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Crack the code of ancient Norse letters
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From seafaring skills to their famed god of thunder, Viking history contains endless things to be fascinated by. Thousands of centuries later, none have captured so much interest as their ancient alphabets. These alphabets are made up of intricate Viking runes, which are believed to have mystical and powerful meanings. Whether you're curious about the history of Viking runes, intrigued by the meaning of each symbol, or are looking for ways to use them in your life and spiritual practices, you’ve come to the right place. Let's dive into a sea of Viking lore.
Things You Should Know
- Each Viking rune has a specific symbol, name, meaning, and energy.
- Viking runes come from two Nordic alphabets: the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark. Both are important, but the Younger Futhark was used more in Viking times.
- Viking runes are thought to have mystical powers that can be used for divination, protection, meditation, and astrology.
Steps
Section 3 of 5:
How to Use Runes in Spiritual Practices
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Do a meditation exercise. Find a rune that appeals to you and create a runic meditation card following these steps: [6] X Research source
- Use a small piece of white paper, about 3 in × 5 in (7.6 cm × 12.7 cm) in size.
- Paint your chosen rune on the card in bright red.
- Sit comfortably with the card at eye level.
- Begin to breathe evenly in a rhythm you can maintain.
- Concentrate on the shape of the rune and silently chant the name three times.
- Pause, then chant again three times. Repeat this process throughout.
- Concentrate on the rune’s shape, sound, and your breath and posture.
- After several minutes, close your eyes and visualize the shape.
- Continue practicing until you can meditate this way for ten minutes.
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Predict the future with divination. Carve each rune into an individual piece of wood. Throw the runes onto a white cloth and note which runes land upright. Some people believe that the combined meanings of those runes tell you about your life and future. [7] X Research source
- In modern-day practices, people often use rune divination sets or rune tarot cards. [8] X Research source
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Use runes to make a lucky talisman or amulet. Make a traditional runic talisman by carving runes into wood, bone, stone, or metal, or write it on paper. Wear a runic necklace as an amulet for good luck and protection.
- If the inscribed object has a functional purpose, like a pen or car, the runes are thought to give success in whatever way the object is used. [9] X Research source
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Section 4 of 5:
How to Find and Understand Your Birth Runes
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Use your birthdate to find your first birth rune. Birth runes are based on the Elder Futhark alphabet. This rune is also called the solar rune. [10] X Research source
- Fehu – June 29th to July 14th
- Uruz – July 14th to July 29th
- Thurisaz – July 29th to August 13th
- Ansuz – August 13th to August 29th
- Raidho – August 29th to September 13th
- Kenaz – September 13th to September 28th
- Gebo – September 28th to October 13th
- Wunjo – October 13th to October 28th
- Hagalaz – October 28th to November 13th
- Nauthiz – November 13th to November 28th
- Isa – November 28th to December 13th
- Jera – December 13th to December 28th
- Eihwaz – December 28th to January 13th
- Perthro – January 13th to January 28th
- Algiz – January 28th to February 13th
- Sowilo – February 13th to February 27th
- Tiwaz – February 27th to March 14th
- Berkana – March 14th to March 30th
- Ehwaz – March 30th to April 14th
- Mannaz – April 14th to April 29th
- Laguz – April 29th to May 14th
- Ingwaz – May 14th to May 29th
- Othala – May 29th to June 14th
- Dagaz – June 14th to June 29th
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Use your birth hour to find your second birth rune. Each of the 24 hours in a day matches one of the runes in the Elder Futhark alphabet. [11] X Research source
- Jera – 23:30 to 00:30
- Eihwaz – 00:30 to 01:30
- Perthro – 01:30 to 02:30
- Algiz – 02:30 to 03:30
- Sowilo – 03:30 to 04:30
- Teiwaz – 04:30 to 05:30
- Berkano – 05:30 to 06:30
- Ehwaz – 06:30 to 07:30
- Mannaz – 07:30 to 08:30
- Laguz – 08:30 to 09:30
- Inguz – 09:30 to 10:30
- Dagaz – 10:30 to 11:30
- Othala – 11:30 to 12:30
- Fehu – 12:30 to 13:30
- Uruz – 13:30 to 14:30
- Thurisaz – 14:30 to 15:30
- Ansuz – 15:30 to 16:30
- Raidho – 16:30 - 17:30
- Kenaz – 17:30 to 18:30
- Gebo – 18:30 to 19:30
- Wunjo – 19:30 to 20:30
- Hagalaz – 20:30 to 21:30
- Nauthiz – 21:30 to 22:30
- Isa – 22:30 to 23:30
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Put the runes together to find meaning. The combined meaning of your two birth runes is thought to describe the energy of your identity, life, and spirit. This practice is referred to as runic astrology but differs from zodiac astrology. [12] X Research source
- While zodiac signs and horoscopes aim to describe your destiny and future, birth runes are meant to tell you the energy behind your personality and life events.
- Birth runes and runic astrology come from Nordic folklore but are still popular in present-day Scandinavia.
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Tips
- Elder Futhark has fewer inscriptions than Younger Futhark, so while experts have guessed the names of each rune and its pronunciation, there’s no absolute certainty without more historical evidence. [18] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/what-are-viking-norse-runes-and-what-is-their-meaning/
- ↑ http://www.therunesite.com/younger-futhork-rune-meanings/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/seYZoNXjLKI?t=49
- ↑ https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/viking-age-people/runes
- ↑ https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/what-are-viking-norse-runes-and-what-is-their-meaning/
- ↑ https://www.esonet.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Futhark-A-Handbook-of-Rune-Magic-Edred-Thorsson-1984.pdf
- ↑ https://www.esonet.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Futhark-A-Handbook-of-Rune-Magic-Edred-Thorsson-1984.pdf
- ↑ https://westportlibrary.libguides.com/RuneCasting
- ↑ https://www.esonet.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Futhark-A-Handbook-of-Rune-Magic-Edred-Thorsson-1984.pdf
- ↑ https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/learn-how-to-read-your-viking-birth-runes
- ↑ https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/learn-how-to-read-your-viking-birth-runes
- ↑ https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/learn-how-to-read-your-viking-birth-runes
- ↑ https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/viking-age-people/runes
- ↑ https://www.vikingeskibsmuseet.dk/en/professions/education/viking-age-people/runes
- ↑ https://www.discoveryuk.com/mysteries/what-are-viking-norse-runes-and-what-is-their-meaning/
- ↑ https://www.ragweedforge.com/poems.html
- ↑ https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/learn-how-to-read-your-viking-birth-runes
- ↑ https://youtu.be/CH0ZhhGwCOQ?t=81
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