nauthiz ᚾ

Pronunciation: NOW-theez

Alternative names: naud, naudiz, nyd

Translation: need, necessity

Sound: “N” as in “now”

Associated Concepts and Interpretations

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Compulsion/obsession

Constraint/limitations/bound/lack of choice

Different perspectives/transformation of perception

Dynamic tension

Friction

Hardship

Innovation

Need/necessity/need-fire

Patience/endurance/strengthening resilience

Period of learning

Recognition of ørlǫg

Self-reliance

Skuld (Norn representing “what shall be”/future)

Time to focus on spiritual development

Transience/impermanence of things

Associated Rune Poems

(as translated by Bruce Dickins, 1915; public domain)

A number of interpretations are derived from the various runic poems and those associated with this rune (where available) are included below for further consideration.

Norwegian:

ᚾ Nauðr gerer næppa koste;
nøktan kælr í froste

ᚾ Naudhr
Constraint gives scant choice;
a naked man is chilled by the frost

Icelandic:

ᚾ Nauð er Þýjar þrá
   ok þungr kostr
   ok vássamlig verk.
   opera niflungr

Naud - Constraint
   Grief of the bond-maid
   and state of oppression
   and toilsome work

Anglo-Saxon:

ᚾ Nyd byþ nearu on breostan; weorþeþ hi þeah oft niþa bearnum
   to helpe and to hæle gehwæþre, gif hi his hlystaþ æror

Nyd
Trouble is oppressive to the heart;
yet often it proves a source of help and salvation
to the children of men, to everyone who heeds it betimes

last updated: 02 jan 2022

A list of references is available.

Audio associated with this rune is a creation of the author’s and is released to the public domain. Back-linking and attribution are appreciated, but not required, for use.