Runes: A look into the ancient Futhark Runes
Runes are the mystical alphabet used by ancient European tribes 2000 years ago to name places and things, attract luck and fortune, provide protection, and divine the course of future events. Runes were usually carved onto stone or wood. Runic letters were formed with straight lines only because tools at the time like the axe could not provide curved lines. Almost all of Europe used them at one time. Today they are just remembered for their use by the ancient Norse, the Vikings. There are many versions of the runic alphabets. Each has variations in names, shapes, esoteric meanings and magical uses.
The oldest known form and arrangement of Runic letters, the Elder Futhark runes, are estimated by the British Museum to have been in use by the Vikings around 200 A.D. However, some do believe it to be much earlier.
Futhark runes
In Norse, the Elder Futhark is read from right to left.
"F U T H A R K" is the first 6 symbols of the Runic alphabet. The runic alphabet which is a composite of the runic symbols was most commonly used in northern Europe. The runes are broken into three sections or groups of eight, called aett. This helps one to remember their order and their significance. First, the rune name is given, then its phonetic value, its symbolic image, and finally the esoteric meaning used in divination. Some runes look the same upside down and right side up.
Some examples of the Futhark runes:
Uruz - This is a symbol of physical strength and speed, untamed potential.
Uruz Reversed - A symbol of weakness, obsession, misdirected force, and sickness.
Thurisaz - This is a symbol of reactive force, directed force of destruction and defense and conflict
Thurisaz Reversed - This symbolizes danger, defenselessness, compulsion, betrayal, dullness and sometimes even evil.
Hagalaz - This is a symbol of wrath of nature, destructive, uncontrolled forces, especially the weather. Hagalaz cannot be reversed but may lie in opposition. Then it symbolizes natural disasters, catastrophes, pain, and suffering.
Sowilo - Sowilo symbolizes success, goals achieved and honor. When this rune lies its opposition it symbolizes false goals, bad counsel, false success and gullibility.
Berkano - Berkano symbolizes birth, general fertility, both mental and physical and personal growth and liberation. This rune can be reversed.
Berkano Reversed - Symbolizes family problems, domestic troubles, anxiety about someone close to you, carelessness, abandon, loss of control, blurring of consciousness and deceit.
Ehwaz - Ehwaz is the symbol of transportation. It can represent a horse, car, plane, boat or other vehicles.
Ehwaz Reversed - This is not a negative rune. It can symbolize a feeling of restlessness or confined in a situation. It can also be a symbol of reckless haste, disharmony, mistrust, betrayal.
Rune Casting
There are also many different pronunciations of the Elder Futhark rune sounds. If you consider rune casting, don’t be bothered by the sound, it is personal to you how to pronounce them. The rune bag with its runic symbols you acquire represents the entire universe. You as a rune caster do not see the future, keep that in mind. Your goal is to examine the cause and effect of the most likely outcomes.
Find a quiet place to do the reading. Try to sit facing north, the direction of the Gods in Norse mythology. Place a small white cloth on the surface in front of you. This cloth protects the runes from getting dirty and also forms the boundary for the casting. Carefully form a question in your mind. Once you have the question clear in your mind begin to gently mix the runes in their bag. Continue to stir and select lots, however, you feel like you should select, and put them in front of you. Some will be face down and you should ignore them. If a rune is upright, it has a certain meaning. If a rune is upside down, it has a different meaning, do not forget that. Have fun while casting!
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