a mark of honour for having accomplished something extraordinary. It is a little like that in our day too.

Sweden, for example, has long traditions of using the laurel wreath as a symbol of honour and triumph. In the old days the laurel wreath was often given to winners of competitions, particularly in sport and academia, as a sign of great honour and respect.

The laurel wreath can still be found in Swedish symbolism, among other places in emblems and at ceremonial occasions, where it represents both victory and outstanding achievement.

In sport we may say that the Ur force shows itself clearly. One competes, one fights, and someone wins.

In magic we say that writing a person's name on a bay leaf, burning the leaf and scattering the ash far from where you live is said to be effective for getting rid of that person. The same applies to habits, such as smoking, sweet cravings, salt cravings and so on. I have never tested this myself, but it is said to be effective. Write, imagine that the smoke carries the person or the habit away from you … The Ur force is good to have on your side. Good luck.

Eucalyptus

This is a fine plant to have as incense when you have a cold or “gunk” in the respiratory area. It is said to be good as “brain medicine” because it brings clarity of thought and calms the brain when there is “brain boiling”.

But the reason I have selected this plant in connection with the rune Ur – is the properties it has when one has rheumatic complaints. I cannot praise eucalyptus oil highly enough. If you mix this oil with another oil and warm the mixture up – and then rub it on stiff joints … heavenly. You don't become completely well, but the stiffness is reduced and the pain is eased. You can almost feel the Ur force creeping forth. By the way, there is eucalyptus in Tiger Balm, I just thought of that. It's a long time since I had Tiger Balm. I must put this on the shopping list.

Juniper

This is one of my favourite plants! It has also been “family plant” number 1. My grandmother used juniper in the wash water when she was going to wash the floors. She crushed these little juniper cones, and if she didn't use them in the wash water, she used the “cones” in the food. She burned the rest of the plant in the wood stove every Thursday. This was to cleanse the air, as she said. My great-aunt held that juniper could prevent illness and slow evil – and I am sure she was right.

In Scotland they burn branches of juniper at New Year to burn away “old muck” and get a fresh new start. I remember an old farmer's wife who lived near my great-aunt; she hung up juniper sprigs in the barn and in the stable to protect the animals against illness and unwanted influence from other creatures. She was probably referring to the Huldra 🙂 Grandmother made me a necklace from the “cones” that hung over my bed. This necklace was meant to frighten away all the trolls that tried their luck on me. It worked; there were never any trolls that tried to torment me in childhood when I was about to sleep …

Juniper carries within it a strong cleansing power and a strong protective power. Yes, indeed an Ur force.

I often write Fehu/Fe and Ur/Uruz on the seed packets before I plant the seeds. This is to give the seeds an extra push …

Well, with that I'll conclude Uruz for this time. I hope you find something useful.

May the Ur force be with you all.