Sowilo is the sixteenth rune of the Elder Futhark and the last in the second aett. Its phonetic value is “S” and its literal meaning is “sun”. Sowilo is a rune of light, energy, success, and guidance, embodying the life-giving force of the sun and its power to illuminate and sustain.
The sun was revered in the northern world as the source of warmth, growth, and life. It guided travellers, nurtured crops, and marked the passage of time. Sowilo therefore represents clarity, victory, and the vital strength that drives life forward. It is a rune of triumph, embodying the overcoming of darkness through light.
Symbolically, Sowilo stands for wholeness, health, and illumination. It signifies the energy of inspiration, enlightenment, and the inner fire of the spirit. It brings a sense of purpose and direction, shining light on the path ahead and dispelling confusion or doubt.
In divination, Sowilo is a highly positive sign. It often indicates success, guidance, or the resolution of difficulties through clarity and determination. It may suggest that energy and vitality are at their peak, or that the seeker is moving in harmony with their true path. It also carries a reminder of balance, as too much sun can scorch as well as nurture.
The form of the rune, a zigzag line, resembles the path of the sun across the sky or the flash of lightning. It conveys movement, energy, and the radiant force of light.
Sowilo is sometimes associated with sun deities such as Sol, the Norse personification of the sun, who drives her chariot across the heavens. Through this link, the rune reflects divine guidance, illumination, and the eternal presence of the sun in cycles of life.
Sowilo teaches that light conquers darkness, that clarity dissolves confusion, and that energy and determination lead to success. It is the rune of victory, inspiration, and life-force, guiding the seeker with the enduring power of the sun.