RUNES
The Ancient Alphabet


Runes are glyphs (figures, letters) that are carved into a material, such as stone or wood. They are an alphabetic script used by the peoples of Northern Europe from the first century C.E. (Common Era) until well into the Middle Ages. In addition to their use as a written alphabet, the runes are also served as a system of symbols used for magick and diviniation. Runes traveled to many lands and underwent many transformation sto accommodate the local language as a writing tool. Runes fell into disuse as the Roman alphabets became the preferred script of most of Europe, but their forms and meanings were preserved in inscriptions and manuscripts.

The primary characteristic which distinguishes a runic alphabet from other alphabets is that each letter has a meaning. For example, whereas "ay", "bee", and "cee" are meaningless sounds denoting the first three letters of our alphabet, the names of the first three Runes, "fehu", "uruz", and "thurisaz" are actual words in the Germanic language, meaning "cattle", "auroch", and "giant", respectively. Runes also have magickal and religious significance as well, thus transforming the simple process of writing into a magickal act.

Today, Runes have been rediscovered as a symbolic system and have gained immense popularity as a means of divination. They are, however, much more than a curious alterniative to Tarot cards for telling fortunes. They provide a key to understanding the lives and beliefs of the ancient people who created them, and have much to teach us about a way of life that was perhaps more intimately connected to the natural world, and to the realm of the spirit, than our own.

History:

Legend has it that Odin, the primary Norse god, bestowed the knowledge of Runes upon man, giving no only a way of communicating with each other, but also a way to glimpse what the gods had in store for us. Wisdom is never won without sacrifice, and it is through Sacrifice that Odin was able to discover the Runes. Norse myths tell us that Odin hung himself from the ash World Tree, known as Yggdrasill, over the great Niflheim. As he hung there, he meditated and suffered self-inflicted spear wounds. Odin hung from the great tree for nine days and nine nights, an offering to himself, awaiting the great knowledge. After this time had passed, he saw the Runes floating in the water beneath him. He reached down and took them, drawing their knowledge into himself, giving him power over all things.

The Poetic Edda, circa A.D. 1200, taken from the Old Norse writings, sings the story of Odin and his quest for runes. What follows is a partial text, portraying Odin's suffering and quest.

I know I hung on that windswept tree,
Swong there for nine long nights,
Wounded by my own blade,
Bloodied for Odin,
Myself an offering to myself:
Bound to the tree
That no man knows
Whither the roots of it run.

None gave me bread,
None gave me drink.
Down to the deepest depths I peered
Until I spied the Runes.
With a roaring cry I seized them up,
Then dizzy and fainting, I fell.

Well-being I won
And wisdom too.
I grew and took joy in my growth:
From a word to a word
I was led to a word,
From a deed to another deed.

It is interesting to note that Odin's discovery came only after deep suffering and sacrifice. This seems to be a theme among major religions, that their primary gods shall sacrifice of themselves to better life for their followers.

What follows is a listing of the 25 most commonly used Runes, refered to as the futhark, 1