Lessons - Tests

Lesson 1 - Tests and Reading

Comprehension Test

1. What does a scientist not do without data?
2. Which group tried to eradicate the runes?
3. Out of what may the runes have emerged?
4. Which is correct - A is for Apple or O is for Apple?
5. What is a rune glyph?
6. What should we think of a rune glyph as?
7. What can the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) letter "g" become in modern English?
8. What does the word "runa" mean?
9. Which rune glyph may show a spear?
10. Which modern word do we get from the name of the rune "Rad"?

Further Exercises

1. Using the translation guidelines contained in the lesson, what modern words do these rune names become? (hint - remember it was the sound of the word that was important and this is likely to have been preserved even if the spelling may be different)

• Daeg?
• Haegl?
• Wynn?

2. Take any simple word (MAP, ARM etc) and design a glyph representing each separate sound using only straight lines in a similar way to this example

Reading

Read Bernard King's introduction (pages x to xv) in The Way of the Runes

King is probably a little harsh in his attitude towards the modern audience for the runes, and particularly towards the New Agers. Though we will uses various labels during this course such as "New Age" and "traditionalist", it has to be recognized they are generalizations and as such are dangerous. King's is a good book but not without flaws and like any text on this course, including the lectures, it must be read critically. We ask you to read not only to find out facts but to make you think about the issues.

In Rune Rede by Ruarik Grimnisson, chapter 1 "A Brief History of the Runes", read from page 25 down to the paragraph on page 27 ending "..decimation of the Heruli as a tribal entity".

Notice a clear difference between King and Grimnisson in respect of the use of the runes. Whilst King has stated that originally they were intended to be used for inscriptions and magics, Grimnisson states "they .. were not originally used for common communication but kept for magical purposes". Two opposing views both stated as fact. One logically must be wrong, but which? Since both Grimnisson and King are runic scholars we can assume they did their research and had access to moreorless the same material. Hence this difference comes down to how they interpret the facts. Often with runes this is the case. There are no definites, it is about how we interpret the evidence we do have. Thus understanding an author's background, their religious and political outlook and biases can be crucial. Simply because something is in print does not mean it can be trusted. Consequently there is a strong emphasis in this course on reading texts critically.

Moreover, learn to look at the words authors use. King says the runes "were originally designed ..". He is clearly talking nonsense. The error isn't in how runes were used but in presuming that he can know the intention behind them. There are no Vikings around to ask. Even if we were to have an early text explicitly stating "runes are designed to be used as ..", we could still not afford to take it at face value. We would have to know about the validity of its author and what enabled him to speak on behalf of his society. The word "design" implies purpose and planning which may well have not been the case when it comes to the runes. If they did indeed emerge out of early symbols carved on rocks, then it is likely there was an evolutionary process with their functions developing over time rather than ever being planned. It is likely that in human terms there was no single agency behind the runes' emergence and development. Every writer on the runes has to be constantly on their guard to avoid making statements which they cannot substantiate or which may mislead. To be fair to King he raises the question of the uncertainty of the runes' origins a few pages later but we have drawn attention to this particular statement in order to illustrate the care with which our students must read.

Now in Chapter 1, "The Origin of the Runes" in Way of the Runes read from page 2 to page 4, the paragraph ending ".. he created from the runes"

Read the section entitled "The Word "Rune" on pages 7-8.

Read "Who Used the Runes?" on pages 11-12.

In Freya Aswynns Principles of Runes, chapter 1, read the section on page 4 entitled "History of the Runes, Their Use and Absuse From Ancient to Modern" down to the end of the chapter. (this extract is available for registered students only at the Student Site). The School would like to put on record its gratitude to Freya Aswynn [www.aswynn.co.uk] who, when her book went out of print, granted us permission to reproduce sections of it, thus enabling this course to continue.

Observe the differences in the approaches of the three authors. Both King and Grimnisson are quite detached and scholarly in style, Aswynn is more emotional and outspoken. Notice her used of terms like "dispicable" and "foolishness". She makes no pretence of impartiality or balance. There is nothing wrong with this but it should be borne in mind while reading her book. It illustrates a point that the runes are something of major significance in the life of a runemaster and as such will inevitably generate strong opinions. As students you will often have to learn to listen to conflicting views expressed with equal conviction and make up your own mind.

You have completed the exercises. Select the following link for the answers
Lesson 1 - Test Answers

Please ensure you mark these exercises before moving on to the next lesson and do not take more than one Lesson a week.

If you have any questions, comments or difficulties with the exercises and you have formally registered with the Rune School please email coursehelp@runeschool.org quoting your student ID number.