Author: Sweyn Plowright
This review is based on a preview of selected pages of the book.
Sweyn is the organiser of Rune-Net and has revised this book with suggestions and requests from members of Rune-Net. The new edition contains some new translations of Rune Poems, a new chapter discussing various myths surrounding the Runes, and and discussion about some of the authors of esoteric Runology books.
It is stated in the introduction that people had asked for a plain and concise introduction to the Runes, and therefore the book sticks to known facts and established conventions. It is therefore a primer on the Runes rather than a thorough investigation or history, and is well suited to those new to the Runes, or those seeking some easy to understand pointers on historic evidence of Rune usage while already familiar with modern “New Age” reconstructions (and inventions) of Runes.
While there are eight chapters in total, four of them provide the bulk of the important information. These cover the “Old Sources” (such as the Elder and Younger Furthark, and Anglo-Saxon Futhorc); The Runic Revival; Concepts (Orlog, Wyrd, Hymingja); and Esoteric Runes (Interpretation and Techniques).
The Interpretations part of the the Esoteric Runes chapter, along with the comprehensive translations and notes on the Rune Poems (Old English, Old Icelandic, and Old Norwegian) form an important part of the instructional side of the books, showing where the associations of the Runes originate, and helping provide a context in a creative and artist way (ie. Poetry) rather than dry academic “learning”.
For those interested in learning more about the Runes then this book will provide a good starting point in navigating the material already present on the Runes as well as providing a solid basis for understanding the purpose and meaning of the Runes and associated concepts (such as Wyrd).
Related Links:
- Rune-Net
Rune-Study Networking Guild
Review Date: 24th Janurary 2007
What about magick with runes : association in france ??
Mis à part les ” books ” de erdred thorson ” stephen flowers ” : aucun enseignement en france !
existe t il une association sérieuse qui enseigne les rituels avec les runes : comme la rune du soleil ou le ùarteau de thor ??
Le seul livre que j’ai trouvé en français est ” mots de pouvoir de émile sentier ” !