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 Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:37 pm
[THE RUNES AND YOU] [TABLE OF CONTENTS]
0. ToC.
1. History of the Runes
2. Rune Meanings
--Fehu - Gebo
3. Rune Meanings
--Wunjo - Perth
4. Rune Meanings
--Algiz - Blank
5. Bind Runes
6. Rune Casting
7. Reserved
8. Reserved
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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:42 pm
[THE HISTORY OF THE RUNES] No-one knows exactly how old the runes are. Rune-like symbols appear as cave markings as early as the late Bronze Age (circa 1300 BC), and they are mentioned in the Bible, but their use in ritual and as an Oracle for consultation must certainly pre-date their use as a system of writing.
Eminent scientific runologist Dr R. I. Page of Cambridge University (An Introduction to English Runes 1973,1999 and Reading the Past - Runes 1987) notes that the runic forms were well established and gave the appearance of having been in use for some centuries before the time of the earliest written language inscriptions.
The fact that the runes were each given meaningful names confirms that they had some magical or religious significance to their users long before they emerged as an alphabet for records and messages.
The word rune itself comes from the old Norse word Runa meaning a secret or mystery, and it seems likely that the early runemasters and runemistresses were considered to have some magic or mystic power in their understanding of the runes.
The runes represent objects, gods, people, animals, concepts and occurrences. They were known by names from which their alphabetic and phonetic values were taken, but it must be remembered that the early Germanic and Norse tribes who developed them did so long before they had any need for writing messages.
It was not until about AD200, when the runemal (i.e. the art of runic interpretation) was wide-spread in Northern Europe that the runic alphabet emerged. This alphabet became known as the Futhark or Futhorc, after the names of the first 6 runes (Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raido, Kauno) and it is these 24 symbols that now comprise the rune set. Some modern diviners also use a blank to represent Odin, fate or destiny - but it is probably more useful as a spare in case of loss. A blank cannot rightfully be called a "rune" because there is no symbol on it. And in any case, the rune Ansuz is generally accepted to represent Odin by the majority of experienced rune users.
There are very few surviving runic inscriptions and most of them are on stone or metal - the most durable of materials. Only a handful of inscriptions carved on wood have ever been found, and none of these is from Britain.
There is sufficient evidence to show that the Ancient Pagan or Anglo-Saxon runes (known to runologists as the Anglo-Friesian runes from their geographical occurrence) are the same 24 basic runes with variations in their form due to usage over the centuries.
For example, the Hagalaz of the Norse resembled an angled H but the Anglo-Saxons added a second cross-bar.
Variations in pronunciation can also occur. For instance, the Norsemen pronounced W as a V, but Anglo-Saxons had adapted this to the modern W sound by 600AD.
There are those who suggest that many of the rune forms are copied from Roman script - the system of letters on which modern Western writing is based.
Such examples as Mannaz (M), Fehu (F), Berkanan (B), Raido (R) are obviously very similar, but it seems more likely to me that the rune symbols (although not then used as letters) are earlier in development. Or at least, they were developed from the same source as the Roman script.
Consider the technology and equipment that was necessary to undertake Roman writing. Parchment or paper with all the processing that requires - such as blanching chemicals and drying processes; the formulation of durable ink and its mass production; and not forgetting the development of a complex writing implement such as the quill pen. A civilization is hardly likely to undertake all these developments unless a suitable format for writing already existed.
Look now at the needs of the runemaster or runemistress, what did they require? Nothing more than a stick of wood and a sharp knife to incise the runes. Both of these requisites have been available to Man from the very earliest times. That runes were initially cut in wood there is no doubt. The very shape of the runes confirm this by the avoidance of the horizontal or curved line.
If you experiment with a flat wood surface you will find that it is very easy to cut straight lines across the grain. It is much more difficult to cut a curve with a straight knife blade. And it is almost impossible to cut a line horizontally along the grain - the cut closes up as the wood dries, and the line thus disappears.
The early runemasters and runemistresses therefore developed a system of writing from their existing fund of mystic or religious symbols which would endure on wood. The symbols were composed of vertical and angled straight lines that could easily be cut or burned in wood.
The later Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus (58-120AD) records a Germanic tribal Runemal in some detail in Chapter 10 of his ethnographical work Germania from about 97AD when he was Consul to the region:
To divination they pay much attention. Their method is a simple one: they cut a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and divide it into small pieces which they mark with certain distinctive signs and scatter at random onto a white cloth. Then the priest of the community (if it is done publicly) or the father of the family (if it is done privately) after invoking the gods and with eyes raised to heaven, picks up three pieces one at a time and interprets them in accordance with the signs previously marked on them.
When the high chieftains and lawgivers of Anglo-Saxon England met in secret, their assemblies were known as The Runes: and a 4th Century translation of the Bible uses the word Runa for "mystery" or "secret proceedings".
The ancient Norse prose tales of the Edda have Odin hung on the World Tree when he spies the runes and seizes them up to gain wisdom and well-being. The Edda also mentions Bragi, master of the skalds (minstrels) and a great storyteller who reputedly had runes tattooed on his tongue - a reference to his magical gift as a raconteur.
The slightly later poem Erik the Red describes a Runemistress in full regalia.
Coming to modern references, the traditional lore of Finland as recorded in the Kalevala by Lönnrot in 1835 describes a confrontation of wizards where runic songs were used to cause fire and devastation.
Some modern experts allege that stones were commonly used for the Runemal, but I have found no evidence of this despite extensive research. The indications, whether from runology, known Pagan religious beliefs, or Saxon witchcraft ritual, all point to the use of wood, particularly from fruit-bearing trees.
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Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:06 pm
[RUNE MEANINGS]  Alternative Names
Anglo-Friesian/Germanic: Fehu
Norse (Viking): Fe
Old English: Feoh
Other Names/Spellings: Faihu, Fé, Feh, Feo
Pronunciation: Fay-who
English Letter Equivalent
F as in fat
Translation
Money, Cattle, Wealth
Meaning
Reward, Wealth, Nourishment
Characteristics
Realized ambition. Good health. Wealth. Love fulfilled. Good fortune. But remember - be charitable and show compassion.
Fehu means cattle, a measure of wealth to the ancients. Today Fehu means movable wealth, such as money and possessions. It also implies the energy and hard work that leads to wealth. Fehu can mean emotional and spiritual riches, as well as money.
Personal Interpretation
Fehu is Frey’s rune, and he is the god of fertility, itself a form of wealth. It is a rune of unselfish abundance. Let it shine forth to lighten your path and the paths of others. You will never run out of your spiritual richness, but don’t waste it on those who will abuse it. Discernment is important.
Reverse
Failed ambition. Health problems. Poverty. Love unrequited. Bad luck.
Converse
Hidden reward. Undiscovered wealth. Nourishment withheld.
Runic Number: 1
Color: Light Red
Element: Fire and Earth
Polarity: Female
Associated gods: Frey, Freyja
Astrological Correspondence: Aries
---
Alternative Names
Anglo-Friesian/Germanic: Uruz
Norse (Viking): Ur
Old English: Ur
Other Names/Spellings: Uraz, Urs, Urur, Urus
Pronunciation: Oor-ooze
English Letter Equivalent
Short U as in under, OO as in booze.
Translation
Aurochs - the giant wild ox of Europe.
Meaning
Physical or mental strength, health. For a man - male virility, manhood. For a woman - fertility, femininity, womanhood.
Characteristics
Terminations, new beginnings. An opportunity disguised as a threat. Mental agility. Physical development, mental and bodily health. Power.
Uruz means aurochs, the European wild ox that became extinct in 1627. Uruz encompasses physical strength, endurance, courage, and the raw, wild power of freedom. It includes emotional and spiritual strength, male sexual potency, and good health. It can also imply a challenge leading to a major life change.
Personal Interpretation
You have the strength within you to fulfil all your dreams, but with strength comes responsibility. Strength is not a force to wield over others, but a force to stop others exerting power over you. Use your strength to keep focused on your path and to stop yourself being outmanoeuvred. There will always be negative people, but don’t let them upset you. Master your own ego and you will succeed.
Reverse
Failure to think clearly. Ill-health or lack of mental fortitude. Beware signs of weakness, or threats to your person or position.
Converse
Hidden strengths must be realised. Shun apparent opportunities, the signs are deceptive.
Runic Number: 2
Color: Dark Green
Element: Earth
Polarity: Male
Associated gods: Thor, Urdl
Astrological Correspondence: Taurus
---
Alternative Names
Anglo-Friesian/Germanic: Thurisaz
Norse (Viking): Thurs
Old English: Thorn
Other Names/Spellings: Thuith, Thurisa, Thurisar,
Thorunisaz, Thyth
Pronunciation: Thoor-ee-sawz
English Letter Equivalent
TH diphthong as in thin, or in weather.
Translation
Giant, monster, devil. A thorn. The god Thor, or his hammer Mjöllnir.
Meaning
Magical power, the forces of chaos or of evil.. Temptation. A Warning.
Characteristics
Threats from persons of power or position. Resist temptations which offer reward through dishonesty or trickery. Heed the omen of dishonour or physical harm.
The energy of Thurisaz can be used for good or for chaos. It represents the forces of the human psyche, including anger and lust. The thorn is a symbolic weapon. It can pierce, stab or tear. But it can also be protective, like a thorny hedge. Thurisaz may also signify a stroke of luck, but is more often a warning that your luck is running out.
Personal Interpretation
You have the power within you to face anything. Fear nothing, for you have the authority to claim your destiny. Let no one deter you from your search for the truth. Spiritual authority brings power and it is up to you to use that power in an unselfish and loving way. Power can corrupt if you do not have a true and honest heart.
Reverse
Evil may be overcome. An omen of good. An exhortation to proceed. The danger is slight.
Converse
The Evil will be hidden or may appear disguised as good.
Runic Number: 3
Color: Bright Red
Element: Fire
Polarity: Male
Associated gods: Thor
Astrological Correspondence: Mars
---
Alternative Names
Anglo-Freisian/Germanic: Ansuz
Norse (Viking): a**
Old English: Os
Other names/spellings: Aesir, Ansur, Ansus, As, Aza,
Easc, Oss
Pronunciation: Awn - sooze
English Lettere Equivalent
A as in hat. Long A as in harm, lawn.
Translation
A god. Odin, (in reverse Loki - messenger of the gods and a trickster)
Meaning
Knowledge. Wisdom. Communication. The mouth. A message.
Characteristics
Ansuz is primarily Odin's rune and represents communication, creativity, controlled and divine power. Spiritually, it is the rune of prophecy and revelation. It also encompasses the ideas of wisdom, knowledge, reason, and therefore of instruction and good advice. It might also refer to a test, examination, or perhaps an interview. It can mean a letter, book, paper, message or other information. Because Loki was a renowned trickster, Ansuz reversed may also portend a surprise, trick or subterfuge.
Personal Interpretation
The answers to questions are available but not yet recognized. Look for signs and confirmations which are all around. Everything has significance and appreciation of this will lead to understanding. Ensure you don't ignore the message because you don't like the content. All experience is a lesson that teaches by acknowledging the truth knowledge and wisdom will increase.
Reverse
Take care not to misinterpret information. Something you read is more important than it appears. Beware pranks.
Converse
Failed communication. Lack of clarity or awareness. Hidden messages. Secrets. Information disguised. What appears to be a trick is genuine.
Runic Number:4
Color: Dark Blue
Element: Air
Polarity: Male
Associated gods: Odin, Loki, Eostre
Astrological Correspondence: Venus
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