Heimdall's Aett · Rune 16
Sowilo
“Sun, Victory” · sound: S
Keywords
sun · victory · wholeness · life force · guidance · honor · success · illumination
What Sowilo means
Sowilo is the rune of the sun, representing victory, wholeness, and the life-giving force that sustains all existence. The sun was revered by the Norse as a guiding light and source of life. Sol, the sun goddess, drives her chariot across the sky pursued by the wolf Skoll. Sowilo is the lightning bolt of inspiration and the radiant power of the fully realized self. In Heathen practice, this rune embodies the will to victory, the higher self that guides through darkness, and the regenerative power of sunlight. Sowilo cannot be reversed, for the sun's power is absolute.
Sowilo in the historical rune poems
Three medieval poems preserve the meanings of the runes — the oldest testimony we have.
The sun is ever a joy in the hopes of seafarers when they journey away over the fishes' bath, until the courser of the deep bears them to land.
Sun is the light of the world; I bow to the divine decree.
Sun is the shield of the clouds, and shining ray, and destroyer of ice.
Correspondences
Deities
Sol · Baldr
Element
fire
Color
white and gold