|
|
Reply
| |
Discovery Of The Runes I hung from a windswept tree. I hung there for nine days and nights, Gashed with a spear, An offering to Odin, A sacrifice to myself, Bonded to the tree which no man knows, Or whither its roots may run. No-one gave me bread, Nor gave me drink. I peered down into the depths and Snatched up the runes, And with a fearful scream Fell into a swoon. After I began to thrive, My wisdom thrived too. I was joyful and I prospered. One word led me to another, One deed led me to another. "The Speech of the High One", The Poetic Edda, c. 1200 AD This poem describes an event that can be seen in the Tarot car "The Hanged Man", or perhaps more obviously in the tale of Christ's death on the cross. Similar tales of initiation can be found in every corner of the globe and are still very much alive in the Fakir tradition in India. The man is suspended from the tree and through deprivation turns his mind to his own inner depths. He reaches a shattering enlightenment as the illusions of life are stripped away; the runes symbolize this self-discovery. He picks them up, a sign that they were not created as such but rather discovered. The Runes Horik Svensson ISBN 1-56619-964-6 |
|
First
Previous
2-4 of 4
Next
Last
|
|
Reply
| |
Runes- The alphabet of Odin | | Part one- the history of the Rune alphabet | According to the Eddas, the poetic saga of the Norse Gods, the Runic alphabet was a gift from Odin. The word 'rune' means 'wisper,' or 'secret wisdom.' A selection from the Eddas tells of their discovery. Odin hangs for nine nights upon the world tree, wounded, without food or water; finally, he sees the reflection of the runes in the water: "Wounded I hung on a wind-swept gallows For nine long nights, Pierced by a spear, pledged to Odhinn, Offered, myself to myself The wisest know not from whence spring The roots of that ancient rood. They gave me no bread, They gave me no mead, I looked down; with a loud cry I took up runes; from that tree I fell." The runes originated around 200 B.C.E., as magical symbols engraved in stone; they were developed into the first Rune alphabet, the "elder" Futhark ('futhark' being a transliteration of the first six letters), an alphabet of twenty four characters. Many permutations and revisions over the years produced several variants, including the 'elder' and 'younger' futhark, and the Danish "short twig" script. Eventually, the sixteen character alphabet became the most commonly used. An epic "Rune poem," written in Old English around 1000 C.E., outlined the metaphorical and divinatory meanings of the characters, which at that time numbered at thirty three. The following table gives the characters of the Elder futhark and their divinatory meanings: Rune: | name: | divinatory meaning: | | Fehu | Money, finances, possessions; material goods or wealth | | Uruz | Strength; virility | | Thurisaz | Gateway, beginning | | Ansuz | A message or signal, a secret; speech | | Raido | Travel, sojourn, movement | | Kaunaz | Openings, shedding light on something, fire | | Gibo | A gift or blessing, partnerships | | Wunjo | Joy; happiness, illumination | | Hagalaz | Disruption, chaos, shattering of illusion | | Nauthiz | Pain, confinement, limitation | | Isa | Inaction | | Jera | Fertility, harvesting, returns; reaping what you've sown | | Eihwaz | Protection, defense; also withdrawl or barriers | | Perth | Secrets, initiations, occult or hidden things | | Algiz | Defense, protection | | Sowelu | Completion, perfection | | Teiwaz (Tyr) | Victory, conquest | | Berkana | Renewal, rebirth, new beginnings | | Ehwaz | Overcoming barriers, movement, progression | | Mannaz | The self, humanity | | Leguz | Water, sea, motherhood; intuition | | Inguz | Fertility, birth, beginnings | | Dagaz | Sunlight, enlightenment | | Othela | The home, hearth, possessions | | |
|
Reply
| |
Runes- Odin's alphabet | | Part two- divination with Runes | There are several methods used to divine with runes, some involving complex preparations. I've outlined a simple method you can try with a minimum of fuss. The first step is to obtain a set of runestones. The preferred material for a set of runes is wood from a nut or fruit bearing tree, but stones are available made of many materials. It is also fairly simple to construct your own set by carving or painting the characters on chips of wood, or painting them on stones or glass tiles. Next, find a flat, clean surface on which to carry out your divination- a table top or altar is ideal. Have with you your stones, a bag or a container you can fit your hand into, and something to record your results. Take some time to relax and meditate on your query, then draw three stones in succession and lay them face down in a row on the table. The first stone represents the past nature of the situation, the backdrop, if you will. It may be a person, place, or circumstance, depending on which character appears. For instance, Raido can refer to a physical journey, or a spiritual path; etc. The second stone is the present or the near future, finally the third is the outcome of the first two- the possible future. Write down your impressions, you may recieve further insights or even dreams which may help to further interpret the reading. | |
|
Reply
| |
Runecraft Runecraft began several thousand years ago in Scandinavia. The word "rune" means secret writing and the letters were full of magical power. Symbols were carved on rocks to represent birds, animals, and other natural beings. Runic practice incorporated materials from the natural world, because such materials were believed to be imbued with sacred energy. Odin's Enlightenment Runes were dedicated to the god Odin, associated with healing, travel, communication, and divination. Mythology tells us that, searching for enlightenment, Odin hung himself upside down on Yggdrasil, the World Tree, impaled upon his own spear for nine days. As he gazed at the ground, runes stones hidden among the roots of the tree revealed themselves. As the Germanic tribes spread out across Europe, the runes traveled with them. By Roman times they had evolved into the Futhark, a runic alphabet. Interpretation was a mystery granted to a special few or conferred on the head of the household. In Anglo-Saxon England, kings and bishops had the power to read the runes but later the practice fell into disuse. Using The Runes Runes packs are available, but you can also make your own by painting them onto suitable smooth pebbles or incising them into pieces of wood or clay. Rune stones are best kept in a bag or pouch. Before making your choice sit quietly holding the runes while you focus your question. Then, after thorough shuffling, they can be tumbled out onto a cloth or pulled out from the bag to be laid in spreads. What Runes Can Do For You Runes help you to look deep inside yourself. Pin-pointing your innermost fears and desires, they highlight hidden factors that will create your future, and show you the choices that you face. Describing positive and negative influences, runes point out how you can overcome negativity and make constructive choices for the future. The Illustrated Guide To Divination A Practical Guide To Predicting The Future Judy Hall ISBN 0-8069-2775-5 |
|
First
Previous
2-4 of 4
Next
Last
|
|