Hi all...

I am just after a pointing in the right direction really. I have been reading Tarot for about 8 yrs and although I have not done so for a while, now I have my mo-jo back I keep feeling myself drawn towards Runes. I keep thinking about them, so I am taking it as the nudge from PTB that I believe it is and am going to act.

Are there any of you out there who could recommend any books on the subject? I am very much interested in making my own also - any hints or tips you could give me would be muchly appreciated.

Thanks !!

I'll simply quote you one of my signature files

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Quick guide to rune books...


1) Check the bibliography -

a) if there isn't one, put the book back on the shelf

b ) if it doesn't mention any rune poems, put the book back on the shelf

c) if there is a mention of any genuine source material, go to 2)


2) Check the meaning of the 'blank rune' -

a) if there /is/ a blank rune, put the book back on the shelf

b ) if there is a scathing reference to the blank rune go to 3)

c) if there is no mention of the blank rune go to 3)


3) Check what it says about the original and modern uses of runes

a) if it says runes can solve all of life's problems, put the book back on
the shelf

b ) if it says that runes were originally designed for divination, think hard
about putting it back on the shelf.

c) if it says that runes were primarily designed as a method of working
magic, think hard about putting it back on the shelf.

d) if it says that runes were primarily a method of writing, and used also
for magic, and that there is no evidence for the use of runes in divination
except a passing reference in a primary source, go to 4)


4) Check the price and buy it if possible

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Jez

yup what Jez said !
and i'll also add, that most books on the subject even the good ones are the authors own interpretation which can and usually will be completely different from your own.

Thanks for the replies!

I know what you mean about interpretation - but I was really after the "bog standard" (for want of a better phrase!!!) meanings - like you get for major/minor arcana, for example?

Try what was written at the time about the runes: the Rune Poems. Other meanings ascribed are invented in the modern period. You are, of course, free to invent your own associations, either through use of your own imagination or by meditating on the runes poems and acquiring UPG.

I know nothing about runes. Well no, thats not strictly true. I know nothing about using runes as a form of divination. I will say this tho. I suspect that much like readnig tarrot, you might just be as well chucking out the books on divination and making your own connection to the runes.

If you want a basic "synopsis" of what the runes are called and basicly stand for. Dont bother with a book. Google it.

Except that the meanings given to a few runes differ in the original poems, or are so obscure as to be indecipherable. So there is no 'basic' meaning for those runes and, if you come across a site or book which ascribes one, that means the author of the site or book is only telling you their opinion, which may differ from someone else's. Indeed, very many authors may not even have read the rune poems or be aware of the different interpretations; they may simply be reproducing something someone else told them.

I've been studying the Runes for a couple of years now and have found it very rewarding indeed.

So far I've mainly used Edred Thorsson's books and also read "Taking Up the Runes" By Diana L Paxson. Elswyth (who knows what she's on about ) summed them up thus :



on this thread:

Heathen Book Thread

Moonhunter recommended this one :



which I've just started to read. It is very enjoyable .

I've also got a small book just called "Runes" by Freya Aswynn that I think is just the basics - I haven't opened it in a long while. And one of the Wooden book series "Runic Inscriptions" by Paul Johnson which is mainly just descriptive.

I don't use the Runes for divination though, or what I would call magic - more for meditation and protection.

Which surely means it doesnt matter where she gets that information from its, all conjecture, and once persons conjecture is as good as anothers?? I suppose all I am saying is that ANYTHING can be used for divination from runes to a deck of playing cards to bits of stone and paper and fluff! and its about the connection you make to the items as opposed to what someone else tells you it is. I mean the runes are really just an alphabet right? Which means they are just symbols and in a sense what we ascribe to them as pretty pictures or how we connect to them matters not a jot.

Hmm...it depends. If she wants to know the meanings ascribed in the various countries that used runes at the time they were used, then it does matter. And modern interpretations do tend to hark back to those, wherever possible. Except any site makes its own decisions where the interpretations differ, and I quite like to know how accurate their opinion is, so I can make up my own mind.



Yep. I've used leaves floating down a stream before now.



Which is something I thought I'd already suggested.



Ah, now that's interesting. In one sense - using them merely as symbols - you're right. In another you're not, because the runes exist within our spiritual legacy as well as a system of writing. Odhin hung on a tree for nine days to obtain their secret, and the Havamol has verses suggesting there were strict means of using them. It's also clear from at least one saga they could be used for magical purposes, though the reference is ambiguous - it may have simply been they were used for writing a spell.

Unsurprisingly that wasnt something I knew about. I suppose I was taking a stance as a witch like Hedgewitch, in the sense that unless she is going to dive into Heathenry, then all they really ever will be is symbols with some ascribed meaning. I meant and mean no disrespect! I suppose the other thing I am saying is, that since we really dont know what those runes mean, the best anyone can do is compare ideas and plumb for your own and unless you are going to use them as a heathen, then it probably doesnt matter if the precise definition isnt available.

Well, if one isn't going to use them as a heathen, then I'd say it doesn't matter what meaning one gives to them. Just make it up to suit oneself.

and yeah - I know that's what you said. I'm just agreeing with it.

And don't get the Blum.

Please.

Even he says, in his own book, that he made it all up and you might as well do the same.

--

Jez

I'm not a Heathen but I've worked with the Runes heavily from a non Heathen perspective. I approach them differently to anyone else I know and they have taught me a lot including personal meanings in different ways to interperate them.

There was no books on this sort of thing where I lived when I got interested and even if there was I couldn't afford them. I learnt from them with the assistance of the Sunnyway Runes website, its massive. Maybe try it and see how it goes?

She's changed domain but its still got very good information for starting. Including Bindrunes and advice on how to make them(many old ones too), Galdr, a little on Seidr, many of the common myths, poems including some rather witty new ones. She's travelled around the Scandanivain countries researching and she is really approachable should you want to email her.

As well as some other random stuff like write things in Runes and for some reason a comparison to Tarot ( , whatever floats your boat). She also does a review on books. I'm not saying the people on this site aren't good, just that I wasn't on this site when I started.

Sunnyway Runes

Listen to what Jez says, it is good advice for avoiding the plethora of shit written about the runes.

Excellent stuff - thanks guys

I have just purchased Taking up the Runes - Diana Paxson ...

many thanks once again for the replies

Good luck in your venture HW. I hope you will be making your own runes eventually?

Yep - I definitley intend to:)

that's some really sound advice Jez,

to Mods: would it be possible to 'pin' this thread because i think what jez said is really valuable ?

fizz

Modding Hat On.


I'll be honest with you Fizz, I dont really think there is a need to pin this thread. It isn't any different to someone offering good advice on the tarrot or scrying or any other form of divination. It is good advice. But pinning it? We'd end up having to pin every topic.

okay, xalle.

love fizz