Learn the Viking Runes: Inguz
The Viking Rune Inguz draws its name from the mythic hero Ing. Ing appears in rune poems as a sort of harvest God who is born in the spring, dies with the cutting of the crops, and is reborn again the following spring. This pattern explains why Inguz is associated both with fertility and harvest – the complete cycle of growth.
Inguz is also referred to as the Seed, with the associated meanings of potential and explosive growth one might expect. There’s also connotations of isolation and self-sacrifice in order to achieve greatness. Inguz represents a contained space that holds tremendous power.
Understanding Inguz: History of the Viking Runes
Inguz is the twenty-second letter of the Elder Futhark alphabet, and represents the God Ing.
What Does It Mean When Inguz Appears When Reading Viking Runes?
When we look at the God Ing’s story, we see him die, be born again, die, be born again, die, be born again, on and on throughout time. Notice something in this pattern? Ing always has to die before he can be born again.
When Inguz appears in a reading, it’s very often a sign that something old needs to stop happening before something new can start happening. This can be a very tangible set of circumstances – perhaps you need to stop pouring money into a broken down car so you can start saving toward a new set of wheels – or it can speak to behaviors or feelings.
Inguz is strongly associated with male fertility, specifically, the idea of seed. If Inguz appears in a reading at a time you find yourself carefully contemplating your future course of action – or even just brainstorming – it’s a sign you’re on the right track. Inguz also represents the drive toward completion and wholeness, which can speak to personal growth, artistic development, or an artisan mastering their craft.
