Sigil is from the latin signum, 'sign'. It is an emblem or signet used to express spiritual or magical intent, usually constructed from a name or phrase formed into a interconnected shape. Sigils also embody occult power in their patterns, acting much as a battery would and may be marked on any material or surface. I personally use a Runic system for the crafting of sigils as the runes themselves are sigils. They in turn represent a name or thought and can manifest its potency through its form instead of the object upon which it is placed.

Rune sigils can be formed quite easily by treating the runes as letters and combining them in a magically or spiritually geometric pattern. The exact final pattern selected (you will find that overlaying runes can fit in many ways) will be a matter of intuition, which insures that the sigils are actively linked to the subconscious. A spirit name or indeed any word that signifies a desired effect is converted into rune letters, which in turn is compressed and doubled up into an emblem of the name.

The number of possible combinations that can be formed is infinite, but reflection and intuition will select one pattern from the rest. This reaction to a sigil is a sign that the subconscious has recognized the inherent power of the pattern, meaning that the creator should have a sense of rightness when looking at the final selection. If it is not completely satisfying, discard it and contine trying different patterns until the right one manifests itself.

Any magical or spiritual desire that can be expressed in a phrase can be reduced to a 'word' (anagram) then the pattern, the word thus created becomes the magical name of the desire that is expressed. When converted to runes, a runic sigil can then be formed. Compressing two or more runes into a single character is an ancient practice, those runes that shared common elements became bindrunes, thus making it easier to link the properties of each symbol. A great virtue of the runic system is the ability to carry them in your head and then applying them to any surface with any agent. Keep in mind that in the act of creating sigils it is as the scribing of runes... work from the top down in single strokes and invision both the intent and the value of the choosen runes.

The beauty of sigils is that they become a personal code of magical language that the spirit speaks. Whether you are making a personal reservoir of energy, a word of power and purpose, or creating an icon of your Divinity, keep in mind that the script runes will define and direct the power; the completed symbol will embody it. Once you have created a sigil for yourself, take the time to know it throughly, which means learning the runes deeply and intuitively through meditation and inner pathworking.

Freya Guide Me,  becomes...

The completed sigil holds the 3 primary runes ,

plus 3 secondary runes,  

 3 shadow (hidden or less obvious) runes,

 finally, 2 balanced (or mirrored) runes, 

and an axis, .

Consider that when I choose the 3 runes that applied to my desired sigil (the sample) I was aware of the inherent value of those 3 primary runes and the power they contained in and of themselves. However, it was not until I had reached a state of satisfaction with the finished glyph (2nd attempt) and had created it, that I began to see the other 9 runes rise to the surface of the sigil... each manifested rune carries with it an inherent potency that will blend into the over all Sigil. The next step, would be to meditate and KNOW each of the manifested runes and how they will impact on the sigil and the intent. When working with the power of sigils, one must always keep in mind that these reservoirs of personal and universal energy are multi-layered, dimensional and active. Choose carefully and wisely, all the while listening to your subconscious Self.

Basic interpetations of the above runes can be found on our Divination board under Runelore ~ Enjoy