Elder Futhark Rune Meanings
Heimdall's 2nd Aett
SOWILO
Check out my Elder Futhark Reference Sheet printable
SOWILO GALDR (RUNIC CHANT)
sowilo sowilo sowilo
ssssssssssss
ssssoooooollll
us as is es os
so se si sa su
(Galdr source: “A Handbook of Rune Magic” by Edred Thorsson)
SOWILO OTHER NAMES:
Old Germanic name: Sowelu
Old Norwegian name: Sol
Anglo-Saxon name: Sigel, Sigil
Old Celtic name: Soilleir
Old Icelandic name: Sól
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Rune Sowilo Overall Meaning: Sowilo is one of the most positive Runes in the deck. It is the Rune of accomplishments and triumph. Sowilo is about the results. We often talk about the Runes pushing and motivating us, acting as the driving force. Sowilo is here to help us feel powerful, graceful and victorious.
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SOWILO ELDER FUTHARK RUNE MEANING
Rune Sowilo completes the Second Aett of the Germanic Alphabet.
Just as Sowilo completes the Aett, it also brings the situation to its logical conclusion. An ability to see the situation from different angles and understand it on a deeper level gives birth to true wisdom and a wise person is always the winner.
Sowilo is represented by lightning. The lighting is what really ignites the Rune, giving it the power over the Fire Element.
Most people have seen the Sowilo symbol before, although they might not know it is the Rune symbol. But I hope you understand that Sowilo is an extremely powerful Rune and knowing the history of its use, you may understand that the Rune also has a destructive power. While the use of this Rune was unfortunately abused in its history, what we can learn from this is that the Rune can bring you down just as quickly as it will lift you up. Just something to keep in mind. Sowilo is represented by the Sun in astrology and the Sun can keep it warm one day and burn your skin to blisters the next.
But what Sowilo truly is about is creativity, an inner sense of purpose, and spiritual awakening on a deep level that allows one to change their life and reality*. Sowilo is a very positive Rune and yet so powerful. It is the Rune of leadership, goals and motivation that lead to success but the key here is that you have inner resources to push until you come out victorious.
Action-taking is a big part of this Rune. Sowilo is the Rune of strong people. It comes with help to those who have learned how to transform their lives and their reality.
While the majority of Rune symbols of Elder Futhark put certain conditions, such as waiting, analyzing, gaining more knowledge and acquiring all the necessary information and skill, Sowilo is the only Rune that calls you to drop everything, get rid of negative thinking, doubts and fears and charge forward, without questioning even once if you can succeed.
The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem Says:
The sun is ever a hope to seamen,
when they carry themselves over the fishes’ bath,
until their brine-horses bring them to shore
Sowilo is NOT read reversed, so in your Rune readings, you will need to pay attention to the neighbouring Runes.
Rune Advice: It is the time to be a leader and to be bold. Gather the strength you have inside to make a final push. With everything you have been to throughout the Aett, with everything you have learned, you are now ready to charge forward and get what you want. Don’t be afraid to DREAM BIG!
*If you are interested in truly understanding how to shape your reality, I suggest checking out Vadim Zeland and his theory of Transurfing. This is some very powerful stuff, Friends. I have personally read all books on Transurfing and I promise this WILL change your life.
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RUNE SOWILO IN MEDITATION & RITUALS
As I’ve mentioned before, Sowilo is all about building your confidence to act and be bold.
Sowilo can help those seeking Spiritual “Enlightenment” by means of guidance through various pathways and lessons.
The Rune will also help those who are trying to open up psychic channels. If you are working with magic and divination, keep this Rune close. Especially, if you are doing Ritual workings, Sowilo is an amazing helper to see the success of your Ritual.
If you truly want to understand how to create and manifest your goals, and how to shape your reality, then I suggest you check out the above literature. The power of Sowilo comes to those, who know how to grow and become. It will broaden your horizons even further. It will ignite you from the inside, giving you motivation and guiding you towards success.
RUNE SOWILO IN AMULET OR JEWELRY
Sowilo is one of my TOP favourite Runes to wear. It gives courage, strength, willpower and boldness. It charges you with the energy of the Sun, giving you the motivation to act and create.
The Rune will be particularly helpful to those born under the energy of the Sun (Leos).
But if you lack the following qualities and just want to develop confidence and a healthy Ego, Sowilo will be your best friend.
If you are creating a Sowilo amulet yourself, know that it is best done on a sunny day for it to really absorb the energy of the Sun that will in turn increase and strengthen its magical properties.
When it comes to a choice of Sowilo jewelry, it is better to go with a pendant.
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RUNE SOWILO IN HEALTH QUESTIONS
Sowilo predicts very good health. Alternatively, if you don’t have the best health situation at the moment, you can incorporate Sowilo into your health Bindrune.
With regards to mental concerns and personal development, Sowilo can help to develop confidence and willpower.
Sowilo + Kenaz predicts very good and strong health, a lot of energy and inner resources.
Sowilo + Ingwaz says that although there are some underlying health issues, you will be able to get through them fairly easily. Stay positive.
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RUNE SOWILO IN LOVE & RELATIONSHIP
With regards to love and relationship questions, Sowilo is MOSTLY the positive Rune, with EXCEPTIONS.
Understand, this Rune is very bold and talks of confidence and a healthy Ego. But with the negative Runes around it can turn to indicate a very toxic relationship, where one partner can suffer from emotional abuse. So, it is very important to pay attention to what Runes are nearby.
If the Rune points to one of the partners, it can indicate unhealthy egotistical behaviour, when a person is using their partner as a means to an end. In this relationship, we have a person who is giving their all and another one that does nothing but still wants to be loved and cared for. I suggest you pull another Rune for clarification.
If you are inquiring about feelings, then Sowilo describes harmony and understanding between partners. It is a relationship built on trust, where two people really feel reciprocated with regard to their feelings and actions.
Sowilo can also point to some fun time in a relationship or even some “short-term” romantic adventure, such as when you meet someone while on vacation.
Sowilo + Rune of Odin (“Empty” Rune) combination points to a person that feels that it is totally fine and normal when one person does it all and another is enjoying the fruits. It shows the very nasty nature of human behaviour.
Read more: What Is the Wyrd Rune? Why Is Wyrd Rune Called the Blank Rune and What Does It Mean?
Sowilo + Hagalaz speak of those same qualities but in addition, say that it would be very hard to change this person and sometimes quite pointless to even try. The work on this Ego needs to be from within, not without.
Sowilo + Thurisaz will actually specifically say what I’ve mentioned above: a person absolutely must work on their inner issues to learn not only how to receive love but also how to give and share it.
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RUNE SOWILO IN CAREER & MONEY
Sowilo is an extremely powerful and helpful Rune in career questions. But what’s important to understand, when using Sowilo to succeed in your career, is that your victory will depend on your inner individual willpower.
It is NOT about the Sowilo Rune to say that success comes to those who patiently wait. When it comes to this Rune, victory and success come to those who push through the obstacles, who are strong and bold. If these are not your qualities, read about how Sowilo and other Runes can help you develop them before using this Rune for your career aspirations.
Sowilo + Fehu is an incredible combination that speaks of career and financial success.
Sowilo +Tiwaz speaks of success in legal matters or in a competitive environment, such as a job interview (you can use the combination as a powerful Bindrune).
Sowilo + Perthro says that the waiting period is over. It is now time to manifest your goals and put them into action.
Sowilo + Othala make a very interesting combination that can mean that you are getting too consumed in your work, forgetting to spend time with loved ones and your family. It is time to take a step back and seek balance.
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RUNIC TATTOOS: RUNE SOWILO IN A TATTOO
With everything you have learned so far about this Rune, I think you will be able to make a good judgment call yourself but, of course, I will break it down for you too.
On one hand, the good thing about tattooing Sowilo is that it does not have a reversed meaning. It is also overall one of the most positive Runic symbols of Elder Futhark, so it is really not dangerous to have it as a tattoo.
On another hand, before using this Rune, you need to really understand its meaning. The energy of this Rune is so powerful, that it allows a person to accomplish the impossible, to take a leap of faith and jump into the unknown, spending all their inner energy and resources.
When you have a Sowilo tattoo on your body, you will have a lot of these moments, so what you need to consider is this: do you have enough energy and potential to always be like that? What will you do when you burn out but the power of the Rune continues to push forward? How will you restore your energy and inner strength?
Consider all of this when making a decision but if you know what you are doing, go ahead by all means.
Read more: Viking Rune Tattoos: All You Need Know Before Getting One. Norse Runes & Icelandic Staves in Tattoos
SOWILO IN DIVINATION OR RUNE READING
Sowilo really illuminates the meaning of a neighbouring Rune. If the neighboring Rune is rather “negative” due to its destructive nature (such as Thurisaz).
Sowilo is the Rune of success, growth and willpower.
Reversed Sowilo Meaning: Sowilo IS NOT read reversed. What we are looking at here is a combination of Sowilo with “negative” or reversed Runes. Such a combination indicates that at this time, you don’t have enough inner resources to continue with the task in question. This can relate to anything from relationship struggles to career growth. You simply lack that inner will, you don’t have enough energy and you need to take a step back and be an observer for some time.
While you are taking your time to assess your abilities at the moment and how to improve your inner resources, you will also think about your next steps once you are ready to charge again.
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What’s important to know is that this is NOT a defeat. You are temporarily retreating to come back stronger than you’ve ever been. If you do this, success will be yours.
Sowilo + Kenaz: as I mentioned above, the combination predicts strong health and a good level of energy. It also speaks of genius creative ideas and projects. If you are faced with some kind of issue, the combination predicts a successful outcome and overcoming any obstacles.
Sowilo as the Rune of the Day: as the Rune of the Day, Sowilo predicts a very powerful shift in a positive direction. It gives you creative energy to find a solution to any problem, push forward and reach your goals. For today, leave your worries, doubts and fear behind. Have confidence in yourself and your strength.
Check out "Runes" page for Elder Futhark Rune meanings
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