Tiwaz, Tiw, Tyr

Elder Futhark: Tiwaz,  Anglo-Saxon Futhorc: Tiw,  Younger Futhark: Tyr, Armanen Futhorc: Tyr

This Rune is sacred to the god Tyr, who was the bravest and boldest of the gods.  His greatest story is the one where he lost his hand to the Fenrir wolf when he had put it in the wolf’s jaws as a pledge as the gods bound him.  The Rune Tyr, or Tiwaz, also holds the martial qualities and honourable focus found in the god Tyr.  We are told by the Valkyrie Sigridufimal (Brynhild) to carve Tyr twice on the sword for victory in battle, which of course also assumes the “moral righteousness” of the battle being fought.  This Rune not only references victory, battle and the god Tyr, but the consciousness that has persevered through the initiatory process to the connection point to the “higher self” or the “Fetch” aspect of the soul complex.  This is the person that now with boldness and victory walks through the world of cause and effect with the power of their free will, acting and evolving rather than reacting under the false assumption that they are under the control of circumstance.

In divination this Rune can signify that one is on the right track to achieving their goals, as they are indeed in unity with their Wyrd.  That the actions they are taking are good orlog.  Conflict or challenges may arise on the path to the conclusion of the process, but as long as they hold true to themselves, victory or completion will be there for them honour intact.

When Tiwaz is ill dignified, a moment of pause is in order, as the matter at hand has an outcome that is grim!  It can mean that your actions are violating your own moral code, and that you are out of alignment with your Fetch.  In this circumstance, it can also mean that you are at risk of allowing yourself to be enslaved!

Magickally Tiwaz can be used to invoke victory in legal matters where the mundane is concerned (provided you are legitimately in the right).  In esoteric matters it can be used to ritually connect with your “Fetch”, and if used in conjunction with Eihwaz to communicate with the souls of departed ancestors.  Tiwaz, like the god Tyr, has the power to break through barriers and as long as it is honourable, to open doorways through the underworld.

The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem:

Tiw is a guiding star; well does it keep faith with princes;

It is ever on its course over the mists of night and never fails.

The Norwegian Rune Poem:

Tyr is a one handed god;

Often has the smith to blow.

The Icelandic Rune Poem:

Tyr is the one handed god,

And the leavings of the wolf,

And the ruler of the temple.

Until next time!