The Sixteenth Rune

Success and victory
the twin children
of the shining sun

Names - SIGIL - sun, SOWULO - sun, SOWILO - Sun, SAUGIL - sun, SOL - sun

Pronunciations - "so wu lo" "so will lo" "see gel" "saw gil" "sowl"

Phonetic Value - "S"

Symbolism - The Sun

Keywords - Success


This rune is that of the sun, and is represented by pictogram as part of the solar wheel.

Sigil is often connected to the lightning bolt, both by pictographic representation and in contextual meaning as a flash of inspiration or ecstasy.

In either of these images of bright energy there is a forecast of success and creativity in a supportive and uplifting context.

Phonetically only the runic derivation of "Sol" has kept a root meaning intact through the evolution of many years of human language. Other derivations of "Sigel", "Sigil", have undergone evolutionary changes in meaning to become references to signs as in the present day "sigil".

The phonetic connection to "Sowoulo" may be even a bit more tenuous, anthough the sun is referred to as the White Sow even today in Scandinavian countries. Both the words "sol" and "sunna" for the sun in Old Norse languages are feminine in nature as were the cosmic forces represented by the sun which would seem to support this connection between White Sow and "Sowulo".

This rune strengthens the spiritual and psychic powers and abilities, increasing spiritual might. It provides "enlightenment" and success through individual will.

It is a rune of education and understanding, as well as one that seemingly magically changes ice to water, a transformative force. It can represent high achievements, honor and obtained goals.

Sigil is the counterforce to Isa, or the cosmic ice. In this rune the strength of fire and the warming rays of the sun are fully realized. Fire withstands ice. Ice is magically transformed to water. Life begins after the apparent death of winters frost.

Magically, this rune can be invoked to bring success to any venture and particularly to those ventures related to increase, wealth, promotion, accomplishment, and willpower.

This rune can also be invoked in rituals of purification and inspiration, or, to increase enlightenment and insight on a personal or community level.

Any magical work with Sigil should necessarily take into account the season and strength of the sun within that season. Midsummer will therefore bring the greatest strength to workings crafted with this rune.

In divination it can represent any of the following forces.

SIGIL UPRIGHT:Success, goals achieved, honor, justice, life-force, health, power, victory, inspiration, wholeness, elemental force, cleansing fire.

SIGIL MERKSTAVE (Sigil cannot be reversed, but may lie in opposition): False goals, bad counsel, false success, gullibility, loss of goals, destruction, retribution, vanity, wrath of god.


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