Algiz is an interesting rune. It shows up in the Elder and the Younger Futhark. It is associated with the letter 'z' at the end of masculine nouns in the Elder Futhark and the letter 'r' at the end of masculine nouns in the Younger Futhark. It is also associated with the letter 'x' in the Younger Futhark. The meaning of this rune changes when you move from the Elder to the Younger Futhark.
The Elder Futhark name of this rune is Algiz or Elhaz which roughly translates to the word elk. The Younger Futhark name of this rune is Yr, which translates to yew and is in a reversed orientation than what is pictured. This is another problematic rune for all it's fascinating qualities because it was adopted by the Nazis in both orientations. The upright orientation was associated with life and the downward one with death.
Ralph Blum, in his Book of Runes, associated Algiz with protection. He insists this is something he was taught from another. Given that I had seen this association in other places prior to encountering Blum's book which date to before it was published, I think that there is a folk belief that remains that Algiz is protection. This, however, is brought into question by the Younger Futhark rune poem.
The Elk-sedge usually lives in the fen, growing in the water. It wounds severely, staining with blood any man who makes a grab at it. (Source: Wikipedia)
This gives Algiz some connotations in readings that could be similar to the rune Thorn. In my experience of reading runes, Algiz speaks of protection that comes from one's natural resources like the elk's rack of horns. It speaks of protection given by those around you and of protection that is passive resistance as found with elk-sedge's sawtooth leaves. In a reversed orientation, Algiz speaks of protection being withdrawn, allies departing, and danger.
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