Introduction

Magick can be defined as using known correspondences to create a beneficial effect. The earliest rituals involved reenacting the Hunt. In the ritual, a prey animal was symbolically killed in the belief that this ritual act would make the actual kill possible. Great attention was given to time, place, costumes, movement, chants, and other aspects of the ritual; the correspondences had to be right. For ancient tribes it was a matter of life and death. When planning a ritual today, thought is given to the same and other symbols that best resonate with the intent of the participants. All of this is done to bring into harmony, to the best of our abilities, the circumstances surrounding the magick we are performing.

In this paper, we will explore the set of correspondences that exists between the power of Runes and the power of Herbs. In particular, we will be exploring the use of herbs in incense, oils, and brews, to enhance and amplify rune magick,especially when using bind runes. We will also examine the creation of personal bind runes and sigils from magickal names, and how incense and oils created from such sigil can enhance our personal magickal power.

The Power of Runes and Herbs

The runes are the major magickal alphabet of central and northern Europe. Remarkably simple in form, they nevertheless represent powerful universal forces that flow through all life. When used for divination, they resonate to those forces in such a way that a particular rune’s appearance in a rune casting indicates the strong presence of that force in a person’s life. This resonance also has the effect of being able to attract the universal forces represented by the rune into a person’s life when it is used in ritual and magick.

Herbs, too, have a powerful place in magickal practices. Herbal potions, incenses, oils, and other preparations have been used since the dawn of time. Their aromas, appearance, and properties speak to something primal, ancestral in all humans. Herbs are living beings just as man is, but they resonate to forces beyond mankind. They are creatures of beauty and mystery which can aid in the quest for understanding of the universe. The burning of herbs in incense, the anointing with herbs in oils, or the drinking of brews has the power to attract the beneficial attention of universal forces.

Herbs and Bind Runes

Bind runes, or the combining of selected runes into a single symbol or shape, is an integral part of rune magick. It takes time, imagination and skill to choose runes that best exemplify the intent of the working, and to combine them in such a way that is both magickally valid and esthetically pleasing.

The creation of ritual incense, oils, and brews also requires imagination, skill and practice. Again, the herbs and resins must be chosen that best resonate to the intent of the ritual, and then combined in a way that speaks to the inner self which helps to confirms the ‘rightness�?of the effect. Combining herbs in an effective manner is a task that requires real work.

When matching herbal preparations and bind runes, extra care must be taken that the melding of the individual herbs and runes resonate with each other. For example, there are many herbs that fall under the definition of ‘protective�? And there are several runes that also have a protective or defense aspect. But while thurisaz has the power of active defense, disrupting the activities of those who would do harm, algiz is more the power of passive defense, preventing harmful forces from approaching. So when considering what type of defensive power required for the bind rune, the intent of the ritual must be clear in mind This ensures that the rune with the greatest resonance to that intent will be selected. Likewise, blesséd thistle has the power to disrupt unwanted influences and malevolent intent, banishing it. Pine, however, is of a more passive nature, repelling negative energy and returning it to its source. So if using thurisaz in a working, blesséd thistle is a better choice. If using algiz, pine would be preferable.

Do not, however, think that if there is no blesséd thistle in the herb cabinet that some other herb of protection cannot be used with thurisaz. In such a case, if there are several herbs to choose from, select the one that best approaches the ritual intent. The higher self and intuition can aid in making the choice. If none of the alternate herbs are a good fit, then choose one that is more general than specific. In the above example, sage is a herb with more general protective qualities than comfrey, which is more for protection while traveling. In this way, the herb with a specific but incompatible nature will not clash with the rune. And, of course, if there is only one herb of protection in the cabinet, use it. Intent is the thing, and the Universe knows that when the best available option is being offered. If time and availability allow, obtaining specific herbs to match the runes will enhance the working.

At the end of this paper is a table of runes, their basic magickal meaning, and some herbs that correspond with each. This is by no means all-inclusive. While there are only 24 runes in the Elder Futhark, the variety of herbs and resins is truly enormous. And just as different authors have slightly different definitions and attributions for the runes, different herbalist have different correspondences, uses, and attributions for various herbs. Keep a journal of recipes and bind runes, and note the effectiveness of each combination. Research runes and herbs in several different reputable sources and make intuitive judgments based on that knowledge.

Personal Bind Runes and Sigils

Personal bind runes created from magickal names is a concept so simple and elegant in its execution that it belies how it can be such a powerful a tool of personal magick and energy. The idea is simple: any word can be spelt phonetically with the runes. Taking the phonetic spelling and combining it into a bind rune creates a symbol of personal power. For example, one such magickal name is Starwind. In runes, it looks like this:


When combined into a bind rune, it can look like this:


Such a symbol can be used in many ways: as part of a personal sigil when combined with other symbolism that has meaning to a person’s life, as a means of identification, and as a bind rune when using magick to enhance one’s personal or magickal power, psychic abilities, financial situation, etc. It can be at the heart of any ritual that affects the individual for whom it is created.

In such a ritual herbs also have a part to play. There are many books on herbs that have recipes for incenses, oils, and brews to increase the personal power of an individual born under a certain sign, or with a particular planet in a particular house, etc. By creating an herbal preparation based on the personal bind rune, an individual incense is created, one especially formulated for the individual magick worker. A bind rune created specifically for one person alone has greater power than one created generically for a class of people. It has a greater resonance and therefore a greater impact on that person. Just as intent is more powerful when more focused, an incense or oil focused on a single individual is more powerful for that person.

A comment must be made here concerning the ‘negative�?runes. Several of the runes in the Elder Futhark can have a negative connotation. And some people who work extensively with runes in magick do not use them in ‘positive�?workings. Such a person, who may already have a magick name, may find that these runes cannot be avoided when spelling that name phonetically. This does not mean that there is negativity associated with that person or that name. Each person, as a human being in this incarnation, has a shadow side. And while most magickal persons are working to ‘tame�?or bring their shadow under control, it can never be eliminated while in the flesh.

This is not a bad thing. Remember the example of the Star Trek episode ‘The Enemy Within�? When Kirk was divided into his ‘light�?and ‘shadow�?parts, it was shown that the shadow was what gave him his command ability, decision making power, and survival instinct. The ‘light�?Kirk, while intelligent, compassionate, and gentle, lost his abilities to make tough decision, to speak his mind, and to carry out the task at hand. The ‘shadow�?Kirk was savage, brutal, and self-serving, and therefore incapable of acting for other people’s benefit. Kirk needed both half of his personality in balance to function.

While it is not likely that anyone today is going to be divided in a transporter accident, the effects of the shadow can still be perceived. The biggest problem is that the shadow self grow stronger if denied, repressed, or ignored. It then has a greater opportunity of blind-siding a person when they least expect it. Acknowledging the shadow is the only way of bringing it under our conscious control. One way of recognizing the shadow self is by using ‘negative�?runes that appear in magickal names, and making them part of personal bind runes. Their presence serves as a reminder of those things that must be brought into balance if control it to be achieved.

Practical Application

The combination of runes and herbs have many uses in ritual. For example, when a group is creating a bind rune in ritual, the corresponding incense or oil can be created piece by piece at the same time. Each herb is energized and added as each piece of the bind rune is visualized. The incense is then burned to enhance the energy used to both charge and utilize the bind rune. Sometime, however, the creation of incense in circle is too cumbersome. In this case, the incense is created before ritual, and burned during the creation, charging, and use of the bind rune.

Similarly, runes and herbs can be used in concert during the creation of runic talismans or amulets. Such objects have a bind rune drawn or engraved on them. A good example of this is a pendant with a person’s magickal name on it. First, determine the shape of the bind rune, then gather the materials needed to create the incense and the pendant. In ritual space, make the incense, purify the materials, and then create the pendant. The incense can then be used to enhance the consecration and charging of the pendant.

For example, in the case of STARWIND used above, an incense can be created to enhance personal power by using sandalwood (sowulo), frankincense (teiwaz), cinnamon (ansuz), benzoin (raido), borage (wunjo), Solomon Seal (isa), anise (nauchiz), and Dittany of Crete (dagaz). If personal protection is the intent, then using dragon’s blood, frankincense, cedar, asafoetida, borage, elder, anise, and dittany of Crete is more appropriate. Intent is very important when selecting herbs, because the energy of the ritual is affected.

In both cases above, the bind rune or sigil is charged with energy. That energy is available from the Earth, the Sky, the Divine, etc. But that energy is often generic in form, a combination of all the forces in the universe. The individual or group performing the ritual transform that energy into a form that is specific to the intent of the magick. The transformation of energy from generic to specific is hard work, and takes concentration, skill and energy. Some energy is used by the individual in the process of transformation, so less is available for charging the bind rune. Incense is used to attract energies of the desired specific form into sacred space. This increases the amount of energy available that needs no transformation and more is available for charging the bind rune.

Magickal correspondences are a useful tool that have enhanced the workings of magick since the dawn of time. And work in researching and experimenting with magickal correspondences continues today, and will continue into the distant future. This article only scratches the surface of the ways in which the properties of runes and herbs can be combined to amplify the potency and effect of both, either in group or personal magick. It is food for thought that will, hopefully, lead to greater interest in the study of runes and herbs, and to a greater willingness to combine apparently unrelated fields of study into a workable and useful synthesis.

Rune	Meaning	Herbs
Fehu	Possessions, Contentment, Conservation, Wealth	Hollyhock, Lavendar, Caraway, Nettle
Uruz	Strength, Persistance, Adaptability, aurochs	Fennel, Sage, Juniper, Iceland Moss
Thurisaz	Gateway, Threshold, thorns	Rue, Angelica, Star Anis, Wormwood, Blesséd Thistle
Ansuz	Signals, Receiving, gods	Cinnamon, Cedar, Peppermint
Raido	Journey, Reaching Outward, riding	Benzoin, Asafostida, Ash, Horehound
Kenaz	Opening, Dawning, Torch, light	Cowslip, Horehound
Gebo	Union, Partnership, gift	Clove, Cinquefoil, Patchouli
Wunjo	Joy, Emergence, perfection	Borage, Motherwort, Flax
Hagalaz	Disruption, Evolution, hail	Dittany of Crete, Eldar, Bryony
Nauchiz	Rebalancing, Contraint, need	Anise, Hollyhock, Hemp, Snakeroot
Isa	Frozen, Standstill, ice	Solomon Seal, Eldar
Jera	Cultivation, Year, harvest	Benzoin, Rosemary
Eihwaz	Tests, Defense, yew	Mugwort, Sage, Eyebright, Vervain, Apple
Pertho	Higher Forces, Initiation, ?	Pennyroyal, Basil, Heather, Cornflower
Algiz	Self Mastery, Protection, elk	Orris Root, Mullein, Pine, Rowan
Sowulo	Selfness, Wholeness, sun	Lady’s Mantle, Sandlewood, Dragon’s Blood, Celadine
Teiwaz	Introspection, Warrior, truth	Storax, Frankincense, Chamomile
Berkana	Fertility, Growth, birch goddess	Birch, Marigold, Dragon’s Blood, Dogwood
Ehwaz	Movement, Transit, horse	Rue, Wormwood, Camphor
Mannaz	The Self, Humanness, man	Lavendar, Wisteria
Laguz	Currents, Flow, lake	Myrrh, Leek
Inguz	Completion, Fertility, yoni	Fennel, Damiana, Selfheal
Othila	Severence, Seperation, ancestral property	Thyme, Clover
Dagaz	Arising, Breakthrough, day	Dittany of Crete, Sage

Bibliography

Aswynn, Freya. Leaves of Yggdrasil. Minnesota: Llewellyn, 1990
Beyerl, Paul. The Master Book Of Herbalism. Washington: Phoenix, 1984
Cunningham, Scott. The Complete Book of Incense, Oils, & Brews. Minnesota: Llewellyn, 1989
Cunningham, Scott. Magical Herbalism. Minnesota: Llewellyn, 1982
Pennick, Nigel. Magical Alphabets. Maine: Samuel Weiser, 1993