[Vilturj] 01 - Uruz

[moonvoice]

Uruz (OO-ruz or OO-rooz) - (also known as: Ur, Uraz, Uroz, Urzhe, Uros)

Value - U and OO

Numeric Order - 1 or 2

Traditionally Represents - Chaos. Raw Power. Aurochs. Ajckonzi.

Represents - Physical health. Vitality. Strength. Endurance. Stability. Health. Knowledge. Courage. Przewalski's Horse. Ajckonzi.

'Urzhe has the greatest of horns
that brings the blood to the earth.
It boldly nourishes,
only the greatest spears can bring
its blood to the earth in turn.'

- Vilturj Rune Poem

Uruz is a raw energy, not that of the domestic cow, but that of the aurochs, fierce and vital. The stave itself actually symbolizes this great and extinct creature lowering its horns to take a revitalising drink, or graze from the earth. Uruz represents a raw, earthly, primordial and chaotic power. Aurochs were proud and strong creatures, known to take on wolf packs and defeat them in order to protect their herd. They were slightly smaller than the elephant; a giant and fierce cow with striking horns (as long as six feet). Aurochs hunting was often an initiatory rite of passage for men, and defeating and drawing this power within oneself represented the embodiment of Uruz, for one could only defeat the Aurochs if one could embody its chaotic nature.

Because Uruz is chaos, it represents freedom and freedom without limitations (which is by nature, chaotic). It is an outpouring of energy which is strengthening or greatly destructive, but always intensely powerful. Uruz is the energy of creation, it destroys weakness and fertilises all it touches, even if it needs to kill in the process. It is inexorable, and is the point of origin, and the point of end.

Uruz as a mystery rune, represents the primal cow, Adhumbhla in the Norse mythos. Adhumbhla is the mother of manifestation, she sustained the chaos giants (particularly Ymir) and represented the union of fire and ice, or energy and form. In Vilturj, Uruz represents Ajckonzi, the cave-dwelling and primal horse god, in charge of all men's mysteries. His horse was the small, wild przewalski's horse, and all other variations that are now extinct across Siberia and Russia. Ajckonzi, like Uruz, was a deeply intense and powerful god. He dwelled within caves, only venturing out in the form of horses, and disdained and reviled those who kept livestock and 'tamed' horses. He is the reminder of a time before agricultural society, when hunter-gatherers lived in close harmony with the earth, and in close harmony with the chaos of nature.

Uruz represents the element of earth. People often see the element earth as stable, but earth is intrinsically unstable. It is the force of earthquakes, tectonic collisions and is always moving. It is especially representative of the internal combination of earth and liquid fire, both forming and destroying. Uruz is literally revolutionary, and has the power to be 'world-shaping'. Uruz is also associated with nourishment, it is the life-force that keeps life sustained, it is the chaos which keeps order in check.

In readings Uruz often represents an occurrence of great power, and a time of rapid change and sudden evolution. It is characterised by manic energies which refuse to be calmed until they have been used. If it lies close to Haurgl, be prepared for a complete shattering of material and internal structures that you care for. If in close alliance with an upright Berkana, be wary of sex - since it can represent a time when even contraceptions will not hold.

The maleness often associated with Uruz often represents that a strong male figure may be present, male sexuality, and often rights of passage and initiation that may be fatal. If you are spiritual, Uruz can also represent times of initiation into mysteries, or times of connection with forbidding, merciless, and uncompromising gods.

Merk - Uruz as a Merk stave can represent a great many things, usually regarding weakness, misdirected chaos, great inconsistency, sickness and prejudice. It can also represent grave insomnia and the downward spiral of a chaotic breakdown (and the intrinsic power contained within the breakdown).

Uruz can also represent the feeling of falling to the earth, and knowing you're going to hit it hard. It can also represent the feeling of hitting something very solid. It is a battering of energy, one that is not pleasant and will sometimes cause ill health. Uruz reversed warns about rushing into things without thinking. It can also signify an abusive male and domestic violence. If in conjunction with Haurgl, it generally represents someone who is out of control, mental breakdown and disease, psychotic break, and violence with intent to cause harm.

In Ritual - Be extremely certain that you want to use this rune in ritual, its energies are virtually unstoppable. Therefore, if you can foresee that the results may not be what you want them to be, do not use this rune! Also, if you are prone to sleeplessness, do not use this rune, as it is rarely calming.

In spells Uruz can boost energy, and the sex drive. In conjunction with Berkana, it explodes fertile forces. It can speed up the results of spells, and can be a great catalyst when raising energy. It is not recommended for beginners.