Brief History

The Elder Futhark Runes have a history dating back to about 800 C.E. Elder Futhark runes are a Norse alphabet system that tells the story of the death of the Sun Goddess slain by a great wolf, after which the god Odin called upon mankind to avenge her death (even back then climate change played a huge role for mankind!).

Study of Runes

There are 24 runes in the Elder Futhark system, each with its own distinct shape, sound, and meaning. The study of the runes began with Johannes Bureus during his life, sometime around 1600. He was the first to theorize that runes held significance as receptacles of ancient wisdom, above and beyond their use as a simple alphabet. Runes are read from left to right.

Use of Runes

Runes were used for numerous magickal applications to protect, honor, and bless people, places and things: influencing the weather, assuring protection, securing abundance, attracting love, healing, and grieving. Although much time has passed, people today still have these same conditions, and so the runes are quite applicable to our modern human condition, and can offer us many insights, but should first and foremost be used with awareness of their power and history in relation to the sacredness and validity of all beings.