If you are starting out with Elder Futhark divination readings, you’re probably still getting to grips with their meanings. So if you’ve drawn the Othala rune, you’re curious about what it means.
The Othala rune is associated with inheritance and ancestry. It is the twenty-fourth symbol of the Elder Futhark alphabet. The Othala sign is ruled under Tyr’s aett. The Othala symbol also relates to property and legacy.
That’s a brief idea of the Othala symbol, but if you want to know more, keep reading. This guide will tell you everything you want to know about this rune symbol.
You’ll also learn how to use it with divination and energy work.
Let’s get started.
What is the Othala Rune?
Othala is the twenty-fourth and last symbol of the Elder Futhark Runes. You pronounce it as Oh-tha-lah.
The whole elder futhark alphabet is split into three lots of eight. A Norse deity rules over each set as an aettir (family).
Othala is the eighth symbol of the third (Tyr’s) Aett. This set of runes is ruled by Tyr, the Norse god of law, order, and justice.
Tyr’s aett represents experiences that challenge our progress from primal to the divine self. They bring about the development of your full potential. These runes help to navigate the human condition and broader issues of society.
The Othala Rune represents the powers we are handed in life from previous generations. Our legacy will ultimately be how we use these to better our lives and others.
In addition to Othala, the other symbols in this Aettir include the:
What is the Meaning of the Othala Rune?
The general meaning of the Othala rune is all you have inherited as a birthright. This may be genetics, material wealth, property, or knowledge.
The translation of Othala is ancestral property. The meaning represents all that has been passed down to us through previous generations.
At its most basic level, this can mean money or property gained from inheritance. At a deeper level, your genetics, habits, traits, and beliefs have accumulated through your family lines.
Othala is a rune that encourages you to utilize the cards you have been dealt with.
For some, this may be extreme privilege to be used for good. For others, it may be a disadvantage. You can be the one to do the work and stop intergenerational cycles affecting the next generation.
Othala reminds you that you have the power to make real change and leave a positive legacy. You have everything inside you, you just need to explore it.
The Othala Rune can relate to traditional values and pass these down to the next generation. It encourages you to keep the status Quo.
For this reason, the Othala rune was used historically by Nazis as a hate symbol to represent their Aryan values. It has continued to be used by right-wing extremist groups. It’s always best to be aware of the context in which the symbol is used.
Othala suggests that not all we inherit is positive, despite the extremist interpretation. The real work is deciding how to navigate keeping traditions in a modern world. Only you can decide if they no longer serve you or hold back your growth.
Othala Keywords:
- Inheritance
- Ancestry
- Legacy
- Heritage
- Property
How to read the Othala Rune
Rune divination starts with you having a question or intention in mind. Drawing the Othala rune can bring answers to that which you seek guidance.
We’ve already discussed the general meaning of the Othala rune. Yet, you may find this doesn’t really relate to your intention or question.
Othala is not a chief rune for some intentions. On its own, it doesn’t always give the depth of answer you need.
When you’ve drawn an Othala rune, it’s always better you get context from the neighboring runes. Often the order you read them will give you more details about the message of the Othala.
On that note, the meanings in this guide are not set in stone. As a beginner, they may help you decipher the message’s meaning in your rune reading.
Use your own judgment and intuition to guide you through.
Can Othala be reversed?
Othala is a rune that can be reversed. That means a mirrored, inverted, or reversed position carries a shadow meaning (merkstave).
Reading a reversed rune is subjective. Some only consider it a merkstave rune if it falls at a position 180° flipped from upright (e.g the first rune above). Any other position is considered upright.
Another option is if a rune falls at an obscure angle, it is rotated in a clockwise direction until it reaches an upright or reversed position. This is shown in the other three examples above.
When Othala is reversed, it relates to a shaky foundation, instability, and lack of connections in your life. This may be an ongoing issue, or it may have been sudden due to conflict.
A reversed Othala can also relate to being unconventional or lack of conformity. You need to learn how to navigate this personally and with family members with traditional views.
You may choose not to consider a reversed Othala as a meaning. But, you could be missing an important message from the Divine.
Othala For Love
Upright
An Othala rune in a love intention indicates strength and stability. You have built a strong foundation with your partner.
This rune can represent striving for traditional values of marriage, buying a house, starting a family, or making a will. Othala suggests that you are both ready emotionally and financially to move towards these life goals together.
If you’re single, a new love interest will share the same values as you. You may even meet them through family connections.
Reversed
Drawing a reversed Othala is a sign of domestic conflict and disputes. The crux is that you keep returning to these disagreements as you don’t share the same common goals. Consider if you both want the same in life.
A Reversed Othala can also indicate a recent or upcoming separation that causes issues with property or custody of children.
If you’re single, the reversed Othala can signal disapproval from family due to an unconventional love life.
Othala for Family and Friends
Upright
Othala in family and friendships can indicate stability and protection. Your support network can provide for you and help you progress in good times and bad.
The Othala rune reminds you to get back to your roots. Seek advice from old and wise family members who may be able to shed wisdom on your current issue.
Reversed
A reversed Othala can signal disconnect, particularly with family members. Their traditional views and beliefs may cause you to feel hurt or abandoned. Friends may be able to provide the support that family can’t.
Othala in reverse, can also relate to a difficult decision to move away from family. This may be relocation from a childhood home or hometown. Consider if it is beneficial for you to keep ties to the area.
Othala for Health and wellbeing
Upright
Othala drawn for health indicates a long and healthy life. You may have inherited advice or behaviors from family members, which have maintained your health over the years.
Having a strong family support network is also vital for your health. You can learn a lot about how to be mentally and emotionally resilient from older generations.
Reversed
Drawing a reversed Othala signals that you may suffer health issues passed down through genetics. If you are experiencing any worrying symptoms, have these checked out.
Explore you family history of health issues to uncover anything of relevance. This can help medical specialists pinpoint potential causes and provide early intervention.
Othala For Money and finances
Upright
In money matters, drawing the Othala rune can mean you will soon benefit from a large sum of money. This may be inheritance or cash flow from family members to help you out.
The Othala rune can also relate to you considering what will happen to the money you are earning. This may mean seeking financial advice with pensions or wills to ensure future financial stability.
Reversed
A reversed Othala indicates a significant period of instability with finances. This may be an enormous loss such as debt, bankruptcy, or repossession of your home. The loss will be long-lasting and will impact your life plans.
You may have been relying on family to bail you out and then found out they are not able or willing to help.
A reversed Othala can also suggest involvement in issues regarding financial inheritance. This may be exclusion from a will or disagreement over money.
Othala for Career
Upright
When Othala is drawn in career intention, it signals that your career has followed a family tradition. This may be working in the family business or choosing the same career path as a parent or grandparent.
Othala can suggest working for a company with traditional values will provide stability. This may even be a family-run company that looks after you like one of their own.
Reversed
A reversed Othala can indicate insecurity and instability in your workplace. The long-term outlook looks bleak, and you should consider if this career will provide for you long-term.
The reversed Othala can also suggest a business you own is not doing well. It may be time to break free from conventional ways of doing things and embrace modern working methods.
Othala for Personal development
Upright
With a personal development intention, Othala is strongly related to feeling a lot of satisfaction with your efforts. Perseverance pays off for long-term projects.
Othala may also encourage you to explore a hobby or a project that was of significance to your family historically. You never know what talent has been genetically passed down to you until you try it.
Reversed
Othala reversed indicates that you feel deflated by the disadvantages you’ve been given. You have to navigate much more hurdles than others.
Othala reminds you that perseverance and resilience are notable traits to develop in life. There’s something extraordinary about an underdog. You can make achievements despite the adversity you have to overcome.
Othala for Spirituality
Upright
The Othala rune is excellent for harnessing your ancestors’ spiritual power. It encourages a lot of work with a past life or the Clair senses and mediumship abilities to connect with those who have passed.
Intuition can also be strengthened by meditation to connect with the wisdom from the divine. This is a gift we are all blessed with, regardless of ancestry.
Reversed
A reversed Othala can often indicate significant negative energy from your past. This may be related to childhood or intergenerational trauma.
Othala links to neglect, abuse, and abandonment, and must be worked through spiritually.
Consider looking at unblocking your root chakra energy to help improve physical, emotional, and mental flow. This is foundational energy to build a life of stability.
Magical uses of the Othala Rune
- Gaining and holding on to wealth
- Healing spells
- Promotion of harmonious family and relationships
- Clarity about the self
- Communication with ancestors
Othala Rune Associations
The Othala rune connects with many other universal energies. These may suggest ways to incorporate the Othala energy into your divination work.
Othala has been associated with the following
| Animals | Eagle, Wolf, Raven |
| Archangel | Raphael |
| Body | DNA, Genetics |
| Chakra | Root |
| Colour | Gold |
| Crystals | Carnelian, petrified wood |
| Element | Earth/ Air |
| God/Goddesses | Odin |
| Half month | May 29th – June 1th |
| Hour | 10.30-11.30 |
| Letter | O |
| Number | 24 |
| Ruling planet | The Moon |
| Tarot | Ten of Pentacles |
| Tree | Hawthorn |
| Zodiac | Cancer |
Othala Rune Poems
Anglo-Saxon Othala Poem
An estate is very dear to every man,
if he can enjoy there in his house
whatever is right and proper in constant prosperity.
There are no Norwegian or Icelandic Poems for the Othala rune.
Othala Galdr (Runic Chant)
Othala othala othala Ooooooooo Ooooo Othul othal othil othel othol Othol othel othil othal othul Ooooo
Rune Othala Other Names
- Old Germanic name: Utal, Othila
- Old Norwegian name: Oþila
- Anglo-Saxon name: Otael, ethel
- Old Celtic name: Odal
- Old Icelandic name: Oðal
Final thoughts
Othala is a rune of inheritance and ancestry. It relates to our heritage, and the actions of our predecessors impact our physical, mental, and emotional bodies.
The Othala rune reminds you that you are already born with the necessary answers. You just need to learn to listen to your intuition.
Often the focus is on the inheritance of property or finances. Yet the knowledge you are passed on are worth so much more.
Othala is an energy of pulling yourself from a place of disadvantage to lead a prosperous life. Or being born into privilege and choosing to forgo greed and overindulgence to give to others. These are admirable legacies to leave behind.
Abundance, wealth, luck, are all harnessed with Othala energy. It’s about creating a better world for future generations.
Even in the reversed position, Othala reminds us that we need to evaluate what traditions should be carried forward in life. We also need to look to the past to heal and repair those shaky foundations holding us back from moving forward.
Use the Othala rune to harness these energies into your life and divination work.
