Gebo (ᚷ), “gift,” is the Elder Futhark rune of sacred exchange and right relationship. It teaches us that giving and receiving are not separate acts but two halves of the same living current—one that sustains all bonds, whether between humans, spirits, ancestors, or the Divine. The Anglo-Saxon rune poem reminds us that generosity brings dignity and honour. Gebo invites us to look closely at the ways we offer of ourselves and the ways we allow others to nourish us in return.
The Anglo-Saxon rune poem for Gebo/Gyfu:
Generosity brings credit and honour, which support one’s dignity;
it furnishes help and subsistence
to all broken men who are devoid of aught else.
The Tarot correspondences are Justice, The Lovers and 6 of Pentacles.
This rune also carries the meaning of making vows. These can be vows of service to the Divine, partnership with a guide, or commitment in love. It speaks to the harmony that arises when intention, trust, and reciprocity flow freely, and to the imbalance that occurs when one side gives too much or receives too little.
The Gebo Rune Tarot Spread below can help you explore any relationship through the lens of sacred exchange.
The Gebo Rune Tarot Spread
Gebo teaches us that relationships thrive when giving and receiving flow in balance, and falter when the flow is blocked or one-sided.
Whether you’re exploring a relationship with another person, a spirit guide, or the Divine itself, this spread invites you to reflect on what you offer, what you receive, and how the bond can deepen in mutual trust.
Use this spread for any type of relationship — human, divine, ancestral, or inner-self — and pairs beautifully with a rune pull if you wish to add another layer of insight.
1. The Bond – What is the true nature and current state of this relationship?
2. Intention (Above) – What sacred purpose or deeper intention underlies this connection?
3. Manifestation (Below) – How this bond shows up in the physical realm: actions, habits, practicalities.
4. Your Gift (Left) – What you offer into this relationship — skills, love, energy, devotion.
5. The Gift You Receive (Right) – What this relationship offers back to you when the flow is healthy.
6. The Challenge – Where imbalance, resistance, or misunderstanding may be disrupting reciprocity.
7. The Lesson – What Gebo wants you to understand about right exchange and trust here.
8. The Next Step – One way to deepen harmony and renew the flow of giving and receiving.
Working with the Spread
- Deity or spirit work: Treat Position 4 as your devotion or offering and Position 5 as the blessing or teaching the divine wishes to bestow. Position 2 can reveal the soul-level purpose of this bond, while Position 8 often points toward the next act of service or ritual step.
- Human relationships: Focus on balance and boundaries. Pay close attention to Positions 6 and 7 — they show where overgiving, under-receiving, or unspoken expectations may need to be addressed.
- Self-relationship: Positions 4 and 5 become how you nurture and support yourself versus how you allow yourself to be nourished by life.
For added depth, draw a rune alongside the spread as a key insight into the nature of the exchange.
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Comments
Lisa, good morning.
First, I want to thank you for all these Runic Tarot Spreads.
Frankly, I always thought that I could never connect with the Runes, then a very dear friend, who would also avail herself of my Psychic Services, and who is currently a Spirit Therapist, offered Classes in Palmistry, Runes, and Clairvoyance. I learned a great deal from her.
It is also no coincidence that I have been actively giving Rune Castings professionally for a few years now, and, since last month, began offering Rune Castings, along with Palm Readings (as well as Tarot and Oracle Card Readings) at the Metaphysical store in Beacon, New York, where I “guest Read.”
The Thurisaz video and accompanying WordPress Blog post should be live and published by no later than next Monday, October 8, 2018, which is the date of the New Moon in Libra.
And yes, I would love to do the others, too, but as I AM fond of saying and doing, “one thing at a time.”
May the Goddess forever provide you and yours with Peace, Health, and Plenty.
Thanks Robert, how cool that you can do palmistry too. I’d love to learn that! I look forward to seeing your Thurisaz Tarot reading next week. Goddess blessings in return!