Resources

Books: Authors A - L

Barrett, David
Runes
Scholarly: 1
Readability: 5
Originality: 1

A simple little hardback book with modest aspirations, which it fulfils admirably, that would make it appeal to someone looking for an easy introduction to the runes. The size of this book means it is difficult for it to achieve much depth in any of the topics it covers but it is colorful and attractively presented. It includes some 7 different spreads supported by short sample readings. There is a limited coverage of bind-runes and some other magical uses but rather too much space is given over to runic correspondences with trees, gemstones etc.

Jackson & Ravenwolf
The Rune Mysteries
Scholarly: 2
Readability: 4
Originality: 3

Written by two practicing pagans this book is naturally from a New Age angle and includes the Blank Rune which means it will not appeal to everyone. It begins with a short introduction to the Norse deities before moving swiftly onto rune meanings. These are detailed and atmospheric and means they should prove helpful to anyone using the runes for divination. A number of interesting spreads follow including the 7 rune Hexafus spread which is good for analysing an issue in depth taking account of various factors. The fact example readings are provided makes this a particularly informative book for those learning divination. The last chapters deal with the magickal uses of the runes from a heavily Wiccan perspective. This is an easy to read book with very detailed rune meanings. It will not appeal to traditionalists but is well worth reading.

Luxon, Bettina
Rune Stones
Scholarly: 1
Readability: 5
Originality: 5

Making Ralph Blum appear like a traditionalist is something of an achievement but Bettina Luxon manages it. This is a very readable little hardback which contains extensive narrative and descriptions of actual readings hence it is easily approachable and an enjoyable read. The set of runes which Bettina describes is extremely non standard being based largely to the Elder Futhark but with the Yr rune from the Saxon Futhorc, a rune "Joy" whose origin is unclear and a Dag [Dagaz (Daeg) rune with the glyph belonging to Ansuz (Os). She divorces the rune meanings entirely from their mythology mentioning elsewhere that the Norse gods are not really appropriate today. In addition she devises her own Aetts based on "Love and Family", "Wealth and " and "Luck". The rune meanings she gives and her own interpretations then, whilst interesting to read, are highly individualised and non-standard. This alone sadly makes the book of limited use to anyone seeking serious study of the runes. She is to be commended for trying something different in approach but it does not really work and even the passages describing her early experimentation with the runes do not ring true. It seems unlikely that someone with experience of Tarot and Astrology would be so doubtful about the runes as she claims. An interesting read but not really a book which has much to offer though it will appeal to some elements of the New Age market.