In the archaeological record we find dozens of examples of charmed items, with simple and extravagant engravings in Elder Futhark. They were the ones who understood the hidden meanings, the pairings of symbols, and the power of words! Rune Masters could inscribe a simple bracelet with runes, or even abbreviate incantations and carve them onto a tiny medallion and imbue it with powers and charms. Knowledge of the intimate nature of each individual rune was restricted to masters, nobles, kings, and magicians.

Much like any power though, the power given to man through the runes was not something to be taken lightly, nor was it to be given to just anyone. As far as mysticism and lore are concerned, runes bring with them the power of the gods themselves. After this, he was able to use runes to grant power, bless or curse, and even raise the dead (referenced in stanza 157 of Hávamál). It was Odin who, through the act of human sacrifice, sacrificing himself to himself, proved himself worthy of gaining both the knowledge and the power of the runes. After all, it was Odin himself who brought the runes to man, through is great act of sacrificing himself to himself “on the tree of which no man knows from where its roots run” (a reference to Yggdrasil, the tree of life). It is no secret that the secret of runes is one of great power. Runes were a way of marking the nature of existence, recording and imbuing secret powers that previously, had belonged solely to the gods themselves. While words and letters were used to capture the sounds of the human voice, runes were designed to capture the intentions of reality itself.

Sages who could see through time and watch it unravel, these were the mages, the magicians… the Rune Masters! It was only the wisest who could read or write, and only a select few among them who truly understood the truths which wove together the very fabric of the world itself. Magic (magick) filled the world, sometimes lighting the way to greatness, but more often than not, hiding – concealed in the darkest depths of mystery – waiting to be discovered and used for good or for ill. If you are a fan of mythology, likely you have come across more than a handful of legends and tales of curious beasts, furious battles, and of course myths and magics that the world has long forgotten.

Elder futhark runes and their meanings