Starting To Use Use Runes. Options

Runes have always fascinated me, however for some reason I never delved into them until now. I'm not sure if it was intimidation of learning them or that I felt I wasn't ready to handle Runic magik until now. In either case bought the box set Runes: The Gods' Magical Alphabet. I have to say, that the feel of of them in my hands was a good one, affirming my decision to finally start using runes in my practice.

Other than the hand book I had bought A practical guide to The Runes by Lisa Peschel to learn and use them. I do plan on buying Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic as many here have suggested the book and have given it good reviews. I am also going to get Runelore: A Handbook of Esoteric Runology, and Runecaster's Handbook: The Well of Wyrd to further my knowledge in them.

I have yet to use any of the spreads for divination as I'm not comfortable yet using them in that manner until I completely learn the runes and their meaning. However I have been pulling one rune a day and meditation on its meaning and what its meaning is for me for the day, like I do with my medicine cards.

Does anyone have any advice on their use or even other books that I might benefit from in my learning of runes?

I am pretty familiar with the elder futhark but without specific questions its hard to give you general advice based on what I know alone. You already have a line up material to read on the subject and that is good. You already have an idea of how to use the runes, which is also good. You have already started to use your runes, which is really good. This will help you to familiarize yourself with them. And eventually you should get familiar enough that once you pull a run, you'll automatically know what it means.

Unless you have specific questions, I'm not really sure how else to answer this.

Have you considered incorporating your runes in other meditational exercises?

Just looking for basic advice outside what books are suggesting like yours on using them in meditation. My knowledge of them really is limited. only knowing that they can be used in divination only. Other than books I listed, is their any others that you would recommend I read up on before I begin fully using them in my practice?

Just looking for basic advice outside what books are suggesting like yours on using them in meditation. My knowledge of them really is limited. only knowing that they can be used in divination only. Other than books I listed, is their any others that you would recommend I read up on before I begin fully using them in my practice?

They can be used for more than divination. Runes are a set of symbols that function as sigils as much as any other set of symbol-letters.

My bit of advice for studying and using runes, is to study what is known about the cultures that utilized them. Knowing, for instance, that Fehu means auroch, is more complete when you understand the agrarian culture of the norse people (or the others, the exact origins are, if I recall, not entirely certain), and what that symbol, the auroch, meant to them. Knowing about the connection between song and divinity brings a deeper understanding to Ansuz.

As far as using them, your books will probably give you plenty of perspective, but after spending time meditating on individual runes, I suggest also pairing them up each with the other. Fehu and Uruz one day, Fehu and Thurisaz the next, and so on down the line. Reading any set of divination symbols requires the ability to synthesize groups of those symbols into a single meaning. It can be simple, Fehu and Thurisaz may be simply "Ability/Power to Defend/attack" (depending on their orientation). Or, you can see a Strong Defense, etc. I would suggest finding a single keyword to assign to small groups of runes once you settle on a meaning that resonates well. These two might be called "Wall/Sword", one a symbol of that powerful defense, the other a symbol of powerful attack. This helps to read them later on, and allows for additional keywords that can tie your interpretations together neatly. They also serve to better apply runes during magical practices with them.

As far as magical uses, bands, bangles, rings, etc., are excellent ways to apply rune enchantments. As with any set of symbols, I think it is best to consecrate and enchant according to their native culture. Bones, bird feathers, flowers, etc., the old runic traditions were somewhat shamanic in nature.

Other than that, study hard and every day. I agree with Acid that you are setting out well already.

peace

Thank you for your advise on them. Defiantly about pairing or grouping with keywords. That willl help me memorize their meaning a lot easier. I have seen them being worn as necklaces so I amused they can be used for protection magik so will defiantly use them in any protection rituals I cast.

I came across a free podcast on Itunes about runes. I believe it was on a show called paranormal podcast. They had an author who was also a priestess who dwelled with runes. She talked about the Norse god Odin, how you have to give the runes a blood sacrifice. I thought it was pretty informative.

Speaking of apps, I have seen many for rune casting divination. I have considered getting one to use as a electronic rune bag unsure of using them in that manner would be effective as I cant charge and tune my self to an app like I can with actual runes.

Yay what is the deal with that? Its like digital tv vs analog tv. Digital, good quality but you don't pick up many channels. Analog, a good range of frequencies and sometimes fuzzy, but you can still make out the pictures. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)