A MYSTERY OR SECRET

Runes* are the letters of a special alphabet used by the ancient peoples who spoke Germanic languages such as Scandinavian, German, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian, and English. The script was carved on wood, stone, or metal, and the inscriptions were often intended for magical purposes.

        The rune is more than just a letter. The very word “rune” ---from the Old Norse, Old English, Old High German, and Gothic--means “mystery” or “archetypal secret.” If you dare to make the runes on your own, you can expect to have your life taken in strange and interesting directions as you seek the mysteries and become a truer person.

        The rune is a complex unit. Its form, its sounds, and its number all bear symbolic meanings. This book will explore all of these levels of meaning.

THE RUNE SYSTEM

 The workbook below delves into the world of the Elder Futhark, the oldest runic system, or “alphabet.” We will start by looking at this system, as the later runic systems are dependent on the Elder for their lore, names and shapes.

        Runes were organized in a row called the Futhark, taken from the first six rune staves (the stave is the name for the physical shape of the rune). In runes, these staves are written: (“th” is one rune). The naming of the rune system is similar to the way the word “alphabet” is derived---from the names for the first two letters (alpha and beta). The runes were ordered in three families called Aetts (eights).

        The rune staves are angular because they were designed to be carved into wood, and it is easier to carve angular staves with a knife. Angular shapes stand out better when carved in wood, especially when carved against the grain.