The Sixth Rune

I hold the light
I raise the torch
I emerge from darkness

Names - KENAZ - torch, KEN - torch, KUSMA - swelling, KAUN - sore or small wound, KAUNAZ - boil

Pronunciations - "keen ahz" "kehn" "koo sma" "kawn" "kawn ahz"

Phonetic Value - "K"

Symbolism - The light of a Torch

Keywords - Illumination


This rune is depicted as the flame of transformation and regeneration and is therefore represented by pictogram as a symbol of the lighted torch. In fact, it isn't too hard to see how the vertical stave supports the two angled staves to evoke similarities to an image of rays of light cast wide.

If you are wondering where these references to inflamed wounds came about, the Gothic and Old Norse references to internal fire and inflammation are "secondary" according to Thorsson and other Runic experts, as the source of meanings for those terms were drawn from rune poems rather than individual meanings attributed to the futhark itself.

Kenaz is the flame of the forge, the volcano, and deep earth energies. It is the controlled flame of the artist, hearthkeeper, and craftsman.

Kenaz is the light of the torch illuminating the pathway ahead, and is expressed through the flame of a single candle as well as the powerful beam of the lighthouse beacon.

Kenaz "breaks out" in unexpected ways, and holds the power to create or destroy. It is a primal force of creation in myths as it is the combined power of fire and ice that produce the life force.

Kenaz is a fire expressed in physical forms, and knowledge that is obtained through physical means and experience. Kenaz can be a sexual relationship or the product of that relationship. It can be a craft or a creative outlook.

Phonetically, Kenaz is associated with the sacred fires of sexual generation as well as the "kith and kin" who gather around the hearth. "Ken" in English and "Kennen" in German are also terms meaning "to know" or "to beget."

Again, it is difficult, given the changeable nature of languages, to say that "Kenaz" is the definitive root source for words like kith, kin, ken, and kennen, however the similarities in meaning will still serve to support the essential meaning of Kenaz which is "illumination".

Magically it can effect a transformation the same way fire can transform cold coal to warm heat, but, it must be used carefully and in a controlled manner or it will break out with destructive results.

Remember the tale of the Sorcerer's Apprentice? This was an excellent depiction of the runaway power of "Kenaz" or knowledge in the hands of the under-skilled. The main caution of this tale was that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing", so too with Kenaz.

Kenaz invokes the harnessed power of light which emerges from darkness, but, it is in the harnessing of this primal power that the real magic of Kenaz is revealed. Too little light results in illusion, too much light results in blindness.

In divination it can represent any of the following forces.

KENAZ UPRIGHT:Illumination, knowledge, understanding, comprehension, vision, revelation, knowledge, creativity, inspiration, technical ability, harnessed power, transformation and regeneration, light, passion, sexual love.

KENAZ MERKSTAVE: Darkness, ignorance, incompetence, disease, break-up, instability, lack of creativity, nakedness, exposure, blindness, illusion, false hope.


To Return to the Midnight Moonchild Rune Page, please select the Runes icon to your left. For more detailed information on the meanings of each individual rune, please select the inividual Rune icons to your left