What Are Runes

WHAT ARE RUNES
By LOKRIEN

In the most mundane sense, runes are an alphabet much as our own alphabet and
others such as the Greek and Cyrillic alphabets. Each rune represents a sound
and was/is used to write words with.

But that is in the most MUNDANE of senses.

Runes were used long before the concept of writing was around. Each rune is an
archetype of a force. People had concepts for such things as Fire, Honour,
Birth, et.al. and each of these concepts were given names to make them easier
for us to comprehend. In this way, runes are very similar to the Hebrew
alphabet. Each 'letter' not only has a sound and a name, but is a complete word
with all associated concepts. This similarity with Hebrew extends even farther.
Each Hebrew word is made of several Hebrew letters, therefore each Hebrew word
is made of several Hebrew words. The initial letters of several words in a
sentence, or of the first letters of each sentence or paragraph may be gathered
to form a new word that is used to help explain and expand upon what is already
written. The same can be done with runes. Runes lend themselves readily to
numerology. The Runic alphabet is properly shown as three rows of eight letters.
Therefore each letter can be identified by row:column number. Additionally, each
rune has its sequential number identified by its placement in the alphabet. Much
like us numbering A as 1, B as 2, ... , and Z as 26.

Each rune can be placed in position on a tree pattern much like the traditional
Qabbalah. They may represent the different worlds or paths of the tree and can
be expanded and expounded upon as much as the Qabbalah itself is. In fact, Runic
Qabbalah is quite intriguing and does contain a life of study (as do all other
facets of Runework). Runes can be used for fortunetelling. They can be drawn and
placed and read much like tarot cards. They can be cast or strewn and the
relationship of groupings, distance and angles and patterns formed will tell the
caster what he wishes to know. Runes are also entities in and of themselves.
Much like the angels, princes, demons, sylphs, undines and watchtowers of the
ceremonial magician. Each rune can be invoked or evoked and the power harnessed
to work ones will to enlighten the intellect. They are a fantastic Meditation
tool and will always increase ones knowledge. Much as the primal elements of
Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Spirit, each rune also has its part in the
manifestation of all things manifested. Chaos, grass, people, sunlight, honour,
dragons, hopes, and sex are all replete with runes are could not ever exist
without the runic force that creates, shapes, releases, destroys and changes
them.

I have equated runes to many other branches of esoteric, occult, psychological
and Intellectual pursuits. This is in the hopes that if you are already familiar
or interested in one of these, you will realize that runes are already familiar
to you or that you are already interested in them and don't yet realize it.

May you approach the Well of Wyrd and may your sip there only increase your
thirst.

Lokrien @ The Sacred Grove

Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):

Samael Aun Weor - Magic Runes
Stephen Mcnallen - What Is Asatru
Karl Hans Welz - Armanen Runes