FAQ about runes

1. What are runes? Where did they come from and how did they evolve?
Don’t be lazy and type this question in google or other search engines. (you can also find several articles on the topic in themagick.space forum).

2. What do you think about new Wiccan runes?
They have a very slight relationship to the runes of the Elder Futhark.

3. Is Nauthiz rune reversable?
The history knows cases when Nauthiz rune was carved in reversed position and direct position. Choose the way you want to use it with your intuition and testing it through practice.

4. Where can I find detailed information on how to use runes?
Various websites/forums – is probably the best source to start learning about different works related to runes. They usually give a detailed information for a beginner. There are also websites/forums where you can find different techniques/methods from rune practitioners. There are also website that just gather information about a certain topic without checking the sources – please pay attention and make sure that the Elder Futhark dos not have a fourth aett 

5. It would be great to know what books on runes a beginner should read?
First of all, there are Elder (Poetic) Edda and Younger (Prose) Edda, Icelandic sagas and runic poems. Then, there are books by Freya Aswynn and Edred Thorsson. Thirdly, there “non-classical” fields in rune magick: Kenneth Meadows, Guido von List, Ralph Blum. In any case you would have to read something (online or printed versions) about magick in general. Reading or at least browsing through these books should be enough to decide if it is something your soul wants and if you should continue the search/research independently.

6. Is there a need to go through a runic initiation or a certain synchronization ritual in order to work with them?
As soon as you have started working with the runes, you already started connecting with them. Now it is just a matter of time (and practice).

7. How can I get initiated into runes?
There is no such thing.

8. How should I write rune formulas: from left to right or from right to left?
It depends on your preference. There are cases in history when runic scripts were written from left to right as well as from right to left. You can also write them in circle or vertically.

9. I saw sources showing relation of certain runes to a specific element. What principles are used to define the element of the rune?
Every author has his or her own criteria. Some people define “relation” based on own understanding, some use certain associations (e.g. wild ox – Earth), others do it according to astrology. The list of criteria is pretty much open.

10. I have read on a website/forum that it is not a good idea to buy wooden rune set because they are made of remains of a pine tree, and that is not good. Yet my soul doesn’t really long for the ceramic ones and there are no runes made of stone in our little town. I still like the wooden ones. Is it true that I will not be able to do divination using the wooden set?
Everything you find on any website/forum (including this one) are opinions of the authors. If you can feel that the wooden runes are yours, then they will work for you, it all really depends on how you feel about it.

11. I want to make a runic tattoo. But I can’t find detailed information about it. Knowing the power of the runes, I am afraid to take responsibility. Could you please advise, which runes I should use for tattoo and which I should not?
It seems that the one asking the question thinks that those who would reply will take the responsibility for his or her decision regarding their tattoo  The answer is simple, as usually: it all depends on the purpose/goal of the tattoo and your motivation to do it.

12. When doing complicated spreads, should I take out all runes in a certain order or take one rune at a time, write it down and put it back into the satchel?
It all depends on your preference/taste. If you feel that you will be able to interpret each rune of the spread without putting it back in the satchel then do it like that. If you intuitively feel that your level of Mastery is enough for the runes to give you a more detailed answers if you take them one by one, then you should follow your intuition. From my experience – in complicated spreads allegedly identical phenomena can be described by different runes in different positions.

13. Does rune magick works? Is it real?
Yes.

14. Is it possible to kill with runes (cause harm)?
Yes, just like with any other magickal tradition/system.

15. Does rune magick goes against the laws of Christianity? Are we selling our soul to the devil when working with runes?
Interesting, how the one answering the question can know if the one asking the question selling their soul to the devil or not?!

16. I just recently started working with runes. The client needs a talisman/amulet for… I have decided that the following runes should work… Could you give advice, confirm or not.
Runes should not be carved by those who have no knowledge of them especially when it comes to carving runes for a client.

17. Do you use reversed rune position in magick?
It depends on the mage’s/rune practitioner’s preference.

18. Did anyone used The Helm of Awe or Helm of Terror (Ægishjálmur)? Do they really work?
Yes, they have been used. Yes, they work.

19. How do you use the Odin’s rune in magick? (the blank rune according to Ralph Blum).
You don’t, because this rune is a extra/additional one that appeared in 1940s.

20. What do you do with the rune stone, when intended influence/effect is over? It shouldn’t be just thrown away, right?
No, you should NOT just throw it away – it should be “buried”. The stone should be buried under ground or thrown into the stream of water.

21. What is the best place to buy amulets/talismans?
In most cases it is best to make talismans/amulets yourself. If you don’t have such opportunity, then you should probably turn to an expert in the field (this person does not have to be called erilaz, vitki or rune master). Amulets you can find in the stores are more like souvenirs.

22. I have chosen a rune spell. How should I use it? Should I draw it somewhere – or what should I do with it?
You should not be really lazy and check various books and resources on the topic (including this website/forum).

23. I want to drastically change my life for the better for many years ahead – I am sick and tired of all the problems. What powerful runes should I use?
Runes are not panacea for all the problems in life, that is why you would have to deal with certain problems one way or another. Before “drastically” changing your life with “powerful” runes, try to understand the cause of the current life situation with the help of divination from rune or tarot practitioner.

24. Is there a certain magick combination for “Wish Manifestation”?
There is no such combination that is generally accepted.

25. There are sources that talk about the need to conduct a certain ritual in order to activate/charge a certain talisman. Is it possible to do it without the ritual?
If you know how to charge/activate a talisman without the ritual, then sure – go ahead. There are certain practices/methods for that.

26. I want to create a powerful universal/all purpose amulet. Please advice how can I do it.
All problems/challenges cannot be resolved “universally” in the same way.

27. Is it as effective to write runes on paper (e.g. on the body), as it is to carve them on wood?
Effectiveness of rune work/magick depends on you and your skills/abilities. Medium or material for the carrier is selected depending on the goal/purpose. If you need a long term influence, then it may make sense to draw (carve, engrave, etc) runes on wood, leather, stone or metal. If you need a quick effect, then paper, sliver, coin or a small candle can work as well.

28. What is the best polish for a wooden amulet?
You can polish it with natural bees wax or, for example, with linseed oil if you really need to do so.

29. What is the right way to wear a talisman? (should other people be able to see it? Should it be worn on top of clothing? etc.)
The general rule is as follows: talisman is worn/should be placed where is would have the most effect. For example, there is no sense to place a talisman under your pillow if the talisman is for protection of your assets in the car that is in the garage. For some galdrastafir it is needed to be seen by others (e.g. some of the Ægishjálmur), for others it doesn’t really matter, and there are also those that should be kept away from the prying eyes of others. In other words, it all depends on the case and on the talisman.

30. I carved a rune on the material medium (stones, ring, clay) and recently it broke. What does it mean?
It is possible that the time for the effect of the talisman is over or its resources have been depleted. If you were “just” drawn the rune , then the medium “just” broke.

31. Where can I get detailed information about Ægishjálmur (helms of terror)?
In 2002 a book was published by L. Korbalev “Graphic Magic of Iceland”. It has a good collection of galdrastafir (including Ægishjálmur) from remaining Icelandic manuscripts. You can also find a lot of information on the Ægishjálmur in English – just don’t be lazy and search for it on the internet.

32. I have ready that galdrastafir and Ægishjálmur are the same thing. It was said that they are related to rune magick. How so?
Ægishjálmur are a certain class of galdrastafir. There are also other galdrastafir that are not Ægishjálmur. Some of the researchers believe that galdrastafir were used to be binned runes at one point. Galdrastafir and runes are of the same “family” of the northern magick art.

Compiled by Ilaij Shi in 2003, translated by Falcon with some minor additions.