Runes

Interpretation of Runes

I work with the "Elder Futhark", the runic alphabet which is a composite of the runic symbols most commonly used in northern Europe. 

There are many versions of the runic alphabets. Each has variations in names, shapes, esoteric meanings and magical uses. One should not mix futharks, or the intent or meaning becomes confused. The Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, and the Younger (or Scandinavian) Futhark are the most frequently seen versions of the runic alphabets in use today.

The runes are broken down into three sections or groups of eight, called aett (aettir, plural). This helps one to remember their order, and later, you will see, has significance in magical uses. They are named for the Norse Gods Freyr, Hagal and Tyr. 

Freyr's Eight:  #11 Fehu-Possessions, #5 Uruz-Strength, #21 Thurisaz-Gateway, #3 Eihwaz-Signals, #20 Raido-Journey, #14 Kano-opening, 
#2 Gebo-Gift, #12 Wunjo-Joy

Hagal's Eight:  #19 Hagalaz-Disruption, #7 Nauthiz-Constraint, 
#23 Isa-Standstill, #13 Jera-Harvest, #9 Eihwaz-Defense, #6 Perth-Initiation,
#10 Algiz-Protection, #24 Sowelu-Wholeness

Tyr's Eight:  #15 Teiwaz-Warrior, #16 Berkana-Growth, #17 Ehwaz-Movement,
#1 Mannaz-The Self, #18 Laguz-Flow, #8 Inguz-Fertility, #4 Othila-Retreat, 
#22 Dagaz-Breakthrough

One that stands alone, #25 The Blank Rune-The Unknowable

First the rune name is given, then its phonetic value, its symbolic image, and finally the esoteric meaning used in divination. Rune users disagree on whether or not to place a different meaning on a rune that falls in an inverted or reversed position. Some runes look the same upside down and right side up. 

These cannot be "reversed". Nevertheless, any of the runes may appear as a "merkstave" (which literally means "dark stick" and implies a "dark" meaning), depending on how the runes are cast. Note that a "reversed" or "merkstave" meaning is not the opposite of its primary meaning, but usually has a more negative connotation.

There are elaborate pictures of Egyptian hieroglyphics and the intricate reed-poked-into-clay marks of Mesopotamian cuneiform used to be the way people communicated in writing.  Gradually these were simplified into syllable symbols instead of word symbols, but were still fairly daunting and only a few scholars ever learned to write.

The Phoenician contribution was critical as they were the major sea-traders of the Mediterranean.

Every country which had a sea port traded with the Phoenicians.  They began using their alphabet to keep track of their trades, and their alphabet was exposed to everyone.  Money and wealth were involved, so people were highly motivated to learn the system and make sure it was being accurately written down.  This new method proved to be so much better than previous methods that many people in many languages adopted it.  

Their writing reads right to left, and some symbols were later re-used and made into vowels.

The Greeks adopted the Phoenician alphabet, and added vowels to it.  The refined combination worked very well.  It enabled the philosophy of Socrates and the theater plays of Euripides -- among many other great works of literature -- to be inspired.

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This to me feels like rune scripting of the witches alphabet.  It has all the curves and curly ques that the witches alphabet is known for.  I have posted it below.