Runes date back to the Vikings... Druids and shamans used the power of the mysterious symbols to channel their power to answer questions and help predict the future. Runes were once the alphabet for much of Europe before Latin was adopted. The word run means "secret" and runa "magician" Much like tarot cards and I-Ching ideograms runes eventually were considered supernatural and the keys to an oracle... the symbols and meanings have evolved from Norse, Germanic, Old English and Icelandic.
The first time I came across runes and their meaning was from an Elle magazine in the late 80's... there was a diagram of runes laid out in a circle and a list of all the runes and their meanings and more or less advised to focus on an aspect of your life (love, career, travel, money) and at random to place your finger on a rune and pick a number between 10 and 30 and move your finger clockwise around the runes and the rune you land on is your oracle and the answer lies in understanding the text of the rune oracle meaning and how it relates to your question... they also advised not to ask more than one question a day.
A few years later a jewelry designer included runes in his collection of charms for a bracelet and rune images etched into a ring and a cuff bracelet... I had planned to collect all the runes but alas I only acquired four and lost one and I have three that are shown below.. if I find more or they find me as often is the case fine if not I can live with these three talismans representing me and life.
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| From Left to Right they represent...Possessions an omen of increased wealth or opportunity, Joy an omen of emotional and physical fulfillment and Warrior an omen of competitive spirit to win and passion, sex & fertility |
A few years ago I found a small leather pouch in a thrift store filled with stones engraved with the rune images (I don't think the people in the store knew what they were and I got the bag of runes for a couple of dollars.... I counted them to make sure the set was complete but never laid them out until I found a book last year called "The Book Of Runes" I learned more about them such as the 24 runes were divided into three groups of eight named for Norse gods.
I have visited the Oracle at Delphi in Greece and the principle of both is pretty much the same ... Know thyself. What I also learned from reading the book is the runes are meant to be a teacher to help you learn to focus on your life and goals and are meant to help you formulate your own path and plans. Runes are meant to offer you a free zone in your life that is malleable and open to interpretation and change. However you look at this by concentrating on your life and your goals you have already taken the first step towards action and change. Occasionally with reading runes like in life the the counsel or oracle does not fit with the question... and this simply means that there might be a more significant issue that requires your attention and action first.
It's important to remember there is a 29th rune that is blank... This mysterious oracle reserves the right to remain silent and withhold advice at this time.( I did a rune reading when I set them up to take the photo and got the blank "Unknowable" rune... perhaps I was focusing too much on writing this than wanting any real guidance) And with all of them there can sometimes be a hidden meaning that might be reflected on your own life situations or circumstances... it's important for you to understand yourself and life to understand what they represent to you.
If you decide to consult the runes or simply chart the course of your life on paper... focusing on an issue may give you a fresh perspective and help create a clear course in creating your destiny. However if you decide to play with this... don't go overboard and let them lead you down the path of the unintended (I'm trying to say in the nicest way possible not to take a drive down crazy lane)...Don't take this too seriously... but use it as a tool to be in touch with your inner most thoughts and desires... but always remember ... fate and destiny usually has a sense of humor... use this as a positive approach to help you better understand yourself and your wants, needs and goals... not as a crutch to focus on failures or missed opportunities. I would not want to begin to lead you to believe I have extensive knowledge of runes and the different approaches in reading them;. there are several on-line sources that dedicate themselves to that... a simple search will find several authorities on the subject.
See you next week!
