Ur is pronounced Oo-r.

All the books and rune poems indicate that this rune represents the mighty Aurochs, the primogenitor of the modern cow, essentially. It was said to be difficult to domesticate, with large horns, a wild temperament and if you could kill one successfully, it was the measure of a man’s skill and courage to do so. It has associations with rites of passage from childhood to adulthood. The rune itself is almost as if two horns are pointed downwards in a power position, as if the mighty beast is preparing to charge or act in defence, making use of its weaponry to its full potential.

I certainly feel that from contemplating on this rune. I feel the potential of it contained within, the raw power at the heart of it because let’s not forget the associations with the myths of the Northern tradition, the great “Auðumbla”, the primeval cow that provided milk to Ymir. To be fair, the story is somewhat convoluted and a little confusing, but my takeaway from that is that the cow represents a symbol of sustaining life and remaining resilient. Cows provide milk to us all and the amount consumed globally is enormous. The quiet strength of the aurochs then, that wild side of bovine nature, suggests to me that this rune is one that may symbolise the need for strength in those difficult times, whether that be now or in the future. Courage, resilience and strength – the need to tap into those when the going gets tough. The rune suggests, at least to me, that if it were to come up in a divination then I would have the strength I need to see me through the challenges ahead, perhaps in spite of those challenges.

I find the rune can be a comfort in times when the need for self-empowerment is pressing. I can picture that great aurochs with head bowed, stamping its hooves prior to the charge. There are methods promoted by others of spells, bindrunes or charms that may help to support people in difficult times.

Again, depending on how you choose to use the runes for divination, as in the method you use, the interpretation of the rune will be different. If you do single draws, two-rune draws, three-rune draws or the scatter approach referred to by Tacitus in his writings, have a mind to the position of the rune in conjunction with any others and how that relates to yours or your subject’s position. If casting upon the cloth, consider its location from the centre and positioning in respect of the other runes to perhaps help to identify where you will need to focus your inner strength and in respect of what circumstances.