Isa - The Meanings of the Runes

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Isa, the eleventh letter in the Elder Futhark alphabet, directly translates to "ice". The thought of ice is going to summon different memories, thoughts, and feelings for different people. This partly depends on where you grew up. The Anglo-Saxon rune poem paints a picture of ice having extreme qualities. It is intensely cold, dangerously slippery when on the ground, crops cannot be planted, and so on. At the same time, the poem refers to ice as being "fair to be seen" and compares its aesthetic appeal to that of glass or gems. The Norse rune poem refers to it as a bridge: broad, wide, but treacherous to pass. Finally, the ice in the Icelandic poem traps elements. It compares the frozen layer of ice on top of a river to bark on a tree, and is referred to as "destruction for doomed men."

In Hávamál, a young woman's love is compared to riding a horse on ice: it must be gone about very carefully or else you are risking danger. In the poem, ice is also included in a list of things to avoid and not trust until you have successfully overcome them.

If you're like me and you didn't grow up in an icy climate, the idea of ice might invoke thoughts of cubes in a drink on a hot summer's day or a fun day trip up to the mountains for some skiing. The ancient Scandinavians, however, were deeply familiar with ice as well as the threat it could impose. But they also respected it. They knew that if care was taken, even the most slippery of ice could be crossed safely and in time all ice melts. Even the primal ice, which, according to mythology, melted to reveal the world.

UhtredOfBamburgh left the following insightful comment on my YouTube video (embedded above) for Isa:

An icy season can open new opportunities as well as freeze old ones. You cannot plant crops anymore or sustain yourself outdoors a long time without movement or food, but ice can allow you to travel very quickly along rivers or move heavy objects with a sled. Ice puts life into hibernation and the weeds, leaves and bugs that die off in winter opens up many new routes through the forests that were impassable in summer time. You can apply this metaphorically to things in your life, old things being frozen that make new things available.

Just like all the other runes and the earthly and spiritual forces they represent, isa can be good or bad. Ice represents stillness, which is required for rest, meditation, resistance, relaxation, recovery, and calm. However, too much stillness and one stops moving forward.

In a reading, isa can point to a stall or slowing in progress, but it also indicates that this situation can be thawed so momentum can begin anew. Perhaps, even, with renewed vigor. Look to the surrounding runes to determine what has caused the "ice" or freezing of your progress. It can also indicate a coldness between individuals, or even a personal inability to express or release emotion. Another potential message is that it is telling you that you need to slow down a bit and hold a little more isa/ice in your life. Pump the brakes on a new relationship moving a little too fast or give yourself a break between projects. You may even need to stall momentum on an ongoing situation in order to reassess. Remember, you want to be careful in order to safely cross the bridge of ice.

Isa is a strong rune to invoke for meditation and focus. It can also aid in protection, shielding, or if a situation needs to be cooled or slowed down a little. Just keep in mind that isa can be overwhelming so be sure to pair it with another rune specific to your situation.

Summary

Direct translation: "Ice"

Symbolizes: Stillness/rest, freeze/hibernation, slow, warning of caution and a need to reassess, emotional coldness

Features to note: Just like all the other runes and the earthly and spiritual forces they represent, isa can be good or bad. In Hávamál, a young woman's love is compared to riding a horse on ice: it must be gone about very carefully or else you are risking danger. In time all ice melts. Even the primal ice, which, according to mythology, melted to reveal the world.

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