Runes and the Development of Mind
Contemporary approaches to the study and application of Runes exhibit the same binarity that characterizes other magical currents. Among those who engage closely with the Runes one can distinguish two very distinct groups – the ‘esoteric practitioners’, who regard Runes merely as one instrument of “self-improvement” and use them indiscriminately alongside Tarot, the I Ching, and other divinatory systems to gain insight into the Great Spirit’s affairs, and the “erili”, who see Runes primarily as a tool for practical realizations.
For Magi seeking balance on their Way a third mode of engagement is possible – Runes can be equally an instrument of transformation of the “external” world, the Macrocosm, and a system for ordering the flows of mind in the Psychocosmos.
Such a synthetic approach is very characteristic of the European magical tradition as a whole. A vivid example is Alchemy, which in its extremes takes the form of a mercenary desire for wealth or theosophical striving to transform ‘mentality’, and in its traditional, synthetic form includes both: on the one hand, the alchemist needs material fire and the transformation of matter, and on the other – by transforming matter in the athanor, the alchemist also transforms himself, producing both the philosopher’s stone in the crucible and within himself.
Much the same holds for interaction with any other currents or vectors of Power or energy, including the Runes.
Indeed, even if interaction with Runic vectors begins with “meditation” on them, or with utilitarian application, when it is sufficiently prolonged and earnest it transforms into something entirely different – the mind’s entry into a Runic system of coordinates, the alignment of the flows of the Psychocosmos with Runic impulses.
All the more so when the very use of Runes is aimed at developing the mind.
For example, the application of the rune Fehu need not aim at acquiring wealth, nor must it aim to control the Primal Fire. This interaction can be immediately directed toward sustaining and ordering the creative impulses of the mind – Audumbla, licking active powers from the ice. Yet even when applied for other ends (provided it is used honestly and responsibly), Fehu will still produce this effect in the mind, making bursts of creative activity more powerful and lively. The same is true of the other Runes – Uruz does not only confer the “Power of Blood” or physical health but also unites the polarities of the mind into a single surge, an irresistible force of will.
Even if a Magus does not seek a “mercantile” application of Runes, or pursue meditations and divinations, the Runes will prove invaluable for mastering, developing, and harmonizing the Psychocosmos, and their potential in this realm is as boundless as mighty Yggdrasil, upon whose bark they are carved.
Thank you very much for this article. I try to adhere to the middle path of development you described using runes.
Dear Enmerkar, your block is a grain of living wisdom, and your teacher is truly right, saying “Do not do what you do not understand!” Nowadays, this value is simply forgotten. You can buy any knowledge, mysteries, and practices for money, but moral purity, patience, hard work, and understanding are not taught. The trend of “enlightenment” is easily accessible to everyone, and that’s why the ecology of all levels is so polluted, laws are violated, and moral values are shaky, while everyone calls for action towards self-development. How to choose correctly—in chaos and temptations, within oneself and externally, in the search for oneself while remaining oneself? That’s why I am so grateful to you. Enmerkar, I appreciate all your articles and this one “start with yourself, from small and gradually develop CONSCIOUSNESS”. Happy is he who is not alone on the path, who has Friends, a wall of support, a helping hand, Lady LUCK!
Thank you, everything is theoretically outlined correctly, but of course the main thing is practice. I really enjoy carving, drawing, meditating on runes and pronouncing them. I have my favorites among them, and they are also a source of inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1-qTd72UWA
Dear En Merkar, can the approach you described in using runes be somewhat related to seid?
I would not advise anyone to use runes and various symbols. Once I read a rather interesting work about summoning spirits, and there was a phrase like this: “Never use words and symbols whose meanings are unknown to you.” Can we confidently say that runes meant exactly what we think? Personally, I do not. And I think that if you decided to open the Universe for yourself, no one will teach you better than yourself.
“I would not advise anyone to use runes and all sorts of symbols.” The whole world is filled with symbols and signs (and many of them we simply do not notice, as we are used to seeing and writing them everywhere), but that does not mean that we should be afraid of them and never use them) You just need to understand what you are doing and why. Many symbols without an embedded meaning will remain just drawings. But with the help of any drawing, a knowledgeable person can accomplish a lot)) In order to know what affects what, you need to learn to feel… Over time you will understand what each symbol, movement, or sound carries within itself… P.S. All of the above is my humble opinion =)
2 Kazë: You have read and remembered very correct words. As it is said – “Do not wade into water without knowing the bottom.” But there are also some “buts.” Runes have many meanings and interpretations, but this is not a reason not to study them and apply them. The alphabet we use now has meanings and depths too, but you are not afraid to write and speak with its help. Those who delve into the depths of the meanings of symbols can use them more effectively. Whether for perception and understanding, whether for realization and influence. To perceive and influence, bypassing any symbolism, is granted to very few.
Regarding the alphabet, you hit the nail on the head. I’m not saying that using runes is nonsense or something like that. But runes served specifically as an alphabet, and carving runic inscriptions on amulets (or on the body, as some individuals do) that possibly once denoted the name of a beloved saber-toothed hamster of the chief… What will happen if our descendants use the current alphabet as we use runes? And a well-known short yet meaningful word becomes a spell? Although, it already works pretty well.)
Moreover, runes were not used in magic until the end of the 20th century, when magic became trendy and available to the public. I have never heard that sages and sorcerers used runes in their magic.
2 Kazë: A step into the unknown is progress. I do not dispute your assertion about the need for caution, but one can spend eternity fruitlessly trying to understand and justify certain things theoretically. At the same time, through practice, everything comes much faster. Perhaps you only sat down at the computer after studying and understanding the algorithms and principles of its operation, but such a minority, while the results of work are comparably equal for everyone. We have a small inheritance left from our ancestors. Many pieces of knowledge that were once available and natural are now lost. It is the right and holy duty of those who seek Their Path to utilize the few scraps of knowledge that have survived. For someone it’s runes (which personally I still understand little about), for someone it’s tarot cards, for someone it’s the rustling of leaves and the flight of a bird. They say, everything is created by one Hand.
2 Kazë: I was told that there were 4 types of runic writing, or rather— 4 runic systems. Only one of them was used as an Alphabet, in the modern sense. That is, precisely for the recording-transmission of information in everyday life. If you tattoo the name of a saber-toothed hamster onto yourself, then only on the condition that this image is still recorded in some ancient egregore— your teeth will strengthen and your belly will round:) I know of one such example—a tattoo of a specific chief of Native Americans, but it’s not a cheerful case. Our alphabet and Runes are, in essence, one and the same. I’m currently focusing on Runes. For example, I write the rune Uruz in 8 different ways (in both direct and inverted forms) and examine the nuances of these variations. I may refocus on my native Alphabet over time. By the way, knowing the roots of the meanings of that “fence” word beloved by all, one can expand the range of its application:)
Dear Enmerkar the question from psyishclinik. Can you say please how it funcion by the Mager. Can they self deside thers desteny with all thers mind, may be able to replay or it only in the hand of the 3 norn.
Thank you. And you are very and kindly
wellcome to Swetzerland, with love.
2 Iaraasking: Sorry for intercepting, but it is not so easy to understand what do You exactly mean in Your question. As all we have Karma, means that our destiny already has some Predestination. From the other side, all of us has a Right of Choice. Every day we have plenty Choices. “To be” – is a choice, “not to be” – is also choice:) Karma and Choice are “both sides of the coin”. The third side – are the 3 Norns:)))
Left the hope for “Replay” – only forward, by Your Way! 🙂
With rsp.Amenphoter, thank you for your answer and smilly, sending you for now :-):-). and in addition would like to send to you same swiss chokolade for Christmas. Could you please writte hear a post box address. Do not hesitate to disturb me, with a grate pleasure I would like to be helpfull to you and all cooperaters in an way i can. Tanks
2 Iaraasking: I feel Your smile though the thousand of kilometres between us:) It’s much more then chocolate!
My e-mail: myway@meta.ua
My english is very poor, but I’ll try to help You with information or my opinion if You’ll need it:)
The question arose: can the development of a person in the womb be described using runes? Indeed, some individual elements fit very well according to phases: Fehu – conception, merging of energies and obtaining results, Urus – cell division, etc.
Of course, it is possible. Runic scripts can quite promptly and fruitfully describe any process or dynamic state.
Good evening, please enlighten a curious layman. If in childhood I invented a runic script myself, and then, years later, learned that it could mean something, does that make sense? Is it worth assigning any meaning to this? And generally, should I pursue this direction?
All events are not random.