Fehu: Wealth, Prosperity and Material Possessions

[Astreja]

Fehu is the first rune in the 24-rune Elder Futhark.

Pronunciation: Fay' hoo

Translation: Cattle

Significance: Fehu is a rune concerned primarily with material things. In general, it indicates prosperity and ready access to resources. Compare to the Tarot suit of Pentacles, particularly the Ace, Queen and 10.

How to use it: Fehu may be helpful if you want to develop an "abundance" mentality, the sense that you already possess all that you want or need.

In a three-rune past/present/future runecasting, it may also indicate the stability of one's surroundings. For example, if it shows up in the left (past) position, it could be saying that you entered a situation with sufficient resources to deal with it. Inverted and in the center of the spread, it might suggest that you've been worried about money lately.

Although Fehu indicates wealth and worldly success, it also implies greed and adversarial relationships related to that wealth.

[Rev. Kelly]

I find it interesting that the first rune deals with material things. Do you know why that is?

[Astreja]

I'm not 100% certain of why Fehu was chosen to be the first rune, but there does seem to be a rough sorting of the 24 runes into three distinct groups. Each group is called an ætt, or family.

The first eight runes (Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raido, Kenaz, Gebo and Wunjo) seem to me to represent things that are somewhat concrete and out in the open. (Compare to the ego)

The second ætt (Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perthro, Algiz, and Sowilo) is a bit more abstract. I see these representing forces that are unconscious or at least partially outside conscious control. (Compare to the id)

The final ætt (Tiwaz, Berkana, Ehwaz, Mannuz, Laguz, Inguz, Othila and Dagaz) are more relationship-oriented. (Compare to the superego)

[Rev. Kelly]

Now that you explain this, it makes sense. Physical first, what we see. Abstract second, what we think. Then Relationships last, how we interact with each other. I think that is logical. Thanks for letting me know.