Practical Rune Magic I

[Rick]

The 1st RuneCharm in the Havamal is generally translated as "Help". This is traditionally translated the rune Fehu; I've added Laguz & Ingaz to augment Fehu. These runes bring improved finances, emotional well being, a sense of security, etc. I have added Dagaz, to speed the working (sorry, I'm not "techie" enough to cut & paste Runes into this post; however, you can find the sigils on your favorite search engine. Type in "Elder Futhark").

You will need: a red or white votive candle with a holder & an instrument to use to carve it.

Cast a protective circle. Invoke the Gods (I invoke Odin in the North, Heimdal in the East, Thor in the South, & Freya in the West. You may have your personal favorite for a particular direction; you can do an all-Gods or all-Goddesses invocation. However, this is a Rune working. Don't invoke, say, Khali). Especially ask the blessings of Thor & Freya. Imagine the candle as a circle. On the "east" of the candle (top or side), carve Dagaz, Fehu on the candle's "south", Laguz on the "west", & Ingaz on the "north", chanting, singing, or speaking the Rune's name as you carve it (this is called "Galdr". This energizes the Rune).

*Optional: You may add a drop of your blood to each Rune. Not for the squeamish!*

Place the candle "directionally". Concentrate on what you want removed from your life, & what you want to manifest in it's place (be practical. If you ask for a Mercedes to appear in your driveway, you will be disappointed. Ask rather for, say, a better paying job to afford a better car, etc.). Burn the candle 'til it's gone (this releases the energy).

This charm can also be cut on wood (use "north is up", like on a map, for the directions), & worn or carried (think "key chain"), or burned. This is easier than trying to do a BindRune. Unless you are an experienced Runecrafter, BindRunes can give "extra" Runes, which can change the intent of the charm.

Rick Runesinger

[cydira]

I have read that you "feed" the runes with your blood to make them more powerful. Is that true?

[Rick]

I think "blooding" Runes relates to self-sacrifice. This is the basis of all things Runes; Odin sacrificed himself to himself, for 9 days, on the Tree to receive the Runes. Self-sacrifice is a basic shamanic tenet, & Odin was the Original Shaman (at least, in the Northlands). Blooding would indicate the practioner was serious in intent, & willing to give up his/her own Life's fluids to attain the ends of the working.

And no, I don't think blooding "feeds" the Runes. Rune power comes from the most elemental, primal Source. Runes don't need to be fed, or appeased, or etc. And I don't think they can be made more powerful, at least not by the efforts of mortals. The Power is already there.

Frith & Pax

Rick Runesinger

[Silver Venus]

Hi Rick, thanks for the Rune spell ~ I am planning to make my runes very soon ~ On the next new moon this month out of either Amythest or Rose Quartz Crystals and silver enamel paint (I just have to get to the wholesaler first..)!
Im also learnign more and more about the norse lores so it would be very nice to do this spell for Odin, Heimdal, Thor and Freya :D

Your spell sounds really interesting and fun to do ~ but what are your thoughts on self gain spells? I have always thought that something is taken away from you for your wish to come true. Do you believe this also? Is this why one should concentrate on what they what to remove and then what they want to gain?

[Rick]

I can't say something HAS to be taken from you before you can manifest what you want, but you must be WILLING to make some sort of sacrifice for what you want (ergo, "blooding" the Runes, giving of your Life essence. For a woman, her "moontime" blood not only works, but some say works best).
All magic is about balance. Workings in general should be to the end of bringing more balance into one's life, or into one's environment. Offering to give up, say, smoking to receive better health may seem like a "duh", but it has magical significance, as well, from the point of bringing balance back into your body.
Keep your goals realistic. If someone unreasonably loses so that you gain, where's the balance? (Example: manifesting a raise wouldn't be an unreasonable loss to your employer as long as your work reasonably justifies it)
Hope this helps more than confuses. Study the Rune "Gebo". It embodies sacrifice, balance, give & receive.

Frith on your home

Rick Runesinger

[Rick]

I would recommend, if you paint on stones, to put a heavy layer of some sort of finish over them to keep the paint from chipping off in the bag. I've had good success using clear nail polish as a sealer/finish. It's relatively cheap, it comes with it's own brush, & you don't have to go to a hardware or hobby store to get it. Try a couple of coats.

Rick Runesinger

[Silver Venus]

Hiya again,
hehe and you just have clear nail polish lying about the house too do ya? Thanks for the rune making advice ~ I have some clear polish that was given to me as a present last Christmas that I never use (prefer my nails shades of reds and pinks) which would be perfect for sealing my rune makings! and blessings for the teaching about balance in magic ~ I thought as much and will be very carefull what I ask for, dont you worry! I dont need much ~ just would love world peace and harmony!
For beltane I performed a ritual with a friend for the gods and goddess and hopefully brought some love and light into the woods and balanced the woods where we worked as later we found a troubled spirit while crystal gazing ~ she wasnt very happy, so we decided to leave her be ~ we left fruit and seeds for the gods, animals and for her so hopefully some peace will come from this working for her.
Thanks again for the advice :D

[Rick]

Well, actually the first time I thought of using clear nail polish as a finish, I just swiped my ex's. :bigredgri However, since then, I do always try to keep some on hand. The folks at my neighborhood Wal-mart store don't even look at me weird anymore (well, not for buying nail polish, anyway!). :crazy:

PS: I collect soil from around the world. Silver, could you send me a small sample from York, maybe from a Viking site? I'd be glad to pay shipping.

Rick Runesinger

[Silver Venus]

Strange hobby!! ;)
Yeah sure I can send you some :D The city is walled so I could get some soil from around the walls? or from the Museum Gardens? How much would you want? Shipping will be fine ...no worries as long as you dont want a bucket load! I'd be really glad to send you some :D Just pm me your address and other details and Ill collect some for you this weekend!

[Rick]

...

[Illyandra]

Silver Venus,

Make sure you don't leave your ruins out of their bag....clear nail laquer tends to yellow in sunlight (go figure) and you wouldn't want that to happen to those lovely stones!! :) Just a heads up, I have a friend here whose kids decided to play with "Mommies pretty stones" and half of them are now yellowed from sun exposure. Hee hee, little tikes had an affinity for amethyst stones!

[Rick]

Bump

[Myst]

mmmm Amethyst.

I love Fehu :P

[Sunday's Child]

I've seen so many different translations of the Havamal... which one is correct? Which one should I use. What actual language was it written in? Norse? German? Icelandic?

[Rick]

Originally posted by Sunday's Child
I've seen so many different translations of the Havamal... which one is correct? Which one should I use. What actual language was it written in? Norse? German? Icelandic?

The 'Elder Edda', or 'Poetic Edda', which contains the 'Havamal', was written in Old High Norse, which, oddly enough, is also essentially Icelandic. While I suppose some translations might be a little better than some others, any that I've seen give essentially the same information (& you don't have to learn Old High Norse). The one that I have is printed by the University of Texas Press (sorry, can't recall the author). It gives the author's translation, but also gives other translations where there is academic disagreement.

[Sunday's Child]

Thanks Rick! okay so the Havamal means The word of the high or words of Odin the high one... who wrote it?Can you give me a refrence for history of Odin? I love the history part. I'll stop buggin' ya soon...

[Rick]

Originally posted by Sunday's Child
Thanks Rick! okay so the Havamal means The word of the high or words of Odin the high one... who wrote it?Can you give me a refrence for history of Odin? I love the history part. I'll stop buggin' ya soon...

'Havamal' means something like 'Sayings of Har'. Har is another name for Odin; hence 'Sayings of Odin'. It comes from oral tradition, of course. I'm not sure off the top of my head who is credited with writing the 'Poetic Edda' . Snorri is generally credited with writing 'The Prose Edda' , a non-poetic collection of the old stories. Both are useful.

[Sunday's Child]

Thank you again. Off to reading I will go...

[Rick]

Originally posted by Sunday's Child
Thank you again. Off to reading I will go...

~in best High Gothi voice~ Let Kenaz enlighten your mind.

:D ~ahem~ OK, i'm back to normal... well, as close as it gets... :p

[Rick]

...here is the stanza from the Havamal regarding what has become known as Runecharm I:

"This Rune I know that the spouses of kings
know not, nor earthly wight:
'Help' it is called, with which helped thou'lt be
in sorrow & care & sickness."

Havamal 146:1-4

[Silver Venus]

Thanks I would some day love to read the whole of the Havamal.

[Rick]

Originally posted by Silver Venus
Thanks I would some day love to read the whole of the Havamal.

Your welcome. If you don't want to purchase a copy, check your local library.

[Lavender]

*nudge*

[Myst]

*bump*

[ANUR36]

89.
Now plainly I speak, since both I have seen;
unfaithful is man to maid;
we speak them fairest when thoughts are falsest
and wile the wisest of hearts.

What are your interpretations on this?? :oT

[ANUR36]

I gotta get the hang of these lil icon thingys (hehe)!

[ANUR36]

Exactly how do u "bloody" the runes??? BTW, I wonder what i was doing up there ^?????:confused:

[Rick]

I'll PM you...

[Rick]

bump

[Myst]

If you want to unstick any of these threads feel free Rick.

[Rick]

escalate

[Flar's Freyja]

Bump

[wunjo]

I am wondering..... I have been thinking of making my own runes, out of soapstone. I like the feel of soapstone, and it is easy to work with, but wondered what sort of energy soapstone might add to them.