A handbook of Rune Magic

-Futhark-

Rune knowledgeGeneral definitions• The first step to understand the rune lore is the

understanding of the conception rune.• The term rune should be understood as a secret, a holy

concept.• The word rune is related to the Germanic group of

languages and can be traced in all ancient Germanic dialects.

Rune knowledge

Magical Definitions• According to most

scholars, the runes were ancient symbols used in writing, mainly on stone or metal.

• These symbols bore religious or magical significance for the people who inscribed them.

• For the ancient wizards, the signs take on a much richer and more expanded meaning that reveals their true nature and power.

Orlunda Churchyard, Östergötland, Sweden"(N.N. placed) this (stone) in memory of Åsa, his wife"

Rune knowledge

• Form -- ideograph and phonetic value

• Idea --symbolic content

• Number -- its dynamic nature, revealing its relationship to other

runes

A short history of the runes

• The runic system may well have been fully developed by as early as 200 B.CE. It is certain that the magic -religious practices of the ancient Germanic priesthood were aided by the use of many runic or pre-runic signs.

Chapter 3Theory of Rune Magic

The Rune World• … when time began there

was Ginnungagap, which means a "magically charged void." In the southern extreme of this void there appeared a world of fire called Muspellsheimr, and in the North arose Niflheimr or the "mist world." From North came waves of ice. From the South came rays of fire with glowing particles. The center remained “mild as a windless air”. When ice and fire met formed the first giant, Ymir ( the roarer).

“I am telling thee one thing:   we are Ginnungagap

we are the great void, the womb of the universe, the Fullness, Truth, Eternity,

Reality, Divinity.”

The rune world

The complexity of this elegant cosmic universe leads to the conclusion that there is no personal Creator. Cosmogony is seen as a natural and organic process and the universe ultimately derives from a single source, Ginnungagap. This source divides itself into two extremes: fire as expansive energy and ice as primal matter and antimatter.

Manifestation of the Rune Row

• The manifestation of the runes and their ordering in the Futhark row are bound up with the cosmogonic and cosmologic process. The runes have no origin, they are the essence from the energy of Ginnungagap.

• At the division between Muspellsheimr and Niflheimr, the runic forces are polarized into shining runes (ON heidhrúnar) and dark runes (ON myrkrúnar.)

ElementsThroughout the sections on cosmology we spoke of elements such as - fire - air

- water - earth - ice

Streams

• The runic force has streams of manipulation such as:

-Terrestrial streams, which run along the surface of the earth

- Heavenly streams , which circulate in the atmosphere.

- Ehtonic streams, which flow in the subterranean sphere.

• These streams constantly interact one upon another and causes changes and fluctuations in the runic magic.

the light of the sun, a symbol of honor, reputation and

power

Protective power, spiritual life and vigor, the main

color of runes, a sign of death

The omnipresent mystical force of the numen, the color of Odin’s cloak, a Sign of restless motion.

Organic life, the force of fertility in the earth and sea,

a sign of nature

A sign of desire and lust,earthly power

The total expression of light as the sum

of all colors, purity,nobility, perfection

The disc of the moon, change, transmutation, striving for

higher knowledge

New beginning, the root force of all things, knowledge of hiddenthings, the container of

light

Color SymbolismIn rune crafting,

colors play an important roleThey formulate powerful visualizations and

ritual intensification

Chapter 4Foundations of Rune Magic

The runes are use in all kinds of incantations, rites, spells, in any kind of ritual. It is said that the runes give power to certain aspect of life, but also to objects. The power, force or energy is passed onto the objects, aspects, etc through a vitki.

A vitki is a wizard, a conjurer. The vitki must be able to gain this power, but this is made through a series of things.

Foundations of Rune Magic

A vitki has to daily train in order to be able to perform the ritual. The exercises are, more or less, as today’s yoga exercises; they focus on concentration, visualization, breath and posture control.

After mastering these elements a vitki will be able to perform a ritual ( rúnagaldr).

Aside from these elements there are some other ones needed for the rite.

Foundations of Rune Magic These are the traditional tools and techniques of rúnagaldr which aid in the manipulation of the rune stream:

1. Attire: the vestments do not play a crucial role in the rite, but a certain pattern has been seen- a hooded cloak or frock in black or blue, bright red pants and most of the vitkis were barefooted.

2. Wand: or gandr as it is known be made out of any type of wood. It usually contains runes that represent a certain formula, incantation or the whole Elder Futhark runes. Th runes are a statement that show the power displayed by the vitki. In this image one can

see a representation of a wand with a specific formula;

ek vitki vist rúnar aaaaaaaa, meaning `I the Magician carved the runes aaaaaaaa ‘( invoking the God Odin from all eight corners of Heaven)

Foundations of Rune Magic3. Knife: the knife plays an important place in the rite, because it is used mainly to carve the

runes and also important talismanic objects. It is usually made from bone or wood with a sharp blade. Just like the wand it can also contain runes on it, to make the incantation more powerfull.

4. Carver: another important tool tat is also used to carve the runes. The name of the carver is ristir.

5. Coloring tools : made from wood and shaped in the form of a triangle, the reddener is used to apply pigments or blood on the runes. The pigments are a symbolic substitute for the magical power given by the blood (human or that of an animal) It too can have runes carved onto them.

magic time

The time is also important. The time is selected based on the season, moon phase, solar position( time of day)

The most auspicious times are dawn, midday, evening, midnight. For more power the waxing moon is desired.

Probably the most important magic space

- In order to gain full access to the powers the rite take place outdoors.

-Usually they are performed in a holy grove of a oak situated on a hill.

-The actual place must be a sphere, thus a circle is drawn in a simple way( with the wand) or complex ( as a glyph)

the circle should be divided in such a way that the eight divisions of Heaven.

- In this circle an altar can be found facing north or east; both these directions are powerful and the rite that take place

deal with different matters- The runes are placed in the outer ring of the circle

Foundations of Rune Magic

Foundations of Rune Magic