I Probably should have written this before i started writing about the Runes but now, with all the knowledge i have shared here about them, i hope you have enjoyed and learned something. For now i will make a pause, and talk about the "New" Runes, and then i will go back to the Older Runes of the Elder futhark. Its almost at an end, but i will show you before that end, the nine ( 9 ) "New" Runes, they may help you as well.Before i write this, i will speak in a "superficia"l way about the runes.
Introduction
The runes were once the sacred alphabet of the Germanic peoples of northern Europe. They were also used as a system of divination in a similar manner to the more modern Tarot cards.
The very name "rune" derives from the ancient Gothic "runa", meaning a secret or a mystery. However, unlike the cards, the runes literally "spelled" words of power to be carved on amulets, rings and weapons, and also as inscriptions on tombstones.
In fact, the verb "spell" may come from ancient rune masters because it means "to make magic" and "to set out the letters of a word properly".
The most ancient complete runic alphabet comprises a series of twenty-four angular figures and is called the Elder Futhark. Just as the ancient Greek letters alpha and beta give us the word alphabet, the word "futhark" derives from the names of the first six runes. As time went on, the languages of certain Germanic peoples altered, causing an equivalent alteration in the written forms of theur runic symbols. The yourger Futhark has only sixteen runes, while the Northumbrian Futhark used in northern England began to include elements of Celtic culture and increased in size to thirty-three. In other places, the runic tally was increased to thirty-six. However, the Elder Futhark is the only rune-row directly to relate to the seasons of the year, the hours of the day, the directions of the compass and many other concepts of symbolic importance to our ancestors.
In today's world, the runes are usually drawn or carved onto a variety of small objects, sucj as slivers of wood or pebbles, or even moulded into plastic "rune stones". There are many types of rune, or even rune cards available commercially. However, the rune masters of old would undoubtely have recommended making your own set of runes by carving them with care into the wood of a fruit-bearing tree or painting them in red on small stones, or, failing that, by drawing them ( again in red ) on pieces of card.
The very name "rune" derives from the ancient Gothic "runa", meaning a secret or a mystery. However, unlike the cards, the runes literally "spelled" words of power to be carved on amulets, rings and weapons, and also as inscriptions on tombstones.
In fact, the verb "spell" may come from ancient rune masters because it means "to make magic" and "to set out the letters of a word properly".
The most ancient complete runic alphabet comprises a series of twenty-four angular figures and is called the Elder Futhark. Just as the ancient Greek letters alpha and beta give us the word alphabet, the word "futhark" derives from the names of the first six runes. As time went on, the languages of certain Germanic peoples altered, causing an equivalent alteration in the written forms of theur runic symbols. The yourger Futhark has only sixteen runes, while the Northumbrian Futhark used in northern England began to include elements of Celtic culture and increased in size to thirty-three. In other places, the runic tally was increased to thirty-six. However, the Elder Futhark is the only rune-row directly to relate to the seasons of the year, the hours of the day, the directions of the compass and many other concepts of symbolic importance to our ancestors.
In today's world, the runes are usually drawn or carved onto a variety of small objects, sucj as slivers of wood or pebbles, or even moulded into plastic "rune stones". There are many types of rune, or even rune cards available commercially. However, the rune masters of old would undoubtely have recommended making your own set of runes by carving them with care into the wood of a fruit-bearing tree or painting them in red on small stones, or, failing that, by drawing them ( again in red ) on pieces of card.
New Northumbrian Runes
Whatever your own personal runes happen to be made of, you should begin by familiarising yourself with the simple shapes that make up the runic letters themselves. As i have written here at my blog and you can see in the label called "Runes", i have fully described each of the runes, together with the symbolic images, such as the animals, trees, herbs and celestial phenomena, associated with them. The myths of the viking gods are also included in the label called "Gods and Mythology " to give a flavour of each of the individual runes. The more familiar you are with these stories, characteristics and related concepts, the easier you will find it to read the runes properly and to use them as a sort of springboard for your own intuition.
It is important to remember that the runes are special and should be treated as such. Part of this specialness should be expressed in the way you keep your runes when they are not in use. Traditionally, runes should be kept in a drawstring bag to preserve them from hostile vibrations. It is also a good idea to keep a plain, white square of cloth in your runebag. This cloth should be placed on the table before you begin your reading to create a symbolic background to your rune-casting.
It is important to remember that the runes are special and should be treated as such. Part of this specialness should be expressed in the way you keep your runes when they are not in use. Traditionally, runes should be kept in a drawstring bag to preserve them from hostile vibrations. It is also a good idea to keep a plain, white square of cloth in your runebag. This cloth should be placed on the table before you begin your reading to create a symbolic background to your rune-casting.
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