Bag of Runes

Our most economical runes. It contains one complete set of Elder FUTHARK runes made from either fruitwood or drift wood. The symbols are burned in by hand and are unfinished. The pouch is leather. Selection of bag color and material are random. Requests for a particular bag color or material are subject to material availability and are not guaranteed. Substitutions could occur.

Price: $25.00 + S & H

Rune Set in a Bag

This rune set contains one complete set of Elder FUTHARK runes made from either fruitwood or drift wood. The symbols are burned in by hand and are unfinished. The set also includes an 82 page book that gives a brief history of runes, directions on how to cast runes for divination, examples of rune spreads and meanings for each of the runes. In the back are quick refence pages for the rune meanings. This set comes in a red suede bag and has a black mole skin cloth pouch and and a black casting cloth with a colorful triskelion.

Price: $35.00 + S & H

Runes are an ancient Germanic alphabet, used for writing, divination and magick throughout northern Europe, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland from about 100 B.C.E. to 1600 C.E. Runic alphabets first appeared among German tribes in central and eastern Europe. The runic system played a role that was both secular and religious in the lives of the people. At its earliest stages of development, runes appeared largely as a series of pictographs that related to the various elements and forces of nature. They were mostly a tool of shamen and priests, but eventually were available on a more personal level as well. Later they were developed as an alphabet, influenced by increased trade with the Mediterranean area where many fully developed alphabets were already in use.

The word "rune" actually means mystery, a secret or a whisper. None of the secrets of the mysteries was written down. Information was preserved and transferred orally by means of stories. The mysteries were known only to a learned few, and the knowledge and power of divination they practiced was highly sought after by the mighty as well as the lowly.

It is said that the Norse High God Odin hung from the Yggdrasil, the world tree impaled on his own spear. There he remained for nine days and nights in order to gain the knowledge of runes. The runes appeared below him. He reached down, took them up, and the runic knowledge he then posessed gave him power. He later passed on this knowledge to the goddess Freya, and she taught him the magic of seidr. In turn Heimdall, guardian god of the Rainbow Bridge, taught the runes to mankind.

Since ancient times, in addition to writing, runes have been used for divination and magic. From them one sought advice. Playing an important role in the pagan practices in place at the time, they were consulted to influence the growth of crops and the weather, to insure victory in battle, to promote fertility and many children. Virtually any aspect of life could be determined by divining the mysteries of the runes. They were displayed widely and prominently and were considered to hold great power as talismans. Often carved or painted on personal items or visible in homes, it was thought that they could draw to them the power of the rune depicted.

There are several variations on the runic alphabet.The Elder FUTHARK contains twenty-four runes. The name is derived from the first six letters: Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Rhaido and Kenaz.The rune characters were made of straight lines that could easily be cut into wood or stone.