Gebo rune meaning

In the Rune Poem

Giving is, for men, adornment and praise — and for the exile, a stay when nothing else remains.

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (10th c.)

Reversed (merkstave)

Gebo is symmetrical: the glyph reads the same upside down, so there is no reversed position in a real cast. Its tension shows through neighbouring runes.

In a spread

In the past

A gift, a pact or an exchange — generous or unbalanced — founded this situation. Every gift creates a bond: what was given still links the parties.

In the present

The moment is one of exchange: giving and receiving in right measure. Gebo consecrates partnerships, agreements and alliances — as long as both scales carry weight.

In the future

It announces union or alliance: a bond is sealed, a partnership bears fruit, a gift arrives. Accept it knowing that every true gift asks for a worthy return.

As advice

Give first — but give with measure. The tradition teaches: 'a gift always looks for a gift.' Seal agreements clearly and honor exactly what you promised.

The aett

Gebo belongs to the aett of Freyr, the cycle of creation — the forces that beget life, wealth and bond in the manifest world.

Galdr (chant)

gebo gebo gebo / gu ga gi ge go