Algiz: the God in the Wood

Algiz: the Elk

Meaning: Divine Forces, Higher Self, Meditation, Protection, Spirituality

Affirmation: I am guided by the voice within.

Associations: Communication with Divine Forces, Divine Force, the Letter Y, the Valkyrie

Algiz is the rune of the Valkyrie, as it represents the energies necessary to find the enlightenment and spiritual strength that these mythical warrior daughters of Odin were said to possess. As such, it is another of my favorites in the Futhark.

Connecting to the energies of Algiz is deeply spiritual, and, for me, is like being bathed in warm, refreshing light that penetrates and purifies whatever it touches. It is no mistake or coincidence that Algiz resembles a person, arms raised to the heavens. This is its energy: Divinity, the sensation of being very small and very open to the sort of pure, perfect wisdom that comes from beyond ourselves. It is with divine connection that we connect to our higher selves, our greater purpose, and our ultimate path. In this sense, we are the God in the wood, making our way home to the World Tree, where we will remember we had never left in the first place.

Many write that connecting to or calling on Algiz can be a bit foolish if we are not ready, as a result. What Algiz asks of us is perhaps more than any other rune does. It wants us to find a balance between our body, mind, and spirit, because, when we do, we will be like it, divine and whole. This is not a small task what so ever. Enlightenment is never easy.

The runes that I see when I look at Algiz are Kenaz and Isa. Kenaz looks to the heavens, garnering insight from above. It represents the deep connection to the divine, or spirit, that Algiz asks us to form. Knowing who we are, and what we are meant to do, can help channel the divine energy that Algiz can pour towards us into the proper places. The universe has a plan for each of us, Algiz says, and Kenaz will help make sure that we each maintain the path that was designed for us to walk.

Isa, to me, represents the straight line of the Divine Plan. While I do believe nominally in free will, I also believe that each of us has a designed role to play. We will each fulfill our role, no matter what else we choose to do with our lives and energy, because Isa holds those truths steady and still for us. These are the things we cannot change. These are the energies that Algiz cannot change. They just are.

In addition to being representational of universal truths and plans, Isa asks us to take the time to slow down and analyze our current course. While it is very hard to not do what is intended for us in our lifetimes, it is possible to do much less than we could, especially if we become disconnected or distracted from our source of divine guidance. Knowing when to slow down and make sure that we are on the proper path is an important part of fulfilling our individual roles in the universe's ultimate plan.

The following image features a spread from my upcoming book, Runic Wisdom, and features the wisdom of Algiz. It is called the Inner Voice, and helps the reader connect with their Higher Self. I would be very happy if you shared your results using this spread on Instragram for me to see! Please tag #RunicWisdom or #RunicWisdomAlgiz if you decide to do so, to make sure I get a chance to see it. In addition to the image below, there is an easy to share version of this spread available on my Instagram.