Topics

Are the Runes Evil?

The answer to this depends on your individual perspective. Since both divination and magickal practices are forbidden by the Bible, the conventional Christian perspective would be that the runes are indeed demonic. During the Middle Ages a medieval Christian baptismal rite used in Northern Europe involved the candidate forsaking "all devil works" including Thor, Odin "and all the evil ones that are his companions". The runes were of course discovered by Odin and are sacred to him. In 1639 the use of runes in Iceland was officially banned and records indicate that during the 17th century people there were burnt to death for possessing runes.

Yet ironically though the Church did much to eradicate the runes, what little we do know would probably have never survived without their sanction. Much of the existing material, such as the Norwegian Rune Poem which directly refers to Christ, shows Christian influences. Not all Christians view the runes negatively and some authors, such as Blum, offer a Christian perspective on the runes and a Christianised version of them.

Pagans would view the runes as neither inherently good or bad, but as being capable of being used for either positive or negative ends. We know from the ancient runemaster Egil that runes can be used to make someone ill. This runemaster visited a sick woman where he discovered that someone had sought to carve love runes but had instead produced a combination that caused her illness. Equally though we know the runes can be used to heal or protect. The runes then are a tool and a gift which may be used as we wish. It is our responsibility therefore to ensure we utilise them only for positive ends.