Hello everyone, and welcome to another post. If you are new here my name is Annaliese and I bring magic into real life. Today I have a teaching post for you on the popular (and a personal favourite of mine) topic of runes. But first, if you enjoy my work, please subscribe to my newsletter and be sure to check out my books and the Moon Telegrams.

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What are Viking Rune Symbols

I wanted to write about the popular and intriguing topic of rune symbols which are often associated with the Vikings. The correct term is the Nordic Runes and they an ancient communication and divination system which began around 2000 years ago (approximately 50 BC).

The word rune originates from mystery or secret, and the runes are a collection of twenty-four symbols traditionally carved or etched onto wood, stone or bone… which also gives reason as to why the symbols are so angular. 

They are an ancient tradition of the Nordic and Germanic people, including The Vikings. The runes formed their first writing and communication system, not only between each other (the symbols would be carved onto trees to leave a message for example), but as a way of receiving messages, guidance, insights and empowerment from a higher supernatural source or realm. Check out my previous posts on Am I Psychic and How to develop Psychic Abilities to help you understand receiving the messages when reading runes symbols. 

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Much is known, if not commercialised, about tarot cards, spells and oracle cards but not so much about the secret magical mysterious runes. The runes are used these days in a similar way to tarot readings and you may notice the rune symbols on certain TV shows and movies. Many tattoos inked on bodies are, indeed, rune symbols.

Who invented the rune symbols?

In Norse lore, there was a magician God known as Odin, a Germanic Woden who gave his name to Wednesday, but Odin was also Lord of the runes and embodied inspiration, wisdom, secrets, prophecy and communication.

Odin impaled his heart with his own spear and hung from the world tree – Yggdrai. He did this for nine days and nine nights to receive all the information, meanings and guidance of the runes. The symbols and each of their complex meanings were said to have come up from The Well of Urd (the source of fate), which sits below the world tree. Through reading the runes symbols, we too can also access The Well of Urd and all its potent magical information. 

By the 5th century, the Elder (old) Futhark Rune system was complete. The Younger Futhark system containing only 16 symbols followed, as fewer Vikings and other Nordic tribes developed them into fewer symbols but with deeper, more complex meanings. It is though, the original Elder Futhark system that is mostly used today. In comparison, playing cards and tarot cards didn’t arrive until the 14th century and are not classed as ancient in their origin. 

Runes today are widely sold. Usually in a material pouch with each symbol etched on either wood pieces, stone or pieces of crystal such as rose quartz or onyx. Mass-produced runes tend to be made of clay. Take care to choose a substance which resonates with you. They essentially look like a bag of pebbles or small stones (often called staves) with a symbol etched on them. If you are purchasing Runes make sure the symbol is etched on, not painted, and you source them from reputable genuine Rune experts, but it is the casting of the runes which remains important. 

The symbols 

As mentioned, there are twenty-four symbols or runestaves. Each symbol represents almost a script of divinely sourced meanings, teachings and mystical guidance distilled into one individual symbol. Old English, Norwegian and Icelandic poems are associated with each, as well as the symbols’ individual legend. Whilst runes take time to learn due to their deep, profound and complex meanings and insights, like most things, once you do, they are simple to understand and interpret.

You can learn to do runecasting yourself or grab a reading with one of the excellent and talented rune readers and experts around. There are fewer of them when compared to tarot readers, for example, but they are around.

Please do your due diligence and research when you're looking for a rune reader. 

Look out for future posts on rune casting!

Spreading the sorcery love,

Annaliese

Looking to get your own set of runes or a rune-related gift or book? Have a look at these great choices. Perfect for Christmas or New Year gifts