Runes and Nordic magic. Read online the book “Runes and Nordic Magic. Secret knowledge of the North
Thomas Karlsson
Runes and Nordic magic
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my father, who introduced me to the Nordic sagas, the operas of Richard Wagner and the ancient sacred sites of the island of Gotland. My thanks to the rest of my family and friends, Malin and my fellow mages at Dragon Rouge.
Preface to the Russian edition
The Vikings are often portrayed as fierce warriors, but they were just as much traders and builders. The Vikings communicated with Russia, exchanged goods and collaborated politically. The settlements they founded were called “rus”, and the most famous of them are Aldeigyuborg (Old Ladoga) and Holmgord (Novgorod). The Vikings had runic writing and used a rune series consisting of sixteen characters. Although the Viking Age (700 - 1500 AD) is Scandinavia's most famous pre-Christian era, it was actually a time of decline. Christianity gained more and more influence, knowledge about runes was gradually supplanted. The original rune series consisted of 24 runes. Some have suggested that they are related to the number of hours in the day, the signs of the zodiac, or other esoteric principles. There may have been a guild of runemakers called the Erils or Heruli. The Erils knew the secret, esoteric meanings of the runes. Perhaps, after the arrival of Christianity in Scandinavia, the Erils went “underground.” Swedish professor Sigurd Agrell (1881–1937) argued that runes were a kind of cipher from the very beginning. His theory formed the basis of this book. “Utark. Shadows of the Runes."
Twenty years ago, when I started studying magic and esotericism, I realized that one of the most significant countries for the development of esotericism is Russia. In modern occultism it is difficult to find a more significant figure than Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891), who founded the Theosophical Society and wrote the revolutionary books Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. She influenced, to one degree or another, all subsequent occultists. One of her admirers was the famous Swedish writer August Strindberg (1849–1912). Among other Russian esotericists, P.D. should also be mentioned. Uspensky, who, inspired by his teacher, G.I. Gurdjieff, created interesting books about dreams, esoteric psychology, the fourth dimension, as well as significant work dedicated to the Tarot. Esotericism has always been closely connected with art, and some famous Russians, such as Wassily Kandinsky in painting and Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin in music, expressed occult visions in their work. The Russian artist and scientist Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947), whose travels to Tibet made significant contributions to modern esotericism, was interested in ancient Nordic religion and could trace his family back to the Vikings. There were many famous esotericists in Russia. The publication of my book in Russia makes me very happy. I believe that this is the beginning of something new.
Occultists have always been interested in the North, perhaps due to Greek myths about gods and magicians such as Abaris who came from the north, from the countries the Greeks called Thule and Hyperborea. It is not surprising that runes have acquired such significance in modern esotericism. The runes described in this book are the keys to knowledge and power. Runes can become a path to individual development. Moscow State University professor Aron Gurevich noted that “the pagan, pre-Christian worldview provided the Germanic tribes with more opportunities for self-development than Christianity with its demands for humility and suppression of self-confidence.”
Runes can tell modern people very important things. They can be used for individual development and awakening hidden abilities.
Thomas Karlsson Summer 2007
Introduction
The Scandinavian god Odin hangs on the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days. He hangs because he sacrificed himself, to himself. Without food or water, with a wound inflicted by his own spear, he endures torment through long nights. Odin's sacrifice on the tree is not an attempt to save a person from sin and not an attempt to atone for the sins of the world. One is on the tree by his own free Will. In the Nordic worldview there is no belief in original sin. There is no Messiah in him. Odin's sacrifice has other reasons. He hangs on the tree for his own sake, to gain wisdom and strength. One seeks the hidden secrets of the Universe, secrets that he extracts from the depths, going into a cry of ecstasy.
Odin is not the Messiah. This is a dark and even demonic deity that many fear. However, he is also an example to follow. His uncompromising quest for knowledge and power can teach us secrets known only to him. One can become our teacher and mentor upon receiving initiation. He will not save you from sins, but will reveal the possibilities of magical initiation - initiation that gives knowledge and strength. He can teach us how to get rid of weakness and uncertainty. Odin teaches the secrets of the runes.
This book is an introduction to runosophy (the secret wisdom of runes) and practical rune magic. Runes are dynamic symbols that describe hidden forces. The appearance of the runes has changed, but the principles that they symbolize are practically the same today as in ancient times. The author of the book does not strive to give a historical description of runes and rune magic. This is an introduction to rune magic, built on the basis of modern magical work with runes. However, we tried to ensure that such work was based on traditional Nordic magic. Even if some of the concepts described here are not supported by archaeological evidence, we have sought to describe clues to the same hidden reality that connects modern man with his ancestors. Time passes, but man remains as mysterious as the hidden reality of existence.
Many people associate the spiritual path with a desire for the heavenly spheres and light. This is the result of the influence of religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In these religions, the divine world is in the distant heavens, and God is a male celestial deity of Light. In ancient pagan traditions, the divine could also be found on and below the earth, in the underworld. There was not only a god, but also powerful goddesses. People were looking not only for Light. The wise also entered darkness in search of spirituality. The night sky, full of stars, was just as important as the daytime sky. It was equally important to visit both the underworld and the heavens. This attitude is inherent in the ancient Nordic tradition. In it, darkness is a precondition for enlightenment. Odin, hanging on the world tree, peers into the depths to find runes. The secrets of existence are hidden in the underground world.
Runes have a light external shape and dark internal content. At all times, rune magicians sought to learn the hidden meaning of the runes, imitating Odin and his iron will. The discussion of runes in this book is based on the controversial claim that the rune series is encrypted to hide its meaning from the uninitiated. The hidden, dark side of the runes is called "Uthark". This is a hidden, esoteric rune series that hides within the more common series, the Futhark. In talking about such occult hypotheses, it is impossible to determine what is true and what is false. Many doubted the historicity of "Utark"; Many serious magical books have been written based on Futhark. However, Uthark has proven to be a powerful tool for learning the secrets of the runes and exploring their dark, hidden side.
Secret knowledge of the North
The word “rune” itself can tell you what runes are. In the Old Norse and Old Germanic languages, the word “rune” meant “mystery”, “secret”, “quiet whisper”. At first, runes were not used for ordinary writing, but only as magical symbols describing the various principles and forces of the Universe and human existence. Symbols are not only those runes that are known from runic series. In a deeper sense, runes are hidden forces indicated in writing, as well as with the help of galdr, singing and other magical actions. Those runes and chants that Odin received after initiation (dedication) on the world tree are a magical reflection of the hidden forces of nature. Runes can have many meanings. On the one hand, the “rune” is a written sign used in the ancient Nordic tradition, on the other hand, it denotes the forces of the Universe and the completeness of occult experience.
Runes and Nordic spirituality reflect high intellectual abilities and a deep understanding of the nature of existence. Today we can acquire only part of the knowledge that was available to the ancient sages. However, by impartially studying the runes, we can hope that we will comprehend the basics of runic secrets.
Many of today's scholars underestimate ancient cultures and seek to reduce their opinions and religious beliefs to a simplistic, trivial level. One might think that in ancient times spirituality centered around harvest cults and funeral ceremonies. Myths are perceived as naive and childish descriptions of life. Most archaeological finds are considered to be burial remains. Such interpretations seem to say more about the way scientists perceive the world than about ancient religions. The positivist view of the world, which has had a significant influence on modern science, argues that man has progressed from primitive levels to more and more advanced thinking. This concept arises by combining the monotheistic picture of the world and industrial materialism. This is a reflection of the fact that a person develops, starting as a child, and moving into the more complex world of adults. The analogy with the development of the world is drawn subconsciously.
There is no reason to believe that our intellectual and spiritual level today is higher than in ancient times. If we continue the analogy with human development, then perhaps we are children, and people of antiquity were adults of the previous generation. Or, on the contrary, we are experiencing senile insanity. Perhaps archaeological finds are considered burials because the past appears to us to be dead and buried. Interestingly, many of the so-called “graves” do not contain corpses. In reality, industrial and post-industrial information societies force a person to devote most of his time to material production, so that there is less time left for the development of spirit and intellect. It can be concluded that the most prosperous countries are in danger of having their citizens become the weakest intellectually and spiritually. In ancient societies, life was hard, but there were long periods in which people could work on themselves: complex religious rituals, developed philosophical views, rich traditions of myths and oral stories. Thanks to Snorri Sturluson and others, some of this knowledge has survived to this day.
Our knowledge of runes and Nordic spirituality comes from the Eddas and sagas, archaeological finds, cave paintings, stones with images and runes, and the names of localities. In addition to the Edda, the book of the Danish historian Sax Grammar (13th century) also describes the Nordic worldview. Information can also be obtained from the book "Germania" of Roman Tacitus (55 - 120) and descriptions of Adam of Bremen. These sources are invaluable to those who wish to explore the mysteries of the runes. However, you should not become too immersed in archaeological information. It should be remembered that the runes and the ancient Nordic tradition were constantly changing. Over time, knowledge and its carriers developed. Runes and myths are exoteric reflections of an esoteric reality that exists outside of time. Time can be ordinary and mythological. We exist in ordinary time, in which history progresses through death and rebirth. Here you can gain knowledge through historical and archaeological research. Mythological time is archetypal and lies outside ordinary space and time. It is described in myths. A shaman or magician can reach mythological time using special states of consciousness. However, having acquired knowledge at an ordinary level, it is easier to reach the mythological time. Theory helps practice, however, I repeat, one should not pay too much attention to history or archeology. The power that the runes represent is the same in our time as it was in Viking times.
There are many theories about the origin of runes. The main four are Latin, Greek, Etruscan and Nordic. Latin theory is the most common in academic circles. It is based on the discovered similarities between some of the runes and Latin letters. Greek theory emphasizes the similarities between Greek letters and runes such as "omega"
and "odal"
The Etruscan theory is based on the fact that inscriptions were discovered in Etruscan letters, but in Old Norse languages. The Nordic theory claims that runes originated in the North and influenced all other alphabets. There are also theories that consider runes to be letters that were used in Atlantis.
Revival of the runes
The rune magic we know today originates from two sources. One of them is research into ancient materials and the revival of traditions. Its representatives are “revivalists”. Another source is those who have preserved ancient knowledge. Let's call them guardians. The former are most often part of academia. Among the "revivalists", theories are developed according to given intellectual and philosophical schemes. Guardian magic, on the other hand, is more mundane and mixed with concepts that have emerged in recent times, such as Christianity. This tradition can be found in the so-called "books of the black arts" that were written in the Nordic countries, such as the Icelandic "En Isländsk Svartkonstbok från 1500-talet". Among the revivalists, three nations and generations can be distinguished: Swedes, Germans and Anglo-Saxons.
The revival of Nordic spirituality began during the era of the “Great Sweden” (1611–1718) and the several preceding decades. Great books were written during this time, such as Olof Rundbeck's Atlantis, which describes Sweden's connections to Atlantis. Interest in occult knowledge and the Nordic tradition increased. Storgothicism (meglegothicism) as an ideological movement connected Sweden with the Goths and explored occult, secret knowledge from a national-romantic perspective. Johannes Bureus (1568–1652), a hitherto unappreciated author, participated in this movement and was the first of the great revivalists. He collected extensive material about runes and rune stones. He believed that runes had a secret side, similar to the mysticism of letters and Kabbalistic numerology. He called his system “Adulruna” (noble runes).
The next generation of revivalists can be found in Germany between the Romantic era and World War II. During the Romantic era, there was a high interest in the ancient Nordic and Germanic religions. The Brothers Grimm collected folk tales, and Richard Wagner's operas based on mythology were popular throughout the world. In nationalist circles, runes and Germanic spirituality were explored. The leading expert in these circles was Guido von List (1848–1919). After temporary blindness caused by surgery, he claimed to have learned the secrets of the runes, and then wrote the influential work "Secrets of the Runes" ("Das Geheimnis der Runen"). Von List, like Bureus, believed that runes had hidden meanings. He calls the three levels of rune meanings “kala”. The first level is external, exoteric. The second is internal, esoteric, and the third is the most secret, the level of “Armans”. According to von List, the Armans are secret rune priests initiated by Odin himself. Guido von List creates his own runic series, called "Armanen - Futhark", which consists of eighteen runes, symbolizing the eighteen songs received by Odin. Von List wanted to renew the cult of Odin by founding the Odinist (Wotanist) movement. Von List had many followers, and the Guido von List Society and the Armanen Society were created. Von List also inspired Rudolf Gorsleben to create the Edda Society and Hermann Pohl to create the Order of the Hermanns. Many of these societies became politicized and were partially involved in the creation of the NSDAP. The use of the swastika and the Zig runes in SS symbolism was initiated by von List. Another follower of von List, Siegfried Adolf Kummer, added rune yoga, rune yodelling, rune mudras and magic circles linked to the zodiac. When the Nazis came to power, he was forced to leave Germany. Friedrich Marby (1882 - 1966) - rune magician, more independent of von List. He developed rune gymnastics, which may have inspired Kummer to create rune yoga. Marby correlated the runes with cosmic energies that could be channeled through the human body. Marby was of Swedish origin and visited Sweden in 1928 to find the source of the runes. In Germany, he was arrested by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp during the war.
The third generation of revivalists is associated with America and Anglo-Saxon countries. Beginning in the seventies, they were extremely active, publishing books and founding societies. Some of the Odinist societies are dedicated to neo-pagan race mysticism, while others are purely occult groups.
Nordic picture of the world
Knowledge of the basics of Nordic mythology is necessary to understand the magical language of runes. To do this, you should study the Eddas, the Speeches of the High One and the Prophecy of Velva, but we will not devote much attention to them in this book. The book Gods and Myths of Northern Europe by H. R. Davidsson is an introduction to Nordic mythology.
Let's look at the important components of the Nordic worldview. Studying the descriptions of Nordic mythology, one can come to the conclusion that it is similar to the biblical one. Of course, this is due to the influence of Christianity. Balder as Jesus, Loki as Satan, Ragnarok as Armageddon, etc. are all later interpretations. Many mythological systems may share common themes, but there are important differences in the basic structure of religions. The Bible is based on a monotheistic, linear view of the world: the belief that there is a deity who created the world at the beginning of time. Time then continues until the world is destroyed in Armageddon, after which the righteous go to heaven. This view is a unique anomaly, inherent in all monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In pagan religions, time is cyclical. Worlds are created and destroyed in cycles similar to those of nature. The world was not created by gods, but arises through the interaction of opposing energies. In the most ancient pagan traditions there are not only gods, but also goddesses. Nordic mythology describes the emergence of the world from two polar primordial principles, Niflheim and Muspelheim, heat and cold. These are the fundamental principles of the Universe. This view was popular during the Romantic era, and Goethe adapted this principle for his works on alternative natural history.
Muspelheim - fire, heat, expansion, bulge.
Niflheim- ice, cold, compression, depression.
The existence of the world arises from the great “nothing” - Ginnungagap - establishing a balance between the original opposites.
The first of the creatures to emerge is Ymir, the primordial giant, whose name means “twin.” His nature is dual, he is described as two-headed and/or bisexual. The dual primordial being can be found in many occult traditions.
Nordic mythology recognizes the existence of two races, or species, of superior beings. Giants or thurses are the most ancient creatures and belong to the ancient race of giants. The gods are younger and created the world by killing Ymir. The struggle of the younger gods with the elders, the giants of chaos, is a common mythological plot. In Nordic mythology, this is a battle between gods and giants. However, it is not obvious who is actually better. Unlike monotheistic religions, the Nordic tradition does not use the concepts of “good” and “evil.” The universe is not only a struggle, but also a cooperation between forces. Giants have great wisdom. Odin gains wisdom with the help of the giant Mimir, and the giant Bolthorn teaches him the secrets of the runes. Giants are dark, chaotic forces with arcane wisdom and power.
Time is tied to fate and is woven by three dark goddesses, the Norns: Urd, Verdandi and Skuld. They symbolize the past (Urd), present (Verdandi) and future (Skuld). "Urd" means "fate" or "primordial" (Ur), "Verdandi" means being, and "Skuld" means "result". Skuld is also associated with the idea of karmic energy, which can be accumulated and used. The Norn Weave unites the Universe. Runes are different aspects, the powers of weaving. With the help of runes, magicians can influence fate. Odin's dark blood brother, Loki, is sometimes called "Locke" (as opposed to the usual spelling "Loke"), the web-spinning spider. He invented the network. Loki is the "trickster", the "culture hero" who unifies the newly created Universe and forms the network upon which existence is based. It is from Loki that both gods and humans learn how to use networks. These networks are the ability to control your own destiny. Loki can be compared to Prometheus, the one who reveals secrets and forbidden knowledge.
According to the Nordic view, space is created at the moment when Woden, Vili and Be kill Ymir and create the world from his body. The triad of gods creates order out of chaos. The space is maintained by four gnomes associated with the cardinal points: Nordri, Sudri, Austri and Vastri.
Time is created by the female triad - Urd, Verdandi and Skuld, when they spin the thread of fate.
There is also a dark triad of "demonic" beings who play an important role in the end of the world and the great transformation of Ragnarok. This triad represents the disintegrating and destructive forces that make rebirth and change possible. They are the children of Loki from the giantess Anger-boda: Hel, Jormungandr (Midgard Serpent) and the wolf Fenrir.
So, three triads:
Woden, Vili, Be: the triad of creation that creates space.
Urd, Verdandi, Skuld: triad of being and time
Hel, Jormungandr, wolf Fenrir: triad of destruction and departure.
The four gnomes are the four directions on the surface, the four cardinal directions. In the Nordic tradition there are two more directions, there are six in total. The directions "up" and "down" are represented by the hawk Werdfelnir and the serpent Nidhogg, archetypes of the sky and the underworld. The hawk and the snake are at opposite ends of the vertical and interact with the help of the squirrel Ratatoskr, which transmits messages between them. In all ancient religions, the concept of the world pillar is extremely important. The world pillar is a vertical line located in the center of the world and connecting what is above with what is below. The bird and the snake are the archetypes of the two ends of the pillar, and the dragon symbolizes the unity of opposites, top and bottom. In the Nordic tradition, the role of the world pillar is played by the world tree Yggdrasil. Shamans, magicians and witches can travel through the tree between worlds. They can ascend to heaven or descend underground. The world tree is the horse of magicians. Therefore, in the Nordic tradition it is called “Odin’s horse.” “Igg” or “yggr” (“ygg”, “yggr”) is an attribute of Odin, and “drasil” (“drasil”) means “horse”.
Nordic numerology
Numbers have always played an important role in religion, magic and mythology. Perhaps numbers represent part of the underlying structures of consciousness. Even nature can be broken down into mathematical principles. Some of the philosophical (Pythagoreans and followers of Plato) and mystical (Kabbalah) systems say that everything is created in accordance with mathematical principles and that numbers symbolize aspects of existence. In the Nordic tradition, numbers are also important. The basic numbers in this tradition are built on the basis of a triad. Triads of gods and goddesses create the foundations of the world. Worlds 3x3. One hangs on a tree for 9 nights and learns 18 (9x2) songs of power. The triad is the basis of all Nordic spirituality. From two opposites a third is born. This idea is reflected in Hegel's ideas about thesis-antithesis-synthesis.
One (1). The unit, important in monotheistic theology and Platonic Hermetic philosophy, is not as important in the Nordic tradition. This number corresponds to Yggdrasil as the center of the world.
Two (2). The number two is more important. The world is created from two opposites: Muspelheim and Niflheim. Even the primeval being, Ymir, cannot be correlated with one, since his dual nature and relationship with Twisto (from “tvistra” - to divide) classify him as the number “two”. The hawk and the serpent Nidhogg are two opposing principles. Hugin and Munin (Odin's ravens) are related to the number "two" in the same way as Geri and Freki (Odin's wolves). Odin and Loki are a magically complementary pair.
Three (3). Three is a natural number representing the eternal motion of the Universe (thesis-antithesis-synthesis). The triad of gods - Woden (Odin), Vili, Be - structure the Universe. Odin, Khenir, Lodur (possibly the same triad, but with changed names) give a person spiritual qualities. Urd, Verdandi and Skuld control time. The number “three” is the basis of runes and songs of power.
Four (4). The number four symbolizes order. The sign of this number is the solstice (swastika), which is also the sign of Thor. He fights the forces of chaos and maintains order. The world is supported by four dwarves (in the cardinal directions) - Nordri, Sudri, Austri and Vastri. Four deer eat buds on the world tree; they can be seen as the necessary destructive forces that cause the world and the number four to move in cycles.
Five (5). The number five is associated with time. The week in ancient Germanic society consisted of five days and was called "fimmt". Pentagrams were used in late Nordic magic.
Six (6). The number six is associated with space. There are six driving directions (north, south, east, west, up and down).
Seven (7). The number "seven" is associated with the "reverse side". The Rainbow Bridge, Bifrost, is sometimes credited with three colors, sometimes with seven.
Eight (8). The number "eight" describes the order of the runes. The Elder Futhark is divided into three groups of eight runes, called "ættir". The Scandinavian Futhark can also be divided into two groups of eight (however, it is more often divided into three groups of five and six). The 33-rune Northumbrian series is divided into four groups of eight plus one additional rune. There is also a rare rune row of 40 runes, which can be divided into five etts of eight runes. In the magical use of runes, eight methods can be distinguished (“Speech of the High One,” 144).
Nine (9). The number nine is the most important number in Nordic spirituality. In Kabbalism, universality is represented by the number “ten”; in the Nordic tradition, the number “nine” performs the same function. There are nine worlds in the underworld, and there are nine more. One hangs on Yggdrasil for nine nights and acquires nine songs of power. In the Ynglinga Saga, Snorri Sturluson attributes nine magical powers to Odin. The three triangles combined into the "valknut" symbol symbolize completion, the number "nine" and Odin.
Thomas Karlsson
Runes and Nordic magic
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my father, who introduced me to the Nordic sagas, the operas of Richard Wagner and the ancient sacred sites of the island of Gotland. My thanks to the rest of my family and friends, Malin and my fellow mages at Dragon Rouge.
Thomas Karlsson was educated at Stockholm University. Founded the magical order "Dragon Rouge". He has been studying and practicing occult arts for over 15 years. He regularly lectures, teaches courses and edits a Swedish esoteric magazine.
Preface to the Russian edition
The Vikings are often portrayed as fierce warriors, but they were just as much traders and builders. The Vikings communicated with Russia, exchanged goods and collaborated politically. The settlements they founded were called “rus”, and the most famous of them are Aldeigyuborg (Old Ladoga) and Holmgord (Novgorod). The Vikings had runic writing and used a rune series consisting of sixteen characters. Although the Viking Age (700 - 1500 AD) is Scandinavia's most famous pre-Christian era, it was actually a time of decline. Christianity gained more and more influence, knowledge about runes was gradually supplanted. The original rune series consisted of 24 runes. Some have suggested that they are related to the number of hours in the day, the signs of the zodiac, or other esoteric principles. There may have been a guild of runemakers called the Erils or Heruli. The Erils knew the secret, esoteric meanings of the runes. Perhaps, after the arrival of Christianity in Scandinavia, the Erils went “underground.” Swedish professor Sigurd Agrell (1881–1937) argued that runes were a kind of cipher from the very beginning. His theory formed the basis of this book “Utark. Shadows of the Runes."
Twenty years ago, when I started studying magic and esotericism, I realized that one of the most significant countries for the development of esotericism is Russia. In modern occultism it is difficult to find a more significant figure than Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891), who founded the Theosophical Society and wrote the revolutionary books Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. She influenced, to one degree or another, all subsequent occultists. One of her admirers was the famous Swedish writer August Strindberg (1849–1912). Among other Russian esotericists, P.D. should also be mentioned. Uspensky, who, inspired by his teacher, G.I. Gurdjieff, created interesting books about dreams, esoteric psychology, the fourth dimension, as well as significant work dedicated to the Tarot. Esotericism has always been closely connected with art, and some famous Russians, such as Wassily Kandinsky in painting and Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin in music, expressed occult visions in their work. The Russian artist and scientist Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947), whose travels to Tibet made significant contributions to modern esotericism, was interested in ancient Nordic religion and could trace his family back to the Vikings. There were many famous esotericists in Russia. The publication of my book in Russia makes me very happy. I believe that this is the beginning of something new.
Occultists have always been interested in the North, perhaps due to Greek myths about gods and magicians such as Abaris who came from the north, from the countries the Greeks called Thule and Hyperborea. It is not surprising that runes have acquired such significance in modern esotericism. The runes described in this book are the keys to knowledge and power. Runes can become a path to individual development. Moscow State University professor Aron Gurevich noted that “the pagan, pre-Christian worldview provided the Germanic tribes with more opportunities for self-development than Christianity with its demands for humility and suppression of self-confidence.”
Runes can tell modern people very important things. They can be used for individual development and awakening hidden abilities.
Thomas Karlsson Summer 2007
Introduction
The Scandinavian god Odin hangs on the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days. He hangs because he sacrificed himself, to himself. Without food or water, with a wound inflicted by his own spear, he endures torment through long nights. Odin's sacrifice on the tree is not an attempt to save a person from sin and not an attempt to atone for the sins of the world. One is on the tree by his own free Will. In the Nordic worldview there is no belief in original sin. There is no Messiah in him. Odin's sacrifice has other reasons. He hangs on the tree for his own sake, to gain wisdom and strength. One seeks the hidden secrets of the Universe, secrets that he extracts from the depths, going into a cry of ecstasy.
Odin is not the Messiah. This is a dark and even demonic deity that many fear. However, he is also an example to follow. His uncompromising quest for knowledge and power can teach us secrets known only to him. One can become our teacher and mentor upon receiving initiation. He will not save you from sins, but will reveal the possibilities of magical initiation - initiation that gives knowledge and strength. He can teach us how to get rid of weakness and uncertainty. Odin teaches the secrets of the runes.
This book is an introduction to runosophy (the secret wisdom of runes) and practical rune magic. Runes are dynamic symbols that describe hidden forces. The appearance of the runes has changed, but the principles that they symbolize are practically the same today as in ancient times. The author of the book does not strive to give a historical description of runes and rune magic. This is an introduction to rune magic, built on the basis of modern magical work with runes. However, we tried to ensure that such work was based on traditional Nordic magic. Even if some of the concepts described here are not supported by archaeological evidence, we have sought to describe clues to the same hidden reality that connects modern man with his ancestors. Time passes, but man remains as mysterious as the hidden reality of existence.
Many people associate the spiritual path with a desire for the heavenly spheres and light. This is the result of the influence of religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In these religions, the divine world is in the distant heavens, and God is a male celestial deity of Light. In ancient pagan traditions, the divine could also be found on and below the earth, in the underworld. There was not only a god, but also powerful goddesses. People were looking not only for Light. The wise also entered darkness in search of spirituality. The night sky, full of stars, was just as important as the daytime sky. It was equally important to visit both the underworld and the heavens. This attitude is inherent in the ancient Nordic tradition. In it, darkness is a precondition for enlightenment. Odin, hanging on the world tree, peers into the depths to find runes. The secrets of existence are hidden in the underground world.
Runes have a light external shape and dark internal content. At all times, rune magicians sought to learn the hidden meaning of the runes, imitating Odin and his iron will. The discussion of runes in this book is based on the controversial claim that the rune series is encrypted to hide its meaning from the uninitiated. The hidden, dark side of the runes is called "Uthark". This is a hidden, esoteric rune series that hides within the more common series, the Futhark. In talking about such occult hypotheses, it is impossible to determine what is true and what is false. Many doubted the historicity of "Utark"; Many serious magical books have been written based on Futhark. However, Uthark has proven to be a powerful tool for learning the secrets of the runes and exploring their dark, hidden side.
Secret knowledge of the North
The word “rune” itself can tell you what runes are. In the Old Norse and Old Germanic languages, the word “rune” meant “mystery”, “secret”, “quiet whisper”. At first, runes were not used for ordinary writing, but only as magical symbols describing the various principles and forces of the Universe and human existence. Symbols are not only those runes that are known from runic series. In a deeper sense, runes are hidden forces indicated in writing, as well as with the help of galdr, singing and other magical actions. Those runes and chants that Odin received after initiation (dedication) on the world tree are a magical reflection of the hidden forces of nature. Runes can have many meanings. On the one hand, the “rune” is a written sign used in the ancient Nordic tradition, on the other hand, it denotes the forces of the Universe and the completeness of occult experience.
Runes and Nordic spirituality reflect high intellectual abilities and a deep understanding of the nature of existence. Today we can acquire only part of the knowledge that was available to the ancient sages. However, by impartially studying the runes, we can hope that we will comprehend the basics of runic secrets.
Many of today's scholars underestimate ancient cultures and seek to reduce their opinions and religious beliefs to a simplistic, trivial level. One might think that in ancient times spirituality centered around harvest cults and funeral ceremonies. Myths are perceived as naive and childish descriptions of life. Most archaeological finds are considered to be burial remains. Such interpretations seem to say more about the way scientists perceive the world than about ancient religions. The positivist view of the world, which has had a significant influence on modern science, argues that man has progressed from primitive levels to more and more advanced thinking. This concept arises by combining the monotheistic picture of the world and industrial materialism. This is a reflection of the fact that a person develops, starting as a child, and moving into the more complex world of adults. The analogy with the development of the world is drawn subconsciously.
There is no reason to believe that our intellectual and spiritual level today is higher than in ancient times. If we continue the analogy with human development, then perhaps we are children, and people of antiquity were adults of the previous generation. Or, on the contrary, we are experiencing senile insanity. Perhaps archaeological finds are considered burials because the past appears to us to be dead and buried. Interestingly, many of the so-called “graves” do not contain corpses. In reality, industrial and post-industrial information societies force a person to devote most of his time to material production, so that there is less time left for the development of spirit and intellect.
I want to thank my father, who introduced me to the Nordic sagas, the operas of Richard Wagner and the ancient sacred sites of the island of Gotland. My thanks to the rest of my family and friends, Malin and my fellow mages at Dragon Rouge.
Thomas Karlsson was educated at Stockholm University. Founded the magical order "Dragon Rouge". He has been studying and practicing occult arts for over 15 years. He regularly lectures, teaches courses and edits a Swedish esoteric magazine.
Preface to the Russian edition
The Vikings are often portrayed as fierce warriors, but they were just as much traders and builders. The Vikings communicated with Russia, exchanged goods and collaborated politically. The settlements they founded were called “rus”, and the most famous of them are Aldeigyuborg (Old Ladoga) and Holmgord (Novgorod). The Vikings had runic writing and used a rune series consisting of sixteen characters. Although the Viking Age (700 - 1500 AD) is Scandinavia's most famous pre-Christian era, it was actually a time of decline. Christianity gained more and more influence, knowledge about runes was gradually supplanted. The original rune series consisted of 24 runes. Some have suggested that they are related to the number of hours in the day, the signs of the zodiac, or other esoteric principles. There may have been a guild of runemakers called the Erils or Heruli. The Erils knew the secret, esoteric meanings of the runes. Perhaps, after the arrival of Christianity in Scandinavia, the Erils went “underground.” Swedish professor Sigurd Agrell (1881–1937) argued that runes were a kind of cipher from the very beginning. His theory formed the basis of this book. “Utark. Shadows of the Runes."
Twenty years ago, when I started studying magic and esotericism, I realized that one of the most significant countries for the development of esotericism is Russia. In modern occultism it is difficult to find a more significant figure than Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891), who founded the Theosophical Society and wrote the revolutionary books Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. She influenced, to one degree or another, all subsequent occultists. One of her admirers was the famous Swedish writer August Strindberg (1849–1912). Among other Russian esotericists, P.D. should also be mentioned. Uspensky, who, inspired by his teacher, G.I. Gurdjieff, created interesting books about dreams, esoteric psychology, the fourth dimension, as well as significant work dedicated to the Tarot. Esotericism has always been closely connected with art, and some famous Russians, such as Wassily Kandinsky in painting and Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin in music, expressed occult visions in their work. The Russian artist and scientist Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947), whose travels to Tibet made significant contributions to modern esotericism, was interested in ancient Nordic religion and could trace his family back to the Vikings. There were many famous esotericists in Russia. The publication of my book in Russia makes me very happy. I believe that this is the beginning of something new.
Occultists have always been interested in the North, perhaps due to Greek myths about gods and magicians such as Abaris who came from the north, from the countries the Greeks called Thule and Hyperborea. It is not surprising that runes have acquired such significance in modern esotericism. The runes described in this book are the keys to knowledge and power. Runes can become a path to individual development. Moscow State University professor Aron Gurevich noted that “the pagan, pre-Christian worldview provided the Germanic tribes with more opportunities for self-development than Christianity with its demands for humility and suppression of self-confidence.”
Runes can tell modern people very important things. They can be used for individual development and awakening hidden abilities.
Thomas Karlsson Summer 2007
Introduction
The Scandinavian god Odin hangs on the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days. He hangs because he sacrificed himself, to himself. Without food or water, with a wound inflicted by his own spear, he endures torment through long nights. Odin's sacrifice on the tree is not an attempt to save a person from sin and not an attempt to atone for the sins of the world. One is on the tree by his own free Will. In the Nordic worldview there is no belief in original sin. There is no Messiah in him. Odin's sacrifice has other reasons. He hangs on the tree for his own sake, to gain wisdom and strength. One seeks the hidden secrets of the Universe, secrets that he extracts from the depths, going into a cry of ecstasy.
Odin is not the Messiah. This is a dark and even demonic deity that many fear. However, he is also an example to follow. His uncompromising quest for knowledge and power can teach us secrets known only to him. One can become our teacher and mentor upon receiving initiation. He will not save you from sins, but will reveal the possibilities of magical initiation - initiation that gives knowledge and strength. He can teach us how to get rid of weakness and uncertainty. Odin teaches the secrets of the runes.
This book is an introduction to runosophy (the secret wisdom of runes) and practical rune magic. Runes are dynamic symbols that describe hidden forces. The appearance of the runes has changed, but the principles that they symbolize are practically the same today as in ancient times. The author of the book does not strive to give a historical description of runes and rune magic. This is an introduction to rune magic, built on the basis of modern magical work with runes. However, we tried to ensure that such work was based on traditional Nordic magic. Even if some of the concepts described here are not supported by archaeological evidence, we have sought to describe clues to the same hidden reality that connects modern man with his ancestors. Time passes, but man remains as mysterious as the hidden reality of existence.
Many people associate the spiritual path with a desire for the heavenly spheres and light. This is the result of the influence of religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In these religions, the divine world is in the distant heavens, and God is a male celestial deity of Light. In ancient pagan traditions, the divine could also be found on and below the earth, in the underworld. There was not only a god, but also powerful goddesses. People were looking not only for Light. The wise also entered darkness in search of spirituality. The night sky, full of stars, was just as important as the daytime sky. It was equally important to visit both the underworld and the heavens. This attitude is inherent in the ancient Nordic tradition. In it, darkness is a precondition for enlightenment. Odin, hanging on the world tree, peers into the depths to find runes. The secrets of existence are hidden in the underground world.
Runes have a light external shape and dark internal content. At all times, rune magicians sought to learn the hidden meaning of the runes, imitating Odin and his iron will. The discussion of runes in this book is based on the controversial claim that the rune series is encrypted to hide its meaning from the uninitiated. The hidden, dark side of the runes is called "Uthark". This is a hidden, esoteric rune series that hides within the more common series, the Futhark. In talking about such occult hypotheses, it is impossible to determine what is true and what is false. Many doubted the historicity of "Utark"; Many serious magical books have been written based on Futhark. However, Uthark has proven to be a powerful tool for learning the secrets of the runes and exploring their dark, hidden side.
Runes and Nordic magic. Thomas Karlsson. The magical power of runes has been known since ancient times. Nowadays, the unusual influence of runes, the presence of some unexplored energy in them, has even been confirmed by scientific research. Runes heal, runes restore vitality to plants, runes protect health and success, runes predict the future. Nordic magic - one of the strongest magical schools in the world - is based on managing the energy of runes. The most powerful magical rituals and rites of Scandinavia are given in this book.
Read the book Runes and Nordic Magic online
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my father, who introduced me to the Nordic sagas, the operas of Richard Wagner and the ancient sacred sites of the island of Gotland. My thanks to the rest of my family and friends, Malin and my fellow mages at Dragon Rouge.
Thomas Karlsson was educated at Stockholm University. Founded the magical order "Dragon Rouge". He has been studying and practicing occult arts for over 15 years. He regularly lectures, teaches courses and edits a Swedish esoteric magazine.
Preface to the Russian edition
The Vikings are often portrayed as fierce warriors, but they were just as much traders and builders. The Vikings communicated with Russia, exchanged goods and collaborated politically. The settlements they founded were called “rus”, and the most famous of them are Aldeigyuborg (Old Ladoga) and Holmgord (Novgorod). The Vikings had runic writing and used a rune series consisting of sixteen characters. Although the Viking Age (700 - 1500 AD) is Scandinavia's most famous pre-Christian era, it was actually a time of decline. Christianity gained more and more influence, knowledge about runes was gradually supplanted. The original rune series consisted of 24 runes. Some have suggested that they are related to the number of hours in the day, the signs of the zodiac, or other esoteric principles. There may have been a guild of runemakers called the Erils or Heruli. The Erils knew the secret, esoteric meanings of the runes. Perhaps, after the arrival of Christianity in Scandinavia, the Erils went “underground.” Swedish professor Sigurd Agrell (1881–1937) argued that runes were a kind of cipher from the very beginning. His theory formed the basis of this book “Utark. Shadows of the Runes."
Twenty years ago, when I started studying magic and esotericism, I realized that one of the most significant countries for the development of esotericism is Russia. In modern occultism it is difficult to find a more significant figure than Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891), who founded the Theosophical Society and wrote the revolutionary books Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. She influenced, to one degree or another, all subsequent occultists. One of her admirers was the famous Swedish writer August Strindberg (1849–1912). Among other Russian esotericists, P.D. should also be mentioned. Uspensky, who, inspired by his teacher, G.I. Gurdjieff, created interesting books about dreams, esoteric psychology, the fourth dimension, as well as significant work dedicated to the Tarot. Esotericism has always been closely connected with art, and some famous Russians, such as Wassily Kandinsky in painting and Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin in music, expressed occult visions in their work. The Russian artist and scientist Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947), whose travels to Tibet made significant contributions to modern esotericism, was interested in ancient Nordic religion and could trace his family back to the Vikings. There were many famous esotericists in Russia. The publication of my book in Russia makes me very happy. I believe that this is the beginning of something new.
Occultists have always been interested in the North, perhaps due to Greek myths about gods and magicians such as Abaris who came from the north, from the countries the Greeks called Thule and Hyperborea. It is not surprising that runes have acquired such significance in modern esotericism. The runes described in this book are the keys to knowledge and power. Runes can become a path to individual development. Moscow State University professor Aron Gurevich noted that “the pagan, pre-Christian worldview provided the Germanic tribes with more opportunities for self-development than Christianity with its demands for humility and suppression of self-confidence.”
Runes can tell modern people very important things. They can be used for individual development and awakening hidden abilities.
Thomas Karlsson Summer 2007
Introduction
The Scandinavian god Odin hangs on the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days. He hangs because he sacrificed himself, to himself. Without food or water, with a wound inflicted by his own spear, he endures torment through long nights. Odin's sacrifice on the tree is not an attempt to save a person from sin and not an attempt to atone for the sins of the world. One is on the tree by his own free Will. In the Nordic worldview there is no belief in original sin. There is no Messiah in him. Odin's sacrifice has other reasons. He hangs on the tree for his own sake, to gain wisdom and strength. One seeks the hidden secrets of the Universe, secrets that he extracts from the depths, going into a cry of ecstasy.
Odin is not the Messiah. This is a dark and even demonic deity that many fear. However, he is also an example to follow. His uncompromising quest for knowledge and power can teach us secrets known only to him. One can become our teacher and mentor upon receiving initiation. He will not save you from sins, but will reveal the possibilities of magical initiation - initiation that gives knowledge and strength. He can teach us how to get rid of weakness and uncertainty. Odin teaches the secrets of the runes.
This book is an introduction to runosophy (the secret wisdom of runes) and practical rune magic. Runes are dynamic symbols that describe hidden forces. The appearance of the runes has changed, but the principles that they symbolize are practically the same today as in ancient times. The author of the book does not strive to give a historical description of runes and rune magic. This is an introduction to rune magic, built on the basis of modern magical work with runes. However, we tried to ensure that such work was based on traditional Nordic magic. Even if some of the concepts described here are not supported by archaeological evidence, we have sought to describe clues to the same hidden reality that connects modern man with his ancestors. Time passes, but man remains as mysterious as the hidden reality of existence.
Many people associate the spiritual path with a desire for the heavenly spheres and light. This is the result of the influence of religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In these religions, the divine world is in the distant heavens, and God is a male celestial deity of Light. In ancient pagan traditions, the divine could also be found on and below the earth, in the underworld. There was not only a god, but also powerful goddesses. People were looking not only for Light. The wise also entered darkness in search of spirituality. The night sky, full of stars, was just as important as the daytime sky. It was equally important to visit both the underworld and the heavens. This attitude is inherent in the ancient Nordic tradition. In it, darkness is a precondition for enlightenment. Odin, hanging on the world tree, peers into the depths to find runes. The secrets of existence are hidden in the underground world.
Runes have a light external shape and dark internal content. At all times, rune magicians sought to learn the hidden meaning of the runes, imitating Odin and his iron will. The discussion of runes in this book is based on the controversial claim that the rune series is encrypted to hide its meaning from the uninitiated. The hidden, dark side of the runes is called "Uthark". This is a hidden, esoteric rune series that hides within the more common series, the Futhark. In talking about such occult hypotheses, it is impossible to determine what is true and what is false. Many doubted the historicity of "Utark"; Many serious magical books have been written based on Futhark. However, Uthark has proven to be a powerful tool for learning the secrets of the runes and exploring their dark, hidden side.
Secret knowledge of the North
The word “rune” itself can tell you what runes are. In the Old Norse and Old Germanic languages, the word “rune” meant “mystery”, “secret”, “quiet whisper”. At first, runes were not used for ordinary writing, but only as magical symbols describing the various principles and forces of the Universe and human existence. Symbols are not only those runes that are known from runic series. In a deeper sense, runes are hidden forces indicated in writing, as well as with the help of galdr, singing and other magical actions. Those runes and chants that Odin received after initiation (dedication) on the world tree are a magical reflection of the hidden forces of nature. Runes can have many meanings. On the one hand, the “rune” is a written sign used in the ancient Nordic tradition, on the other hand, it denotes the forces of the Universe and the completeness of occult experience.
Runes and Nordic spirituality reflect high intellectual abilities and a deep understanding of the nature of existence. Today we can acquire only part of the knowledge that was available to the ancient sages. However, by impartially studying the runes, we can hope that we will comprehend the basics of runic secrets.
Current page: 1 (book has 9 pages in total)
Thomas Karlsson
Runes and Nordic magic
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my father, who introduced me to the Nordic sagas, the operas of Richard Wagner and the ancient sacred sites of the island of Gotland. My thanks to the rest of my family and friends, Malin and my fellow mages at Dragon Rouge.
about the author
Thomas Karlsson was educated at Stockholm University. Founded the magical order "Dragon Rouge". He has been studying and practicing occult arts for over 15 years. He regularly lectures, teaches courses and edits a Swedish esoteric magazine.
Preface to the Russian edition
The Vikings are often portrayed as fierce warriors, but they were just as much traders and builders. The Vikings communicated with Russia, exchanged goods and collaborated politically. The settlements they founded were called “rus”, and the most famous of them are Aldeigyuborg (Old Ladoga) and Holmgord (Novgorod). The Vikings had runic writing and used a rune series consisting of sixteen characters. Although the Viking Age (700 – 1500 AD) is the most famous pre-Christian era in Scandinavia, it was actually a time of decline. Christianity gained more and more influence, knowledge about runes was gradually supplanted. The original rune series consisted of 24 runes. Some have suggested that they are related to the number of hours in the day, the signs of the zodiac, or other esoteric principles. There may have been a guild of runemakers called the Erils or Heruli. The Erils knew the secret, esoteric meanings of the runes. Perhaps, after the arrival of Christianity in Scandinavia, the Erils went “underground.” Swedish professor Sigurd Agrell (1881–1937) argued that runes were a kind of cipher from the very beginning. His theory formed the basis of this book. “Utark. Shadows of the Runes."
Twenty years ago, when I started studying magic and esotericism, I realized that one of the most significant countries for the development of esotericism is Russia. In modern occultism it is difficult to find a more significant figure than Helena Petrovna Blavatsky (1831–1891), who founded the Theosophical Society and wrote the revolutionary books Isis Unveiled and The Secret Doctrine. She influenced, to one degree or another, all subsequent occultists. One of her admirers was the famous Swedish writer August Strindberg (1849–1912). Among other Russian esotericists, P.D. should also be mentioned. Uspensky, who, inspired by his teacher, G.I. Gurdjieff, created interesting books about dreams, esoteric psychology, the fourth dimension, as well as significant work dedicated to the Tarot. Esotericism has always been closely connected with art, and some famous Russians, such as Wassily Kandinsky in painting and Alexander Nikolaevich Scriabin in music, expressed occult visions in their work. The Russian artist and scientist Nicholas Roerich (1874–1947), whose travels to Tibet made significant contributions to modern esotericism, was interested in ancient Nordic religion and could trace his family back to the Vikings. There were many famous esotericists in Russia. The publication of my book in Russia makes me very happy. I believe that this is the beginning of something new.
Occultists have always been interested in the North, perhaps due to Greek myths about gods and magicians such as Abaris who came from the north, from the countries the Greeks called Thule and Hyperborea. It is not surprising that runes have acquired such significance in modern esotericism. The runes described in this book are the keys to knowledge and power. Runes can become a path to individual development. Moscow State University professor Aron Gurevich noted that “the pagan, pre-Christian worldview provided the Germanic tribes with more opportunities for self-development than Christianity with its demands for humility and suppression of self-confidence.”
Runes can tell modern people very important things. They can be used for individual development and awakening hidden abilities.
Thomas Karlsson Summer 2007
Introduction
The Scandinavian god Odin hangs on the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days. He hangs because he sacrificed himself, to himself. Without food or water, with a wound inflicted by his own spear, he endures torment through long nights. Odin's sacrifice on the tree is not an attempt to save a person from sin and not an attempt to atone for the sins of the world. One is on the tree by his own free Will. In the Nordic worldview there is no belief in original sin. There is no Messiah in him. Odin's sacrifice has other reasons. He hangs on the tree for his own sake, to gain wisdom and strength. One seeks the hidden secrets of the Universe, secrets that he extracts from the depths, going into a cry of ecstasy.
Odin is not the Messiah. This is a dark and even demonic deity that many fear. However, he is also an example to follow. His uncompromising quest for knowledge and power can teach us secrets known only to him. One can become our teacher and mentor upon receiving initiation. It will not save you from sins, but will reveal the possibilities of magical initiation - initiation that gives knowledge and strength. He can teach us how to get rid of weakness and uncertainty. Odin teaches the secrets of the runes.
This book is an introduction to runosophy (the secret wisdom of runes) and practical rune magic. Runes are dynamic symbols that describe hidden forces. The appearance of the runes has changed, but the principles that they symbolize are practically the same today as in ancient times. The author of the book does not strive to give a historical description of runes and rune magic. This is an introduction to rune magic, built on the basis of modern magical work with runes. However, we tried to ensure that such work was based on traditional Nordic magic. Even if some of the concepts described here are not supported by archaeological evidence, we have sought to describe clues to the same hidden reality that connects modern man with his ancestors. Time passes, but man remains as mysterious as the hidden reality of existence.
Many people associate the spiritual path with a desire for the heavenly spheres and light. This is the result of the influence of religions such as Christianity, Judaism and Islam. In these religions, the divine world is in the distant heavens, and God is a male heavenly deity of Light. In ancient pagan traditions, the divine could also be found on and below the earth, in the underworld. There was not only a god, but also powerful goddesses. People were looking not only for Light. The wise also entered darkness in search of spirituality. The night sky, full of stars, was just as important as the daytime sky. It was equally important to visit both the underworld and the heavens. This attitude is inherent in the ancient Nordic tradition. In it, darkness is a precondition for enlightenment. Odin, hanging on the world tree, peers into the depths to find runes. The secrets of existence are hidden in the underground world.
Runes have a light external shape and dark internal content. At all times, rune magicians sought to learn the hidden meaning of the runes, imitating Odin and his iron will. The discussion of runes in this book is based on the controversial claim that the rune series is encrypted to hide its meaning from the uninitiated. The hidden, dark side of the runes is called "Uthark". This is a hidden, esoteric rune series that hides within the more common series, “Futhark”. In talking about such occult hypotheses, it is impossible to determine what is true and what is false. Many doubted the historicity of "Utark"; Many serious magical books have been written based on Futhark. However, Uthark has proven to be a powerful tool for learning the secrets of the runes and exploring their dark, hidden side.
Chapter 1
Secret knowledge of the North
The word “rune” itself can tell you what runes are. In the Old Norse and Old Germanic languages, the word “rune” meant “mystery”, “secret”, “quiet whisper”. At first, runes were not used for ordinary writing, but only as magical symbols describing the various principles and forces of the Universe and human existence. Symbols are not only those runes that are known from the runic series. In a deeper sense, runes are hidden forces, indicated in writing, as well as with the help of galdr, 1
Galdr – see page 135.
Singing and other magical actions. Those runes and chants that Odin received after initiation (dedication) on the world tree are a magical reflection of the hidden forces of nature. Runes can have many meanings. On the one hand, the “rune” is a written sign used in the ancient Nordic tradition, on the other hand, it denotes the forces of the Universe and the completeness of occult experience.
Runes and Nordic spirituality reflect high intellectual abilities and a deep understanding of the nature of existence. Today we can acquire only part of the knowledge that was available to the ancient sages. However, by impartially studying the runes, we can hope that we will comprehend the basics of runic secrets.
Many of today's scholars underestimate ancient cultures and seek to reduce their opinions and religious beliefs to a simplistic, trivial level. One might think that in ancient times spirituality centered around harvest cults and funeral ceremonies. Myths are perceived as naive and childish descriptions of life. Most archaeological finds are considered to be burial remains. Such interpretations seem to say more about the way scientists perceive the world than about ancient religions. The positivist view of the world, which has had a significant influence on modern science, argues that man has progressed from primitive levels to more and more advanced thinking. This concept arises by combining the monotheistic picture of the world and industrial materialism. This is a reflection of the fact that a person develops, starting as a child, and moves into the more complex world of adults. The analogy with the development of the world is drawn subconsciously.
There is no reason to believe that our intellectual and spiritual level today is higher than in ancient times. If we continue the analogy with human development, then perhaps we are children, and people of antiquity were adults of the previous generation. Or, on the contrary, we are experiencing senile insanity. Perhaps archaeological finds are considered burials because the past appears to us to be dead and buried. Interestingly, many of the so-called “graves” do not contain corpses. In reality, industrial and post-industrial information societies force a person to devote most of his time to material production, so that there is less time left for the development of spirit and intellect. It can be concluded that the most prosperous countries are in danger of having their citizens become the weakest intellectually and spiritually. In ancient societies, life was hard, but there were long periods in which people could work on themselves: complex religious rituals, developed philosophical views, rich traditions of myths and oral stories. Thanks to Snorri Sturluson and others, some of this knowledge has survived to this day.
Our knowledge of runes and Nordic spirituality comes from the Eddas and sagas, archaeological finds, cave paintings, stones with images and runes, and the names of localities. In addition to the Edda, the book of the Danish historian Sax Grammar (13th century) also describes the Nordic worldview. Information can also be obtained from the book "Germania" of Roman Tacitus (55 - 120) and descriptions of Adam of Bremen. These sources are invaluable to those who wish to explore the mysteries of the runes. However, you should not become too immersed in archaeological information. It should be remembered that the runes and the ancient Nordic tradition were constantly changing. Over time, knowledge and its carriers developed. Runes and myths are exoteric reflections of an esoteric reality that exists outside of time. Time can be ordinary and mythological. We exist in ordinary time, in which history progresses through death and rebirth. Here you can gain knowledge through historical and archaeological research. Mythological time is archetypal and lies outside ordinary space and time. It is described in myths. A shaman or magician can reach mythological time using special states of consciousness. However, having acquired knowledge at an ordinary level, it is easier to reach the mythological time. Theory helps practice, however, I repeat, one should not pay too much attention to history or archeology. The power that the runes represent is the same in our time as it was in Viking times.
There are many theories about the origin of runes. The main four are Latin, Greek, Etruscan and Nordic. Latin theory is the most common in academic circles. It is based on the discovered similarities between some of the runes and Latin letters. Greek theory emphasizes the similarities between Greek letters and runes such as "omega"
and "odal"
The Etruscan theory is based on the fact that inscriptions were discovered in Etruscan letters, but in Old Norse languages. The Nordic theory claims that runes originated in the North and influenced all other alphabets. There are also theories that consider runes to be letters that were used in Atlantis.
Revival of the runes
The rune magic we know today originates from two sources. One of them is research into ancient materials and the revival of traditions. Its representatives are “revivalists.” Another source is those who have preserved ancient knowledge. Let's call them guardians. The former are most often part of academia. Among the "revivalists", theories are developed according to given intellectual and philosophical schemes. Guardian magic, on the other hand, is more mundane and mixed with concepts that have emerged in recent times, such as Christianity. This tradition can be found in the so-called "books of the black arts" that were written in the Nordic countries, such as the Icelandic "En Isländsk Svartkonstbok från 1500-talet". Among the revivalists, three nations and generations can be distinguished: Swedes, Germans and Anglo-Saxons.
The revival of Nordic spirituality began during the era of the “Great Sweden” (1611–1718) and the several preceding decades. Great books were written during this time, such as Olof Rundbeck's Atlantis, which describes Sweden's connections to Atlantis. Interest in occult knowledge and the Nordic tradition increased. Storgothicism (meglegothicism) as an ideological movement connected Sweden with the Goths and explored occult, secret knowledge from a national-romantic perspective. Johannes Bureus (1568–1652), a hitherto unappreciated author, participated in this movement and was the first of the great revivalists. He collected extensive material about runes and rune stones. He believed that runes had a secret side, similar to the mysticism of letters and Kabbalistic numerology. He called his system “Adulruna” (noble runes).
The next generation of revivalists can be found in Germany between the Romantic era and World War II. During the Romantic era, there was a high interest in the ancient Nordic and Germanic religions. The Brothers Grimm collected folk tales, and Richard Wagner's operas based on mythology were popular throughout the world. In nationalist circles, runes and Germanic spirituality were explored. The leading expert in these circles was Guido von List (1848–1919). After temporary blindness caused by surgery, he claimed to have learned the secrets of the runes, and then wrote the influential work "Secrets of the Runes" ("Das Geheimnis der Runen"). Von List, like Bureus, believed that runes had hidden meanings. He calls the three levels of rune meanings “kala”. The first level is external, exoteric. The second is internal, esoteric, and the third is the most secret, the level of “Armans”. According to von List, the Armans are secret rune priests initiated by Odin himself. Guido von List creates his own runic series, called "Armanen - Futhark", which consists of eighteen runes, symbolizing the eighteen songs received by Odin. Von List wanted to renew the cult of Odin by founding the Odinist (Wotanist) movement. Von List had many followers, and the Guido von List Society and the Armanen Society were created. Von List also inspired Rudolf Gorsleben to create the Edda Society and Hermann Pohl to create the Order of the Hermanns. Many of these societies became politicized and were partially involved in the creation of the NSDAP. The use of the swastika and the Zig runes in SS symbolism was initiated by von List. Another follower of von List, Siegfried Adolf Kummer, added rune yoga, rune yodelling, rune mudras and magic circles linked to the zodiac. When the Nazis came to power, he was forced to leave Germany. Friedrich Marby (1882 - 1966) - rune magician, more independent of von List. He developed rune gymnastics, which may have inspired Kummer to create rune yoga. Marby correlated the runes with cosmic energies that could be channeled through the human body. Marby was of Swedish origin and visited Sweden in 1928 to find the source of the runes. In Germany, he was arrested by the Nazis and sent to a concentration camp during the war.
The third generation of revivalists is associated with America and Anglo-Saxon countries. Beginning in the seventies, they were extremely active, publishing books and founding societies. Some of the Odinist societies are dedicated to neo-pagan race mysticism, while others are purely occult groups.
Nordic picture of the world
Knowledge of the basics of Nordic mythology is necessary to understand the magical language of runes. To do this, you should study the Eddas, the Speeches of the High One and the Prophecy of Velva, but we will not devote much attention to them in this book. The book Gods and Myths of Northern Europe by H. R. Davidsson is an introduction to Nordic mythology.
Let's look at the important components of the Nordic worldview. Studying the descriptions of Nordic mythology, one can come to the conclusion that it is similar to the biblical one. Of course, this is due to the influence of Christianity. Balder as Jesus, Loki as Satan, Ragnarok as Armageddon, etc. are all later interpretations. Many mythological systems may share common themes, but there are important differences in the basic structure of religions. The Bible is based on a monotheistic, linear view of the world: the belief that there is a deity who created the world at the beginning of time. Time then continues until the world is destroyed in Armageddon, after which the righteous go to heaven. This view is a unique anomaly, inherent in all monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In pagan religions, time is cyclical. Worlds are created and destroyed in cycles similar to those of nature. The world was not created by gods, but arises through the interaction of opposing energies. In the most ancient pagan traditions there are not only gods, but also goddesses. Nordic mythology describes the emergence of the world from two polar primordial principles, Niflheim and Muspelheim, heat and cold. These are the fundamental principles of the Universe. This view was popular during the Romantic era, and Goethe adapted this principle for his works on alternative natural history.
Muspelheim – fire, heat, expansion, bulge.
Niflheim– ice, cold, compression, depression.
The existence of the world arises from the great “nothing” - Ginnungagap - establishing a balance between the original opposites.
The first of the creatures to emerge is Ymir, the primordial giant, whose name means “twin.” His nature is dual, he is described as two-headed and/or bisexual. The dual primordial being can be found in many occult traditions.
Nordic mythology recognizes the existence of two races, or species, of superior beings. Giants or thurses are the most ancient creatures and belong to the ancient race of giants. The gods are younger and created the world by killing Ymir. The struggle of the younger gods with the elders, the giants of chaos, is a common mythological plot. In Nordic mythology, this is a battle between gods and giants. However, it is not obvious who is actually better. Unlike monotheistic religions, the Nordic tradition does not use the concepts of “good” and “evil.” The universe is not only a struggle, but also a cooperation between forces. Giants have great wisdom. Odin gains wisdom with the help of the giant Mimir, and the giant Bolthorn teaches him the secrets of the runes. Giants are dark, chaotic forces with secret wisdom and power.
Time is tied to fate and is woven by three dark goddesses, the Norns: Urd, Verdandi and Skuld. They symbolize the past (Urd), present (Verdandi) and future (Skuld). “Urd” means “fate” or “primordial” (Ur), “Verdandi” means being, and “Skuld” means “result”. Skuld is also associated with the idea of karmic energy, which can be accumulated and used. The Norn Weave unites the Universe. Runes are different aspects, the powers of weaving. With the help of runes, magicians can influence fate. Odin's dark blood brother, Loki, is sometimes called "Locke" (as opposed to the usual spelling "Loke"), the web-spinning spider. He invented the network. Loki is the "trickster", the "culture hero" who unifies the newly created Universe and forms the network upon which existence is based. It is from Loki that both gods and humans learn how to use networks. These networks are the ability to control your own destiny. Loki can be compared to Prometheus, the one who reveals secrets and forbidden knowledge.
According to the Nordic view, space is created at the moment when Woden, Vili and Be kill Ymir and create the world from his body. The triad of gods creates order out of chaos. The space is maintained by four gnomes associated with the cardinal points: Nordri, Sudri, Austri and Vastri.
Time is created by the female triad - Urd, Verdandi and Skuld, when they spin the thread of fate.
There is also a dark triad of "demonic" beings who play an important role in the end of the world and the great transformation of Ragnarok. This triad represents the disintegrating and destructive forces that make rebirth and change possible. They are the children of Loki from the giantess Anger-boda: Hel, Jormungandr (Midgard Serpent) and the wolf Fenrir.
So, three triads:
Woden, Vili, Be: the triad of creation that creates space.
Urd, Verdandi, Skuld: triad of being and time
Hel, Jormungandr, wolf Fenrir: triad of destruction and departure.
The four gnomes are the four directions on the surface, the four cardinal directions. In the Nordic tradition there are two more directions, there are six in total. The directions "up" and "down" are represented by the hawk Werdfelnir and the serpent Nidhogg, archetypes of the sky and the underworld. The hawk and the snake are at opposite ends of the vertical and interact with the help of the squirrel Ratatoskr, which transmits messages between them. In all ancient religions, the concept of the world pillar is extremely important. The world pillar is a vertical line located in the center of the world and connecting what is above with what is below. The bird and the snake are the archetypes of the two ends of the pillar, and the dragon symbolizes the unity of opposites, top and bottom. In the Nordic tradition, the role of the world pillar is played by the world tree Yggdrasil. Shamans, magicians and witches can travel through the tree between worlds. They can ascend to heaven or descend underground. The world tree is the horse of magicians. Therefore, in the Nordic tradition it is called “Odin’s horse.” “Igg” or “yggr” (“ygg”, “yggr”) is an attribute of Odin, and “drasil” (“drasil”) means “horse”.
