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Interpretation 1

In this lesson we turn to a technique right at the heart of rune reading - interpretation. Like riding a bicycle or learning to swim this is something that others can show and tell you how to do, but which ultimately depends on you to perform successfully. The purpose of this lesson then is not to teach you interpretation but to give you the means to discover it for yourself. We have stressed many times during this course that the runes are magical and mystical, they belong to a different reality - the world of fantasy and powers that defy logic and rationality. This still holds true and it means that we cannot provide you with an absolute set of runes or procedures for rune-reading. While we will look briefly at some of the mechanics of the process, this will not help you achieve a successful reading. For this you will need to look within - to your instincts, to your intuition and to your unconscious.

To understand the pivotal role played by the rune reader, we need to recognize the different ways in which we can respond to strings of foreign characters. In the picture below are two messages though both have the same meaning (Olaf kills Haugrim).

The first message is dealt with by translation. This is to say that we have known meanings for the characters which we are able to apply to make sense of the message. Even if you do not recognize the language as Old Icelandic you would probably recognize the message as clearly being in another language and would know how to go about finding out its meaning. If you know the rules of this language, then there is no doubt that the first group of characters refer to the name Olaf. However this message tells us nothing about who Olaf is or why Haugrim was killed.

The second message gives us much less absolute information, though in some ways it is more helpful. While from it we have no way of knowing the names of the participants in the picture, we can gain more insight into the events it depicts. It seems more than likely the second figure is killed with a spear for example. We can deduce this because experience teaches us the shape beside the second figure is typical of how spears are normally depicted. Equally either the first figure is holding a shield and wearing a helmet or he is deformed. Since the former is much more likely, it may not be too far from the truth then to assume he is a warrior. In addition, since the picture shows something falling from the second man's head which could well be a crown, this would seem to indicate that he is probably a King. Maybe then he is killed because he is a bad or unpopular King or maybe it is the result of some political intrigue. Hence, though at first glance, the second of the two messages may seem the less promising, because it requires more work, it can potentially give us much more useful information. We can deduce, the means by which the second figure (Haugrim) is killed, the status and roles of the two participants and possible motives. The process by which we deal with the second message is interpretation.

This is the same way in which we understand the message of the runes during a reading. In interpretation we bring our knowledge and abilities into play to make sense of the message which the runes offer us. To understand interpretation we have to recognize there is not a single truth, no matter how much we strive to find one. In modern society we like simplicity, conformity and absolutes, but we often achieve these through self-deception. The world is not straightforward and there is always more than one point of view.

We can test this if we return to the Olaf and Haugrim situation we introduced above. Since the killing was occurring earlier we can now safely assume it is over and the sentence is thus now

Olaf killed Haugrim

This is a basic statement, apparently without any value judgement but here the omitted detail is highly significant. One of the key messages of the runes is that any given event cannot be seen in isolation, it has both causes and consequences. Here we know nothing about what kind of king Haugrim was, or what the results were of his death on the people of his kingdom. If he was a good king then maybe his death would have brought these times to an end and even ushered in a period of repression. However if he was a harsh uncaring king then people may have rejoiced at his slaying. Perhaps not everyone though. His death could have left a grieving widow and son. Few people are so wicked that someone does not mourn them. As rune readers we must always be alert to differing perspectives and the need for empathy to grasp the human dimension to what we do. Equally, we have to be careful not to simply take things at face value. Haugrim might have been a bad king but popularity is not always a sign of greatness. Perhaps times were hard and he had to make some difficult but essential decisions. He may have raised taxes to fund the building of new castles responding to an increased threat from an aggressive neighbor for example. Indeed this might not have been liked by tax-payers but could have saved his kingdom from attack. Another common theme of the runes is that sometimes in order to achieve positive results we must be willing to experience periods of difficulty and hardship.

The purpose of considering these fictional scenarios in such detail is to illustrate the unique nature of any occurrence and how crucial it is to examine it in context. It would be possible to have two readings, years apart, in which the same question was asked, the same spread used, and the same runes drawn in the same positions, and still to have quite different interpretations for each reading. To be successful at interpretation you have to put aside any notion that there is any simple formula which can be followed. The joy and burden of rune reading is that it is heavily dependent on the reader. This means it is difficult for someone else to tell you that you are wrong but it is equally difficult for them to tell you that you are right. Hence a reader requires faith in the runes and confidence in their own abilities. Learn to listen to your instincts and intuition.

For the rune reader interpretation is normally a two-stage process. This becomes clearer if we consider the steps of a reading:

1. Choose question


2. Shuffle runes


3. Draw runes and lay out in spread positions


4. Identify runes (and if applicable orientation


5. Interpret individual runes in the spread position


6. Interpret spread as a whole to answer question

In a single-rune reading, steps 5 and 6 would be the same, otherwise they are separate. The first stage is the interpretation of each individual rune, producing a meaning according to its place in the spread. This done, the individual meanings are then summarized and merged to produce a response to the question which has been asked of the runes. However, in this lecture we are focussing on the interpretation of individual runes, leaving spreads as a whole until the next lesson. Thus we will now move on to looking at interpretation of Odin's Rune readings, followed by considering the interpretation of individual runes within three-rune spreads.

Odin's Rune

"What should I do about my employment?"

travel, exploration, vacation, new start, taking control, promotion (For simplicity we are using the same meanings as in Lesson 8 - Rune Meanings)

In examining this reading it is important to notice that the client has asked a very specific question and how it is worded. As we saw in Lesson 15 the question asked can affect both the range of possible meanings and the functions a rune can serve. In this case the question is very clearly aimed at soliciting advice. Hence the advisory function is to the fore, with predictive probably playing some part also. The descriptive and representative functions could potentially play a minor role depending on the rune drawn but in most cases this would be close to negligible.

Raido (Rad) can be a rune of travelling the correct path, of making steady progress towards a destination. It can also however be a rune of new starts. So how do you decide which meaning applies in this case. There are two main methods

• Intuition - All rune readings rely on the instincts and abilities of the reader. What "feels" right to you?


• Procedural - Look at the question asked. In this case it is very much fixed on what action the querent should take. This would suggest an active rather than a passive response is required which would tend to favor the new starts possibility.

While you may use the second method to confirm your interpretation, you should not become dependent upon it.

Then using your intuition select the meanings which are appropriate to the question asked. Divide the meanings you have chosen between the different functions, thus -

Advisory:	taking control, travel
Predictive:	promotion, new start

These are then combined into a single interpretation which addresses and answers the question. With Odin's Rune people are usually asking about a matter of immediate concern. If the reading is positive you may want to begin your interpretation with some reassurance.

This rune offers the prospect of continued growth and development with regard to your employment and employment prospects. It suggests there is an opportunity for steady promotion in good time and at your present job. However Raid ho (Rad) is a rune of new openings and its presence here suggests you should be open to alternative possibilities. You need to adopt a more active stance with respect to your vocation, taking control and directing your career in the way that you want it to go. Be willing to explore new and different possibilities, particular those requiring travel or relocation. If you take responsibility now and seize the reins you can ultimately expect to reach your desired career destination.

Standard Three Rune Spread

"The issue is my friendship with Steven"

Outcome	Advice	Current Situation

For this lesson we are considering only the first rune drawn, the one which relates to current situation.

Wyrd, amusement, friendship, comforts, gaming, success, memory, problem solving, delusion, that which is hidden (For simplicity we are using the same meanings as in Lesson 8 - Rune Meanings)

Once again the first step is to study the question. In this case you can see the client has used the alternative "The issue is.." statement construction. Because this is a multi-rune spread we must now additionally take into account the title of the position in the spread which the rune occupies. With the title being "Current Situation" the key function being performed by a rune in this position is almost certainly descriptive. The other function which may arise is advisory and we can largely rule out the predictive and representative functions.

Descriptive:	amusement, friendship, comforts
Advisory:	fantasies, that which is hidden

We take the meanings applicable to the position and link them in the way which our intuition tells us is correct. Sometimes when we start out we may find our instincts fail us, or we do not feel we have enough information to make a selection, and hence we cannot decide between different possibilities. As a general rule then, it is better to give more information than necessary than to edit something vital out accidentally. You will find the client is able to remove irrelevant detail which they do not feel applies to them. We have taken this approach with this interpretation.

The Pertho (Peorth) rune relates to the games of chance and skill which warriors used to play with each other to pass the time in hall. It is thus a positive sign when it occurs with respect to relationships, suggesting support, comfort, amusement and fulfillment. Hence it would suggest your friendship with this man is currently beneficial to you and enriching your life. However this is also a rune of hidden information and its presence here hints that not all relevant information has yet been revealed. Now is not a time to take risks or gamble. Be careful and not too trusting until you are sure you know all the essential details. Perhaps there is deliberate concealment or delusions with the intention of deceiving, or perhaps, one or both of you has feelings which you do not feel able to reveal at this time.

Conclusion

No one can teach another how to interpret the runes. It is too individual and too personal. We have illustrated the process in this lecture but this lesson cannot avoid artificiality. In this situation there is no eager client whose troubles you are responding to and with whom you can form a psychic connection. Nonetheless it is vital that you understand the theory behind interpretation and the methods which are applied to it. However having gained this knowledge, the only way in which you can make further progress with the runes is by acquiring direct practical experience.

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You have completed the lesson. Read it as many times as you need to in order to feel you understand it. Then return here for:
Lesson 18 - Comprehension Tests, Reading and Further Exercises

Please ensure you complete these exercises before moving on to the next lesson.