The seventh rune of the Futhark alphabet is called Gebo. This rune stands for gift and means as much as gift. It can be a material gift, but also a spiritual gift. Here the proverb "to give is more blessed than to receive" is worth its weight in gold. Because only those who are ready to give are also ready to receive.
Gebo means harmony between giving and taking. It also stands for the fact that everyone can determine his own path in life. Gebo includes the bonds, contacts and relationships between gods and people. It continues to describe settling debts and the exchange of power and strength.
Today it is gifts of every kind that await the person seeking advice. Thus it can be that a gift, not always only in the material sense, expects the advice-seeker.
Origin and Meaning of the Gebo Rune
It is a continuous cycle that should not be broken. Those who do not adhere to this cycle risk losing their spiritual gift. It is possible to give on both levels: the physical and the spiritual.
Accepting a gift should be accompanied by a certain humility. Because just as quickly, this gift can be taken away again, should we use it wrongly. Of course, one must first know one's gift before one can use it. Also a large understanding belongs opposite our fellow men to it.
Here, emphasis should be placed on positive feelings such as love, compassion and understanding. In the back of your mind you should keep in mind that everything you give into the world will also be reflected back to you.
The rune Gebo corresponds to an X. This is often interpreted as a connection of two crossing lines. This connection can be both sexual and magical nature. Thus, it stands for the contact and agreement between two people. The lines of the cross can thus be interpreted as the lifelines of two people whose paths cross. They enter into a connection with each other at the moment of meeting.
Gebo can also symbolize the connection between humans and gods. Thus, we humans are given our gifts by the gods. In exchange, we try to use the gift in the best possible way and to do good with it. Gebo can also be understood as a sacrifice in the sense of ecology. Through selfless action and sacrifice, we produce a powerful energy in the universe.
Linking the two lines can also mean that we are entering into a union with ourselves. Perhaps we have not lived authentically before and the image of being and appearance did not match. Perhaps there are qualities in us that we experienced only separately before and now manage to make a connection. Gebo means that you are now ready to connect these split qualities and integrate them into ourselves. In doing so, the two separate parts within us can finally form a unity.
Gebo also stands for the fact that the paths of two people cross. No matter how different the paths were before, now they meet in a common point. This does not necessarily mean that from now on the whole path of life will be taken together. It may well be only a temporary companion. But also a faithful life companion is not to be excluded here.
The goal of your partnership should be a healthy mixture of give and take. Do not try to change or manipulate your partner. Accept each other as you are and pass on your hidden strengths to the other. Perhaps you have been lacking such a bond until now. Remember that such a partnership cannot be taken for granted and consider it a precious and valuable gift.
In a larger context, Gebo can also indicate living in a community. Here, make sure that togetherness is characterized by ease, freedom, and a healthy distance. Think of everyone as equals. You talk to your counterpart at eye level. Only when everyone is on safe ground for themselves can they also be a support for the others.
Fixed Gebo Rune Meaning
There is no such thing as a fixed or reversed Gebo rune. However, if there are a lot of negative runes around Gebo in the interpretation, it can indicate that the reasons of the problems are hidden in our feelings.
But this also means that only we are able to solve these problems. Such solution approaches are to be considered absolutely positive, since you have the rudder in your hand. Otherwise Gebo is always to be interpreted upright.
The rune indicates that we will go through a positive development. This can happen in love, but can just as well be of a business nature. Especially a romantic relationship and a long-term partnership have a lot of potential in the context of Gebo.
Reversed Gebo Rune Meaning
On the other hand, something can actually be given to us. This gift can be an object, but also something spiritual or emotional. Most of the time, the gift comes just when we need it most.
Gebo knows when the time is right. If Gebo is in front of us, it means that we can count on love, peace and constancy. If life was not very harmonious before, now a pleasant harmony will prevail.
Do not forget that when they receive a gift, you also have to give something to the universe. Especially in a partnership this happens mostly by itself. We give love and receive this love.
But sometimes it can take a while until we receive something. This should not prevent us from giving. Just make sure not to give too much of yourself and waste your energy. Everything in moderation is the right approach here.
Gebo Rune Properties
- Alphabet: G
- Element: Air
- Symbol: Gift, generosity
- Interpretation: Balance, exchange, partnership, generosity, relationships, agreement, gift and marriage.
- Stone: Yellow serpentine, amber, opal
- Tree: Elm, Ivy
- Flower: Rue, Stabroot
- Herb: Wild pansy
- Animal: Pig, Owl
- Color: Deep blue
- Body: Nervous system, disorders of sexual nature
- Scent: Lilac, Storax
- Tarot: The Lovers, The Sun
- Astrology: Sun in Pisces, Moon in 6th house, Sun, Neptune
Runic Alphabet
