Lessons - Tests

A difference between Grimnisson's approach and that of some other authors is his focus on understanding how the people of the past thought. This is a valid approach and one endorsed by the School. Gaining a deep understanding of the runes does require a knowledge of concepts such as Orlog, Hamingaja and Wyrd. However, as you are just starting out and this is an introductory course, it isn't really necessary at this stage. Well done if you can grasp them now but if you cannot, don't worry about it.

Grimnisson sounds an appropriate warning about the way magic does not always work as intended. We saw in the lecture how a badly designed bind-rune could have unexpected effects. In his book Grimnisson adds the temporal dimension to the possible dangers. Hence it is not just magic not working that creates problems. Sometimes troubles arise from magic that does work, just on a different timescale to that invisaged.

Though Grimnisson doesn't provide any examples, it is easy to see the type of thing which he is referring to. Imagine, for example, a Secretary casts a spell in order to become Office Supervisor (ie gain a promotion). No restrictions are set on the magic and the spell takes five years to take effect. By this time the Secretary has risen through the company and is now a Junior Manager. The spell was case though to make her Office Supervisor , and it is forgotten believed failed. It will occur however. The only way for her to become a Supervisor now is to be demoted. Hence a spell originally cast to progress her career now wrecks it. This is why we would strongly discourage casual experimentation with magic. It requires careful study, patience, considerable planning and a willingness to live with the consequences.