Rune Confusion

[karma_lives]

I've been wanting to buy a set of my very own runes for a while now an I recently came up with a little bit of money to do so but now I'm just having problems. I find sets of 25 runes, others with 8, some with 9, some with 12, etc etc. From what I've read a lot of people prefer the sets with 25 runes but then there's this argument about a blank stone/bone/etc. Some say it's not a ancient way and that it was developed in the 1980's an others go against that. I'm so confused and I really need somebody to set me straight. Anyone? :awwman:

[Lunacie]

Hi Karma, welcome to the wonderful world of runes. :)

There are several different runic "alphabets", some are very old, some are new. The Teutonic alphabet has 24 runes, the Anglo-Saxon has 32 or 33 runes, the Scandinavian has 16 runes, the Elder Germanic Futhark has 24 runes, and the newer Witches set has only 8. There may be another set or two that I've forgotten.


Some sets include a blank rune which is historically to be used as replacement if one is lost, but some readers (like me) use this rune to mean Unlimited Possibilities or The Unknown (sometimes we learn more by going into something without any expectations or preconceived ideas).



I’ve made several sets, my favorite is small hematite stones with the runes painted on with silver ink. Lately I’ve been making wooden sets by woodburning the runes into small thin pieces of wood. If you’re really interested in doing rune work you should think about making your own set – painting on polished river rocks, forming and baking a set out of Sculpty, or using wood. If you’re not sure yet or don’t feel very crafty, it’s fine to buy a set – at least to start with. Mine are cheaper than most you will find in stores, if you’re interested in having me make a set for you, send me a PM for pictures and prices.


Edited to add: another idea for making a set of runes is to paint the runes on the small pieces of colored glass you can buy at WalMart or many dollar stores, they are generally used for flower arranging in glass vases.

[Rick]

AN INTRODUCTION TO RUNES
Or: A Very, VERY, VERY Brief History Of Runes (Abridged)

The word rune has been translated as meaning “secret”, “mystery”, perhaps even “whisper”. The runes are a series of symbols that, on a practical level, each represent a phonetic sound. On a magical level, runes connect with a very primal Power, the elemental substance of the Universe. It is the same power that binds atoms together, & tears atoms apart.

Runes are the cornerstone of Asatru. Asatru is a very old, earth-based heathen (or pagan) religion. The term means “true to the Gods” (as is Icelandic for “God”), or more specifically “true to the Aesir”. The term Aesir generally refers to two allied races of Gods & Goddesses, the Aesir & Vanir. These were the primary deities of the peoples of Northern Europe. In some archetypal form or another, they date back to the first pre-historic humans that wandered onto the European continent.

Foremost among the Aesir is Odin, the one-eyed All-Father, chief of the Gods of the Northlands. Odin discovered the runes amongst the roots of the World Tree, Yggdrasil, as he hung for nine nights & nine days, suspended head down, having sacrificed himself to himself. Through this act of self-sacrifice, Odin thus became the first shaman.

There are several different sets of runes. These are called futharks (or futhorcs), from the phonetic sounds of the first six runes in each set. The oldest of these, dating from at least the 1st century Common Era, is the 24-rune Elder, (or Germanic) Futhark. It was used over much of northern Europe until around 800 C.E. The 16-rune Younger (or Norse, or Viking) Futhark was used from around 800-1100 C.E., mostly in Scandinavia & Iceland. The Anglo-Saxon (or Frisian) Futhorc, with 26 to 33 runes, was used primarily in the British Isles from about 750-1100 C.E.

In the early 1900’s, the German mystic Guido von List developed the 18-rune Armanen System (armanen is a Teutonic word meaning essentially “high priest”). List claimed that these runes came to him in a vision as an interpretation of the 18 rune poems in the Havamal (The Sayings of the High One), from The Poetic Edda. The Armanen System is used in modern German ceremonial magic.

--from RUNECHARMS IN THE HAVAMAL: Practical Rune Magic Vol. 1 copyright 1995-2005 by Rick R. Wilson & Runesong Enterprises. All rights reserved.

[Lunacie]

Know-it-all !
:lol:

As much as I love the Elder Futhark, I'm very curious about the Witches Runes and think I'll make a set for myself... tomorrow. I need to get some sleep now.

[Rick]

Hehehe... yeah, and someday I'll get that book published... :hehehehe:

[Lunacie]

I'll buy a copy. I don't promise I'll read it, but it will be there on my shelf if I want to look up something. ;)

[Rick]

Hey, isn't that what books are for? That, & for decorating the top of the toilet tank? :hehehehe:

[mucgwyrt]

AN INTRODUCTION TO RUNES
Or: A Very, VERY, VERY Brief History Of Runes (Abridged)

:rotfl:

Hey Rick, can you recommend a decent site to learn about the "18-rune Armanen System"? Never heard of it before :)

Also, "witchrunes" (no disrespect meant - ) are just recently made up runes, right? (i.e. no historical use...?)

[mucgwyrt]

PS... I use the Anglo-Saxon fuþorc with 28 runes (I haven't gotten round to making or deciphering the 5 extra northumbrian ones yet), made from red earthen clay, with a specific herb bound inside :broomride they work well for me :reading:

[Rick]

:rotfl:

Hey Rick, can you recommend a decent site to learn about the "18-rune Armanen System"? Never heard of it before :)
This is the only one I could find that wasn't a paid course, or a pro- or anti- nazi propaganda site: http://my.execpc.com/~gronitz/futhark/meanings/armanen.html (http://my.execpc.com/~gronitz/futhark/meanings/armanen.html)

Or go to the source: Secrets of Runes by Guido von List, trans. by Stephen E. Flowers (Edred Thorsson)... but I recommend skipping all the political rhetoric, & going straight to the good stuff :hahugh:


Also, "witchrunes" (no disrespect meant - ) are just recently made up runes, right? (i.e. no historical use...?)
Right

[Lunacie]

:rotfl:

Hey Rick, can you recommend a decent site to learn about the "18-rune Armanen System"? Never heard of it before :)

Also, "witchrunes" (no disrespect meant - ) are just recently made up runes, right? (i.e. no historical use...?)

I'm not taking offense, but just want to make a point. Every alphabet or divination system was new or recently made up at some point in history, eh? :bigblue:

[mucgwyrt]

I'm not taking offense, but just want to make a point. Every alphabet or divination system was new or recently made up at some point in history, eh? :bigblue:
I agree :)

Thanks Rick x