What are the Norse Runes?

The Runes are the ancient alphabet of the Nordic/Germanic tribes. Coming to the Northern lands via the Phoenician, Etruscan, and Hungarians, the oldest runes discovered in Sweden date to about 8,000 years ago. Though the alphabet went under drastic changes and stylization, I teach the Elder Futhark, named for the first six of the 24 runes. The mythology and lore surrounding the obtaining of the runes begins in Phoenicia, continues to Odin, and finally rests with each of us as we unravel our own stories of how we got the runes!

In a society of oral tradition, inscription was used primarily for ritual purposes, as symbols and sounds for understanding and constructing reality. Each of their ancient forms can be found in a single tree. Carried on through history they are seen in architecture, jewelry, and decorative patterns throughout the Nordic world both ancient and modern and globally as the Vikings roamed the Middle East, Africa, and even the Americas!

Some knowledge of our pre-Christian heritage came through the writings of Snorri Sturluson's Eddas and Sagas. The first wave of Christianity and the black plague (which killed 3/4 of the population of Norway and much of Iceland's) took out many shammen and runemasters. Then, during the 1680's Christian authorities severely punished those known to have the knowledge and began burning both fiddles and runemasters in the town squares. Huldre and troll tunings (women's tunings) were outlawed and the stories were relegated to the quiet hearthsides as children's bed time tales. As we unravel the cloaks of these songs and stories and fill in the unknown spaces with history and intuition, we begin to feel our own Nordic Roots come alive.

Christian Concerns with the Runes:
I will address this briefly here. Since the runes come out of Scandinavian pre-Christian tradition and since their original use was not as an alphabet in and of itself but rather in divination, many students have raised concerns about studying them. While one can make a very academic study of this alphabet, any feelings of discomfort or fears that arise should be addressed immediately. An Explanation of Divination

My rule of thumb is this - If something does not feel right or safe, stop doing it. Then explore where those feelings come from.

It has been important for me to learn about my ancestors pre-Christian beliefs and traditions. It helps me understand why modern American Norwegians are the way we are. I found many similarities to other Earth spiritual traditions I have studied which feels unifying. These pre-Christian traditions stem from our common Indo-European roots.

New information and understanding may challenge my faith. And at the same time, challenging the faith, traditions, and religion of my childhood can serve to strengthen it!

My Rune Classes - I grew up in a Norwegian American household and have been studying, teaching about, and using the Nordic Runes and other Scandinavian Roots material formally since the late 1980's. My teaching style is energetic, hands on, and discussion oriented. I have a Master of Arts in Teaching and many years of experience. More

Recommended Books with links to Amazon.com:

A Practical Guide to the Runes by Lisa Poeschel

Futhark: a hand book of Rune Magic by Edred Thorrsen (and his other works)

The Prose Edda, by Snorri Sturluson

Good On-Line Resources for further study:

http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/origins.html

http://www.winterscapes.com/uppsala/runes.htm

http://phoenicia.org/alphabet.html

http://www.tarahill.com/

http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/

http://members.tripod.com/IdunnasGrove/

Linguistic studies site - has fonts http://www.omniglot.com/

Some other RESOURCES:

Judy Quinn - professor of Teutonic Studies at Newham

Dag Rossman - Books on Norse Myth and Spirituality

The Kensington Runestone Revisited! I have often been asked if I think the runestone is genuine. My answer "no doubt in my mind!" Visit the museum for yourself and you will likely agree.

Runakari Random Runepulls Runeblog