Casting The Runes
Casting The Runes …
Lore and Legend:
In Norse Mythology, the Runes came to mankind through the efforts and sacrifice of the great Norse god Odin. In the Norse Pantheon, Odin is the god of magic, divination, inspiration and poetry. Odin is also known as Woden of Allfather. He was honored by the Scandinavians for his wisdom and noted for his unpredictability and capacity for trickery. In artistic renderings, Odin is often depicted wearing a wide brimmed hat that covers a blind eye. His only companions are two ravens.
In the olde tale, Odin, wounded by his own blade hung upside from the Yggdrasil (pronounced ihg-drah-sil) or World Tree for nine nights until he envisioned Runic symbols. He intended for the Runes t be a gift of wisdom for mankind. The Speech of the High One from the Poetic Edda (ca.A.D. 1200) reveals the plight of Odin.
I know I hung on that windswept tree,
Swung there for nine long nights,
Wounded by my own blade,
Bloodied for Odin,
Myself an offereing to myself:
Bound to the tree
That no man knows
Whither the roots of it run.
None gave me bread,
None gave me drink.
Down to the deepest depths I peered
Until I spied the Runes.
With a roaring cry I seized them up,
Then dizzy and fainting, I fell.
Well-being I won
And wisdom too.
I grew and took joy in my growth:
From a word to a word
I was led to a word,
From a deed to another deed.
Spiritual Edict:
Rune scholars believe that through the Runes, one’s nature is revealed and that through that revelation a link can be made between the Self and the Divine. The Runes initiate transformation and Self change and constitute “Right Action.” The relationship between the Runes and an individual is a solitary one at best and is well described in this excerpt for the sacred Hindu text Bhagavad Gita:
Lift the self up by the Self
And don’t let the self droop down,
For the Self is the self’s only friend
And the self is the Self’s only foe.
Historical Tracks:
The Runes have existed for over 2,200 years. The most commonly studied version of the Runes is the German Futhark. It has twenty-four ‘runestaves’ or symbols divided into three aettir known as “aetts.” Other rune works include the Younger Futhark known as the Danish or Scandinavian Futhark which eliminates eight Runes of the Elder Futhark. It is thought that this set has less flexibility because it eliminates Runes that signify life and love. The Anglo-Saxon set which consists of the Elder Futhark plus four Frisian runestaves totaling twenty-nine. The Northumbrian rune works uses the Anglo-Saxon set and adds and additional four runestaves to make their set total thirty-three. The runestave additions therefore constitute a fourth aett for these particular rune sets. Gothic Runes are comprised of the Elder Futhark with an addition of a twenty-fifth Rune known as Quairtra which has an alchemical influence that stand apart from yet encapsulates all of the other Runes. Medieval Runes are thought to be Germanic or Dutch in origin and form a category all their own because they were used for healing and magic rather than runecasting. There are eight Runes in this set. The Armanen Runes were invented by Austrian Guido List (1848-1919) and consist of eighteen runestaves. List and his Rune set are thought to have greatly influenced Germanic occultism and the Guido von List Society still functions today. List based his set on the Rune Hagal or Hagalaz claiming that this Rune imitates the hexagonal lattice underlying the structure of matter. His followers claim that light shining through a hexagonal crystal at different angles will reveal each of List’s Runes. List also used reversed Runes and gave them additional names and meanings. The reversed Runes are called daemoniums.
Runes have influenced many cultures. They have infiltrated literature from the time of ancient writings right into the present. For example, the The Lord Of The Rings series, author J.R.R. Tolkien not only uses the Runes for his storylines but actually invented his own set of Runes for that series. Jules Verne used Icelandic Runes for story elements in a Journey To The Center Of The Earth. A twenty-fifth Rune has also been introduced in contemporary times and works in compliance with the regular twenty-four Runes that compose the Elder Futhark. Some authors refer to this Rune as Wyrd or as well known Rune author Ralph Blum calls it, Odin.
Trails and Treasures:
Runic symbols have been found in many places around the world including the United States. In the US, Runestones have been found in Ohio, Minnesota, Maine and Oklahoma. The most famous of these is the Kennsington Runestome that was discovered in 1898 in Minnesota by a farmer by the name of Olaf Ohman who unearthed it while pulling up a tree stump. The controversy over the authenticity of the Kennsington Runestone still continues as more evidence to comply with historical dating methodology turns up. It is now more widely accepted as authentic rather than just an anomaly.
Runic symbolism appears strongly throughout Europe and is part of the tradition of many cultures. It appears in the architecture of timber framed buildings and in the structures of roofs, gables and also in the artistry of stained glass windows Runic patterns are prominent in nature and mundane life … in everything from tree branches to road signs to tattoos.
The World Alphabets:
The origin of the Futhark or Runic Alphabet remains a controversy among scholars. Among the theories regarding their origin, the most valid “argument” based upon archeological evidence is that Runes were derived from North Italic, a form of the Etruscan Alphabet original to central Italy. They are a modification of this alphabet.
Ceremonial Casting:
Raed Waen is a ceremonial technique of runecasting. Raed Waen means “riding the wagon” and refers to the runecaster being envisaged as a “rider in a heavenly wagon of the gods from which all things can be seen.”
Traditionally, only handmade wooden or stone runes should be used in the shoat and the environment takes on great importance.
When shoating indoors the main axis of the room is the rig or guide line. Known as the “right line” it is merely an imaginary straight line on the floor that is aligned with the earth energies in the room. If the walls in the room are oriented according to European tradition, the axis of the rig should run from east to west. In Northern tradition, the axis of the rig runs from north to south.
The shoat is always lined up along the rig and the runes should be cast on a white shoat cloth. Traditionally, the white cloth should be the same bodily measurements of the runecaster:
Length = runecaster’s height from the feet to the fingertips with arms stretched fully over the head.
Fathom (Width) = distance from the runecaster’s out stretched arms at the sides, finger tip to finger tip.
The white shoat cloth is placed on the floor about one-third of the way along the rig so the runecaster’s view is along the longer part of the room.
It is always best to cast the runes outdoors. When outdoors the rig should face towards the Sun at the time the divining is taking place. It is not recommended to divine in the darkness except for special circumstances.
Some runecasters use a stol to sit on which is a ceremonial pillow embroidered with runic symbols. This is always placed at the negative end of the shoat. Others place another cloth on top of the white shoat cloth at the positive end of the shoat if they intend to use a mearomot (personal talisman) during the reading so they have an area to place it. Issues (never questions) are written (always with red ink) and placed on the second cloth along with the mearomot. Symbolic objects can be placed at the four corners of the white shoat cloth as well.
Runic Magic:
Know how to read them,
Know how to stain them,
Know how to evoke them,
Know how to send them.
Humankind has used signs and sigils for thousands of years to aid in communication, to record knowledge and in some cases to divine the future and evoke magic for purposes of protection and empowerment. The ancient Runemasters used runes to ward off harm from the physical and psychic realms but Runic Magic was the gift of the warlock who was skilled in the magical art of wardlokkur which included the techniques of protecting or binding people or constraining spirits.
One of the most popular runes used for binding magic in ancient times were known as alerunes. Alerunes were used to block any magical enchantments of ‘strange' women. The man under alleged attack would write these runes on the inside of the cup from which the woman in question would take a drink. To activate the rune power the man would scratch the rune Nauthiz (constraint) on his fingernail. Also of great importance in the ancient world was the weather particularly connected to farming, hunting and sailing. The idea was to properly anticipate the weather and then try to control it. To this end, Runemasters used brunrunes which translates literally to fountain runes or surf runes in order to connect harmoniously with the power or running and flowing water usually associated with the ocean. Brunrunes were carved upon the stern, steering oar or rudder of a ship to protect it at sea.
Like other methods of insight such as the Tarot, astrology, and numerology the runes are subject to ‘polarity' and can be used for good or ill. Like their esoteric counterparts they were also forced to undergo persecution by religious authority during the Middle Ages but remained alive and preserved by the scholars and archeologists who studied them and through the ancient texts that carried their legends and history. A contemporary infiltration of the runes finds them in starring roles in today's literature and movies.
For example, 1993's Warlock The Armageddon starred Julian Sands as a wicked warlock bent on assisting Satan in entering the world through use of magic connected to ancient crystals etched with runic symbols. The runic crystals in this movie are a good example of the polarity connected to the rune energies. In the beginning of the movie the audience is made aware via a conversation between modern day Druids who are protecting the Earth that the stones can be used to either "free or trap" the devil. The Druids are alerted to the presence of the warlock and the potential for satanic disaster by the appearance of the rune Berkana.
Throughout history, Runic Insigils and Bind Runes consisting of combined runic letters and related signs have been used to make powerful amulets. The runic wheel is the most powerful and quite effective version of Runic Insigil. From a central point four, six or eight intersecting lines are drawn to form a star like pattern. Runes are then written along the lines and a circle is drawn around the circumference. A Runic Insigil made this way can be worn around the neck. This is known as a bracteate. Numbers 1, 2 and 4 in the illustration depict Runic Insigils. Number 1 is known as the Helm Of Awe and is considered the most powerful insigil of all. It represents irresistible power granting the wearer the capability to disempower any opponent using physical and psychic force. Bind Runes are single runic characters made up of two or more runes that share common elements. Numbers 3, 9, 10, 11-15 in the illustration are examples of Bind Runes. Numbers 5-8 are examples of Runic Script with some binding.
Creating a Bind Rune talisman for personal empowerment and protection is in truth a magical act. This type of Runic combination is comprised of the runestaves that constitute one's name. This can be your formal name OR if you have adopted a knick-name or shortened version of your name that you feel comfortable using. If you are an occult initiate you can use your magical name. Here is what you'll need and how to conduct the ritual:
1) Wood, metal, stone, or quick hardening jewelry sculpting clay and an appropriate carving or etching tool for the material. You will also need a candle or incense with burner and a black cloth or storage box for the completed talisman.
2) Work out designs and inscriptions in advance. Remember you will be creating a design based upon the runic characters that represent each letter of your name according to the chart above. If you are going to practice writing your name Bind Rune with the runestaves that constitute your name before making the Talisman you can use plain paper and any writing medium but be sure to properly dispose of the paper by burning it when you are done. Write the Runes using downward strokes that run to the right (left to right). NEVER LEAVE RUNIC SCRIPT LYING AROUND AS THIS SHOWS DISREGARD FOR YOUR IDENTITY AND HIGHER SELF. Decide upon a specific purpose for the Talisman.
3) Choose a time when the Moon is waxing.
4) Light the candle or incense. Properly protect yourself through prayer or specific intention of protection. Create your Talisman. When it is finished, pass it over the candle flame or through the incense three times.
5) Give the Talisman the power to carry out its task by speaking its function aloud. Wrap the Talisman in a black cloth or place it in a box. Carrying the Talisman, walk in a clockwise circle nine times chanting the runic name Laukaz for growth and empowerment. Bring the Talisman out into the light of day the following morning. This is the birth of your Talisman and it is ready for use!
It is quite easy to make a Runic Talisman connected to your Zodiac Sun sign. Here are the steps:
My faith assures that only the positive may touch my being.
I am safe and sound and at ease in Body and Spirit.
I bring Divine Illumination to my Self and others.
I do so with love and respect for the Almighty."
4) Create the talisman. Write the Rune using downward strokes that run to the right (left to right). When it is finished, pass it over the candle flame or through the incense three times.
5) Give the talisman power by speaking its name out loud. Wrap the Talisman in a black cloth or place it in a box. Carrying the Talisman, walk in a clockwise circle nine times chanting the runic name Laukaz for growth and empowerment. Bring the Talisman out into the light of day the following morning. Wear or carry your talisman to enhance your personal power.
Runestaves, Runic Hours and Zodiac Associations are listed in the chart below:
| Fehu: Respiratory problems | |
| Uruz: Muscles | Algiz: Headaches |
| Thurisaz: Heart | Sowelu: Skin problems |
| Ansuz: Mouth | Teiwaz: Arthritis |
| Raido: Legs | Berkana: Fertility |
| Wunjo: Breathing problems | Dagaz: Nervous problems |
| Hagalaz: Wounds | |
RUNEMASTER'S INITIATION
A Runemaster's Initiation involves a 24-long day series of meditations where each of the Runes in meditated upon in sequence. One way of getting closer to the Runes is to look for them in Nature. Because they have their origin in nature they are present everywhere in the natural world. Seeking them here is a valuable meditation that is possible only with the Runes. No other alphabet or symbolic system can be used in this way.
To start this meditation, go into the outside world and banish unwanted thoughts. Look for the Runes wherever they appear to you. You may see them in the branches of trees, the cracks in the earth, the shadows and shafts of sunlight, or the patterns made by flocks of flying birds. They also exist in the human made world in cracks, flaking paintwork, rust, dust, stains, and the patterns made by leakages and spillages of fuel and water. But although they are ever-present, we can only see Runes when our minds are receptive.
Once you have developed this way of seeing, it is time to take the next step. This is an awareness meditation, and involves seeing all of the Runes in order in Nature, one by one. To do this talk a walk, all the time looking for Runes. It is best to do this in the country, but it is also possible in an urban environment, especially where there are trees. Once one Rune has made itself known to you, go to the next one. Although some runes come easily, occasionally one cannot find all the Runes in their correct order. Sometimes the next Rune does not appear for a long time and this can be very frustrating.
If you cannot find the next Rune in the sequence do not attempt to cheat. Not seeing a Rune is as important as seeing one. The "failure" to see a certain Rune tells us something about ourselves. The Rune we cannot find represents something that is repressed or blocked inside us, so this exercise is an effective way of discovering what that block is. Once we realize what the non appearance is telling us, the Rune will appear almost miraculously.
The Runes allow us to access the patterns of Nature in two ways. In the meditation, we open ourselves to Runes that are already "out there." This is an "incoming" technique, where we see and interpret what the world give us. When we divine with the Runes, we create the patterns ourselves, in what is an "outgoing" technique.
~ Text courtesy of Nigel Pennick