Learn the Viking Runes: Uruz
Uruz is the Viking Rune said to be based on the shape of the aurochs, the ancient ancestor of all cattle. Powerful and stubborn in equal measure, these great bulls embody many of the characteristics associated with the Uruz rune: strength, determination, and freedom.
Understanding Uruz: An Examination of the Rune Poems
Multiple meanings have accrued to Uruz over the years, and we see this reflected in the rune poems. While the aurochs association is the one currently used by many, earlier peoples used Uruz in the sense of waste or rain.
For example, in the Old Norwegian, we see the word dross used to refer to the impurities one encounters working with substandard metal:
Dross comes from bad iron;
the reindeer often races over the frozen snow.
In the Old Icelandic, Uruz refers to rain:
Rain is lamentation of the clouds
and ruin of the hay-harvest
and abomination of the shepherd.
The aurochs reference comes from the Anglo-Saxon rune poem:
The aurochs is proud and has great horns;
it is a very savage beast and fights with its horns;
a great ranger of the moors, it is a creature of mettle.
What Does It Mean When Uruz Appears in a Rune Reading?
Uruz is the rune of strong and stability. If Uruz appears in a rune reading, it may be a reminder to you of your strength. Uruz also reminds us of the stability of the Earth, and its ability to help us stay grounded and connected. When Uruz appears during challenging times, it is an encouraging sign that you have the resilience and power to make it through.
Uruz is also strongly associated with healing. Believed to promote physical well-being and regeneration, Uruz helps build strength and stamina. That is why many people wear Uruz pendants. Aurochs stood six feet at the shoulder and weighed more than 3,000 pounds: imagine having that much power pulling you toward your goal. That’s what you have with Uruz.
