Though there are more than one family of
runes in the world, I would prefer to concentrate on the oldest and most
well-known of them, the Elder Futhark. There are younger versions
containing new and different runes, and all of these systems are
valid. I simply choose to cover this one.
"Rune" itself is an old Germanic term,
basically meaning mystery or secret. They were ancient symbols
used in writing, usually on stone or metal, which bore religious or
magickal significance to those who inscribed them. They are widely
used today, especially by the Ásatrú.
Each rune has a threefold nature, which is also the threefold essence of
the secret slumbering within it. The points are:
Form (ideograph and phonetic value)
Idea (symbolic content)
Number (its dynamic nature, revealing its relationship to other runes)
The Futhark is divided into three groups called
ættir. Each ætt (family) is composed of 8 runes (and yes, it is
generally pronounced as "eight"). Alone or in combination, they can be used as a form of divination, meditation, and
magickal workings, including their use in candle spells, talismans, and
image magick.
Included in each rune's description is its galdr, an incantation
of sounds, either for use in ritual, magick or especially meditation.
:::
First Ætt :::
Second Ætt :::
Third Ætt :::
Notes
Old Norse
pronunciation: b, d, f, k, l, m, n, t, and p are just as
in English.
a - as in
"artistic"
á - as in "father"
e - as in "men"
é - as ay in "bay"
i - as in "it"
í - as ee in "feet"
o - as in "omit"
ó - as in "ore"
ö - as o in "not"
ø - same as ö
u - as in "put"
ú - as in "rule"
æ - as ai in "hair"
y - i with rounded lips
ý - ee with rounded lips
au - as ou in "house"
ei - as ay in "May," or i in
"mine"
|
ey - same as ei
g - always hard, as in "go"
ng - as in "long"
h - same as English except before consonants, then as wh
in "where"
j - always as y in "year"
p - as in English, except before t then this pt
cluster is pronounced ft
r - trilled r
s - always voiceless as in "sing"
th - in initial position voiceless th as in
"thin"
dh - medially and in final position voiced th as in
"the"
rl - pronounced dl
rn - pronounced dn
nn - pronounced dn after long vowels and
diphthongs |
