Fehu - The Meanings of the Runes
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Fehu, the first letter in the Elder Futhark alphabet, directly translates to "cattle". But in its most basic terms, it often symbolizes wealth, luck, growth, or love. It is a manifestation of productive energy.
The early Indo-Europeans were formed by cattle culture, meaning that cattle was a currency and represented wealth to them, dairy was a staple of their diet, and if a cow was ill or injured, it was often sacrificed to the gods or given to the people for food. They would even keep their most prized cattle in the communal longhouse throughout winter. So you can see why, although this rune is directly translated as the word "cattle", it actually means "wealth".
Wealth as a natural force can come and go in your life through both your own efforts as well as circumstances outside of your control. You could obtain more wealth through working a job or from receiving a sudden inheritance. Likewise, you could lose money by intentionally spending it or having it stolen from you. Cattle could be traded for other items or given away as a gift. Additionally, they also walked around on four legs and could quite literally move around on their own, and as living creatures, could just as easily get sick and die as they could have a growth spurt and end up the largest and most prized cow in the herd.
The Germanic and Norse peoples were well aware that wealth could be either a good or a bad thing. It could lead to greed or be a source of trouble (especially amongst relatives). In Germanic poetry and literature, they regarded wealth as something to be guarded but not hoarded, and one should always be grateful and aware of how easily it can be lost.
Ancient peoples were aware that they may have bred, fed, and raised the cattle, but they didn't create the cattle. They knew that wealth is not necessarily ours, it is only being loaned to us in order for us to use it productively--not only for ourselves but also to help others. They believed that true wealth was held in the soul and earned through a well-lived life (hence why this rune also stands for love and growth). Wealth grows when cared for and invested wisely.
Summary
Direct translation: Cattle
Symbolizes: Wealth, luck, growth, love, productive energy
Features to note: Wealth can both come and go either through your own efforts or through circumstances outside of your control. Wealth can also be both a good or a bad thing. Wealth is something to be guarded but not hoarded. True wealth is a well-lived life.
Resources (paid links):
Taking Up the Runes by Diana L. Paxson
Runes for Beginners by Lisa Chamberlain
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