The runic system, steeped in history and shrouded in mystery, served as a vital tool for the Nordic and Germanic tribes of Northern Europe. Used for both everyday and spiritual purposes, the runes offer a unique window into the beliefs and practices of these ancient cultures. While scholarly debate continues, evidence suggests that runes, as phonetic representations of language, began appearing around the second century B.C.E. However, their origins lie even deeper, rooted in a magickal system of pictographs that personified the forces of nature.
Before their linguistic adaptation, runes were primarily used to connect with and harness the power of natural elements. By invoking a specific rune, practitioners believed they could tap into the energy and essence of the corresponding force. Over centuries, diverse runic alphabets emerged across Northern Europe. However, the Germanic or Elder FUTHARK remains the most prevalent and widely studied system.
This guide focuses on the practical application of the runes, particularly the Elder FUTHARK, the system used between 200 B.C.E. and the late eighth century. This alphabet, named after its first six letters (F, U, TH, A, R, K), comprises 24 letters divided into three groups of eight, often referred to as Freya’s Eight, Hagall’s Eight, and Tir’s Eight.
This is a practical guide to runic divination and magick. It provides less emphasis on the history, customs, or mythology of the Norse and Anglo-Saxon peoples. There are already many excellent books on these topics by scholars worldwide. This guide focuses on the practical aspect of the runes rather than the historical. It is essential to understand the cultural context in which the runes originated, for the runes are a magickal extension of the experiences and realities of the Northern European. The suggested reading list at the end of the book provides excellent resources for exploring these areas.
The primary goal is to provide a comprehensive collection of useful runic information in one accessible resource, mainly for beginners. The aim is to accelerate the learning process and to discover the most accurate interpretation of the runecast. It is important to note that no book can provide all the answers. Books are merely tools to aid and stimulate our minds to seek further and learn for ourselves.
Imagine learning directly from a village shaman, the high priest and magician, responsible for ensuring successful crops, hunts, and fertility. The shaman held the mysteries of the runes, using them to bless, curse, heal, and divine. This ability made them highly sought after by all members of the community.
The runes were mysteries, forces, and secret allies, used for various purposes. This knowledge was entrusted to the few, passed down orally, and learned by heart. Through diligent study and proper use, the runes could bring individuals closer to the gods and aid them in everyday life. Runes were used to influence the weather, aid crops, and heal the sick.
Runes were carved on various items, from weapons and drinking horns to ships and houses, offering luck and protection. Even the placement of timbers in half-timbered buildings, known as Fachwerk architecture, was designed to form specific rune shapes, imparting their power and magickal significance to the structure and its inhabitants.
Alt: A composite drawing showcasing Fachwerk architectural elements across Europe, with timbers arranged to resemble runes like Eolh, Wunjo, Isa, Tir, Gifu, lng, Ansuz, and Hagall.
(Note: Replace https://i.imgur.com/your_image_url_here.png with the actual image URL from the original document.)
By observing the world around us, we can discover runes everywhere – in the branches of trees, cracks in the sidewalk, and even graffiti. By integrating the runes into our daily lives, we become more comfortable with them and better understand their inner meanings. This familiarity allows us to tap into their power effectively.
Unfortunately, in today’s world, we rely on books to learn about the runes. Even those fortunate enough to receive personalized instruction from a runic magician ultimately gain their knowledge from books. The quality of these books is determined by the personal insights the authors bring to their work. This personal insight is crucial for any runic practitioner.
It is essential to go beyond simply memorizing information from books. We must think critically and transmute the basic knowledge into true understanding through our personal life experiences. A rune, like any ideograph, is a frozen symbol of a state or concept. The meaning of these symbols can change depending on the interpreter’s perspective. Through continued use and meditation, we can gain a deeper understanding of the runes as they relate to our own lives.
While some believe that individuals of Northern European descent are naturally more attuned to runic symbolism, anyone can learn to use this system with study and careful thought. The runes are simple, earthy symbols rooted in the natural world, accessible to anyone willing to connect with the forces that make up our natural world.
Other divination systems, such as the Tarot or I Ching, tend to separate the Northern European intellect from its physical experience because they are not indigenous to its cultural environment. For example, living near oak trees provides a physical appreciation of the oak tree as a symbol in the runes that one cannot have a physical appreciation of the palm or the pomegranate as they appear on the High Priestess card of the Rider deck.
We all have unique personal experiences with the elements depicted in the runes, such as oak trees, cattle, hail, ice, and the sun. It is up to us to discover a personal runic interpretation for these things. By doing so, we unlock the full potential of the rune system. These interpretations can be discovered through dreams, significant events, or meditation.
Once these interpretations are learned, they can be utilized through magick and divination, stimulating our imagination and helping us perceive our relationship to the world around us in a different way, enabling us to effect changes in our future. However, the runes should never be allowed to dictate our actions entirely. They are a tool for discovering our magickal identity and archetypal symbols, helping us find solutions to our dilemmas.
The ability to determine the future lies not with the symbols themselves but in the mind that uses them. The runes guide us through our problems by showing us what is likely to happen, offering variables, and suggesting how we should behave. Like an astrological chart, a runecast is a map of something that is likely to happen, given our orientation in the world.
Therefore, there is no reason to resign ourselves to disaster when a runecast indicates a problem. We can examine the variables and find a solution. Knowledge is power! Using runic foresight, we can take control of Fate and guide it onto the path we desire.
Embrace the Power of Runic Wisdom
The runes offer a powerful tool for self-discovery, guidance, and personal transformation. By understanding their symbolism, connecting with their energy, and developing our personal interpretations, we can unlock the ancient wisdom of the runes and shape our future. Dive deeper into the practical applications of runic divination and magick, and discover the potential within yourself. Explore resources like “A Practical Guide to the Runes” by Lisa Peschel (PDF) to further your understanding and embark on your runic journey. This journey will lead you to knowledge and empowerment.
