Eihwaz
NAME VARIANTS: Eiwaz, Eoh, Eihaz
BASIC MEANING: Yew Tree
PHONEME: /i/ such as in Piece
PRONUNCIATION: Ee-Waz
KEYWORDS:
Connection, oneness, gateways, immortality, rebirth, goals, focus, testing, humility, stewardship, hunting, mysticism, sacred space, resourcefulness, utilizing what you have, sacred knowledge, secrecy, divinity, inspiration, endurance, protection, transformation, initiation, eternity.
SHADOW ASPECT:
Destruction, discontentment, confusion, self delusion, frailty, emotional instability, death.
GENERAL
The rune Eihwaz signifies the Yew tree, a species recognized for its remarkable longevity and symbolic associations with death and rebirth. As such, Eihwaz is a complex emblem that encompasses both light and shadow, intricately woven into notions of metamorphosis, initiation, and the surmounting of hurdles.
Eihwaz primarily embodies the ethos of initiation and metamorphosis. The appearance of this rune signifies the cusp of a fresh phase in one's life journey, suggesting the need to relinquish outdated mindsets and practices to make way for the new. It is a clarion call to confront and triumph over challenges, catalyzing personal growth and evolution. Eihwaz also connotes a phase of introspection, urging an inward journey to face and tame one's inner shadows, thereby initiating transformation at a deeply personal level.
Simultaneously, Eihwaz functions as a talisman of protection and defense. The rune's link to the Yew tree, historically used in crafting bows and arrows, signifies the innate strength and resilience to shield oneself and dear ones from potential harm. Thus, Eihwaz stands as a testament to endurance and tenacity amidst adversity.
In its more profound symbolism, Eihwaz represents the intricate dance between death and regeneration. The Yew tree's presence in graveyards and its extraordinary longevity contribute to its associations with death and rebirth. Eihwaz reminds us that death is an integral component of life's cycle, often ushering in transformative moments. It signifies that in order for the new to take root, the old must wither away, underscoring the necessity of shedding past burdens to truly embrace the future.
Eihwaz is an emblem of metamorphosis and initiation, signaling a period of overcoming challenges and personal evolution. It embodies protective strength, resilience, and tenacity, while also invoking the profound linkage between death and rebirth. Through Eihwaz, we gain deeper insight into life's continual cycle of transformation, growing stronger and wiser with each turn.