The runes speak to those who know how to listen. You might know them as symbols, or carved ‘stones’ but before that they are energy sources, gateways, keys to deep mysteries and tools of great power.
Runes have a huge amount to offer healers, mystics, magical practitioners, seers and sages. So let’s dive in…
Just like Dorothy and the ruby slippers you’re going to find out the runes have always been with you, since you spoke your first word: embedded in the Germanic languages including English, German, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Icelandic.
Don't believe me when I say you know them already?
Meet the Elder Futhark - your keys to wisdom, power and transformation
YoI work with and teach the Elder Futhark which is the most ancient runic alphabet we know of with inscriptions dating back to 150CE. It has 24 runes and is the set you will most commonly find in the shops. Over time new rune alphabets* developed and the runes accrued poems, healing practices, magical correspondences and deep wisdom practices around them. You can find some of the most common correspondences, commentaries and videos about each of the runes on my Explore the Runes page.
*’Futhark’ is the literal equivalent of the word ‘Alphabet’, the latter being a combination of Alpha and Beta, and the former being a combination of Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho and Kenaz (the first five letters of the Elder Futhark).
The runes are divided into aettir which means ‘family’; there are three rune families with eight runes in each, each family is known as an aett.
Over two decades ago, I embarked on writing a book about runes, only to discover that they are energies meant to be experienced rather than simply shared as meanings. This realization led me to create a course—one I wish I had access to 30 years ago. Dive into everything I’m offering here, but if you truly want to embody the essence of the runes, I invite you to join Awaken.
Where do the runes come from?
Almost 2,000 years ago the Roman Tacitus described the use of ‘lots’ by the Germanic peoples. These were carved with sigils which were thrown by the priest or head of family upon a white cloth and then interpreted. The lots were made from fruit-bearing trees and the interpreter would invoke the wisdom of the Gods to assist him (Tacitus, Germania). The Germanic peoples carved rune inscriptions to name objects, record ownership, memorialize heroes and ancestors, and seek protection and power. By 150CE we can identify a particular set of runes called the ‘Elder Futhark’ used by Germanic peoples across what is now North-West Europe.
That’s the history bit for the Sages; here’s the mythic bit for the Mystics…
Odin discovered the runes during a 9 day and 9 night initiation upon the world tree Yggdrasil. The most commonly cited account is found in the Havamal in the Poetic Edda where Odin tells us in his own words that ‘I peered right down into the deep, crying aloud I lifted the Runes then back I feel from thence’. This is often interpreted as a shamanic ‘journeying’ experience as portrayed in this tenth century poem:
In a wood someone must from a high tree fall wingless – he will be in flight nonetheless, dances in the air until he can no longer be the tree’s fruit. Onto the roots he then sinks in dark spirits, bereft of his soul he falls to earth – his spirit is on its way. ~ The Fates of Men
One of the things that differentiates my work is the emphasis on practical experience through voice and body work, story-weaving and energy channeling. These are the paths of the Seer, Mystic, Healer and Magician – which are often forgotten as we hoard our Sage knowledge and never quite get round to applying it. My web pages are, of course, weighted towards the Sage (i.e. giving you information) but there are some lovely meditations and pathworkings in my rune hoard to inspire the other parts of your magical self. If you want to go deeper, my one-year foundation programme Awaken to the Runes is the next step.
Rune: the song or sound of the universe coming into existence
Simple lines etched into wood, stone, bone and horn. These are the tangible form our rune heritage takes on ‘Midgard’ (‘Middle-Earth’) as it is known within the northern tradition. The Rune Mistress Freya Aswynn explains the concept of ‘rune’ as the song or sound of the universe coming into existence (Power and Principles of the Runes, 2007). Runes have shape, sound and meaning which we may learn and wield. They exist, deeply embedded within language and consciousness. They go deeper than memory and beyond that which we can explain with rationale intelligence alone. They demand us to act intuitively, to feel with our bodies as well as our minds.
Key terms
Futhark: The term ‘Futhark’ is cognisant with the modern English term ‘Alphabet’ (which combines the first two letters of the Latin alphabet Alpha and Beta), and is made up of the first six letters of the Futhark (F U Th A R K: FUTaRk: Fehu Uruz Thurisaz Ansuz Raidho and Kenaz).
Rune: a whisper, a secret, a mystery
Yggdrasil: The World Tree. Yggdrasil means ‘Odin’s steed’ which we may assume relates to Odin’s experience discovering the runes. This is the only title we know for the World Tree but it is likely there were others.
Galdr. The act of working with the runes to bring about magic. I believe that magic of the runes was found in the voice long before they were shaped into symbols. Each is a spirit guide and energetic gateway to lost power and healing.
What about birth runes?
Your birth runes are calculated using runic astrology which I have been writing, publishing and teaching on now for 14 years.
The runes in song
The rune pages are as follows:
Exploring the runes: a comprehensive page for each of the runes of the Elder Futhark
Rune Casting: articles about rune casting including different types of spreads and techniques
Rune sets: information about making your own runes (or purchasing one)
Birth runes: information about your birth runes, the rune calendar and how you can work with the runes during the year
Resources: free downloads, self study packages and my courses and training