Fehu (ᚠ) is the first rune of the Elder Futhark and it means wealth, cattle, mobile property, and earned abundance. In the ancient world, cattle were currency — Fehu literally meant "how much you're worth." Today, its meaning has evolved but the core remains: material resources, financial energy, and what you do with it.
Upright Meaning
Fehu appearing in a reading points to financial matters, new ventures bearing fruit, earned rewards, and the proper circulation of resources. Wealth isn't static — Fehu reminds you that money, energy, and opportunity must flow. Hoarded cattle starve; circulated wealth multiplies.
Reversed (Merkstave)
Loss, poor financial decisions, greed, or stagnation. Something is blocked in the flow of resources — either you're holding too tightly or something external is draining your reserves.
Deeper Layer
As the first rune, Fehu represents the initial spark of manifestation. Before you can build anything (Uruz, the second rune, represents raw strength), you need seed capital — whether that's money, energy, or intention. Fehu is the match; the rest of the Futhark is what you build with the fire.