Understanding runes begins with some background information on their inception and development. They were first used by the Nordic and Germanic tribes of Northern Europe for both secular and religious purposes. There is some debate among scholars, but the first examples of the runes to phonetically represent language appears to date from around the second century B.C.E.
The development of the rune was a fairly recent occurrence, brought about because of the increased trading activity with Mediterranean cultures who already possessed a fully developed alphabet.
It was believed that by calling upon the appropriate rune one could thereby make contact with the force in nature.
There were runes to influence the weather, to aid the crops, and to heal the sick, the symbols were also carved on many items, such as weapons, drinking horns, spears, the prow of ships, and the timbers of houses, each had its own combination of runes, usually for luck and protection.
The runes were an important part of the lives of people, and they drew a certain comfort from seeing their powerful symbols on even the most homeliest of objects. You will find that if you look and are aware, you can find runes everywhere, in the branches of trees, in the cracks in pavements, even in graffiti on walls or scratched into the wood on park benches. The more you allow the runes to be a part of your life, the more familiar and comfortable you will be with them, the more they will speak to you of their inner meanings.
A rune, like any other ideograph, is merely a static symbol of a dynamic state or concept; what these symbols actually mean can change radically depending on the perspective of the interpreter, a phenomenon not unlike many other divination tools.
Through continued use of the runes and meditating on each of their symbols, one can gain an increasingly accurate picture of the symbols as they relate to one’s own life.
You can buy runes, but I feel the best way is to make them yourself, and it’s easy. By making them you imbue your life force and energy into them. Runes can be made from any natural material, i.e. stone, clay, or wood, and they should be made by the person intending to use them.
Wood has long been the preferred material for making runes, which explains why sets from the early centuries have not survived to enlighten us today.
Round runes are probably the easiest to make. If you wish you can collect your wood for your runes from the wild, find the tree of your choice and collect it from a branch about ¾” in diameter. Remember if you take live wood, you are taking the equivalent of a finger from a living being, respectfully ask for the tree’s permission, and explain what you intend to use the wood for, and thank the tree afterwards.
Once you have your wood, cut it into about 1cm thick pieces, ou will need about twenty five in all, and then you can either paint or carve the symbols onto your pieces. I would not suggest that you stain or use any varnish, just leave the wood in its natural state and this way you will restore the wood’s natural energy. All you need now is a good book to gather the meanings of each symbol as a starting point for your own journey with the runes, and methods of their use.
