Runic alphabet associated with sorcery, magic and the supernatural

by W.T.J.S. Kaviratne-Ambalangoda Spl. Cor.

Literacy was highly respected in Scandinavia and Runic characters derived from the Roman and Greek alphabets first appeared in Scandinavia as a system of recording events of mythic splendour around A.D. 200.

Individual letters having the shape of straight strokes and combinations had been clearly designed for carving on hard surfaces.

Before introducing the Latin alphabet into Scandinavian countries around 1000 B.C. the only method of recording was through runic script. The Scandinavians believed that these mysterious symbols had been obtained by Odin the Chief God of Viking Pantheon.

According to Norse Mythology Odin seeking wisdom hanged himself on the branches of "Yggdrasil" known as 'World Tree' in Norse mythology for nine nights as a way of sacrifice to obtain magic Runes.

In Norse Mythology, the Giant Mimir was the guardian of the Fountain of Wisdom. God Odin went in search of Mimir to obtain wisdom.

Odin offered one of his eyes to drink water from the Fountain of Wisdom and thus obtained the runic alphabet having magical powers.

Magical effects of Runes

Opinions of scholars vary on the functions of Runes whether used as a script for writing or just magical symbols or for both. Runic signs are inextricably linked to Norse mythology and they have power and force and the spoken word could easily pass into the symbols they represent.

Magical effects of Runes were found in ancient Germanic literature and even the Poems of Edda, folk songs the magical effects of Runes on mankind have been mentioned. The pre-Christian Scandinavians believed that Runes could awake the dead from the graves. Runes could cure the sick or bring lasting disease, bring soft rain or hail storms.

Runic spells engraved on wood was placed under the tongue of a dead man which forced the man to utter strains terrible to hear and he revealed terrible secrets of the future.

Even in Icelandic Sagas, supernatural powers of Runes are found. Egil Skallagrimsson who lived in the 10th century narrated how a maiden's illness had been increased using a wrong Rune.

Egill destroyed the spell by cutting off of the Runes and burning the inscribed wood. She was cured by keeping the true healing Runes under her pillow which cured the maiden instantly.

"Futhark" is the Norse equivalent of "Alphabet" Just as the word is formed by the first two Greek letters "alpha" and "beta" Futhark is formed by the first six letters of old Norse f, u, th, a, r, k. and Runic writing was essentially epigraphic not engraved in cursive writing and could be engraved on hard surfaces on rocks, wood and precious objects of metal.

Originally, Futhark consisted of 24 signs and these 24 signs had been used from its origin up to the 9th century. Later on a massive modification took place on the sounds and their symbolic.

Gradually the number of symbols of the runic alphabet (futhark) were reduced from 24 to 16.

The derivation of the word 'runa' could be traced to a Germanic root from which the German word 'raunen' to whisper was derived. One of the functions of the runic inscriptions was to convey a secret message. Some of the Icelandic Eddic poems also describes the magical virtues of the 'powerful Runes.'

Each symbol in the Runic alphabet has its own magical properties as well as supernatural links.

Runic scriptures had been used for both secular and spiritual functions during the Viking period in Scandinavia. Rune stones are raised stones and monumental rune stones had been erected for the commemoration of the dead.

In Sweden there are about 2,500 runic stones carrying inscriptions erected to commemorate the dead.

In Denmark there are about 250 Runic Stones and another 65 are found in Norway.

Upland region in the central Sweden 1,300 rune stones had been discovered and over 60 percent of them had been erected in the late 11th these runic stones had a secular function in ensuring inheritance and marking individual claims to land.

Majority of the rune stones found in Upland are Christian monuments decorated with a cross and contain prayers in the form of " May God help his soul ...". The early Christian church was involved in the construction of bridges and nearly 150 rune stones erected as monuments closer to bridges and 55 percent of these monuments had been erected by women.

A memorial funerary rune stone at a bridge in the area known as 'Bridge Farm' in Taby, along the Viking Road, Sweden carries the inscription that a farmer named Osten died in Greece. The English translation of the Rune inscription engraved by his wife Estrid says: "He visited Jerusalem and died in Greece." A memorial Runic inscription erected by a father about his two dead sons says:

"One died in the West, the other in the East."

Runes on sticks

During the excavations done in the old section of the Norwegian City of Bergen brought to light nearly 500 runic inscriptions engraved mostly on sticks. Some of the runic inscriptions carried personal messages such as " Kiss me my darling... Ingebjorg loved me in Stavanger."

During excavations carried out in Scandinavian countries artefacts such as weapons, stones and bronze pendants had been discovered engraved with Runic inscriptions.

Futhark or runic alphabet could be compared to a journey or a sort of a spiritual odyssey in which the traveller had to undergo troubles and tribulations till he reached his final destination.

Runic alphabet according to Norse mythology symbolically represents the obstacles, receiving both praise and blame gifts and learning lessons all of these were considered as requirements for the development of human beings. Runes reflect the "Norse World View" and in order to comprehend the deeper meaning underline runes it is indispensable to have a thorough understanding of mythic culture and the life styles of the ancient Scandinavia.

1, FEHU: (Phonetic equivalent 'f') This Runic symbol is associated with prosperity, physical and financial needs, goals and promotions.

Magical powers attributed are promotions, gaining employment and starting business activities.

2. URUZ: (Phonetic equivalent 'u')

Uruz is associated with energy, passion, vitality, sexuality, fertility and shamanic.

Magical powers are providing energy for hunting and increasing sexual potency.

This rune made the human beings aware of the mortality.

3. PURISAZ: (Phonetic equivalent 'th')

Purisaz is associated with painful event, discipline, knowledge, introspection and hardships.

Magical powers are clearing out a bad situation, aid in studies and meditation.

4.ANUZ: (Phonetic equivalent 'a' as in fall)

Ansuz is associated with mind and body relationship, authoritative figure, justice, shaman and voyance.

Magical powers are making wise decisions, success, leadership divination and magic.

5.RAITHA (Phonetic equivalent 'r')

Raitha is associated with pilgrimage, destiny, progress, life lessons and change.

Magical powers attributed Raitha are providing protection for travellers and to bring about change.

6. KENAZ (Phonetic equivalent 'c' as in candle)

Kenaz is associated with wisdom, insight, solution to a problem, creativity, inspiration and enlightenment.

Magical powers are creative inspiration, aid to study, fertility, dispelling anxiety and fear.

7. GEBO (Phonetic equivalent 'g' as in girl) Gebo is associated with gift, offering, relationship, love, marriage, partnership, generosity and unexpected good fortune.

Magical powers are to find or strengthen a relationship, to make gift or an offering and to bring luck.

8. WUNJO (Phonetic equivalent 'w')

Wunjo is associated with success, recognition of achievements , reward, joy, bliss and contentment.

Magical powers are success in any endeavour, motivation and the completion of a task.

9. HAGALAZ (Phonetic equivalent 'h') Hagalaz is associated with sudden loss, ordeal, destruction, disaster, drastic change and karmic lesson. Magical power is the removal of unwanted influences.

10. NAUPIZ (Phonetic equivalent 'n')

Naupiz is associated with poverty, hardship, responsibility, discontent, obstacle and frustration.

11. ISA (Phonetic equivalent 'I' (ee as in eel.)

Isa is associated with inactivity, blockage, stagnation, patience, reflection withdrawal and rest.

Runes convey vital instructive messages to mankind while revealing the mythic splendour, world view, philosophy religious thoughts, Gods, Goddesses and Supernatural beings of the Viking Period of Scandinavia.