Introduction to the Runes

Witches Of The Craft®

Runes originate in the Viking period, in the time of Odin, the chief god of Norse mythology, a time
when longboats sailed from the fjords of Scandinavia on military missions. It is part of Viking legend
that Odin’s horse, Sleipnir, had runic symbols engraved upon its teeth. Maybe for this reason, the 19th
rune is called Ehwaz, the horse.

Fortunately runes and runic symbols did not die with the Vikings. Thanks to television and film, many
people who would otherwise know nothing of the Vikings are aware of them, their gods and their
lifestyle, but relatively few also know that the lore of the Vikings continues well into our modern-day
lives through the use of the runes.

Every rune symbolises not only an alphabetical letter, but a deeper meaning, an energy. It is our aim
to show the relevance of the wisdom of the runes even…

View original post 892 more words

Consulting The Runes

Witches Of The Craft®

The runes can be consulted in many ways, principally, however, by casting them. It is said, as we
have already briefly mentioned, that they can also be used for protection, in matters of health and
finance, and we will discuss these suggestions briefly before moving on to the most common usage of
runes. The lettering used for such matters will be discussed as we progress through the alphabetical
system.

Protection
Viking legend suggests that runes were buried around items needing protection from wandering tribes
likely to rape and pillage, as well as being used for the protection of women and children whilst the
Vikings were away.

I have heard of people leaving runes to care for their property whilst going on holiday – with some
success. Some have hewn runic symbols above their front door for protection, whilst others have even
used runic symbolism to protect their…

View original post 732 more words

The Runic Alphabet — Saga And Historical Fact

Witches Of The Craft®

Runic is an alphabet, a means of communication, and a set of symbols carved onto objects for magical
purposes.

Nobody is totally certain where runes originated, or what the word ‘rune’ means. Whilst most
runemasters suggest that the name means ‘mystery’ or ‘holy secret’, it is also worth considering that it
may come from the German raunen, a word which has a variety of meanings, including ‘to cut or
carve’. Runes were most probably cut or carved and not written by the Norse who used them in
ancient times. Other students of language suggest a link with the Anglo-Saxon word secgan, ‘to say’,
and the Latin secare, ‘to cut’, whilst others suggest a link with the Old Nordic run, the Gothic runa and
the Icelandic runar, all of which mean ‘whisper’.

What is obvious from looking at the runes is that they…

View original post 1,561 more words

The Runes & The Ogham Script Connection

In will not be posting as much on runes as I planned to this week because of the upcoming Sabbats. I will do only 1 or 2 rune posts until after Friday. I deeply thank Lady Abyss for posting all of this wonderful information! As I said before my knowledge is very limited working with them. So I am learning along with you.

Witches Of The Craft®

Several of the runestones still remaining have running around their edge a different alphabet from the
runic, but one which still uses short, straight lines. This is the Ogham script (also seen as Ogam, but
pronounced O’am).

Ogham is connected to the Celtic god Ogma, Ogmios or Ogmiua, who had connections with the sun.
Whilst Odin seems to relate to Mercury, Ogma is linked with Hercules as champion of the gods.

Just as Odin is said to be the father of the runes, so Ogma is credited with having invented the Ogham
script. This method of writing seems to have begun in Ireland, spreading to Wales, Scotland and parts
of southern England.

Like Odin, Ogma was a poet and considered wise and powerful. Ogham was a secret method of
communication, again only known by the learned. The connection with poetry has led Ogham…

View original post 466 more words