Eihwaz — yew (tree)

sound ï · Proto-Germanic *eihwaz · rune 13 of 24 · also spelled Ihwaz

Thorsson presents this as the vertical axis of the world — the central trunk of Yggdrasil, the world tree, which (on his reading) was specifically a yew (an evergreen conifer) rather than an ash, as is often assumed. "Yggdrasil" is taken to mean "the steed of Yggr (Odin)" or "the yew pillar": this is the shamanic rite of the Havamal by which the erilaz journeys to Hel and through all Nine Worlds for wisdom, along the vertical axis joining sky, earth, and underworld. Eihwaz is said to carry the mystery of life and death, mystically uniting them; the yew is poisonous and, with special preparation, a powerful hallucinogen — which the author treats as significant for the shamanic character of initiation.

Core meaningmodern reconstruction, 20th c.

Thorsson presents this as the vertical axis of the world — the central trunk of Yggdrasil, the world tree, which (on his reading) was specifically a yew (an evergreen conifer) rather than an ash, as is often assumed. "Yggdrasil" is taken to mean "the steed of Yggr (Odin)" or "the yew pillar": this is the shamanic rite of the Havamal by which the erilaz journeys to Hel and through all Nine Worlds for wisdom, along the vertical axis joining sky, earth, and underworld. Eihwaz is said to carry the mystery of life and death, mystically uniting them; the yew is poisonous and, with special preparation, a powerful hallucinogen — which the author treats as significant for the shamanic character of initiation. The long-lived evergreen tree is read as a symbol of unceasing life, endurance, and powerful protection: "Before yews no evil magic can stand."

Eihwaz in divinationmodern reconstruction, 20th c.

Paxson: EIHWAZ (yew, the axis of Yggdrasil) — the rune of paradox and the joining of opposites; most often, in Paxson's experience, it signifies "making connections." It may point to spiritual ascent, a passage from one state to another, or that an outwardly bad situation will turn out for the better.

Eihwaz reversed (merkstave)modern reconstruction, 20th c.

The rune is symmetrical — Paxson gives no separate reversal; the heavy pole is inherent in the rune's nature: the yew is the tree of life AND death, its poison kills or opens initiation; the axis of passage is a dangerous liminality (like Odin, who hung between earth and sky).

Eihwaz in rune magicmodern reconstruction, 20th c.

• initiation into the wisdom of the World Tree
• grasping the mystery of death/life and freedom from the fear of death
• developing spiritual endurance and firm will
• protection from harmful forces; growth of personal power
• connection between the worlds of Yggdrasil; recollection of past existences
• galdr: "eihwaz-eihwaz-eihwaz… eeeeee… iwu-iwa-iwi-iwe-iwo…"
• Paxson (practice): work with a living tree as Yggdrasil — trace EIHWAZ on the bark (with water, mead, ale, or your own blood), make a libation at the roots; sit with your back to the trunk, "ground" down through the roots, and carry awareness up the trunk-spine into the crown.

The historical layerhistorical fact

The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name *eihwaz means “yew (tree)” — that much comes from the rune poems and comparative linguistics. The esoteric readings above are a 20th–21st-century reconstruction, not an attested ancient practice — see the Elder Futhark reference for what is actually historical.

Sources

Esoteric core and magical workings — Thorsson, "Futhark" (1984); divination/shadow/practice — Diana Paxson, "Taking Up the Runes" (2005). Both are 20th–21st-century revival, not antiquity and not proof.

Questions about Eihwaz

What does the Eihwaz rune mean?

Eihwaz (*eihwaz) — yew (tree). Thorsson presents this as the vertical axis of the world — the central trunk of Yggdrasil, the world tree, which (on his reading) was specifically a yew (an evergreen conifer) rather than an ash, as is often assumed. "Yggdrasil" is taken to mean "the steed of Yggr (Odin)" or "the yew pillar": this is the shamanic rite of the Havamal by which the erilaz journeys to Hel and through all Nine Worlds for wisdom, along the vertical axis joining sky, earth, and underworld.

What does Eihwaz reversed mean?

The rune is symmetrical — Paxson gives no separate reversal; the heavy pole is inherent in the rune's nature: the yew is the tree of life AND death, its poison kills or opens initiation; the axis of passage is a dangerous liminality (like Odin, who hung between earth and sky).

How do you pronounce Eihwaz?

The sound is “ï”; the reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is *eihwaz.