Algiz
Protection, sedge or rushes, an elk.
From The Book of Runes, by Ralph Blum:
Algiz serves as a mirror for the Spiritual Warrior, the one whose battle is always with the self. The protection of the Warrior is like the curved horns of the elk, or like the sedge grass, for both serve to keep open space around you. Remain mindful that timely action and correct conduct are the only true protection. If you find yourself feeling pain, observe the pain, stay with it. Don’t try to protect yourself from life or pull the veil down and escape by denying what is happening. You will progress; knowing that is your protection.
This is a good rune for me. It has a lot of lessons I need to remind myself of, constantly.
I think one of the coolest things about this rune is that if you turn it upside down and put a circle around it, it forms a peace sign. Peace is not an objective that is antithetical to the warrior’s path; quite the contrary.
I’m not using the definition of peace to mean no fighting, no wars, no disagreements, ever — that’s ridiculous and impossible. Peace means justice for all, and that is exactly what warriors fight for.