Fehu speaks to a time when wealth was measured in tangible, life-giving resources, a time when humanity's vulnerability to the cycles of nature was keenly felt. It is the rune of cattle, those gentle giants upon whose backs civilizations were built. Within its angular form, resembling horns reaching heavenward, lies a gateway, an opening through which abundance flows, binding the material and spiritual realms. Cattle were not mere commodities, but living embodiments of prosperity, a truth echoed in the Norse creation myth itself. From the void of Ginnungagap emerged Auðhumla, the primaleval cow. From her udder flowed four rivers of milk, nourishing the giant Ymir, the first being, who, in his death, formed the very fabric of the world. She herself, sustained by licking the salty rime-stones, from which emerged Búri, the progenitor of the gods.

Fehu and Abundance

Look at the rune's upward-pointing horns, a gesture of offering, a reaching towards the heavens. Fehu is the earth's fertile womb blooming with the promise of spring, the swelling udder of the cow heavy with milk. It is the spark of life igniting within the seed, the growing belly of the expectant mother. It is a reminder of the cyclical dance of creation, a dance begun in the primordial void when Auðhumla, the primaleval cow, licked the salty rime-stones, and Búri, ancestor of the gods, emerged.

Fehu and Gestation

Gestation is the nurturing of potential, the slow and patient unfolding of life. Picture a pregnant cow, her flanks rounded with the promise of new life, her every breath a slow and patient rhythm, a symphony of gestation. This is the heart of Fehu – the slow, deliberate unfolding of potential, the nurturing of dreams and desires into tangible form. True wealth, the rune whispers, often requires time and a gentle touch, a tending to the fragile shoots of possibility before they can blossom into their full glory.

Fehu and Vulnerability

Fehu also speaks of vulnerability. Cattle, despite their size and strength, were susceptible to disease, famine, and the whims of nature. Their dependence on humans for care and protection mirrored humanity's own reliance on the earth's bounty. Even Auðhumla was not immune to this vulnerability. Her existence within the chaotic void of Ginnungagap speaks to the precarious nature of life, the constant presence of potential hardship even in times of abundance. Or remember the gods themselves, their power no shield against fate’s capricious hand. They, like the cattle, are subject to forces beyond their control, vulnerable to the ever-present possibility of loss and suffering. The rune whispers a stark truth: even in times of abundance, the shadow of hardship lurks nearby.

Fehu and Interdepenence

Fehu's final lesson is one of interdependence. The cow, providing sustenance and wealth, relies on humans for shelter and pasture. Humans, in turn, are dependent on the cow for their very livelihood. This reciprocal dance, a delicate balance of giving and receiving, binds them together in a shared fate. It reminds us that we are not isolated beings, but part of a complex web of interconnectedness, our fate inextricably intertwined with the fate of others, both human and non-human.

Fehu and Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare), with its golden stalks rippling in the fields like sunlit waves, is a tangible manifestation of Fehu’s bounty. It is a grain that has nourished civilizations for millennia, its cultivation woven into the fabric of human history, a testament to the enduring pact between humanity and the earth. The ancient Egyptians brewed beer from its fermented grains, the Romans fueled their legions with its hearty substance, and the Norse celebrated their triumphs with its frothy ale. Imagine holding a handful of barley grains, their golden hues reflecting the sun's warmth, their earthy scent filling your senses. As you savor their nutty flavor in a hearty soup, feel their nourishing energy grounding you, connecting you to the earth’s abundance. Barley's gifts reach beyond its role as a food source. Its name, derived from the Proto-Indo-European root bʰars-, meaning "bristle" or "point," speaks to both the plant's spiky awns and the rune's own pointed form. This shared sharpness, a subtle echo of Fehu’s energy, hints at barley's power to penetrate, to cut through stagnation, to invigorate and restore balance within the body. Modern herbalists recognize these deeper qualities, employing barley for its therapeutic actions as a demulcent, vulnerary, and nutritive tonic. Brew a soothing decoction from the grains, letting their gentle warmth ease inflammation and soothe digestive discomfort.