The First Rune

From the growth of wealth
to give and receive
the joy of life is maintained

Names - FEHU - property, cattle, FAIHU - cattle, property or wealth, FEOH - cattle, or money, FE - livestock or money

Pronunciations - "fayhoo" "feeoh" "fay" or "fee"

Phonetic Value - "F"

Symbolism - The horns of cattle

Keywords - Wealth


The symbolism in the shape of this rune is said to be that of a horned cow, or a herd of horned cattle. (the upward thrusting staves of this rune represent the horn of the cow, or cows in question)... maybe if you squint at it the pictogram will fall into place for you, remember, we're not talking great art here, just a rudimentary alphabet.

In this case, this rune would represent the first rune of the first Aett of the runic alphabet and would refer to wealth. How do we get to currency from cattle? well, it is easier than you would at first think. You see in almost any agrarian society, the larger your herd, the greater your bargaining and bartering power, and the greater your clan or familys' chance of survival during lean times, and the greater ease in increase of your wealth. (many cows will make many more little cows a whole lot faster and easier than one will. In this way it could also represent the concept that "it takes money to make money".)

Audhumla, the primal cow who formed the world by licking the melted ice of creation into being, is also represented by Feoh, which brings to this rune meanings and overtones of a dynamic, shaping, or creative force. Here is where you might find the concept "Money makes the world go around."

OK, now that we have a foundation for the pictorial understanding of this rune, I think we can explore the phonetic value of Feoh. Keep in mind, we're talking about some very ancient concepts which have been (over time) linked with other concepts and while we can speculate upon originations, meanings and etymology, basically, this is still speculation. With that little reminder behind us, lets consider the "f" sound as it evolved in the runic languages. Freya (or Frey) is phonetically represented by this first rune in the aett of Freya (or Frey). Oftentimes the first letter of a proper name which corresponds to this (and other) Futharks will have shared meanings. Gold, which is one of Freya's attributes is therefore, also associated with Fehu.

The english word fee, a payment, is thought to have, maybe, perhaps, originated from this term. (maybe not too, see what I mean, we are stretching pretty far into the realm of speculation here, but it would tie in nicely with the core meaning of "wealth" wouldn't it?)

Those who herded the cattle and kept them safe were assumed to have magical powers to call, control, and to nurture the cattle. Remember, the concept of breeding or pregnancy as a specific outgrowth of sexual activity was not always fully understood. It may have been that pregnant cows were considered to be the result of the magic of the herder more than the actions of the bull. This apparent magical creation of money or wealth out of one's own energy and use of resources underpins the essential meaning of Fehu.

Although this rune represents wealth and plenty, it also serves as a representation of the distribution of wealth in material forms as well as fellowship and friendship, which is wealth of another kind. This rune conveys a measure of responsibility for those with greater resources to see that the needs of more unfortunate members of the community are not overlooked.

In divination it can represent any of the following forces.

FEHU UPRIGHT: Possessions won, or more likely, earned, income, luck, abundance, financial strength, hope, plenty, success, happiness, energy, foresight, fertility, creation.

FEHU MERKSTAVE: Loss of property, insult, loss of esteem, failure, greed, atrophy, discord. Cowardice, stupidity, dullness, poverty, slavery, bondage, theft, misuse of resources.

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