Intriguing: The Viking Runes

Ancient Norse Language, Symbols 

and Mythology

Powerful symbols inscribed by the mighty Odin

credit: i.pinimg.com - pinterest.com

“Rune” comes from the ancient Norse word for “mystery. Runes are artifacts, stones with runic inscriptions. They have both factual and mythological roots. From Germanic tribes to Vikings and Odin to New Agers, Runes have played an influential part in times gone by.

Runes are said to be an ancient form of writing. They are letters of the alphabets of the Mediterranean peoples of the first century CE, between 100 B.C.E. to 1600 C.E. It is also believed that some Rune symbols may have been borrowed from the Greek, and the Early Roman alphabets. 

Folklores says that Odin (known as ‘Father of the Runes’) discovered the runes when he hung himself from the Tree of Life ‘Yggdrasil’ to learn wisdom and secret knowledge.

The runic 'Futhark' has played a significant role in the development of the English language, both in terms of vocabulary and spelling arrangements. Its ancient origins and mystical associations make it a fascinating aspect of linguistic history. There are two primary Runic alphabets, the Elder and the Younger Futhark. The Elder Futhark (consisting of 25 rune stones, including the blank rune) is associated more with ancient mythology and is more commonly used today for readings.

The runic alphabet's letters (symbols) can be found etched in stone, wood, glass metal, plastic and bone. 

      credit: Elder Futhark Runestone. So 32 in Skaang, Trosa municipality Sweden. Berig, CC BY-SA 3.0          <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Evidence suggests that in addition to being a writing system, Runes were also carved on war weapons as an aid for protection and strength to gain triumph in war.

Further, Runes historically served purposes of magic possibly due to their association with the god Odin, the main god of many of the Germanic tribes. According to narratives, runic inscriptions held magical powers. With the aid of inscriptions, one could predict the future, protect a person, instil different qualities, or write down curses, and spells.

Many historians believe that each Rune represents an ideographic or pictographic symbol of some solar or astral principle or force, and to write a Rune was to invoke and direct the force for which it is denoted.

Unlocking Ancient Magic and Deciphering Hidden Messages 

Today, Runes are more commonly used for magic and as a divination tool.

Translating the Ancient Oracle: The theory behind interpreting the Runes is that each Rune represents a word or a phrase whilst signifying ideas and beliefs important to the early peoples who used them - representing the forces of nature and mind. Each Rune is said to have an esoteric meaning and property associated with it, beyond its mundane language meaning: hinting at a more philosophical and magical significance. In addition, each Rune has a story attached, a connection to a Norse god.

credit: the codex Runicus, a vellum manuscript with one of the oldest and best preserved texts of the Scanian law (Skanske lov), written entirely in runes, circa 1300 AD. Public Domain

Rune casting: There are many ways to use the runes. While Runes are powerful tools for divination and ritual they can also be used as talismans or amulets and as powerful additions to rituals or meditations. Reading the runes is similar to doing a tarot reading. The Rune stones are placed in a bag; shaken up to mix them;  then drawn out one at a time; put in a rune spread, and then interpreted based on their meanings and position in the spread.

This ends our quick-fire introduction, fact find to the mysterious and checkered world of Runes.

Check it out, if this article has whet your appetite, we recommend visiting  https://www.ifate.com/runes.html (a renowned and reputable esoteric website offering free online Rune readings).

Our next topic will be ‘Reading Tea Leaves’.

Until then, as they say in Turkey “Gule gule” or ‘Hoscakal”.