Working with Runes

Let's be really honest now.

Let's step away from all the gurus and big named authors telling us that they "know" the secret meanings of the runes. 

Let's get real and admit that how our ancestors used runes magically is lost to us, and no one person holds the secret knowledge to this. It is lost in the mysteries of time, or more precisely Christianity lost this wisdom for us.

So, you want to understand the runes...how do you know that your research is giving you solid results?

• Check where the author/ teacher got their information from.

If they are suggesting secret sources, unique knowledge unknown to others, or esoteric wisdom earned without many years of work and practise then I would suggest you move on to another source or teacher.

If they (like myself) are honest that a good amount of their knowledge has come through their own experience of the runes, then there must be space for you to have a different experience. Personal experience IS very valid, but it can't then be considered an unbreakable lore.

If they are quoting authors from the 70's and 80's then go to those authors, check those sources- because many of them did not study the Old Norse sources, rather they wove in Germanic cultural practices and modern esoteric ideas and then presented them as Norse.

• Understand your Futharks.

There are several different futharks (runic alphabets), and the source material for them is different. 

We have NO clear sources for what the runes of the Elder futhark (the most well used futhark) meant, the names, sounds, and meanings are all reconstructed. 

The Younger Futhark was still being used in the Middle Ages, and we have the rune poems to at least give some small insight into their possible meanings. (You can read a separate blog on this here)

• Validate

"If it works you are doing it right" is my entire focus on rune work.

No one can claim to be doing it authentically, because we don't have the information to validate it.

If someone has grown up in a Scandinavian country, then they are likely to have more of an inherent understanding of the runes because there will be cultural memories and traditions that create that connection.

But at heart much of rune magic has to be experiential, learning as we work with the runes. Working with a teacher or a group can be very helpful in supporting this process- giving you a safe space to explore, honest feedback, and practical tools and knowledge to weave into your journey.

So it’s only fair to share where my information comes from.

o   I worked with my teacher for 18 months, and he was very knowledgeable both in shamanic work and Norse mythology, his teacher was Norwegian and was sharing his family runic wisdom tradition.

o   I have read widely and translated the rune poems personally.

o   I have many friends who work with the runes and discuss my ideas and experiences with them.

o   Most of my knowledge is now coming through shamanic work I do with clients or groups, then reflecting how that fits in with all I have learnt since I started exploring this in 1998.

o   A living tradition

I see rune magic as a living tradition, the more we experience the more we learn, as long as we are open minded enough to allow the learning to continue.

You will find lots of free resources on the runes- in my blogs, YouTube channel, and website. Have a browse, have fun, Agree, disagree, just keep the conversation flowing.

More resources can be found here: https://www.maddyelruna.co.uk/copy-of-runes-1