How to calculate your Viking birth rune – and what it means

In modern times, the Völvas – ancient fortune telling Viking women – are replaced with the ever popular horoscope apps. Here, we explain how to tap back into history with Viking Birth runes to tell our past, present, and future:

Humans have always read their fate by the stars. Your birth rune is the caretaker of your destiny. Unlike your zodiac sign, birth runes are not meant to tell you your fate, or which month will bring you love or money. Rather, it is a specific set of energies that express themselves through your character and events in your life. The runes are calculated according to your birth date. Each rune carries a deeper meaning. Using runic astrology, you can discover which of the 24 runes were woven into your soul tapestry at the time of your birth. Birth runes are unique and deeply personal. Knowing your birth runes can help you face difficult decisions when you least expect them.

Nordic mythology believes the God Odin found or created the runes. When a child is born, the Nornir and Dissir (goddesses and spirits of time) weave all aspects into the destiny of the child, including the good and the bad. They stretch threats out across the land which fix in place aspects of that child's doom. The runic astrology assumes this is an analogy for the position of the stars and planets.

If it sounds like determining your birth runes sounds difficult, we promise it isn't. There are a few ways to calculate your birth runes. Some even use a birth chart analysis. The most common are tables that calculate your solar birth rune and your birth hour rune. This can be compared to the Sun sign and our Rising sign in our astrology. The set of rune stones, sometimes cards, is composed of 24 symbols and was also used as an alphabet for communication. Dividing them into the 12 months of a year, each rune governs half a month.

Find your birthdate and your first rune below:

• 29th June – 14th July – Fehu
• 14th July – 29th July - Uruz
• 29th July – 13th August - Thurisaz
• 13th August – 29th August - Ansuz
• 29th August – 13th September – Raidho
• 13th September – 28th September – Kenaz
• 28th September – 13th October – Gebo
• 13th October – 28th October - Wunjo
• 28th October – 13th November – Hagalaz
• 13th November – 28th November – Nauthiz
• 28th November – 13th December – Isa
• 13th December – 28th December – Jera
• 28th December – 13th January – Eihwaz
• 13th January – 28th January – Perthro
• 28th January – 13th February – Algiz
• 13th February – 27th February – Sowilo
• 27th February – 14th March - Teiwaz
• 14th March – 30th March -Berkano
• 30th March – 14th April – Ehwaz
• 14th April – 29th April – Mannaz
• 29th April – 14th May – Laguz
• 14th May – 29th May – Ingwaz
• 29th May – 14th June – Othala
• 14th June – 29th June – Dagaz

The 24 runes are equivalent to 24 hours in a day. Find your birth hour rune by finding your birth hour below:

• 23:30-00:30 – Jera
• 00:30-01:30 – Eihwaz
• 01:30-02:30 – Perthro
• 02:30-03:30 – Algiz
• 03:30-04:30 – Sowilo
• 04:30-05:30 – Teiwaz
• 05:30-06:30 – Berkano
• 06:30-07:30 – Ehwaz
• 07:30-08:30 – Mannaz
• 08:30–09:30 - Laguz
• 09:30-10:30 – Inguz
• 10:30-11:30 – Dagaz
• 11:30-12:30 – Othala
• 12:30-13:30 – Fehu
• 13:30-14:30 – Uruz
• 14:30-15:30 – Thurisaz
• 15:30-16:30 – Ansuz
• 16:30-17:30 – Raidho
• 17:30-18:30 – Kenaz
• 18:30-19:30 – Gebo
• 19:30-20:30 – Wunjo
• 20:30-21:30 – Hagalaz
• 21:30-22:30 – Nauthiz
• 22:30-23:30 – Isa

Now you have two runes and each is a puzzle to your personality. Here is what they mean:

Rune 1 – FEHU
Fehu is all about success and all the winnings you deserved to receive. It represents the reward for your hard work and all of your efforts.


Rune 2 – URUZ
Uruz predicts good health and physical condition. It means that you have great inner strength.


Rune 3 – THURISAZ
Thurisaz is ruled by Thor, the God of Thunder. Although it does offer protection, this rune asks for caution. Some important decisions will head your way and you need to wait for the right moment to act.


Rune 4 – ANSUZ
Ansuz represents spoken communication and what we learn from others. It indicates that you should spend more time with older and wiser people, listening to some important advice.

Rune 5 – RAIDHO
This rune is about the constant evolution and your journey. Think of your goals and all the steps you need to follow in order to achieve them. It also indicates changes and travels.

Rune 6 – KENAZ
Kenaz is a symbol of our intuition. This rune gives clarity in complicated situations. You might not have been aware of the light, but this rune gives you hope that you will soon find a solution.


Rune 7 – GEBO
Gebo relates to our relationships and reminds you that we always should give in order to receive. It reflects the need for living in harmony with yourself, so you can do the same with others.

Rune 8 – WUNJO
Wunjo lets you enjoy the basic pleasures of life. It represents happiness, satisfaction and well being. This rune predicts a period of calm and peace.


Rune 9 – HAGALAZ
Hagalaz is symbol of confusion and catastrophe. Think of destroying bad old habits and changing for the best. 


Rune 10 – NAUDHIZ
Naudhiz asks you to stay on alert. You might have been passing through difficult times and now is when you should pay more attention to what is happening. You should be patient and have no fear to face what it has to come.


Rune 11 – ISA
Isa is also about patience. It predicts a period when you can't see a lot of progress. Take your time to breathe and don't make hasty important decisions.

Rune 12 – JERA
Jera is a symbol of karma. This rune is about what you have been planting and harvesting good fortune. The reward will come, even if there is a delay.

Rune 13 –EIHWAZ
This rune offers you protection while you fight for your personal goals. Your imagination will be an important ally.


Rune 14 – PERTHRO
Perthro symbolizes what is hidden. Secrets, revelations and mysteries will be the subject of this period. You might see some surprises.


Rune 15 – ALGIZ
This is another rune that gives you protection. Algiz predicts a good and happy season, but be aware of evil, too. Lean on old and new friends in times of need.

Rune 16 – SOWILO
Sowilo is closely related to our body and health. You need to relax and not worry about issues, otherwise, your body will be the first to feel the tension.

Rune 17 – TIWAZ
This rune stands for success, and victory. It is about fighting for what you want because you will achieve these easily. Besides will power, is also a symbol of romance. A new affair with good intentions might appear in your life.

Rune 18 – BERKANO
Berkano symbolises family and a strong feminine presence. It predicts family events such as weddings and births. Everything that is new has a good chance to grow.

Rune 19 – EHWAZ
This is one more rune that relates to movement and changes. It is a symbol of travel, new jobs and new homes. Trust that the changes will be for the best.

Rune 20 – MANNAZ
Mannaz means teamwork. It shows that you will receive help and support from others. Think of building partnerships and expanding your contacts.

Rune 21 – LAGUZ
This is one more feminine rune. It relates to our intuition and imagination. You will easily feel connected to the Divine, being able to handle anything.

Rune 22 – INGWAZ
Ingwaz is an important rune that symbolises conclusion. It means that you are ready for closure and to move on in a new direction. You will not feel anxious about it, on the contrary, you will feel fulfilled.

Rune 23 – DAEG
Daeg relates to uprising and constant growth. A new and strong time will come, full of hope and optimism.


Rune 24 – OTHALA
The last rune represents material goods and heritage. This heritage can be physical or character traits. Old people and an old friend can come into your life to give you advice and help you out.