Rune no. 7: Gifu

[Emy]

Gifu, Gebu, Gebo
in swedish it is called Gåvorunan which means Rune of gifts...

It stands for: Balance and harmony, giving and taking. It represents the well functioning cooperation, and both inner harmony and balance. It stands for balance and harmony in relationships. And also for "what you send out you'll get back".
It also stands for gifts, offerings, relationships, generosity, good fortune...

Reversed: lack of balance, and a feeling of loss that comes from not having gotten back what one has sent out...

Wear this rune: when you seek balance and harmony both in your surroundings and also inside yourself...

Tarot correspondence is Temperance/Balance

[Silver Venus]

(Thanks for starting this off Emy!)
I love this rune! :)

I agree with Emy totally that this is a rune of gifts! We also use this rune every time we write a kiss ~ x ~ on a card!

This rune also stands for a partnership and can stand for love and especially a wedding!
As it is a cross its is the crossing of two energies ~ equal and exhcnaged.

Its teaches us to give for friendship and for loyality!

Emy ~ what I cant see is how this rune could be reversed? And how it could be negative as it is such a celbration.

Its a lucky rune so I would use this to bring luck, harmony and love in magic.

Big Gebo's
XXX
~ SV ~
:D

[Rick]

...Gebo can't be reversed (upside down) or inverted (backwards). It looks the same, either way. Many sources give 'reversed' meanings for the 8 non-reversible Runes. Use these meanings at your own risk... er, discretion. :bigredgri Personally, I don't read anything as reversed; I look for any/all possible meanings in each Rune.

I essentially agree with what Emy & Silver Venus have said. I will add that Gebo is associated with Odin. It represents the World-Tree upon which Odin sacrificed Himself to Himself to gain the knowledge of the Runes. Gebo means, literally, 'gift'. However, the Havamal says that a gift requires a gift in return. Think "TANSTAAFL - There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." (Robert A. Heinlein, The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress). When Gebo comes up in a reading, it means you can reach your goals if you are willing to do what's necessary. It's a Rune of self-sacrifice. Gebo reminds us that the only real limits on us are those we place on ourselves by being unwilling to make self-sacrifices that are uncomfortable. However, most of the important things in life that are really worth having are worth the effort required to attain them.

Gebo corresponds to the elements of Earth & Air. Gebo was used in the "good old days" as a land claim marker. We still use "X marks the spot" on maps.

[Emy]

I agree, I don't see how gifu can be reversed either?! :)
Anyways I decided to write that down because I thought maybe it can, in the way that your rune is shaped or something... like in a strange shape with an top and bottom side... I dont know =)

As for this rune, it is more fun to not read it reversed anyways, because it is a positive rune, and a wonderful rune, and I wouldn't want to get it reversed in a reading anyways :D

B*B

[Myst]

In my set it's called geofu or gift. The two strokes together (like fingers placed together to symbolise "they're so close they're like *this*") symbolize complete harmony and union as well as love, since it's also associated with Venus.

It is also often thought of as a gift. But beware, the run is not always positive, because it can also mean gifts given that require gifts to be given back, or karma that will be received - be very aware of the cards around it.

[Rick]

...I don't recall Venus being in the Norse-Germanic pantheon... :nyah:

[Silver Venus]

lol no I only dabble now and again ;)

Union is agood key word to remember for the rune :)

[Myst]

It doesn't have to be. For instance tarot cards aren't just used by gypsies and in relation to gypsy deities right?

[Rick]

...neither were tarot cards given to us by the chief God of the Gypsies...

In other words, for Runes to work optimally, they should be used in context. Your results will not be optimal if you invoke, oh, say, Kali before a Rune reading or working...

Some of those "do what feels right" things are OK, & some are just a really bad idea...

[Myst]

Originally posted by Rick
...neither were tarot cards given to us by the chief God of the Gypsies...

Depends who you ask :)
</OT>

[Rick]

Originally posted by Willow Raven


Depends who you ask :)
</OT>

:razz: :nyah: :p :smooch:

It's OK... I still love you...

[Myst]

Originally posted by Rick
It's OK... I still love you...

hehe I love you too :smooch:

[Flar's Freyja]

Key Words: Connection, gift, exchange, interaction, balance

Tree: Ash/Elm
Herb: Heartsease
Gemstones: Sapphire, Aquamarine, fluorite, azurite, lapis lazuli, sodalite, rose quartz, amethyst, jade, kunzite
Color: Deep Blue
Runic Half-Month: Sept. 28 - October 13
Hour of the Day: 6:30 pm. - 7:30 p.m.
Power Animals: Raven, wolf, hound, eagle, bear, cat, falcon, lobster, oyster, chimpanzee :eek: firefly, eel, bull, rooster, iguana, stag
Element: Air
Numerological Value: 7
Astrology: Pisces
Tarot: The Lovers

From The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Runes by Sirona Knight

[Flar's Freyja]

Along with Kenaz and Raidho, Gifu is associated with autumn equinox, or Mabon. The force of light and darkness are balanced as at both the spring and autumn equinoxes the Sun is at its midway point. Gifu is appropriate for this sabbat due to its symbolism of equilibrium and balancing of opposing forces of equal strength. At this sabbat a ritual symbolizing Odin's initiation on Yggdrasil could be enacted, the meaning being the suspension of Odin between the realms of light and darkness in order to gain knowledge and achieve a higher state of consciousness.

BTW, Wilson's Almanac states that today, August 25th, was the ninth day of Odin's initiation into the runes.

[Silver Venus]

Thanks for the info Freyja, I always find the runes correspondances to the wheel so interesting. & hope to one day draw up a wheel and add which runes go with which sabbats :)
Mabbon falls around the 21st of September, & my due date is the 20th so there will be lots of X's round then for me! :)

[Flar's Freyja]

:D You always sound so happy and up! With Raidho, Kenaz and Gifu in his/her favor, your babe should have a wonderful journey through life filled with gifts, knowledge and enlightenment!

[Silver Venus]

:smooch: thanks hun! Thats so nice to hear and sweet of you to say!
I am really up, really excited!

Cute smilie too :p

I really hope I am right about feeling that he will be very spiritual :)

[Flar's Freyja]

Bump. Gifu, along with Kenaz and Raidho, is the rune associated with Mabon ~ Sept. 21 :)

[Flar's Freyja]

Along with Kenaz and Raidho, Gifu is associated with autumn equinox, or Mabon. The force of light and darkness are balanced as at both the spring and autumn equinoxes the Sun is at its midway point. Gifu is appropriate for this sabbat due to its symbolism of equilibrium and balancing of opposing forces of equal strength. At this sabbat a ritual symbolizing Odin's initiation on Yggdrasil could be enacted, the meaning being the suspension of Odin between the realms of light and darkness in order to gain knowledge and achieve a higher state of consciousness.

BTW, Wilson's Almanac states that today, August 25th, was the ninth day of Odin's initiation into the runes.