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What are the Runes?

The runes are a pictorial alphabetic script which came into use in Europe somewhere around 500 BCE. Their precise origins are uncertain, possibly having been influenced by the Hallristningar, prehistoric rock carvings found in northern Europe. Generally however it is believed the runes are derived from the North Italic alphabet and there is some archaeological evidence to support this.

That there should be some doubt about the early history of the runes is strangely appropriate since their name is derived from the word runa meaning secret or mystery. This accurately reflect their mystical nature since the runes are far from an ordinary alphabet. According to the mythology they were discovered by the Norse god Odin, to whom they remain sacred, and hence may be used for magickal or divinatory purposes.

Their first incarnation was as the Elder Futhark, a 24 character script, which takes its name from the (sounds of) its first letters, ie F-U-TH-A-R-K. Over the years there were a number of variations on the script such as the 33 character Saxon Futhork and the 16 rune Norse Younger Futhark. A 20th century set of runes was created by Guido Von List after he saw them in a vision. These are the Armanen runes which influenced the NAZIs.

It has been suggested that the simple runic designs tap into something deep in the human unconscious for though few people today are aware of the runes, these characters are still to be found in appropriate contexts though the reason why particular shapes were chosen often has little or nothing to do with the runes. For example the international peace/nuclear disarmament symbol is reminiscent of an inverted Eohl rune suggesting vulnerability. The Scottish National Party (SNP) has a logo very like the Ethel rune which represents clan and homeland.

All modern runic practice is a rediscovery, even that based on traditional oral traditions or written sources. Though there is some literary material which refers to the runes, even these descriptions require an element of interpretation. After a fallow period, interest in the runes is again growing, largely due to New Agers who have seized upon the divinatory and magickal quality of the runes. This does cause tensions with many traditionalists who accuse them (sometimes rightly) of poor scholarship and misunderstanding the runes. However the runes have evolved over the generations and each new society or age has modified them according to their beliefs and needs. It is thus right they should continue their development in the new Millenium.