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 magical 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.
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