Three people gathered around the white cloth under the late-day sun. One woman shook a small leather pouch, whispering a question to the gods as she did so. She emptied its contents into her bejeweled hands, exhaling once over them before releasing the lot onto the cloth. Strips of nut wood landed on the fabric. To most people, the scattered pile in which they lay was meaningless, but to the woman, the symbols and the order in which they landed held the answers to their question. Above them, the tree limbs shook as if in remembrance of the one-eyed god who hung on its branches for nine nights for the cosmic wisdom possessed in the inscriptions.
If your travels take you to Iceland, you will most likely see the symbols called the runes inscribed on artifacts in the museums or used for logos and souvenirs around the country. Or perhaps you saw them first in a movie or television show, or maybe you are just intrigued by what these mysterious-looking symbols are.
Like you, I was intrigued and wanted to learn more about the runes, and began studying them while researching my first book on Norse Mythology. My fascination with them inspired me to take courses, read numerous books on the topics, attend rune courses, and even teach classes in the States. I continue to hoard books on the subject and read the rune poems.
Of course, there is always more to learn, and when it comes to theories, archeology, and history, there is so much more to be uncovered. These mysterious symbols used as a writing system by the early Germanic peoples and the Vikings possess a myriad of aspects, perhaps even a magical one.
The word rune
Much is debated about the runes, including what the word “rune” translates to. According to the book “Runes: Divine Symbols of Prophecy” by Andrew McKay, the word rune can be translated in a few ways, depending on who you ask.
Scholars mostly agree that the word “rune” translates to “carve” or “scratch,” which makes sense considering the plethora of historical evidence that involves being carved on objects. Any word close in English to rune comes closest to “inscription,” which suggests that rune does not mean a single character but a series of them. However, the author goes on to state this is the lesser accepted definition.
Yet we have another meaning, one which holds much more mysticism and complexity. Referring back to older languages such as Old Norse, the word rune means “holding a secret” or mystery.
Most academics will disagree with the mysterious side; however, if we take a closer look at the Edda and the rune poems, we find a different story —one of magic, mystery, and prophecy. Is it possible that the runes were not merely letters but divine symbols carved by the gods themselves?
Linguistics and language
Runes are one of the earliest writing systems in Europe, which provide a glimpse into the lives of the people who used them. They were primarily a writing system, meaning that each symbol represents a sound. Each rune also has a name used to express ideas and concepts. For example, the first rune in the Elder Runes is Fehu, which represents the letter “F”, sound “eff,” and translates to “cattle.” If we look at what cattle meant during this time, it was a sign of wealth for many, which is why Fehu is often associated with wealth, property, and possessions.
Fehu is also associated with the Norse god and goddess, Freyja and Freyr, divine beings who represented fertility, prosperity and love, giving Fehu even more meaning. Furthermore the rune poems offer even a deeper meaning.
If we take a look at the Old English rune poem for Fehu, it is
“Wealth is a comfort for all men;
Yet must every man bestow it freely,
If he wish to gain honor in the sight of the Lord.”
The poem suggests the idea of generosity and the giving of wealth in exchange for favorable treatment, thereby giving Fehu even more meaning.
Every rune has associated rune poems, sounds, and symbolic associations; however, the translation of the rune Perthro remains a mystery to scholars and runologists alike.
The Futharks and Aetts
Technically, the runes are not an alphabet, but a futhark, pronounced “foo-thark,” being the first six runic characters represent “f,u, th, a, r, k.”
There are agreeably three futharks, although I have also seen an “Icelandic and Dwarven futharks,” which differ from the main three. They are separated into three aetts or rows: Freyr/Freyja’s aett, Heimdall’s Aett, and Tyr’s Aett.
The oldest futhark is the Elder Futhark and consists of 24 characters. It was used from approximately 100 CE to 700 AD, when it then developed into two branches: the Younger Futhark and the Anglo-Saxon.
The Younger Futhark consists of 16 symbols, while the Anglo-Saxon consists of 28.
The Vikings used the Younger Futhark; thus, all Viking-age symbols are inscribed with these symbols.
Eventually the runes died out, replaced by Latin writing systems when Christianity took over Northern Europe. The exception to this are the rune stones used to commemorate the dead, such in the case of Danish archbishop who died in 1201. (source, Runes: Divine Symbols of Prophecy, McKay)
How were they used
As stated, the runes were used as an early writing system, most likely developed as trading began between Northern Europe and Mesopotamia. They were found carved on various objects, including swords, axes, brooches, daggers, and spears as well as large stones.
Our most significant source of rune inscriptions is rune stones, found all over Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Austria, Germany, the Orkney Islands, and England. So far, archaeologists have found over 6,000 runic inscriptions, with 3,000 of them being rune stones.
Grave stones are estimated to appear around the 3 and 4th centuries, but most date from the Viking era from the 9th to 10th century.
The Magical Runes
Scholars argue the runes were only a writing system; however, there is evidence that suggests otherwise. For centuries, mystics, seers, and the Vikings used the runes for various purposes, including divination, spells, and creating special symbols known as bind runes, for purposes such as protection, health, or safe travel.
The first attestation of this is by the Roman Historian Tactitus who documents his observations of early Germanic tribes. Tactitus tells of a branch from a nut bearing tree being cut into strips in which a symbol was carved upon. The strips were then “casted” onto a white cloth and a priest who interpret its meaning.
In Ynglinga Saga, the character Gramnar goes to Uppsala for a blót. At this special ceremony, sacrifices were made to the gods, spirits, and ancestors in exchange for protection or favors. The saga states, “the chips fell in a way that he would not live long,” suggesting some type of casting was performed to determine a fate.
It is unclear if in both cases the text is referring to the runes, but it shows the practice of “casting” to determine fates or receive counsel on a question. A practice that modern-day rune workers still employ.
The Rune Poems also suggest another, more profound meaning for each rune which leads us to the Edda.
The Edda
Where did the runes come from? Did humans develop this writing system based on other older writing systems or was it divine intervention?
According the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse Poetry, the runes are holy symbols carved by the gods themselves and delivered to humans to use.
In the Eddic poem Hávamál, the Norse god Odin recounts how he sacrificed himself to gain knowledge of the runes. In stanzas 138-163, he describes how he hung himself for nine days on Yggdrasil to gain the wisdom of the runes as well as the mysteries surrounding these symbols.
“I know that I hung on a windswept tree
Nine long nights
Wounded by a spear dedicated to Odin
Myself to myself
On that tree which no man knows
From where it roots run.”
Stanza 138 Hávamál Trans Carolyn Larrington
This experience then transforms Odin into a master of the runes and their wisdom, and he goes on to describe many spells he learns, such as for protection, healing, and binding enemies.
He then goes on to state that the Æsir gods gifted these runes to humans. This is a central theme in Norse Mythology, as Odin is often associated with magic and poetry as much as he is with war.
Modern Day Uses
The runes are no longer used as a writing system; however, they are still used for casting and divination around the world. Runes are also inscribed on objects to hold a special meaning or on talismans to be worn or carried. A bind rune is two or more runes drawn together for a specific purpose or meaning. Some bind runes are historically accurate while others are created for the first time using intuition and intention.
Rune sets are often carved or painted on objects such as pieces of wood, stones or bone. There are many methods of “reading and casting” runes, some more modern than others. Practitioners may pick a rune out of a bag, cast the entire lot on a cloth, or pick several runes to form a spread much like modern-day tarot readings.
Misuse
Unfortunately, at one time in history the runes have been stolen and missed by the Nazi party and white supremacists as well as other hate groups. It is essential to note that this is not the origin of the runes, and are being misused when taken by such groups. We have to educate the public about this. The runes are not hate symbols, nor are the Norse gods. There is a global movement fighting to take these symbols back, away from the hands of ignorance and hate. The runes were never meant for this, and never will be
Where can you find the runes in Iceland
If you are interested in learning more about the runes in Iceland there is a plethora of books available on the topic at each bookstore. My recommendation is to read the rune poems as well as the Sagas and Norse Mythology such as The Prose Edda and The Poetic Edda. The best way to fully understand all facets of them is to understand Viking society and their associated mythological lore.
If you are ever in the New York area I teach a class on the runes once a year with Other Wordly Waxes in NY.
Places you will find the runes and artifacts inscribed with them in Iceland:
The Settlement Museum in Reykjavik
The Sorcery Museum in Holmavik and their annual festival
Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður
Various gift shops and souvenir shops around Iceland
Logos
Whether you choose to believe in the magic of the runes or not, there is no argument that they remain a mystery to scholars and non-scholars alike!
Recommended reading:
Runes: Divine Symbols of Prophecy
The Icelandic Book of Futhark
