A little bit rusty so correct me if I am wrong, I believe this rune also teaches us patience and not go charging on ahead.  As the day will alway plod on at it's own pace no matter what we do to try and speed it up.  Hope this is some what correct.

I interpret Dagaz to be more of a view of an awakening, or a dawning, as in a cycle (like day to night, etc) and the meaning being that something positive has happened, a breakthrough, or significant change, and that progress has or will be made.  In that context I think you are 100% right, that it is change that is slow and steady (more tortoise than hare).  Let me consult the books... shuffle, page flip... yep, here it is (Lisa Peschel's Practical Guide to the Runes):

The growth symbolized by this rune is slow, but steady, rather than overnight success.

You're right on the money with the patience aspect.  Trying to hurry the results of Dagaz would probably be counterproductive at best.

Here is a good use for this rune, so we know it is not just for reading. According to my book (Rune Magic The history and practice of ancient runic traditions by Nigel Pennick),  Magically Dag is a powerful blocking rune.  But this does not mean that it is  harmful.  On the contrary, it is  a very beneficial rune of Light, Health, Prosperity and openings.  Traditionally, it is painted or carved on doors, window shutters, doorposts and other uprights in the house.  It's function is to prevent entry of harmful sprites, whilst admitting things which are desired.

Sorry that sounded a bit long winded, very text booky.  Just a little bit more which I found very interesting..."Another magical use is to bring invisibility.  Things, and people, 'sealed' with this rune are not noticed."  So I guess if you did not want people to notice something you have in your house when they come to visit seal it with Dag.  I could go on all day.... ;)

Dagaz is more difficult to interpret, because it is only addressed in the Anglo-Saxon poem, although it is part of the Edler Futhark.  The A-S says this:

Day, the glorious light of the Creator, is sent by the Lord;
it is beloved of men, a source of hope and happiness to rich and poor,
and of service to all.

In this case, one can suspect that some selective Christian editing took place, which has happened with many of the old sources.

I read somewhere that Dagaz represents the horizontal figure eight associated with infinity, which in this case means eternity, or endless cycles (of days and nights).  Although it is eternal, that the concept of dawning is pretty constant in what I've read and that it represents change. I wasn't aware of its use as to invisibility. (That may be more Anglo-Saxon than Norse Elder Futhark; I believe Nigel Pennick is English (meaning Saxon), is he not?)  If I wanted to protect something (although not to make invisible) I would use Thurisaz. If I wanted to protect my home, maybe Thurisaz and Othala.



Cute

Yep Nigel Pennick is English.

He also says Feoh was hung from the eves of a house to promote growth and increase of one cattle or I guess wealth these days.  Maybe a combination of all four runes would be alright but then, it could all go pare shape if you did in the wrong sequence.

I read about this story of a woman who had been sick for ages in her bed, until one day a man who knew his runes came to visit and realise some idiot had made a mistake in the Runes they had put on the bed head in so doing made the womans sickness longer then it would have been.  He cleared to wrong runes and carved into the whale bone bed head the right ones and the woman instantly sat up saying she was cured.  It is ashame these stories don't tell you what the runes were that cure her mystry ailment.  That is to discover for ourselve I guess, just imagine all the sick children we could cure.