History of Runes
The runes are a mystery. They are a mystery as in mystical. The word rune comes from runa, a fourth-century Gothic word meaning "mystery or secret". It is not known when the rune symbols were first used, but they were probably being used hundreds of years ago. The runes are unually associated with the Scandinavian countries. Runes engraved on stones can be found Greenland, Iceland, Ireland and Britain as well as the Scandinavian countries or Sweden, Norway and Denmark.
Some scholars believe the glyphs (what the rune symbol is sometimes called) have a beginning with the Etruscan glyphs. Others think runes are linked to the Germanic pictorial symbols. These were symbols that were used in spells, blessings and curses. The Germanic symbols were used as protection symbols and fertility symbols.
The runes are properly named futhark, which are the first six glyphs in the alphabet of runes. It is similar to calling the English alphabet abc's. There are twenty-four runes divided into families of eight. Three and eight are magical numbers.
Rune Myth
There is a myth that the great Norse god, Odin, gave the runes to his people. In the myth Odin hung on Yggdrasi, which is the Norse Tree of Life, for nine nights. He stabbed himself with his own sword as a sacrifice. As he hung there he grabbed the runes. When he had the runes in hand, he then fell from the tree.
Rune Is A Orcale
The runes are an Oracle not a fortune-telling device. An Oracle may give you information that you will have to dwell on to find the correct interpretation. An Orcale does not tell you what to do. An Orcale brings things to your attention that you may not be aware are there. When you have reached your interpretation, you will know that it is the right one for you. It will be a revelation.
How To Use Runes
Use your runes any time have a situation that you are undecided what direction to take. If you are apprehensive about any phase of your life, consult the runes. The runes will help you resolve the conflict. There are several ways to receive the advice of the runes. You can pull one rune from the bag and meditate on how its meaning pertains to your conflict and the solution. You can do a layout of three or five runes for a more comprehensive meaning. The runes can be read from left to right as well as right to left. Doing both will often enhance the solution to your conflict. The cross placement can be used when you are familiar and comfortable with the runes. There are no hard and fast rules for consulting the runes. If you have the persistence to continue to read your runes you will have more insight into how to live your life and follow the path to your higher power.
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