KielyNet's
Viking Runes Page

Origins

Little is known about the origins of the Runic alphabet, which is traditionally known as futhark after the first six letters. In Old Norse the word rune means 'letter', 'text' or 'inscription'. The word also means 'mystery' or 'secret' in Old Germanic languages and runes had a important role in ritual and magic.

The earliest known Runic inscriptions date from the 1st century AD, but the vast majority of Runic inscriptions date from the 11th century. Runic inscriptions have been found throughout Europe from the Balkans to Germany, Scandinavia and the British Isles.

The Runes were the letters with which the ancient Norse wrote until approximately 1000 A.D., and they can be seen carved on Runestones across Scandinavia to this day. They also had oracular, mythological or psychological import. The chief Norse god, Odin, was said to have been voluntarily wounded with a spear and hung for nine nights on the nine worlds of Norse cosmology's axle-tree, Yggdrasil, in order to obtain knowledge of the Runes' meanings and magical uses--a kind of Norse shamanic initiation.

As a Master Mason in the Blue Lodge and a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason I have been fascinated by the ancient Masonic references to Odin and its relevance to The Three Symbolic Columns of a Lodge

Vegvisir, a runic symbol called the Viking Compass or Runic Compass. Translated from Icelandic, it means “see the way,” “guidepost,” or “direction sign.” For the Vikings, it was worn or inscribed on the individual, it’s purpose to guide the wearer safely through storm and fog, to find the way back home. It is intended to be viewed in conjunction with the Masonic Field Equations. Together, they can be read as describing my "Moral Compass," the ethics of Science and the Masonic Brotherhood.

Historically Viking runes are symbols used for writing, telling fortunes, protection, and for casting spells. Each symbol not only represents a sound but also has magical or supernatural powers associated with it. The Vikings inscribed these symbols on all kinds of objects such as great monuments, common household items, tombstones, and rune stones. Stone rune sets were used to tell fortunes. Viking warriors would inscribe these symbols on there swords and shields for protection and to bring misery to the enemy.

Each rune has only straight lines, none of which are horizontal. This would lead us to believe they were originally carved into wood, as horizontal lines would be difficult to distinguish from the grain. There are approximately 2,500 known runic inscriptions from the Viking Age, many inscriptions have probably been lost do to wood rotting away.

The early Futhark runes has 24 characters. The "blank rune" added here is a modern invention by author Ralph Blum (The Book of Runes - 1983) but has absolutely no historical basis. Many scholars agree that Odin's rune is/was Ansuz. While this doesn't mean that some may find a blank rune useful in their castings. According to Blum, The blank rune bears the traditional Nordic name Odin. It represents thee Unknowable, what you seek has been answered, the answer lies within and cannot be found externally, however, do not dwell within to seek your answers but move forward, following your heart, and remember you are your own wise voice when you hear what is said beyond mind alone. The blank rune offers a reminder that our own knowledge is greater and stronger than we "think".

Blank - Odin

Pose your question and select your runes....

Key in 1 and 25 in the first two boxes (because there are 25 runes), then press select.
If you wish to include the reversed interpretations use 1 and 50 in the form.

Typically three runes are selected, representing your past, present and future. However, there are
many other rune spreads that can be used.

5 30 Uruz Strength	4 29 Othila Separation	3 28 Ansuz Signals	2 27 Gebo Partnership	1 26 Mannaz The Self
10 35 Algiz Protection	9 34 Eihwaz Defense	8 33 Inguz Fertility	7 32 Nauthiz Constraint	6 31 Perth Initation
15 40 Teiwaz Warrior	14 39 Kano Opening	13 38 Jera Harvest	12 37 Wunjo Joy	11 36 Fehu Possessions
20 45 Raido Journey	19 44 Hagalaz Disruption	18 43 Laguz Flow	17 42 Ehwaz Movement	16 41 Berkana Growth
25 50 Odin (blank) The Unknowable	24 49 Sowelu Wholeness	23 48 Isa Standstill	22 47 Dagaz Breakthrough	21 46 Thurisaz Gatewy

Invocation

God within me, God without, How shall I ever be in doubt? There is no place where I may go And not there see God's face, not know I am God's vision and God's ears. So through the harvest of my years I am Sower and the Sown, God's self unfolding and God's own.

Write in Runes

This is a neat little javascript that allows you to write in rune stones. Click on the link below and follow the instructions listed. Click Here!

Rune casting

Runic divination, "runec casting", is not "fortune telling". Rune casting works deeply with the subconscious. The rune pouch with its runic symbols represents the entire universe. As one poses a question, one's entire conscious and unconscious mind is focused toward that question, so that the runelots selected are not truly random selections, but rather choices made by the subconscious. On this site you will select your runes from a virtual pouch.

Runecraft operates on an ancient form of psychology. Even back in Viking times, there was a remarkable understanding of the human psyche. They recognized cause and effect, and the interconnectedness of all things. The word to describe this interconnectedness was "wyrd", which was eventually perverted into the modern meaning of "weird".

When one does a runic reading, one usually addresses a particular issue, and examines the past, the present and the "future", or rather "what will be if one follows the path one appears to be on". Use the random number generator below to select your three runes, representing your past, present and future. A runecaster does not see the future. He/she simply examines cause and effect and points out a likely outcome.

Not exactly occult, is it? It's not supernatural and it's not very mysterious--although the uninitiated considered it a delving into mystery. Nothing magical about it, merely a means of awakening one's right-brain.

If you're looking for a specific way to cast the runes, well, there isn't any. Every runecaster will have to develop his or her way of doing it, that feels best for them. However, there are some guidelines that are best followed.

Just like with crystals, tarot cards or your wedding ring, avoid lending out your runes to others. Even your virtual ones. These runes are yours and there is a strong link, a bond forming between you and your runes which should not be broken.

One of the most common ways to cast the traditional runes is by using a pouch, putting the runes it and cast them on a velvet cloth.

You can draw sets of 3 runes which stand each for the past, present and the future. This also corresponds to the set of 3 cards drawn in tarot.

Odin's casting is a set of 5 runes where the middle one is a bit raised from the other two on each side.

Some people use 7 runes, or 12. There are many casting runes methods, just as there are many tarot spreads that can be laid as well.

One of my favorite is the Runic cross, which consists of six runes, set up in a Celtic Cross formation. This particular rune spread is capable of giving you over 3,200,000,000 different layouts.

The supposed relevance of each is described below:

1. The past you are coming from most recently
2. You now, your current role
3. The future as it is coming in to being for you
4. The foundation of the matter under consideration
5. The nature of the challenge for this situation
6. The new situation that will arise as you achieve your goals

Have fun but remember, 'the truth is that life is hard and dangerous...' -- Joyce Cary