PERTHO

PERTHO

Alternative Names

Perthro, Per, Peor, Perth, Palrthra, Peordh, Perdhro, Peorth.

Key Phrase

‘Make your own choices

 and take charge of your own destiny.’

Meaning

Dice-Cup, dice, chess piece, mystery, vagina/vulva.

Viking Rune Equivalent and Meaning

Initiation.  A secret matter.

I CHING

Danger

Tarot Equivalent

The High Priestess  -  2  -  II

Divinatory Meaning

A secret.

Corresponding Letter

P

Associated Colour

Black

Associated Herb

Aconite

Associated Gemstone

Aquamarine

Associated Tree

Beech

Associated Myths and Deities

Freya, Angrbode. Sacred to Frig – the All-Mother.

Manifestation Uses

Divination; new beginnings; enhancing psychic abilities, prophecy and insight; luck in action. To help to make clear choices; for fertility and growth on all levels. Prophesies.

Relationship Interpretation

Hidden aspects within the relationship.

Healing Colour and Qualities

Black

To strengthen the mind and for the healing of mental disorders.

Talisman

Pertho helps divination and enhances psychic abilities when worn as a talisman. Pregnant women often wear or carry Pertho as it is believed it eases the pain of childbirth.

Pertho Drawn Upright

Keywords

Choice, decision-making, hearth, the game played between desire and destiny, the dance of life, brings things to fruition, initiation, sexual intercourse, rebirth, mystery, fertility, laughter, music, divination, reveals what is hidden, chance, a secret matter, hidden things, fellowship, joy, the essence of one’s being.

PERTHO is ‘Experience.’

Pertho is the seventh rune of the second Aett. It is the fourteenth rune in total and is one of mystery. It in itself, it holds the mysteries of the Nordic Runes as it is the rune of the Vitki or Runecaster of old; the one who seeks the mysteries of the Universe through the understanding of synchronicity. It is the rune of the warrior who constantly tests himself against chance and luck.

Traditionally, the Pertho rune is seen as either a ‘dice-cup’ or a game (chess) piece. This not only fits the shape of the rune, but also hints to the objects original use as a container in which to keep runes.

Pertho represents mandatory changes brought about by external forces. Pertho is the ‘width’ measurement of life. It indicates not how long you live your life, but how well you live it.

 

Pertho, in its essence, represents the happiness of being alive and the joy of living.

The Pertho rune’s basic symbology is that of a vessel or cup, nurturing and giving ‘birth’, keeping secret and hidden all those mysteries that can only be uncovered after the initiation of death, to rebirth. In this way, it is also associated with the womb, uterus or vulva as symbolism for holding and containing life until birth. It is a rune of the feminine and is pertaining to female matters including fertility and birth.

The Perthro rune is closely tied in with the Web of Wyrd and the idea and concept of ‘fate’; that the road we travel, regardless of what we choose along the way, is pre-determined from the moment of birth. The very act of being born sets us along a course of cause and effect, action and reaction. Pertho is the beginning of this process, as well as the tool for accomplishing it.

Throughout life, the games we play, both as children and adults, can be high-staked risks or games just for fun. As with all games, we experience them and learn from them. Pertho is the experiences dealt to us in the ‘game of life’. Through winning and losing throughout life, we gain experience. With this we learn lessons and gain wisdom. Pertho is therefore, a rune of self-awareness.

Pertho is a rune that says that deep transformative powers are at work. It is the rune of ‘what has yet to be revealed.’ It is the rune of taking chances. It can indicate mystery and secrecy.

Drawing the Pertho Rune tells you that you always have a choice in everything you do and say, in every situation or encounter. Your emotions and actions are your own and cannot be manipulated by others, unless you allow it. Pertho is telling you to claim your personal power in regards to the choices you make in life, particularly at this time. Do not allow others to compromise your truth. Do not allow others to prevent you from doing what you want and need to do. Only YOU know what is right for you, so have trust in yourself and faith in your decision-making skills.

There may well be surprises, gains or rewards that you did not anticipate coming your way. The Pertho rune often brings in the unexpected and in a reading it is important to consider the other runes around it upon interpretation.

Pertho Drawn Reversed (Merkstave)

Keywords

Addiction, stagnation, malaise, loneliness.

Pertho reversed warns of harmful addictions and stagnation bringing with it an inability to understand others and a sense of finality.

Pertho, when drawn reversed or merkstave, is saying that the dice of life has been rolled for you and ‘fate’ has control at the moment. Things are beyond your personal, human control. 

It is also a warning to be aware of other’s manipulations. Put an end to them, then make your choices and decisions for yourself. Do not follow the choices of others. 

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Joanne Walmsley

Sacred Scribes