RUNICWAYS

ByDavidG.MacKenzie

Runeshavebeenpartoftheworldforathousandyearsormore.Inscriptionshavebeenfoundasfar
westasNorthAmericaandasfarEastasthestepsofRussia.Theywereusedforhealing,cursing,
divination,andlegaldocumentationandarestillalargepartofmanypeopleslivestoday.Inthis
modesttome,IwilldocumentthewaysoftheRunesandhowyoucanbringtheirinfluenceintoyour
life.

ThewaysoftheRunicMastersaremany,anddirecttremendouspower.Weutilizethesetechniquesin
ordertocastourwilluponthewebofWyrd.Theyarethecreaturesofcreationandweworkwiththem
tounravelourownthreads,aswellasthatofthosewhoseekusout.
Buthowdidwecometousethesepowerfulglyphs?Iwillgiveabriefmythologyoftherunesandhow
theycametobe.

IknowthatIhunguponthetree.Ofwhichnooneknowswheretherootsrun.Ninenightsall,I
hung.AsacrificetoOdin.Agiftofmyselftomyself.Itooknofood,ordrink.WoundedbyGungir,I
gavefreelyofmyownblood.Ipeeredintothewellandsoughtknowledgeandwisdom,forone
cannotbetrulywithouttheother.
Screaming,Ispiedtherunes!Theobjectsofcreation.Igrabbedthemupandfellbacktomyplace

ThepassageyouhavejustreadwasfromthesagasdepictingtheinitiationofOdinintotheRunic
mysteries.Hegaveofhimselfsothatwemayhavetheknowledgeandpowertoworknotjustinthis
world,butall.OdinistheAllFather,andchiefgodoftheNorthernpeoples.Heismasterofmagic,but
alsochooseroftheslain.Whatwereadwasashamanicjourneythathetookintoalloftheworldsin
ordertofindtheknowledgeandwisdomagodshouldhave.Inthatjourney,theRuneswereshownto
himandhegavetheirpowersandwaystomankind.Thisis,whatsomewouldcall,themythologyof
theRunes.Ithinkitmorerepresentshowwetoocancometolearntheirpower.Wemustsacrificeof
ourselvesandlettheRunesberevealed.OdinisthechiefdeityforRunework,buttherearealsothree
womenthatalsoplayalargerole.Eventothegods,thesewomenaremysteriousandtheycontrolall
thefatesofmananddeity.
TheyareTheNorns.Somecallthemthethreefates,butthisisamisnomerascribedfromthosefamiliar
withGreekmythology.TheNornsdonotcraftfate,theyweavethewebofWyrdbaseduponthe
individualsactionsorinactions.Tothemwemakeourcall,alongwithOdin,tohelpusrevealwhatthe
Runesaretryingtosay.Inthenextsection,IwilldescribetheRunicmeanings,butwithallthings,you
willfindthattheRunesmayrevealothersecretmeaningstoyou.Bealwaysopenandlistenwithears
notofthisworld.

TheRunes

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Fehu(F:DomesticCattle,wealth)Possessionswonorearned,earnedincome,luck.
Abundance,attainment,financialstrengthinthepresentornearfuture.Signofhopeandplenty,
successandhappiness.Socialsuccess.Attainmentofthatwhichyoudesire.Energy,foresight,fertility.

Uruz:(Auroch,WildOx)Physicalstrengthandspeed,untamedpotential.Atimeofgreatenergyand
health.Freedom,energy,action,courage,strength,tenacity,understanding,wisdom.Suddenor
unexpectedchanges(usuallyforthebetter).Sexualdesire,masculinepotency.Theshapingofpower
andpattern,formulationoftheself.Merkstave:Weakness,obsession,misdirectedforce,dominationby
others.Sickness,inconsistency,ignorance.Lust,brutality,rashness,callousness,violence.

Thurisaz:(Th:Thorn,Agiant)Reactiveforce,directedforceofdestructionanddefense,conflict.
Instinctualwill,vitaleroticism,regenerativecatalyst.Atendencytowardchange.Catharsis,purging,
cleansingfire.Malesexuality,fertilization.(Thor,theThundergod,wasofGiantstock.)Merkstave:
Danger,defenselessness,compulsion,betrayal,dullness.Evil,malice,hatred,torment,spite,lies.Abad
manorwoman.

Ansuz:(A:TheAesir,AncestralGod,Odin)Arevealingmessageorinsight,communication.Signals,
inspiration,enthusiasm,speech,truevision,powerofwordsandnaming.Blessings,thetakingof
advice.Goodhealth,harmony,truth,wisdom.Merkstave:Misunderstanding,delusion,manipulationby
others,boredom.Vanityandgrandiloquence.

Raidho:(R:Wagon,chariot)Travel,bothinphysicaltermsandthoseoflifestyledirection.Ajourney,
vacation,relocation,evolution,changeofplaceorsetting.Seeingalargerperspective.Seeingtheright
moveforyoutomakeanddecidinguponit.Personalrhythm,worldrhythm,danceoflife.Merkstave:
Crisis,rigidity,stasis,injustice,irrationality.Disruption,dislocation,demotion,delusion,possiblya
death.

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Kenaz:(K:Beacon,torch)Vision,revelation,knowledge,creativity,inspiration,technicalability.Vital
fireoflife,harnessedpower,fireoftransformationandregeneration.Powertocreateyourownreality,
thepoweroflight.Opentonewstrength,energy,andpowernow.Passion,sexuallove.Merkstave:
Disease,breakup,instability,lackofcreativity.Nakedness,exposure,lossofillusionandfalsehope.

Gebo:(G:AGift)Gifts,bothinthesenseofsacrificeandofgenerosity,indicatingbalance.Allmatters
inrelationtoexchanges,includingcontracts,personalrelationshipsandpartnerships.Merkstave:
Greed,loneliness,dependence,oversacrifice.Obligation,toll,privation,bribery.

Wunjo:(W/V:Joy)Joy,comfort,pleasure.Fellowship,harmony,prosperity.Ecstasy,glory,spiritual
reward,butalsothepossibilityofgoing"overthetop".Ifrestrained,themeaningisgeneralsuccess
andrecognitionofworth.Merkstave:Stultification,sorrow,strife,alienation.Delirium,intoxication,
possessionbyhigherforces,impracticalenthusiasm.Ragingfrenzy,berzerker.

Hagalaz:(H:Hail)Wrathofnature,destructive,uncontrolledforces,especiallytheweather,orwithin
theunconscious.Tempering,testing,trial.Controlledcrisis,leadingtocompletion,innerharmony.
Merkstave:Naturaldisaster,catastrophe.Stagnation,lossofpower.Pain,loss,suffering,hardship,
sickness,crisis.

Nauthiz:(N:Need)Delays,restriction,constraint.Resistanceleadingtostrength,innovation,needfire
(selfreliance).Distress,confusion,conflict,andthepowerofwilltoovercomethem.Endurance,
survival,determination.Atimetoexercisepatience.Recognitionofone'sfate.Majorselfinitiated
change.Faceyourfears.Merkstave:Constraintoffreedom,distress,toil,drudgery,laxity.Necessity,
extremity,want,deprivation,starvation,need,poverty,emotionalhunger.

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Isa:(I:Ice)Achallengeorfrustration.Psychologicalblockstothoughtoractivity,including
grievances.Stagnation.Standstill,oratimetoturninwardandwaitforwhatistocome,ortoseek
clarity.Thisrunereinforcesrunesaroundit.Merkstave:Egomania,dullness,blindness,dissipation.
Treachery,illusion,deceit,betrayal,guile,stealth,ambush,plots.

Jera:(J/Y:Harvest)Theresultsofearliereffortsarerealized.Atimeofpeaceandhappiness,fruitful
season.Itcanbreakthroughstagnancy.Hopesandexpectationsofpeaceandprosperity.Thepromise
ofsuccessearned.Lifecycle,cyclicalpatternoftheuniverse.Everythingchanges,initsowntime.
Merkstave:Suddensetback,reversals.Amajorchange,repetition,badtiming,poverty,conflict.

Eihwaz:(EI:Yewtree)Strength,reliability,dependability,trustworthiness.Enlightenment,endurance.
Defense,protection.Thedrivingforcetoacquire,providingmotivationandasenseofpurpose.
Indicatesthatyouhavesetyoursightsonareasonabletargetandcanachieveyourgoals.Anhonest
manwhocanbereliedupon.Merkstave:Confusion,destruction,dissatisfaction,weakness.

Perthro:(P:Lotcup)Uncertainmeaning,asecretmatter,amystery,hiddenthingsandoccultabilities.
Initiation,knowledgeofone'sdestiny,knowledgeoffuturematters,determiningthefutureoryour
path.Pertainingtothingsfeminine,femininemysteriesincludingfemalefertility,andvagina.Goodlot,
fellowshipandjoy.Evolutionarychange.Merkstave:Addiction,stagnation,loneliness,malaise.

Algiz:(Z:Elk,protection)Protection,ashield.Theprotectiveurgetoshelteroneselforothers.
Defense,wardingoffofevil,shield,guardian.Connectionwiththegods,awakening,higherlife.Itcan
beusedtochannelenergiesappropriately.Followyourinstincts.Keepholdofsuccessormaintaina
positionwonorearned.Merkstave:Hiddendanger,consumptionbydivineforces,lossofdivinelink.
Taboo,warning,turningaway,thatwhichrepels.

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Sowilo:(S:Thesun)Success,goalsachieved,honor.Thelifeforce,health.Atimewhenpowerwillbe
availabletoyouforpositivechangesinyourlife,victory,health,andsuccess.Contactbetweenthe
higherselfandtheunconscious.Wholeness,power,elementalforce,swordofflame,cleansingfire.
Merkstave:Falsegoals,badcounsel,falsesuccess,gullibility,lossofgoals.Destruction,retribution,
justice,castingdownofvanity.Wrathofthegods.

Tiwaz:(T:Tyr)Honor,justice,leadershipandauthority.Analysis,rationality.Knowingwhereone's
truestrengthslie.Willingnesstoselfsacrifice.Victoryandsuccessinanycompetitionorinlegal
matters.Merkstave:One'senergyandcreativeflowareblocked.Mentalparalysis,overanalysis,
oversacrifice,injustice,imbalance.Strife,war,conflict,failureincompetition.Dwindlingpassion,
difficultiesincommunication,andpossiblyseparation.

Berkano:(B:BirchGoddess,rebirth)Birth,generalfertility,bothmentalandphysicalandpersonal
growth,liberation.Regenerativepowerandlightofspring,renewal,promiseofnewbeginnings,new
growth.Arousalofdesire.Aloveaffairornewbirth.Theprosperingofanenterpriseorventure.
Merkstave:Familyproblemsandordomestictroubles.Anxietyaboutsomeoneclosetoyou.
Carelessness,abandon,lossofcontrol.Blurringofconsciousness,deceit,sterility,stagnation.

Ehwaz:(E:Horse)Transportation.Mayrepresentahorse,car,plane,boatorothervehicle.Movement
andchangeforthebetter.Gradualdevelopmentandsteadyprogressareindicated.Harmony,
teamwork,trust,loyalty.Anidealmarriageorpartnership.Confirmationbeyonddoubtthemeaningsof
therunesaroundit.Merkstave:Thisisnotreallyanegativerune.Achangeisperhapscraved.Feeling
restlessorconfinedinasituation.Recklesshaste,disharmony,mistrust,betrayal.

Mannaz:(M:Man)TheSelftheindividualorthehumanrace.Yourattitudetowardothersandtheir
attitudestowardsyou.Friendsandenemies,socialorder.Intelligence,forethought,create,skill,ability.
Divinestructure,intelligence,awareness.Expecttoreceivesomesortofaidorcooperationnow.
Merkstave:Depression,mortality,blindness,selfdelusion.Cunning,slyness,manipulation,craftiness,
calculation.Expectnohelpnow.

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Laguz:(L:Water)Flow,water,sea,afertilitysource,thehealingpowerofrenewal.Lifeenergyand
organicgrowth.Imaginationandpsychicmatters.Dreams,fantasies,mysteries,theunknown,the
hidden,thedeep,theunderworld.Successintraveloracquisition,butwiththepossibilityofloss.
Merkstave:Anindicationofaperiodofconfusioninyourlife.Youmaybemakingwrongdecisions
andpoorjudgments.Lackofcreativityandfeelingsofbeinginarut.Fear,circularmotion,avoidance,
withering.Madness,obsession,despair,perversity,sickness,suicide.

Ingwaz:(NG:Ing)Malefertility,gestation,internalgrowth.Commonvirtues,commonsense,simple
strengths,familylove,caring,humanwarmth,thehome.Reststage,atimeofrelief,ofnoanxiety.A
timewhenallloosestringsaretiedandyouarefreetomoveinanewdirection.Listentoyourself.
Merkstave:Impotence,movementwithoutchange.Production,toil,labor,work.

Dagaz:(D:Day)Breakthrough,awakening,awareness.Daylightclarityasopposedtonighttime
uncertainty.Atimetoplanorembarkuponanenterprise.Thepowerofchangedirectedbyyourown
will,transformation.Hope/happiness,theideal.Securityandcertainty.Growthandrelease.Balance
point,theplacewhereoppositesmeet.Merkstave:Acompletion,ending,limit,comingfullcircle.
Blindness,hopelessness.

Othala:(O:AncestralProperty)Inheritedpropertyorpossessions,ahouse,ahome.Whatistruly
importanttoone.Grouporder,groupprosperity.Landofbirth,spiritualheritage,experienceand
fundamentalvalues.Aidinspiritualandphysicaljourneys.Sourceofsafety,increaseandabundance.
Merkstave:Lackofcustomaryorder,totalitarianism,slavery,poverty,homelessness.Badkarma,
prejudice,clannishness,provincialism.Whatamanisboundto.

Consecration

Toconsecrateasetofrunescanbeaverydrawoutprocessbydedicatingeachindividualrune,oryou
canquickentheprocessbydedicatingthewholesetwithyourownblood.Ifindthelattertobemost
effectiveifoneisshortontime,ortheneedtoworkwiththerunesiscrucial.Itbeginsthusly

Materials:
Candle
Selflightingcharcoal
Firesafedishwithsand
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Pieceofjuniper
Diabeticlancetorpin,orsharpworkingknife

Lightacandleandkindleapieceofselflightingcharcoalwhichyouwillplacewithinthefiresafedish
withsand.Placeyourrunesuponanaltar,orworkingtableandcenteryourself.Itypicallycenterwith
thethreebreathmethodofslowlybreathinginthroughthenoseandoutofthemouth,relaxingintothe
outbreath.Oncecentered,contemplatewhatyouareaccomplishingwiththisritual.Contemplateyour
wyrdandyourpathupontheweb.Knowthatbycastingtherunes,youwillbeabletoseethepatternof
yours,andothers,wyrd.ThinkofhowtherunescametousthroughthesacrificeofOdinuponthe
WorldTree,Yggdrasil.

WhenyouarereadytoenlivenyourRunes,drawsomebloodwiththelancet,pin,orsharpknife.
HoldyourbleedingfingerovertheRunesandletsomedropsfalluponthemwhilstsaying
CreaturesofWyrd,OdinsGift,Iaskthatyoutoacceptthisofferingasasymbolofmy
spiritandconnectiontotheoldways.Isacrificeofmyself,asOdindidofold,for
knowledgeandwisdom.Iaskthatwiththisgiftyougrantmethewaysofofknowing,and
helpmeclimbthetreeandseewhatwas,whatis,andwhatwillbe.ByUrd,Verdhandi,
andSkuld,Imakemytroth.

MixtheRunesaroundwiththehandwhichyoudrewthebloodandallowthedropsyouhavegivento
circulateamongthem.TheRunesarenowready.

RuneCasting

Tothiswayofworkingwecasttherunesuponthewebofwyrdandreadtheirmessages.Iusethis
methodformanyquestionsandtoknowwhatlayaheaduponmypath.
Takeaclothoftwelvetotwentyfourinchessquare.Uponthisclothdrawthreecircles.Oneinsidethe
other.ThendrawanXfromonecornertothenextsothatitbisectsthecentercircle.Toeachsectionof
theoutercirclecreatedbytheXinscribetherunesLaguz,Feoh,Ingwaz,andBerkano.Thesewillgive
knowledgeofthosethingsmostaffectingthereadinginregardstothatwhichmostpathsinlifehold.
Emotions,Attainment,Connections/Family,andNewbeginnings.
Theverycentercircleindicateswhatdirectlyaffectsthequerant.Thesecondcircleindicatestheforces
surroundingtheindividualorquestion.Thethirdcircleindicatesthosethingsaffectingthe
aforementionedsubjects,andtheouterspaceindicatesthosethingscominginthedistantfuture.

Tocasttherunes,placethemallinapouchlargeenoughforoneshandtoentereasily.Withthepower
hand,stirtherunesthinkingonthequestionsaying

Odin,AllFather,masterofRunicknowledge,grantmethepowertoreadtheRunes
aright.

GrabahandfulofthetilesandcirclingthehandthreetimesclockwisewhilstrecitingUrd,Verthandi,
Skuld(thegoddessesoffatethatweavethewebofwyrd),andletthemfallastheymayuponthecloth.
Readtherunesspiralingoutfromthecenterclockwiseandinterpret.Disregardanyrunesthathave
fallenfromthecloth.Thesearetentativeinfluencesthatmayormaynotcomeabout,sonotimpactive
uponthereading.
Anystonesthatfallfacedowncanbeinterpretedasmurkstaves,orhiddeninfluences.Somedisregard
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themaltogether.Thatchoiceisyourstomake.Feelyourwaytotherightpath.

CastingasimpleRuneSpell

Materialsneeded

Runes
Pieceofcleanpaper
RedInk
Quill
Incenseappropriatetospell
Candle
SharpKnife

1.Determinethetypeofspellyouwishtocast.
2.PullforththeRunesthatdefineyourdesire.
3.WritetheRunesuponthepaperwhileintoningeachnameandmagicalproperty.
4.CutyourhandandplaceadropofbloodupontheRunesyoujustinscribed.(note:drawtheblood
fromyourdominanthandforthiscontainsyourprojectivepower)
5.OncetheRunesarewrittenandblooded,lightthecandleandtheincense.
6.Foldthepaperintwoandpassitthroughthesmokesaying:TotheGodsIsendthisspellofRune
mighttobecarriedbythewindsofmydesire.
7.Statethepurposeofthespellandattheendofthestatementsay:Itismywillthatthisbeso!
8.Nowburnthepieceofpapersaying:Consumedbytheflame,theRunepowerisreleasedtogoforth
andcompletemyspell.Itismywillthatthisbeso!
9.Closeyoureyesforamomentvisualizingyourspellcomingtofruitionandthenendtheritual.(note:
repeatthreetimesoverthreedays.)

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