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The Serpent and the Eagle:
An Introduction to the Runic Tradition
by Chris Travers
Chris Travers has written a highly readable book that is suitable for beginners and more advanced runic practitioners alike. Travers offers his own valuable insights and experiences on the runes, European mythology, and magic in general.
The book is divided into three parts, perhaps reflecting three divisions that Travers explains is fundamental to Nordic mythology, and the runes themselves. The parts are: I - Runic Fundamentals; II - The Runestaves of the Elder Futhark; III - Runic Practice.
Runic Fundamentals introduces the background material that is needed for understanding and working with the runes. This includes the cosmology, a runic theory of magic, and the three divisions of the Universe, with introductions of important figures and symbols such as Ođinn, Yggdrassil, The Norns, and Wyrd (Urđ). Travers points out that experience is essential, as "[t]rue understanding will only be obtained by study, meditation, and practice." (Page 25)
Travers offers some good insight with his discussion on the three-fold division structure that can be found throughout European cosmology. He postulates that this structure is reflected in the mythology with beings that are "Celestial (Dwelling in the Heavens), Terrestrial (Dwelling on the Earth), and Chthonic (Dwelling in the Earth or Sea)." (Page 30). He footnotes this, commenting that "One should also note that Roberto Assagioli postulated a model for the psyche with a similar structure for use in psychotherapy." It is also useful to consider the "three veils" of the Kabbalistic tradition, as well as the "Three Worlds" described by Michael Harner as part of core shamanism.
The Runestaves of the Elder Futhark contains a good introduction to each of the runes, looking at the three aetts (divisions) of the runes, and describing the relationship each rune has to each other. Each rune’s entry contains etymology, descriptions relating the runes to the rune poems and sagas, as well as their uses in divination and magic.
Runic Practice covers three areas fundamental to runic practices: mediation, divination and rune magic, as well as appendices covering The Valkyrie, Ođinn, sample rituals and further resources. The rune magic presented by Travers especially focuses on rune poems, and gives good advice for learning and developing the techniques for writing magical poetry. This is an aspect that could be very useful to magicians interested in non-Runic paths, as the basis could be easily adapted to other practices. The role of language in magic is of cross-cultural importance, and any magician or pagan could well benefit from mastering language for magical purposes.
While the book is easy to read, it contains plenty of material that can be re-read multiple times, and the meditations and magical practices need to be worked to gain a true understanding of the runes.
Review Date: 23rd February 2009
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