Name: Gyfu (Gebo)
Meaning: Gift, generosity
Rune ritual image: diagonal cross (X)
This rune speaks volumes to a bountiful aspect of empathic human relations that our ancestors honoured, cutting across the alpha male, dominator culture often fostered within popular knowledge sources on the runes and Northern European iron age culture. The rune poem tells of a social norm consisting of duty and care giving within a community, that contrasts with a contemporary culture of neoliberal self-centredness.
'Neanderthals With Disabilities Survived Through Social Support' (headline 2017) Our hominid cousins caring for their ill or disabled is now well documented behaviour within a tribe, with numerous examples of looking after an impaired individual who requires greater support and attention. This generosity was beyond a merely reciprocal relationship, but instead a consistent level of care provided even though the recipient was unable to offer the same in return. Clearly this demonstrates a behavioural trait that we, Homo Sapiens, share with our ancient hominid ancestors.
'Mutual aid is an organizational model where voluntary, collaborative exchanges of resources and services for common benefit take place amongst community members to overcome social, economic, and political barriers to meeting common needs.' (Wikipedia) Manifesting support networks within communities has become a necessity during last stage capitalism and the looming neo-feudalism. One example has been food banks, where The Trussell Trust gave out 3,100,000 food parcels in 2023/24, compared to 100,000 in 2011/12. It appears the state likes to lean into anarchist principles of Mutual Aid to prop up their authoritative regime.
Although the kiss of the cross in cards is speculated to have many varied origins, it is perhaps useful to consider it as an act of casting Gyfu, rune magick, to make an offering, to assign something as a gift and to express gratitude. I take this moment to suggest how Gyfu can be integrated within an esoteric practice, and that is to support other practitioners. This can be achieved through trading products and services with each other, rather than using money. Offering a favour or assistance, accepting payment in kind in return is the type of relationship that helps to build a resilient community against hostile trends.
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