In the heart of the ancient forests, and in the core of our own being, stands a tree. Its roots dig deep into the darkness of the earth, while its branches reach for the light of the heavens. This is the Yew, a tree of life, death, and rebirth, and its spirit is captured in one of the most profound symbols of the Elder Futhark: Eihwaz ᛇ.
Eihwaz is the thirteenth rune, marking the very center of the runic alphabet. It is not a rune of easy answers or simple comforts. Instead, it is a powerful symbol of endurance, a guide through life’s greatest transformations, and a bridge between the seen and unseen worlds. To understand Eihwaz is to understand that our greatest strength is forged in the crucible of our deepest challenges.
Table of Contents
Eihwaz at a Glance: Key Meanings
- Keywords: Endurance, Transformation, Resilience, Protection, Life & Death Cycle, Connection
- Core Message: You have the inner strength to endure this challenge. This is a time of profound transformation that, while difficult, is protective and leads to spiritual growth.
- Unique Trait: No reversed position; its challenge and strength are a constant axis of life.
The Whispering Yew: The Origins of Eihwaz
Eihwaz, pronounced “EYE-waz,” is the direct Proto-Germanic word for the “yew tree.” As the fifth rune of the second aett, it continues the themes of challenge and change. The yew was sacred to the Norse and other ancient European cultures, revered for its incredible longevity—some living for thousands of years—and its paradoxical nature: it is both highly poisonous and a source of powerful, life-saving wood for tools and bows.
The shape of Eihwaz (ᛇ) is a vertical axis, the spine of the world, with roots below and branches above. It is a direct representation of the World Tree, Yggdrasil, and the cosmic axis that connects all the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology. It is a channel, a conduit for energy and wisdom to flow between the realms of gods, humans, and ancestors.
The Heartwood of the Soul: Core Eihwaz Meanings
The wisdom of Eihwaz is that of the ancient yew: deep-rooted, flexible, and enduring. It teaches us that true strength is not rigid, but resilient.
Endurance and Resilience
Eihwaz is the ultimate rune of endurance. When it appears, it is an assurance that you possess the inner fortitude to navigate the trials you are facing. It does not promise an easy path, but it guarantees you have the strength to walk it. Like the yew tree bending in a storm but never breaking, Eihwaz teaches that resilience is the ability to flex under pressure and return to center, stronger than before.
The Bridge Between Worlds
This rune is a mystical gateway. It represents the connection between life and death, consciousness and the subconscious, this world and the spiritual realms. It often appears during times of deep spiritual work, ancestral connection, or when confronting the great mysteries of existence. Eihwaz is the shaman’s path, the journey into the “lower world” to retrieve wisdom and return transformed.
Transformation Through Trial
The yew tree often becomes hollow as it ages, yet continues to thrive. This is a powerful metaphor for the Eihwaz process. This rune signifies a transformation that happens from the inside out, often by confronting our own “hollow” spaces—our fears, our shadows, our past traumas. It is through this difficult inner work that we shed what is no longer needed and are reborn, stronger and more authentic.
The Zen master Suzuki Roshi taught: “Each of you is perfect the way you are… and you can use a little improvement.” Eihwaz embodies this paradox—we are complete in our essence, yet our trials are the very process by which we realize this completeness.
The Cosmic Axis: Eihwaz in Mythology
Eihwaz is inextricably linked to **Yggdrasil**, the World Tree that forms the very structure of the Norse cosmos. Many scholars believe Yggdrasil was, in fact, a giant yew tree. Eihwaz therefore represents the entire universe in microcosm—the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth that plays out across all Nine Worlds.
The rune is also connected to key deities:
- Odin: Who hung upon Yggdrasil for nine nights in a shamanic ritual of death and rebirth to receive the wisdom of the runes. Eihwaz embodies this initiatory trial.
- Ullr: The god of the hunt and winter, who was said to live in the “Yew Dales” (Ýdalir) and used a powerful yew bow. He represents the skill and resilience needed to survive.
- Hel: The goddess of the realm of the dead, who governs the threshold between life and death that Eihwaz represents.
As the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita teaches: “For the soul there is neither birth nor death. It is not slain when the body is slain.” Eihwaz connects us to this eternal truth—that our essence endures through all transformations.
Reflections in the Bark: Eihwaz in Divination
When Eihwaz appears in a reading, it is a powerful and complex message. It has **no reversed position**, indicating that the process it signifies is a fundamental part of your path.
Its appearance suggests:
- A Time of Trial: You are facing a significant challenge, but you are protected and have the strength to see it through.
- Patience is Key: This is not a time for hasty action. The transformation Eihwaz brings is slow and deep. Trust the process.
- Look for the Deeper Lesson: The obstacle in your path is not just a barrier; it is your teacher. What is it forcing you to develop within yourself?
- Protection: Despite the difficulty, Eihwaz is a powerful ward. It signifies that this trial, while hard, will not break you and is ultimately for your highest good.
- Spiritual Initiation: You are undergoing a profound spiritual transformation that will connect you more deeply to your authentic self and universal wisdom.
In the Tarot, Eihwaz shares deep resonance with **Death** and **The Hanged Man**—both cards speak of necessary surrender and transformation that leads to rebirth. Like these cards, Eihwaz asks us to trust the process of letting go to become who we truly are.
The Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius wrote: “Loss is nothing else but change, and change is Nature’s delight.” Eihwaz teaches us to find this same delight in our own necessary changes, however challenging they may be.
The Sacred Correspondences of Eihwaz
Eihwaz connects to the deep, cyclical magic of the earth and the cosmos.
- Element: All elements (Earth for roots, Air for branches, Fire for transformation, Water for flow) as it connects all realms
- Colors: Dark Green (the eternal yew), Black (the void of transformation), Silver (the light of wisdom), Deep Purple (spiritual mystery), Brown (earthly endurance)
- Deities: Odin (wisdom through sacrifice), Ullr (endurance and skill), Hel (death and rebirth), The Norns (weavers of fate), Yggdrasil itself (the World Tree)
- Crystals: Smoky Quartz (transmutation and grounding), Bloodstone (endurance and courage), Serpentine (transformation and healing), Jet (protection during trials), Labradorite (bridging worlds), Obsidian (shadow work)
- Plants: Yew tree (the primary association), Oak (endurance), Willow (flexibility), Cypress (connection to the underworld), Mistletoe (bridge between worlds)
- Animals: Serpent (transformation and renewal), Eagle (connection to higher realms), Wolf (endurance and wisdom), Stag (spiritual journey), Raven (messenger between worlds)
- Tarot Connection: Death (transformation), The Tower (necessary destruction), The Hanged Man (surrender and new perspective), The World (completion of a cycle)
- Astrology: Scorpio (death and rebirth), Pluto (transformation), Saturn (endurance through trials), the North Node (spiritual destiny)
Eihwaz Meditation: Rooted in the Center
This meditation helps you connect with the stabilizing and transformative power of Eihwaz.
- Stand or Sit Tall: Feel your spine as the trunk of a great tree, straight and strong.
- Visualize the Yew: Imagine you are a giant yew tree. Feel your roots digging deep into the cool, dark earth, drawing up strength and stability. Feel your branches reaching high into the sky, connecting with the light of wisdom.
- Become the Axis: See the Eihwaz rune (ᛇ) glowing in your core, running the length of your spine. You are the unshakable center, the bridge between worlds.
- Breathe Through the Center: With each inhale, draw energy up from the earth. With each exhale, release what no longer serves you up to the sky to be transformed.
- Embrace the Challenge: Bring a current challenge to mind. Instead of resisting it, imagine your roots holding you firm, your branches flexible. Know that you can withstand this storm.
- Feel the Hollow: Acknowledge any empty or wounded places within you. See them not as flaws, but as sacred spaces where new growth can emerge.
- Connect to Eternity: Feel your connection to all trees, all beings, all cycles of growth and renewal. You are part of the eternal dance of life.
The Sacred Initiation: Eihwaz as Spiritual Gateway
In many shamanic traditions, the World Tree serves as the axis along which the shaman travels between realms. Eihwaz represents this same spiritual journey—the descent into our own underworld to face our shadows and retrieve the wisdom hidden there. This is not a journey for the faint of heart, but for those called to become healers, teachers, and wisdom keepers.
The yew tree’s association with death and rebirth made it sacred in many cultures. Celtic druids used yew groves as temples, recognizing the tree’s power to facilitate transformation. In Christian tradition, yew trees were planted in churchyards, standing as guardians at the threshold between life and death. Eihwaz carries this same energy—it is the guardian that protects us as we undergo our own spiritual death and rebirth.
Living the Yew’s Wisdom: Weaving Eihwaz into Your Life
The strength of Eihwaz is cultivated through conscious practice and perspective.
- Practice Perseverance: When you feel like giving up on a difficult project, invoke the energy of Eihwaz. Commit to seeing it through, knowing the struggle is building your character.
- Engage in Shadow Work: Bravely look at the “hollow” parts of yourself—your fears and traumas. Acknowledging them is the first step to integrating their wisdom.
- Connect with Nature: Spend time with old trees. Lean against their trunks and feel their deep, slow, enduring energy.
- Set Healthy Boundaries: Eihwaz is a rune of defense. Practice saying “no” and protecting your energy as you move through your transformation.
- Honor Your Ancestors: Connect with those who came before you. Their endurance through trials has made your life possible.
- Embrace Patience: Trust that your transformation is happening in perfect timing, even when progress feels slow.
- Seek Wisdom in Difficulty: When facing challenges, ask: “What is this experience teaching me? How is it making me stronger?”
Frequently Asked Questions About Eihwaz Rune
Is Eihwaz a rune of death?
It is not a rune of physical death, but of the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the ending of one phase of life to make way for another. It is about transformation, not termination. As the poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote: “Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage.”
How is Eihwaz different from Perthro, another rune of mystery?
Perthro is the mystery of fate, chance, and the unknown (what is hidden). Eihwaz is the mystery of transformation, the known process of life, death, and rebirth that one must endure to gain wisdom. Perthro asks “What will happen?” while Eihwaz says “This is how you will grow.”
Is Eihwaz a “good” rune to get?
It is a powerful and ultimately positive rune, but it is not an “easy” one. It signals that you are on a profound spiritual journey, but that this journey will involve significant challenges that you must endure to reap the rewards. It’s like being accepted into an advanced spiritual training program—demanding, but ultimately transformative.
How can I work with Eihwaz energy when I’m feeling overwhelmed?
Remember that Eihwaz is about endurance, not speed. Focus on taking one step at a time, staying grounded in your core strength. Like the yew tree, bend with the storm rather than fighting it. Trust that this challenge is developing spiritual muscles you didn’t know you had.
The Unbreakable Axis of Being
Eihwaz is the backbone of the spiritual warrior. It teaches us that the most profound strength is not the power to avoid hardship, but the resilience to endure it and be transformed by it. It is the unwavering axis within us around which the storms of life can rage without ever breaking our spirit. The yew tree shows us that even from the appearance of death, new life can spring forth, and that our deepest roots give us the power to reach the highest heavens.
In the words of the Persian mystic Hafez: “I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being.” Eihwaz is the rune that guides us through our darkest transformations to discover this very light—the unbreakable, eternal essence that no trial can diminish, only reveal more brightly.
