The Nineteenth Rune

My loyal partner
carry me through battle
to victory
through death
to the land beyond

Names - EHWAZ - horse, AIHWAS - stallion, EH - war horse, IOR - horse

Pronunciations - "ee waz" "aye waz" "ayh" "eeor"

Phonetic Value - "E"

Symbolism - The Horse

Keywords - Partnership


Ehwaz is associated with "twin" gods or heroes, the divine twins, or two horses and is symbolized as two horses standing head to head facing one another.

Phonetically the connection between "Ehwaz" and "horse" are all but obliterated through the evolution of human language. The concept of successful partnerships or "teamwork" will at least hint at a similarity between vowel sounds between that word and "Ehwaz" but this observation is only intended to provide an easier way to recall the essence of this rune through a keyword and bears absolutely no phonetic significance to the root words of this rune.

The Saxon conquerors of Britain were Hengist and Horsa (stallion and horse) and this rune speaks to the harmonious relationship between two forces in the same way that successful horsemanship requires a harmonious relationship with his mount. Again, one could infer a reference to teamwork if that was helpful.

The Ehwaz was connected closely to the concept of a man's fetch, the "horse" that carries one on the journey between worlds. It is the rune of Sleipnir, the magical eight-legged horse of the gods. With its close connection to the horse it is also a symbol of partnerships.

Ehwaz facilitates "soul travel" or the shaman's journey. As such it can be used to obtained hidden knowledge or knowledge from a distance.

It can represent a journey in consciousness, a swifter flight then that of Raidho, (another rune that makes reference to the eight-legged magical horse Sleipnir), and one that is protected or guided.

Ehwas can also represent greater progress made through advantageous partnerships, just as a man is able to make more progress with the aid of a horse than on foot. These need not necessarily be partnerships with living things. The horse as a method of conveyance, has been mostly replaced by automobiles. These are not living things, but they are, nonetheless, useful partnerships that aid speedy progress.

Magically Ehwaz can be useful in summoning methods for aiding advancement and progress. This advancement may be through opportunities to make useful connections with others, or to "connect" to useful knowledge or equipment that will speed your progress.

This rune may also be worked to bring or summon forth a partnership where one is needed, perhaps in business, commerce, or battle. This work may include the formation of alliances.

In dvination it will often appear when a partnership is being formed, or when help or aid in any endeavor can be expected and this rune can represent any of the following forces.

EHWAZ UPRIGHT:Horse, transportation, vehicle, advancement, movement, harmony, teamwork, trust, loyalty, an ideal marriage or partnership, confirmation beyond any doubt conveyed in the meanings of the runes around it.

EHWAZ MERKSTAVE:Slow or stalled progress, restlessness, needing assistance, unachievable ideals or goals, reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal, misalliances.


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