View Full Version : Rune Study Group
Malachite
03-05-2002, 14:54
After lots and lots of conversation and deliberation, here begins the Rune Study Group thread...Produced by Umbrae, Kiama and Malachite....Hope this is useful!
Malachite
03-05-2002, 14:55
What are the Runes?
The Runes are a series of 24 characters or symbols used in divination and writing by the Norse and Germanic peoples prior to Christian conversion, and to a lesser degree afterwards.
The 24 characters are arranged in a series, called a futhark, based on the phonetic value of the first six of these. This is the same principle by which the Greek Alphabet was named after its first two characters.
As a form of writing, it appears to have developed from a mixture of the Orkhun (old Turkic) and Etruscan (North-Italic) forms of writing, although the sounds represented, and some of the symbols are almost certainly of native origin.
During its development, the exact arrangements varied, from the 16-rune Younger Futhark, to the 29-Rune Anglo-Saxon futhork. However, this study group focusses on the use of the Runes in Divination, so we'll stick with the Elder Futhark, of 24 characters.
Malachite
03-05-2002, 14:57
Where do the Runes come from?
According to the Oral tradition of the Norse peoples, the Runes were first discovered by Odhinn. Many people know the story of how the God hung upon the world-tree Yggdrassil. This is the episode of Norse mythology where the Runes were discovered.
137.
I trow I hung on that windy Tree
nine whole days and nights,
stabbed with a spear, offered to Odin,
myself to mine own self given,
high on that Tree of which none hath heard
from what roots it rises to heaven.
138.
None refreshed me ever with food or drink,
I peered right down in the deep;
crying aloud I lifted the Runes
then back I fell from thence.
...
141.
Hidden Runes shalt thou seek and interpreted signs,
many symbols of might and power,
by the great Singer painted, by the high Powers fashioned,
graved by the Utterer of gods.
...
144.
Better ask for too little than offer too much,
like the gift should be the boon;
better not to send than to overspend.
Thus Odin graved ere the world began;
Then he rose from the deep, and came again.
extracts from the Hávamál
The most important element of this story is that of sacrifice. As in many traditions, the notion of 'what you put in, you get out', is enshrined in the Runes. If you are not prepared to sacrifice something, be it time, money or anything else, physical or spiritual, then you are locking something out of you're future path. I guess its a matter of closing the door behind you before you head off down the next corridor.
"Like all things worth knowing, the mysteries are stubbon secrets. Often they will wrap themselves in a riddle, but they will always tell more by their riddle than if they had spoken with a clear tongue"
E. Thorsson, Runelore
The sacrificial journey of Odhinn is similar to that of Shamen in Scandinavian culture. Entering a strange realm of imagination and energy, and seeing what there is to be seen, before returning, bringing forth new concepts and tools. As far as Runic initiation goes, this is probably more extreme than might be necessary or expected, but then, Odhinn is a God.
Who Used the Runes?
The earliest written account of Rune use in divination is that of Tacitus in his text Germania, in the first Century CE. This describes the use of signs carved into twigs, and cast. However, it is likely that the practice was already old, perhaps by centuries, since this account merely marks the first time that a literary culture observed it taking place.
However, for writing, the use of the runes is dated as far back as the 800's BCE, from early carved stones in Sweden.
The link, therefore, between the Runes as Mysteries, and as a form of Writing, is very strong.
In the same way as the I Ching are represented by poems, the Runes were passed as oral knowledge, through various Rune-Poems.
One aspect of Odhinn, sometimes a separate deity, is Bragi, the god of Poets and Poetry, and this shows the deep reverence that the germanic peoples had for their language as a spiritual tool, and a tool for art and wisdom.
Thanks Malachite, Umbrae & Kiama - I don't know enough to contribute (yet!) but I'll definately be reading every lesson!
Just one question - what is the Hávamál?
Mermaid
Malachite, Kiama, Umbrae... WOW!!!
So I can begun to worry about Rune sets too!!!
Fortunately Kiama doesn't seem to collect Rune sets as well...
Will you be posting on the Runes singularly too?
I just don't know how I could contribute... but I would love to read your posts and learn.
WOWOW!!!
HEY!!! You reminded me I have to post something...
MystiqueMoonlight
04-05-2002, 04:16
I appreciate the Runes as an Oracle more so than as a device for seeing into the future (insert Tarot here).
I am sure that the runes (thanks Umbrae) can be successfully used as a divination tool, but I tend to lean on them more so as a guide. I also intend to use them to assist in my Tarot readings. Now this may sound a little contradictory to my previous comment, but I mean to use them in this way by offering a further explanation to a specific card or as a "result" tool in a Tarot reading.
For me whilst the cards are open to interpretation, the runes do have a specific meaning for each one. I suppose at this point it might be useful to know whose meanings of these are actually correct. I have studied 2 books on Runes (Ralph Blum & Lisa Peschel) and I am aware that there are many others. I suppose I was concerned that I might get information overload by reading too many author's meanings on Runes and therefore become some what confused.
I hope in this study group we can discuss amongst each other the meanings and purpose of each rune and then explore the "magickal" uses as well. I am already using runes in a lot of my spells and they seem to work quite nicely.
I look forward to participating and contributing where ever I can.
Blessed be.....
Malachite
04-05-2002, 05:11
Mystique:..
The runes can be read with interpretation, it all depends on the question, and the other runes drawn...its no more fixed than tarot, but i think that impression comes from the lack of imagery...
When I talked about 'divination', I was using the term to divide 'metaphysical use' from 'literary use'...There isn't really that much difference between looking into the future, and looking into the present...
We will be going through the runes individually, so don't worry about that...I was just setting the scene up :)
Mermaid:...oops!...The Hávamál is an old Norse religious 'text'. It comprises verses of advice by Odhinn, ten 'spell songs', and the story of how he found the runes...I'll post a web link when I find a page for it!..;)
Good idea Malachite, Umbrae and Kiama. :D
I'll be following the Rune Study Group... I have a couple of related books but very little experience using them... I may be able to contribute now and then...
thanks malachite et others for starting this one.
i made myself a simple set of runes, wooden ones where i put the glyphs on.
kaz
Ah! Kaz! Wonderful you should mention that: We are doing a 'lesson' on different ways of making your own Rune sets after this one. That way, people can learn with their own Rune set.
Kiama
I'm really thrilled. I've got a set of runes that have been waiting for me for ages and ages. Now I'm going to get them out and start bonding with them, thanks to you guys.
Yep been waiting for this, I have my special set of Onyx runes waiting for me in acigarette tin on my tv, but I think they'll be moving intoa bertie botts jellybean bag sinceIlove the feeling of shaking them hehe
Rhiannon
04-05-2002, 10:46
Soaking up the knowledge. Bonding with my runes. Loving them very much (thank you again Umbrae. You're going to get tired of me saying that!)
Rhiannon :)
NOT ON THE TV!!!
Runes should NEVER be stored on a TV!!!
I feel better now...A Bertie Botts bag is fine (I hate the sardine flavor, but love sardines).
Enjoy guys...
mooncat2
04-05-2002, 18:04
Sounds exciting. I made myself a set of runes last year but haven't got round to doing much with them. Look forward to learning.
Onyx is a stone, black, oft times with white occlusions.
See folks, runes can be carved into wood, or stone. Or cast in pewter or other metals.
Nowadays, a lot of “New Age” (why is it that new age folks grab a hold of old age stuff and claim it as theirs?) folks say that Runes can only be stone or wood, that bone or antler having come from an animal (which may have died…gasp!) would be impure.
The old Norse and Teutonic races used bone and antler. Your own belief system will be at work here.
I strongly urge you away from some cheap clay, glass, or composite sets for sale out there.
The old traditionalists always stated that you had to carve your own. It was a way to learn. You were given the rune, and then spent all day carving it. Then you cut (you sliced your self open) yourself so you could “Bleed” into and color the rune.
Perhaps a little severe, but it did serve to “get your mind right”. The blood is not necessary.
thanks everyone.
i'm so glad you're doing this study group! i'll be hungrily reading your posts.
umbrae, i've been wanting to make my own set, but lacked the courage. your expert guidance may be just the incentive i need!
Umbrae: When I got my Rune set, I did the blood thing! (Everyone suddenly thinks Kiama is mad or evil, or both!)
Anyway, got some more cool info about the history of Runes... Malachite mentioned that their meanings were passed down orally, through Rune poems. I have a Chistianised version here, from around 800-900 CE.
F- Wealth is a comfort to everyone,
Yet each must give freely,
If he will glory in heaven.
U- The wild ox is fierce,
With horns above,
A bold fighter who steps the moor,
A mighy creature.
Th- Thorn is sharp to everyone,
Bad to take hold of,
Severe to those who rest among them.
A- Mouth is the origin of speech,
The support of wisdom,
And for everyone a blessing.
R- Riding in the hall is very pleasant,
It is more strenuous,
Sitting on a strong horse covering
The mile paths.
C, K, Q- Torch to all living is pale and bright,
It burns brightest,
Where noble folk rest.
G- Gift is for everyone,
Glory and exaltation,
And for the needy
Help and sustenance.
W, V- Joy is needed not
By those who have
little want or sorrow
And hath increased bliss.
H- Hail is the whitest of grains
It sweeps from the sky,
Is whirled by the wind
And turns into water.
N- Need is narrow in the breast,
But can often be a help,
If attended to early.
I- Ice is cold and slippery,
It glistens like glass,
It is as bright as gems,
The field wrought with frost,
Is fair to the sight.
J- Year of fruitfulness,
Is the hope of everyone,
When the Gods allow the Earth
To give her bright increase
To rich and poor.
E- Yew is outwardly a smooth tree,
Hard and fast in the Earth,
A shepherd of fire,
Twisted beneath with roots,
A pleasure on the land.
P- Chess is ever play ad laughter
To the proud,
Where the wariors sit
In the beer hall,
Cheerful together.
Z- Sedge grows in the fen,
Flourishing in the water,
Burning the blood
Of anyone who touches it.
S- Sun to the seafarer
Is always confidence of nobles,
It is ever moving
And in the darkness
Of night never rests.
T- Tir is a token
Which has a confidence
Of nobles,
It is ever moving
And in the darkness
Of night never rests.
B- Birch is fruitless
But bears twigs without increase,
It is beautiful in its branches,
Is laden with leaves,
Heavy in the air.
Ee- Horse is the joy of nobles,
Where heroes wealthy on
Their horses exchange words,
To be restless is a comfort.
M- Folk in their happiness
are dear to their kindred,
Yet all must depart
From each other,
Because of the gods commit
The body to the Earth.
L- Water to landfolk
Seems tedious,
If they venture forth in an unsteady boat,
The sea waves will foam,
And the sea-horse heeds
Not the bridle
Ing- Ing was first seen among
the eastern Danes,
Departing over the waves,
His wagon drawn behind,
Thus the warriors named him.
D= Day is the gods' messenger,
The light of the Gods,
Is happiness and consolidation
To rich and poor.
O- Home is the beloved of everyone,
If they can enjoy their
Rights and labour
And prosper in peace.
- Thomas Howard translation.
It is said that to understand the Runes, all you need to do is look at each one in turn and read the correct verse of the poem.
Runic Artifacts
- Oldest manuscript containing runic symbols is the 'Abecedarium Nordmannicum, from the 9th Century CE.
- A fourteenth century manuscript containing the laws of the province of Sconia is written entirely in Runes, and is known as the 'Codex Runicus'.
- We have wood-carvings depicting the use of runes in the 17th Century, by the Swedish forces, as a code to confuse Austrian intelligence.
- We also have various house markers, and stones inscribed with Runes, such as the stone found at Kylver, on the Baltic island of Gotland, which is the oldest known artifact to contain a complete row of runic insciption. (It is carved into early 5th century stone)
- In Vadstena in Ostergotland, Sweden, a stamped gold talisman with runes carved in it was found dating from the middle of the sixth century.
- In the Thames River in London, a well-preserved 9th century English single-edged iron sword was found, bearing the entire Anglo-Saxon rune row inlaid in brass and silver wire.
Hope this was interesting! *Kiama sighs as she hears lots of snoring and quiet dozing...*
Kiama
are we gonna make our own runes here? rune for rune like umbrae described?
i think i'll make metal ones this time them, tell us upfront, coz we need to find the material to make em.
kaz
I do not know if Malachite will include a section on Rune stave creation.
Let’s hold off for a few sections until we get to the individual runes themselves.
Should you wish to make your own Rune staves, you will first need to ask yourself “what kind of material”? Wood, stone, antler, or bone? Go ahead and think, feel, contemplate and then gather the materials that you keep feeling about.
I will be posting a thread on making your own Rune set in a few days.... Bear with me!
Kiama :)
The runes were not ON the tv, they were on top of the entertainment center that holds the tv hehe (and theres about a foot gap between the top of the tv and the piece of wood thats the top of the entertainment center) but now they are in the jelly bean bag hanging from the celestial hook thing that I keep my tarot decks hanging from, soaking up the general divinitory atmosphere :)
:THP
Thanks a bucket Kiama, that will be a really useful thread for all of us runeless ones...
Mermaid
Why does my set have 25 Runes? One is blank. Maybe that's the 25th? Maybe it's there in case I lose one?
The 25th Rune isn't traditional, and was invented by Mr Ralph Blum in the 1980's to symbolise that which isn't in our hands... Kinda like Fate... It represents the unknown in a way...
It is optional. Some people prefer not to use it, some people prefer to kep it just in case they lose one, others like using it. Some even carve their own personal symbol onto it as a 25th Rune, but not Blank...
Its up to you Diana!
Kiama
Well now! I have been so busy studying, I didn't have time to read the boards for a few weeks. Now I come here and there is this wonderful thread on Runes! How exciting! I hope I can participate on a regular basis. I have one more big paper to write this semester and then I have a break. I have several sets of Runes. Some of the sets I made myself and some were bought. My favorite set is one that I made from a Russian Olive tree and my second favorite is a hematite set I bought. I look forward to sharing ideas about Runes with all of you!