Eihwaz Rune Meaning
Key Words
Endurance
Transformation
Protection
Resilience
Shadow work
Inner strength
Quick Insight
Eihwaz is considered to be:
The Rune of the Yew Tree and Endurance
Eihwaz Rune Meaning & Interpretation
Eihwaz (ᛇ) is the thirteenth rune of the Elder Futhark and the fifth rune of the second aett. Its name means “yew” and like its name, this rune embodies the resilience and transformation of the yew tree. Eihwaz reminds us that we have the strength to endure life’s challenges and that there is deeper wisdom to be gained from navigating the dark, hidden parts of life. When Eihwaz appears in a rune reading, it signifies the cycles of death and rebirth, personal transformation, and the unwavering strength we find within ourselves when facing adversity.
Eihwaz is a mysterious rune, but for me, I look to the Yew when drawing inspiration. The Yew can live around 900 years. Its wood is toxic, but also strong and malleable. At the same time many yews become hollow inside, representing the shadowy parts within ourselves.
To me, Eihwaz serves as a reminder that life can break us down but also reshape us many times. It also represents the kind of spiritual maturity that can only be gained through enduring hardship and navigating the shadows. It’s not just about survival; it’s about learning to thrive even when things are tough.
Like the yew tree that regenerates even from seemingly dead branches, we, too, have the capacity to rebuild, regrow, and transform. It’s a rune of endurance through the dark, the difficult, and the unseen. Eihwaz represents the ability to hold strong when life tests us, knowing that even when we bend, we don’t have to break.
Basic Information
- Name: Eihwaz (Proto-Norse), also known as Yr (Old Norse) or Eoh (Old English)
- Pronunciation: “”EYE-waz”
- English Translation: Yew Tree
- Symbol: ᛇ
Eihwaz Meaning in a Rune Reading
Eihwaz often appears in readings during times of pressure, inner shifts, or spiritual discomfort. It’s a rune that signals both protection and transformation—especially the kind that doesn’t happen overnight. It speaks to moments when you’re being asked to hold steady, confront discomfort, or commit to long-term inner work.
When Eihwaz appears, it may point to:
Endurance and Resilience: A reminder that you have the strength to get through what’s in front of you. This could reflect a difficult period requiring persistence, patience, and emotional fortitude.
Transformation and Regeneration: Major inner changes that often come through discomfort or challenge. This could indicate personal growth, identity shifts, or deep internal realignments.
Connection Between Life and Death: Engaging with themes of loss, endings, or spiritual rebirth. This rune can also point to grief, ancestral connection, or liminal experiences.
Strength During Adversity: Eihwaz can indicate that while external situations may be unstable, you are being called to stay grounded and centered through it.
Protection and Defense: A sign that boundaries are needed, or that you’re being shielded while navigating something intense or transformative.
Deep Wisdom and Ancestral Knowledge: This may refer to intuitive insight, past life recall, or a message from ancestral sources offering support or clarity.
Facing Fear or Shadow Work: Encouragement to confront inner fears or parts of yourself you’ve avoided. It’s often a signal that doing this work will unlock strength.
Spiritual Transformation or Initiation: You may be undergoing (or resisting) a profound energetic shift that requires you to surrender old patterns.
Connection to Nature and the Yew Tree: A reminder of your place in the larger cycles of life and death, and a call to draw on strength from the natural world.
Long-Term Inner Work: A sign to stay committed, even when things feel slow. The change may not be immediate, but it is underway.
For me, Eihwaz shows up when I’m navigating something intense but necessary – especially when there’s no quick solution in sight. It doesn’t offer escape, but it does offer structure and strength. It’s the tree that doesn’t snap in the storm because its roots are deep.
Challenging Aspects of Eihwaz
Eihwaz doesn’t have a traditional reversed or merkstave form, but it can still carry challenges depending on the context of a reading.
In a more difficult position, Eihwaz may point to:
Feeling stuck between phases, with no clear path forward
Avoidance of change or fear of what lies on the other side
Emotional numbness or spiritual disconnection
Struggling to access your inner strength during prolonged hardship
Resistance to shadow work or deep inner transformation
When I’ve drawn Eihwaz in challenging times, it’s often reflected the space where I know something has to shift—but the process feels heavy, unclear, or too slow. It can be a signal that something needs to be faced directly, or that the strength I’m looking for isn’t going to come from pushing—it’s going to come from staying with it, even when nothing looks like it’s moving.
༗ Myth & Diety Associations
Eihwaz is not directly linked to any specific deity, but it still holds symbolism reflected themes of Norse mythology:
- Yggdrasil: The World Tree, sometimes speculated to be a yew, ties Eihwaz to the very structure of the universe, embodying the connection between life, death, and rebirth across the nine realms.
- Ullr: As a god associated with archery and the outdoors, Ullr’s use of yew bows links him to the rune’s themes of endurance, survival, and skill in the face of challenge.
- Hel: Hel, the goddess of the underworld, connects to Eihwaz through the mysteries of death and the afterlife, both of which the yew tree symbolizes.
⭐️ Astrological Associations
Though runes and astrology are separate systems, some modern practitioners draw parallels between them. For Eihwaz, consider these astrological connections:
- Pluto: As the planet of transformation, death, and rebirth, Pluto aligns with Eihwaz’s themes of profound change and regeneration.
- Scorpio: Known for its association with death, rebirth, and the depths of the unknown, Scorpio resonates strongly with the intensity and hidden knowledge of Eihwaz.
- 8th House: This house in astrology governs transformation, shared resources, and the occult, matching Eihwaz’s deep ties to life’s mysteries and the cycles of death and renewal.
🃏 Tarot Associations
For Eihwaz, the following cards might help draw parellels in meaning and symbology
- Death (XIII): Representing transformation, endings, and new beginnings, this card aligns closely with Eihwaz’s core themes.
- The Hanged Man (XII): This card, symbolizing sacrifice and gaining wisdom through challenge, fits well with Eihwaz’s emphasis on endurance and insight through hardship.
- Nine of Wands: Known for its depiction of resilience and standing one’s ground, this card reflects Eihwaz’s message of enduring challenges and finding strength through adversity.
It’s important to remember that these associations are modern interpretations rather than traditional pairings. They serve as a bridge between systems for those who work with both runes and Tarot, or are more familiar with tarot and wanting to learn the runes. Practitioners who use both systems might reflect on how Eihwaz’s energy complements or contrasts with these Tarot cards in their readings or personal practice.
🪞 Personal Reflection
As we dive into the energy of Eihwaz, take some time to reflect on:
- Times in your life where you’ve demonstrated resilience
- How comfortable you are with change and transformation
- Your relationship with your ancestors or past experiences
- How you connect with the darker aspects of life
- Areas where you need to build more endurance and strength
- How you’ve grown through challenging experiences
Consider journaling on these themes or creating an Eihwaz-inspired artwork to deepen your connection with this rune’s transformative energy.
🕯️ Magical Uses
Eihwaz’s association with endurance, protection, and transformation makes it a powerful rune for specific magical workings:
- Protection and warding: Eihwaz can be used in spells or charms to create strong protective barriers.
- Enhancing personal strength: Use Eihwaz in rituals or meditations to boost your inner resilience.
- Connecting with ancestral wisdom: Incorporate this rune into rituals that seek to connect with past life knowledge or ancient teachings.
- Transformation spells: Eihwaz can be used to facilitate deep personal transformation, helping you shed old patterns and grow.