Runes

Overview & Historical Origins

Runes (from Old Norse "rún" meaning "secret" or "mystery") are the letters of ancient Germanic alphabets that served dual purposes as both a writing system and a magical tool. The earliest attestations of runic writing appear around 150 CE in Scandinavia and Germanic territories, though the system likely developed somewhat earlier. Unlike purely phonetic alphabets, each rune carried symbolic meaning, magical power, and associations with cosmic forces.

The word "rune" itself reveals the esoteric dimension: it shares roots with Gothic "rūna" (secret), Old Irish "rún" (mystery), and Welsh "rhin" (charm), indicating that these letters were never merely functional writing tools but conduits of hidden knowledge and power.

Historical Development

Runic alphabets evolved through several major forms:

• Elder Futhark (c. 150-800 CE): The oldest form with 24 runes, used across Germanic territories
• Younger Futhark (c. 800-1100 CE): Simplified 16-rune system used in Viking Age Scandinavia
• Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (c. 400-1100 CE): Extended system with up to 33 runes used in England
• Medieval Runes (c. 1100-1500 CE): Various developments including dotted runes and regional variations

Etymology and Naming

The runic alphabet is called "Futhark" after its first six letters: Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kaunan (ᚠᚢᚦᚨᚱᚲ). Each rune has a name representing a concrete object or concept that embodies its phonetic value, magical meaning, and cosmic principle—a characteristic distinguishing runes from abstract letter symbols.

Purpose and Applications

• Divination: Casting runes to gain insight into situations and receive guidance
• Magic and Spellwork: Inscribing runes to invoke their powers
• Protection: Carving runic formulas on weapons, ships, homes, and amulets
• Communication: Writing inscriptions, memorials, and messages
• Meditation: Contemplating individual runes to access their wisdom
• Ritual: Incorporating runic symbols into ceremonial practices

The Elder Futhark: 24 Sacred Symbols

The Elder Futhark is organized into three groups called "Ættir" (singular: "Ætt," meaning "family" or "clan"), each containing eight runes. This division may reflect cosmological principles or magical categorizations.

The Blank Rune: Modern Addition

Some modern rune sets include a blank rune called "Wyrd" (meaning "fate" or "destiny"), though this has no historical precedent. Introduced in the 1980s by Ralph Blum, it represents the unknowable, fate, and divine mystery. Traditional practitioners typically do not use this rune, considering the historical 24-rune Elder Futhark complete.

Practice & Methods

Traditional Runic Magic

Rune Carving and Inscription

Historical evidence shows runes carved on various objects for magical purposes:

• Weapons: Swords and spears inscribed for victory and protection
• Amulets: Personal items bearing protective formulas
• Ships: Prows carved with runes for safe passage
• Stones: Memorial runestones and boundary markers
• Wood: Staves and talismans for various purposes

The act of carving itself was considered magical. Runes were often colored red with blood or ochre to "awaken" them. The Hávamál mentions that runes must be "cut," "read," "tested," and "used" to be effective—suggesting a complete process of creation, interpretation, and activation.

Galdrastafir (Magical Staves)

In later Icelandic magic, individual runes were combined into complex symbols called galdrastafir or magical staves. These bindrunes (runes bound together) create concentrated magical formulas, such as the Ægishjálmur (Helm of Awe) for protection and intimidation.

Divination Practices

Creating a Rune Set

Traditional materials for rune divination include:

• Wood: Oak, ash, or fruitwood, preferably from fallen branches
• Stone: Smooth river stones or beach pebbles
• Bone: Historically used, though less common in modern practice
• Clay: Handmade clay tiles marked and fired

Many practitioners consecrate their runes through ritual, offering them to the gods (especially Odin), exposing them to the elements, or passing them through incense smoke. The act of making one's own rune set is considered spiritually significant, creating a personal connection to the symbols.

Casting Methods

Single Rune Draw: For daily guidance or simple yes/no questions, draw one rune from the bag while focusing on your question.

Three Rune Spread: Cast or draw three runes representing:

• Past / Present / Future
• Situation / Action / Outcome
• Self / Challenge / Guidance

Runic Cross (Five Runes):

1. Center: Present situation or core issue
2. Left: Past influences or what's leaving
3. Right: Future potential or what's approaching
4. Below: Foundation or underlying cause
5. Above: Best outcome or higher guidance

Futhark Spread (Nine or 24 Runes): Complex layout examining multiple life areas, using positions corresponding to each rune's domain.

Casting on Cloth: Some practitioners cast all runes on a marked cloth and interpret based on proximity, patterns, and which land face-up.

Interpretation Guidelines

• Upright vs. Reversed: Some readers interpret reversed runes as blocked, internalized, or opposite energy; others read all orientations as containing both positive and challenging aspects
• Rune Relationships: Consider how runes interact—complementary, conflicting, or modifying each other's meanings
• Intuition: Traditional practice emphasized personal gnosis and direct communication with the runes
• Context: The same rune means different things in different positions and questions

Meditation and Spiritual Practice

Beyond divination, runes serve as tools for spiritual development:

• Rune Yoga (Stadha): Assuming body positions mimicking rune shapes
• Rune Chanting (Galdr): Intoning rune names and sounds for meditation and magic
• Pathworking: Meditating on individual runes to internalize their wisdom
• Daily Rune: Drawing one rune each morning for contemplation throughout the day

Traditions & Variations

Historical Runic Systems

Younger Futhark (Viking Age)

Developed around 800 CE as Old Norse evolved, the Younger Futhark reduced the alphabet to 16 runes despite the language having more sounds than Elder Futhark's Old Norse. This created ambiguity where one rune could represent multiple sounds, requiring context for interpretation. The compression may reflect changing magical priorities or practical adaptations.

Anglo-Saxon Futhorc

The Anglo-Saxon system expanded to 28-33 runes to accommodate Old English sounds, adding runes for concepts like "day" (Dæg), "estate" (Ethel), and "bow" (Yr). The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (8th-9th century CE) provides verse descriptions of each rune's meaning, a crucial source for understanding runic symbolism.

Armanen Runes

An 18-rune system developed by Guido von List in early 20th-century Germany, based on his claimed visionary experience. While influential in Germanic mysticism and unfortunately appropriated by Nazi occultism, these are modern constructions rather than historical systems. Contemporary practitioners debate their legitimacy and prefer historically attested rune rows.

Modern Reconstructionist Approaches

Heathenry and Ásatrú

Contemporary Norse/Germanic Paganism incorporates runes as part of religious practice, emphasizing:

• Historically accurate interpretation based on surviving texts and archaeological evidence
• Connection to Norse deities, especially Odin as master of runes
• Integration with other Norse practices like blót (sacrifice) and sumbel (ritual toasting)
• Respect for runes as sacred, not merely fortune-telling tools

Academic Runology

Scholarly study of runes focuses on:

• Linguistic analysis of runic inscriptions for understanding Germanic language development
• Archaeological context of runestones and artifacts
• Historical evidence for magical uses versus literary/commemorative functions
• Comparison of runic systems across regions and time periods

Contemporary Esoteric Uses

New Age Adaptations

Modern divination often simplifies rune meanings for accessibility, sometimes detaching them from Norse cultural context. While this democratizes the practice, it can lose depth found in studying the runes within their mythological and linguistic framework.

Chaos Magic and Eclectic Practice

Some practitioners combine runes with other magical systems (Tarot, Kabbalah, planetary magic), create personal rune meanings, or develop new bindrunes for specific intentions. This approach values results and personal gnosis over historical authenticity.

Primary Sources & Further Reading

Primary Historical Texts

• Hávamál (Sayings of the High One), from the Poetic Edda (c. 1270 CE, preserving earlier oral traditions)
  Stanzas 138-145 describe Odin's discovery of the runes through self-sacrifice, and stanzas 146-164 enumerate magical songs and rune uses. Primary source for understanding the mythological and spiritual significance of runes in Norse culture.
• The Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem (8th-9th century CE)
  Verse descriptions of 29 runes providing symbolic meanings: "Feoh is a comfort to everyone; yet each man must share it freely, if he wishes to gain honor in the sight of the Lord." Crucial for interpreting rune symbolism.
• The Norwegian Rune Poem (13th century)
  Describes the 16 runes of the Younger Futhark with terse verses. Example: "Kaun [torch] is fatal to children; death makes a corpse pale."
• The Icelandic Rune Poem (15th century)
  Later composition providing interpretations of the Younger Futhark, showing evolved meanings in medieval Iceland.
• Tacitus, Germania (98 CE)
  Roman historian's account of Germanic divination practices: "They cut a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and divide it into small pieces which they mark with certain signs and throw at random onto a white cloth." Earliest possible reference to runic divination.

Academic and Historical Studies

• Page, R.I. Runes (1987)
  Authoritative scholarly introduction to runic inscriptions, their historical development, and linguistic significance. Essential reading for understanding runes in historical context.
• Elliott, Ralph W.V. Runes: An Introduction (1989)
  Comprehensive academic overview covering the origins, development, and uses of runes across Germanic territories. Balances linguistic and cultural perspectives.
• Düwel, Klaus. Runenkunde (Runology) (4th edition, 2008)
  Definitive German-language academic work on runology, covering inscriptions, magical uses, and scholarly debates. The standard reference for serious students.
• Looijenga, Tineke. Texts and Contexts of the Oldest Runic Inscriptions (2003)
  Detailed analysis of the earliest runic inscriptions, providing archaeological context and linguistic interpretation. Valuable for understanding runes' original functions.
• MacLeod, Mindy, and Bernard Mees. Runic Amulets and Magic Objects (2006)
  Scholarly examination of runes used for magical purposes, analyzing inscriptions on amulets, weapons, and other artifacts. Bridges archaeological evidence and magical practice.

Practical and Esoteric Works

• Thorsson, Edred (Stephen Flowers). Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic (1984)
  Influential modern work reconstructing runic magic based on historical sources and Heathen spirituality. Combines scholarship with practical magical applications, though some interpretations are speculative.
• Thorsson, Edred. Runelore: A Handbook of Esoteric Runology (1987)
  Deeper exploration of runic philosophy, cosmology, and advanced magical techniques. Emphasizes the runes as a complete initiatory system.
• Pennick, Nigel. Runic Astrology (1990) and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Runes (1999)
  Accessible introductions to rune divination and magic, incorporating both historical information and contemporary practice. Less academic but practically oriented.
• Aswynn, Freya. Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers (1998)
  Integrates runes with Norse mythology, particularly emphasizing goddess traditions and feminine aspects often overlooked in male-dominated interpretations.
• Paxson, Diana L. Taking Up the Runes (2005)
  Comprehensive guide from a Heathen perspective, balancing historical research with practical application. Includes divination techniques, meditation practices, and cultural context.

Norse Mythology Context

• Larrington, Carolyne (trans.). The Poetic Edda (2014)
  Modern translation of the primary source for Norse mythology, including the Hávamál and other texts referencing runes. Essential for understanding the mythological framework.
• Sturluson, Snorri. The Prose Edda (trans. Jesse Byock, 2005)
  13th-century compilation of Norse myths providing context for the gods, cosmology, and magical practices mentioned in connection with runes.

Cross-References & Related Practices

Related Divination Systems

Norse Mythology and Tradition

Magical Practices

Archetypal Connections