What Are Runes used for?

Question

Hey I have a strong interest in learning about runes. But i'm just wondering, what are the runes actually used for? Is it just for old norse writing? Are they used to guide you? To predict the future? Can they be used as magic (like casting spells or something) or can they be used for cursing/hexing?

Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

The Runes of the Scandinavian and Teutonic cultures were a linear script or alphabet. There are variations in the runes from area to area.

In general the tribes of Western Europe did not have literary traditions, rather an oral one. This is partly because the language or letters were considered to be a gift of the gods and thereby sacred.

These runes would then be used for ceremonial or ritual work, which is why many of the inscriptions come from stones about sacred sites.

The Runes most recently have been used for the purposes of divination, this is the form of casting or layouts.

I'm not sure of the websites, but Ralph Blum writes very well on this aspect.

Answer 2

Runes are a divination tool just as tarot cards or a scrying mirror.  They are used for all the above as you have mentioned.

Answer 3

Predicting the future. Some witches use them (each symbol has a meaning) for spells and good-luck charms and personal inscriptions, carvings, etc.. =)

Answer 4

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/runic.ht...

Here's a good website without the "magic' connotations......

Lots of examples of the different alphabet versions.  Also, lots of website Links.  Spell your name in Runes - that sort of thing.

http://sunnyway.com/runes/intro.html

Here's someone who believes in their magical properties......

Answer 5

Go to the omniglot the other poster mentioned.

There are several varieties of runes.

Actual artifacts with runes on them are mostly just names.

Scholalry opinion is divided on whether or not there was a formal system of "casting the runes" ie doing divinations.

Judging from both textual evidence in Icelandic literature and artifact evdence I myself am inclined to believe the runes developed at first as an attempt to have a viable alternative for writing that was not based on greek letters.

Perhaps the Norse traders and mecenaries wanted a script their employers and customers couldnt read?

Personally I believe divinatory uses for runes developed later and that the script was first used for labelling weapons and writing short notes.

Most of the modern rune casting kits you see for sale were made up to sell stuff. Like Oujia boards!

Answer 6

They can be used for everything you mentioned. I personally like using them as an alphabet. But they are also used for divination, magick, etc.