Each rune, and thus each stance, is connected to a god or gods. The traditional associations are as follows, together with a very brief description of the god/s, but those interested in such matters are best advised to use this list as a starting point only and read the mythology to gain a better picture. Some illustrations of the gods are given here, ranging from Viking age finds to romantic oil paintings. These are simply to show some ways these gods have been viewed in the past and are not intended to "tell " you how you should see these gods.
Fé : Frey (Freyr)
A Vanir god, Lord of beasts and fertility, a peace bringer. Twin brother of Freya, son of Njörðr
Ur : Vidar (Víðarr)
An Æsir god, son of Óðinn, who either avenges or frees Óðinn at Ragnarök. Second strongest of the gods, a warrior and wrestler, known as the Silent God.
Þór : Thor (Þórr)
An Æsir god, son of Jörð. God of thunder, owner of the holy hammer, defender of the gods and humans. The strongest of the gods, a warrior and a bringer of fertility.
Ås : Odin (Óðinn)
Ruler of Asgard (Asgarðr). A god of many functions including the runes, poetry, magic, madness, inspiration, winds, death, battle, kingship, cunning
Rei : Hel
Daughter of Loki, queen of the dead. Half light, half dark, half living, half dead. A lunar goddess, Ruler of Helheim / Niflhel
Kreft : Loki
Blood-brother of Óðinn, also known as Vé (Holiness), Loki is a trickster, deceiver, shape-changer, Gender-Switcher, bringer of fortune and misfortune
Hagl : Heimdal (Heimdallr)
Watcher of the gods, sky-father, guardian of the rainbow bridge, born from eight and one mothers, the nine waves. Father of the classes of mankind, teacher and rune-giver
Nød : The Norns (Nornir)
There are three chief Norns - Urðr, Verdandi and Skuld - as well as other, more personal Norns. Urðr, Verdandi and Skuld are usually translated as Past, Present and Future although this is extremely simplistic. They weave the Örlög or fate of everything. The tradition suggests that they are three separate beings, yet one being. At the same time, while they are the three Norns in their own right, Urðr can be seen as Jörð, Verdandi as Frigg and Skuld as Freyja, although this is still a simplification of the concept of a ninefold (3x3) goddess.
Is : Skathi / Skade (Skaði)
Skaði is an Ice Maiden, the Snow Queen. She is a Jötunn ('giant') and goddess of winter, snow, ice, skiing, hunting, archery and so on. At one time wife of Njörðr. She loved Baldr. She possibly once married Óðinn, and is taken as being the counterpart, or perhaps partner, of Ullr
Ar : Jord (Jörð)
Jörð is Earth-Mother, goddess of the fertile earth, fields and harvest. She was the first wife of Óðinn, sister of Frigg and possibly Freyja. She is the mother of Þórr, and perhaps Frigg
Sól : Balder & Forsette (Baldr & Forseti)
Æsir gods.
Baldr is the brightest and best loved of the gods, a peaceful warrior, son of Óðinn and Frigg. He is slain by the devious tricks of Loki and returns after Ragnarök.
Forseti is Baldr's son, and shares this rune. Forseti is the god of justice, a judge
Týr : Tyr (Týr)
Týr is an Æsir god, a warrior and the main god of war. He lost one hand binding the Fenris Wolf (Loki's son). He is a Sky Father, loyal and truthful at any price.
Bjørk : Frigg
Wife of Óðinn, mother of Baldr. Frigg is a goddess of birth, healing and marriage. She is the sister (perhaps daughter) of Jörð and the sister (perhaps mother) of Freyja.
Mann : Freyja
Freyja is a Vanir goddess, twin sister of Freyr and daughter of Njörðr. She is the Mistress of Seiðr, a shamanic form of magic. She is a goddess of the moon, life, death and sex.
Laug : Njord (Njörðr)
The chief Vanir god, father of Freyr and Freyja. The richest of the gods, his wealth coming from the sea. One time husband of Skaði. Njörðr is perhaps best seen as a masculine form of Jörð, thus he is an Earth-Father.
Yr : Ull (Ullr)
god of winter, archery, yew trees, the shield, travel over snow and ice, hunting, single combat, death and life. Ullr is a sky father, male counterpart and perhaps partner of Skaði. He is the close friend of Baldr and spends summer with him in Helheim.
Each rune is also associated with spirit-animals we call a fylgja or folgie. This list is not exhaustive but a basic guide drawn from the teachings. Those with an * are not particularly part of received tradition within the Hafskjold family and have been added from personal experience and/or the mythology. *Note!* If at all possible try to discover your fylgja BEFORE reading this list.
Fé : Stag, all male deer e.g. reindeer, elk, moose etc., boar, pig (male), mouse
Ur : Aurochs, bull
Þór : Goat, *robin
Ås : Snake/serpent, (eight legged) horse, wolf, eagle, raven
Rei : (Soot red) cockerel, *three legged horse
Kreft : Snake/serpent, dragon, fly, wasp, worm, maggot, pest animals, monsters, composite animals, *magpie
Hagl : Ram, otter/beaver, *woodpecker, *peacock
Nød : Owl, spider, (carrion) crow, *squirrel
Is : Polar bear, arctic fox, ptarmigan, *white/winter animals
Ar : Bee, *cow
Sol : (War) horse
Týr : Hound, dog
Bjørk : Cuckoo, hawk, hare/rabbit,
Mann : Cat, lynx, hawk, hare/rabbit, sow, *doe (female deer), *butterfly, *damsel fly, * lady bird / lady bug
Laug : Sea/water birds e.g. gulls, swans, sea mammals e.g. seals, *whales, *dolphins, *fish
Yr : Bear, fox