Algiz, the rune letter Z, means elk or moose in proto-Germanic. The comparable term in old Norse would be elgr.

Þat var maðr upp, en elgr niðr frá nafla. Hann er nefndr Elg-Fróði.

He was a man on top, but elk from the navel down. He was called Elk-Frode.

Algiz symbolises protection, defence, and embodies a strong connection to the animal world. The elk is known in Scandinavia as an aggressive adversary when it feels threatened and especially the female elk is known as a fierce protector of her young. To the vikings then, the elk would have been a symbol of the strength of the forest, the unspoken covenant between beast and man, and the sanctuary found within the heart of the wild.

Algiz can serve as a powerful token for enhancing spiritual protection and growth, foster a sense of safety, ward off negative energy, and help us connect more deeply with our inner wisdom and the protective energies of the universe. It encourages mindfulness of our surroundings and inner self, acting as a reminder of the strength and support available from the natural world.

Algiz is a silent oath to honour the strength borrowed from the earth’s ancients, a pact made with the spirit of the elk, promising vigilance and protection. With Algiz we carry the quiet power of the wild within, navigating the world’s deceit with the wisdom of the forest, a testament to the enduring bond between the human spirit and the animal world.