Runes calling?

[Dragonfly Spirit]

Ok first of I'll start by saying I'm quite a scardy cat in life, I would not want to be in the same building as an ouija board and have always shyed away from things like the tarot. It's not that I don't believe in other planes of exsitence, it's the fact that I do, through personal experience and I'm not inclinded to go looking further.

Now the perplexing part is that the Runes seem to be calling to me, is that possible, has it happened to anyone else? Normally I'd lump them in with things like the tarot, not as bad as the ouija boards but still something to stay away from, but I'm getting strong like inner voices telling me that the Runes are safe and they won't hurt me, that I should learn them.

I guess I'm asking for advice. Apart from telling me I might be going mad hearing inner voices can you tell on what the runes are and if they are actually safe to study?

[Devo]

My main question would be- why do you fear divination tools so badly? You are correct- they all do the same thing (technically) and kind of work in the same way. So to have one jump out, while the others you shy away from, seems a bit odd. However, I would say that if you're drawn to it, to look into it. Perhaps get a set (or make a set) of runes, and see what they do for you- if they answer your questions well, if they feel good to you, and to work from there.

However, with all three things mentioned (tarot, ouija, runes) there is nothing to fear out of any of them- they are merely tools. Nothing more. Nothing less.

-Devo

[Chaos Hawk]

Normally I'd lump them in with things like the tarot, not as bad as the ouija boards but still something to stay away from, but I'm getting strong like inner voices telling me that the Runes are safe and they won't hurt me, that I should learn them.

I guess I'm asking for advice. Apart from telling me I might be going mad hearing inner voices can you tell on what the runes are and if they are actually safe to study?

I do not understand the bolded statement. Where does this great fear come from? Or better, why do you think this things are bad and to be stayed away from?

The thing to remember with tools like the Tarot or Ouija board is that they are tools. If you buy them in a shop then they are likely mass produced in factories by machines. There is nothing mythical or magical about that. The same is true for rune sets that you can buy.

I don't mean this in a disrespectful way at all, but is it the stereotypes of the objects that make you nervous? Or are you afraid of the things you may discover about yourself by using these tools? I ask that because the "power" that comes from those tools comes from within the person wielding them.

There are many ways you could study runes. I know there are some great threads here on them. Or you could look up general information on rune casting and meanings to gradually ease yourself in without having a set.

I would advise to look into them. Take things at your own pace, but really truly examine the causes of your underlying adversity towards divination.

[Dragonfly Spirit]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply. In answer to both your questions, I don't know what it is I'm afraid of for sure. I think alot of it is to do with my upbringing and these things were just items you didn't have anything to do with, but also I think Chaos Hawk that you might be partly right in that I am afraid of what I might discover about myself. Also I do believe in other planes of exsistence, not sure how to put this without sounding mad but I have felt the presents of other erm beings, now most of them I think I can associate with family and I know they didn't mean me any harm and in some cases I've even been comforted by their presence. I've also had like connections with people I love who have been some distance away, normal in times when they have been in trouble or ill health and have know when things were wrong. I know my mum also had those sorts of feelings too but it wasn't really something that was talked about. The above things have unnereved me at times but like I said I know they were family connected so didn't feel threatended as such, but there is just one incident I did feel threatened and that was when I was out walking with the dog, I felt this present behind me and can only say I got such a bad feeling from it that it scared me and I've never walked around that way since and it was about 15 years ago, that definitly wasn't family connected. I guess I don't want to mess with anything that will bring something bad like that into my life. I'm not a kid, I'm suppose to be a logical 42 year old women who runs a house and not long ago had a good responsible job but somethings I simply can't find a logic for and can't control.

Getting back to the runes, I know they are a tool like the tarot but because I've shyed away from things like this I really have no knowleged of what they actually do or are for. For a year now I've had this feeling that I should learn about them and I've tried ignoring it but it's not going away and it's getting louder. I have tried in the last couple of months to read bits up on the internet but they mostly tell you about how to work with them not what they actually are for or what the aim is of them.

[Devo]

It seems to me that you need to come to terms with a lot of things- not just tarot/runes/etc. I say this because you know you've had these experiences, yet you are afraid you will sound "mad" because of them. Honestly, there is nothing "mad" or weird about your experiences, and I would imagine that you'd find lots of other people who have had similar experiences.

So overall, I wonder if your fears are rooted in your fear of how others will respond to you, and how they'll treat you.

I would recommend that you slowly work with runes, since they call to you the most. Then, as you learn, grow, and hopefully break down barriers, you'll become more comfortable with the concept of divination in general.

As an fyi, runes can be used for a number of things, but mostly, they are used for divination. Some people like to use runes for talismans- different runes help with different things. You can inscribe them onto things that you want to protect or empower. I tend to use runes for divination- drawing runes, or casting runes, and using the meanings of the symbols to answer a question- about myself, the future, a situation, etc. Hopefully, that helps you in your search.

-Devo

[wyrd_dottir]

Hi dragonfly spirit,

Unlike most divination tools, the runes are unique. They do have a certain level of consciousness and sentience all of their own. In the Northern Tradition Odin pierced himself with a spear, and hung for 9 days on the great world tree to learn them. Learning the runes is a very difficult and lengthy process, and unlike most divinatory tools, they will test you to see if you are worthy of them. And if wieldly by th eignorant, they will bite you (figuratively speaking) and turn things the way you wish them NOT to be. You have to EARN their respect, before they'll begin to truly allow you to begin to wield them. So it is healthy to approach them with a bit of fear or wary caution.

They are like onions, there are so many layers to them it takes a very long time to truly become skilled with them. And even skilled runemasters will still discover new things about them.

That being said, you may read up on them, meditate on them, and come to know them. You seek them out with respect and as a student wishing to learn... they may opt to teach you. But I'd caution against wielding them and actively using them until you have established a very FIRM grasp of them, because they are known to 'bite' the hand that uses them if they haven't yet earned the runes respect.

You might find Galina Krasskova's Runes: Theory & Practice a good read.

[Garm]

Ok first of ......?

Bear in mind I'm just trying some guess work here

The runes are an alphabet that did double duty as a system of divination.

Germanic in origin, it had as an alphabet a lot similiarities to its Roman cousin, the one we use today

But to deal with your issues rather than go in to the history let's assume there is a reason for your phobias. There is the fear of the unkown but on top of that psychically sensitive people can attract things to them, and some of these can exsercize a malign influence.

The folks here will tell you the best way to deal with them is to learn how to ground and sheild.

As to why systems of divination should pose such a risk, well, with the oujia board that is obvious, you are calling in spirits to take control of your movements and that can prove to be reckless.

Tarot is more puzzling, those are just pictures. These pictures are supposed to manifest spiritual principles and for some reason that is not going to jell well with your psyche. Maybe you will be calling these principles to some sort of activation just by looking at them.

The runes are just lines given meaning, perhaps they just wont evoke on you in the way another medium would

[Brearley Arn]

The Runes are keys to wisdom, for which Odin hung from the world tree for Nine(?) days pierced by his own spear, and giving up an eye to earn.

The Runes were my first step into Paganism, I received my first set as a gift at 11 years old.

Each Rune represents a message, and by understanding all these messages you can gain wisdom. As with all forms of Divination they are used to show possibilities and grant insight into events, they are not concrete predictions.

They have proven safe for me, and offered great insight into events. I don't feel "called" to the runes, or hear voices, I simply feel connected to them as half my lineage is Germanic, and the Runes are a link for me, to that Ancestral Heritage.

Another thing about the runes I enjoy, is that each is also a magical symbol, and can be used in various ways, creating bindrunes for talismans, engraving in an object for the Runes qualities etc

I'd certainly recommend learning about the runes, I've never felt any discrimination for using them, and have done Rune casts for a number of people. Respect the runes, and the sacrifice given to earn the knowledge and power of the Runes. Don't use them as a parlor trick or their will be consequences.