#anglo saxon runes

[gifts-of-heimdall-runes]

The Runes

by Ingrid Kincaid

Source

[ceruleanwhore]

Sorry but I just need to hop on and rant about how TVD handled the historical aspects of the Mikaelsons in the show because yeah it’s a CW show so the bar’s in Hell, but I’m also really fucking annoyed and opinionated about all of this. First off, we have this Old Norse family living in an Old Norse society (probably 800-900s Norway) and we know that widespread Christian conversion didn’t really happen there until at least the late 900s, but moreso the early 1000s AD, but somehow half this family has biblical names. Not only are Esther, Elijah, and Rebecca biblical names that definitely aren’t Old Norse, but a name like Elijah doesn’t even work with the sound profile or either alphabet of the language. As for the others, I’m not that mad about Finn or Kol because, if you just tack an r on the end, those are ON names and the loss of that extra r over time can be explained, but Mikael and Niklaus are newer names that just didn’t exist at the time. If they wanted Mikael’s character to have a relatively modern sounding name so the patronymic would blend in more as a last name in other places, they could’ve just called him Erik and let the kids all be Erikson because at least that’s an actual Old Norse name. Klaus pisses me off the most because ‘Klaus’ by itself is an ON name but Niklaus isn’t so all they had to do was not have those two extra letters and it would’ve been fine.

The other main thing that bothers me is everything about when they get to America and are just casually living with the natives, all speaking English like it’s no big deal. If you don’t want to create a whole pidgin to show linguistic evolution over time in a fucking CW show, that’s fine, but all you had to do was show Esther coming up with a spell that allows them to understand each other and communicate. It would’ve taken 3 seconds to show us a babel fish spell and then it wouldn’t all be bullshit pissing me off. Also, they don’t spend enough time on the early days like that, in my opinion, because I would’ve loved to see the culture clash of Old Norse and the New World werewolves.

The last main thing is the runes.Now, the names carved into stone in the cave are written differently from the ones on the paper for Esther’s linking spell and the ones in stone are a tiny bit more correct. That being said, they’re still woefully wrong because these Old Norse vampires are using Anglo Saxon runes instead of Younger Futhark. If you try to read the runes in Younger Futhark, the only characters that match at all are ᚱ, ᛒ, ᛁ, ᛚ, ᚾ, ᛋ, ᚢ and then the ᛦ is a ‘z’ in YF but a ‘k’ in AS and is used as a ‘k’ in these runes, so, for example, ‘Rebekah’ reads like ‘R_b_z__’ and ‘Niklaus’ reads like ‘Nizl_us’. Elder Futhark doesn’t really work either, plus the timing of its use would be beyond questionable, since the very latest it may have been used is 800. The ᛦ and ᛋ characters don’t exist but we do get the ᛖ and ᛗ, so now ‘Rebekah’ reads like ‘Rebez__’ and ‘Mikael’ reads as either ‘Mi__el’ in stone or ‘Miu_el’ on the paper (a mistake was made so ᚢ was used instead of ᛦ for the ‘k’ in his name, even though that’s also wrong and it should’ve been ᚴ.) 

If you realize the horrible decision they made to have their Old Norse characters write in Anglo-Saxon runes and read the names in that alphabet, that’s where there’s mistakes in the paper version and inconsistency between those runes and the ones carved in stone. For example, it’s ‘ᚱᛖᛒᛖᛦᚪᚻ’ in the cave but ‘ᚱᛖᛒᛖᛦᚩᚻ’ on the paper, which probably seems like a small difference but the first would be pronounced like ‘Rebekah’ whereas the second would be ‘Rebekoh’. It’s ‘ᛗᛁᛦᚪᛖᛚ’ in the cave but ‘ᛗᛁᚢᚩᛖᛚ’ on paper, so ‘Mikael’ becomes ‘Miuoel’. ‘ᚾᛁᛦᛚᚪᚢᛋ’ on stone later is written as ‘ᚾᛁᛦᛁᚩᚢᛋ’ — ‘Niklaus’ vs. ‘Nikious’. So not only do they use the wrong names and the wrong runes but then they fuck up the runes they’re using, and it feels like they just didn’t even bother trying to write Elijah’s name like that because there is no j and they couldn’t be bothered to try and figure out how to write that name in any of these writing systems. Fucking hell.

[songs-of-fensalir]

I have been recreating meanings of the runes for my own purposes based on nothing else than original and scholarly sources… and I’d like to propose a case for the ᛉ rune (in addition to ᛒ) to be associated with Frigg/Frig/Frija based on the Anglo-Saxon rune poem.

Elk-sedge keeps its home most often in the swamps,

it grows in the water, and grimly wounds,

it burns the blood of any man who grasps it.

———

This portion of the poem is something I have yet to see in “modernized” sources. Many say it means Elk based on the Proto-Germanic word of Algiz. But the Anglo-Saxon poem is the oldest that we know of, followed by the Norwegian and Icelandic poems. Or which, they read that this rune actually means “man.”

For me, I rather like the idea of the elk-sedge. Not only does it grow in the marshlands, the fens, it also feels very familiar to the story of the mistletoe.

(To be continued)

[wishful-seeker]

Why does wishful seeker use Futhorc runes, is she a norse pagan??

NOPE

I use these runes because when I was 7 years old I found a dragonlogy book at the flee market for 5 dollars that had the Futhorc runes translated in it because they claimed it was dragon language and your girl fucking loves dragons and kid like nostalgia. So here we are.

[theherbwitchshoppe]

Repurposed wooden spoons are wonderful for wall decor for the Heathen Home!

[merovingian-marvels]

The actual meaning of Runes

When dealing with runes, their name should be analyzed first. The alphabet is called “Futhark” based on the beginning letter of the first six runes’ names.

“Runes” aren’t a singularity. There’s the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark, also called Futhork. Than there’s also regional varieties such as the Nordic runes, Frisian runes, Anglo-Saxon runes and varieties due to changes through time. Something that looks like a rune but isn’t is called a “tectiform”.

Etymological there are plenty of Germanic varieties of the word. Rún is Old Norse/Nordic, Old Saxon rūna, Middle Dutch’s rune or ruin and rúna in Gothic. In Finnish runo means “poem”.

The word “rune” in essence means “secret” but is also a word used for “confidential conversation/writing”, “concealment” but also “counseling”.

The meaning of the word was held literally. It was not meant for basic administration, conversation or education. Few people actually knew how to read or write runes. It was reserved for a select but also elite part of society.

This brings us to Odin. The tales tell how he hung himself from the branches of Yggdrasil for nine days to gain the knowledge of runic wisdom. This makes him the god of the hanged (Hangagud), god of runes (Rúnatyr), father of magical songs (Fadir Galdrs) and wise one (Svidur). Knowing runes was viewed as knowing (some of) Odin’s magic and/or power.

Runes were used for “runic magic” a not very specified kind of magic in the Eddic texts. Individual runes were given names, such as the first rune, Fehu which means cattle or wealth. Naming individual characters is a common historic practice. These are not to be taken literally, but often are in modern esotericism and fantasy. Germanic Runic spells however are a weird thing. There are mystical inscriptions on the back of brooches, stones, wooden artifacts, etc. We know what they say, but not what they mean.

Mostly runes aren’t actually that far fetched. They are found on grave/memorial stones or a craftsman’s signature on an object. An example of this is the Nolby stone; “Bergsven and Sigfust and Fride raised this stone in memory of Bure, their father. Fartägn carved this stone”.

[cursecuelebre]

The Anglo-Saxon Rune poem.

Now this isn’t the only rune poem in existence there is Norwegian and Icelandic rune poems. Now I prefer Anglo-Saxon and believe it to be more accurate but there’s nothing wrong with reading the Norwegian or Icelandic and choosing it. But these said poems won’t have all the runes associated with the poems even some extra Runes or less than of the traditional Aetts. But right now I’m focusing on a the Elder Futhark which is all included in the Anglo-Saxon poem at times different names and translations.

This poem is also Galdr and speaking the poems you’re essentially invoking and evoking them. Runes are very powerful letters and magical symbols that must be treated with high respect. Some can be dangerous to use like ᚦ. It’s also used for anyone who wants to study and learn the runes in depth, reading the poems can gather your own interpretation of them. Also the Anglo -Saxon includes a few extra runes. I recommend if you were to use the actual Anglo Saxon Runes look and study the runes because yes it is describing the same rune some don’t look like the Elder Futhark, for instance Ansuz (Elder Futhark) and Aesc (Anglo Saxon) are the same rune but different name or meanings. Anglo Saxons did recreate the Ansuz rune but just putting it out there just because I'm putting the Elder Futhark runes doesn't equal to what that Anglo Saxons used.

ᚠ᛫ Feoh or Fehu - Cattle are compensation for everyone though each man shall greatly share his if he will be awarded honors from his Lord.

ᚢ ᛫ Ur or Uruz - Aurochs is brave and has horns above, this very firece animal fights with its horns, a great wanderer of the moors, it is a proud creature.

ᚦ ᛫ Thorn or Thuriaz - Thorn/Hawthorn is exceedingly sharp for every servant seizing it is evil, and it is extremely harsh to each man who rests among it.

ᚨ᛫ Os or Ansuz - The God is the creator of all language, wisdom's foundation and consolation of sages and everyman's joy and trust.

ᚱ ᛫ Rάd or Raidho - The Ride up to everyman's hall is comfortable and very fast for he who sits high on a mighty horse over the miles.

ᚲ ᛫ Cen or Kenaz - Torch/Pine is a tree known by all for its flame, shining and brilliant it often burns where people relax within.

ᚷ ᛫ Gyfu or Gebo - A Gift from other it is an honor and praise, a help and of worth and for sojourners everywhere a benefit and presence that is otherwise missing.

ᚹ ᛫ Wynn or Wunjo - A Joy possesses him who knows little want, illnesses, sorrows, and himself has prosperity and happiness and also a sufficient dwelling.

ᚺ ᛫ Hagal or Hagalaz - Hail is the whitest of seeds it's circling comes from the lofty sky, it tosses in the wind's shower, it then becomes water after words.

ᚾ ᛫ Nied or Nauthiz - Need is oppressive on the heart although it often befalls this affliction of men to help and to heal somewhat, if it is heard beforehand.

ᛁ ᛫ Is or Isa-Ice is extremely cold, very slippery, it glistens clear, like precious gems, a floor wrought by frost, fair thing seen.

ᛃ ᛫ Gear or Jera - Year is mankind's joy, when the God bequeaths, ruler of the sacred sky, the earth offers splendid crops for the wellborn and poor.

ᛇ ᛫ Éoh or Eihwaz - Yew is a rough tree on the outside, hard and secured in the earth, keeper of the fires, sustained by deep roots, it is a pleasure to have one one's land.

ᛈ ᛫ Peorth or Pertho - Gaming is always sport and laughter where boastful, they sit to make war in the banquet hall cheerfully together.

ᛉ ᛫ Eolk or Algiz - Elk-sledge is native to the marsh, it grows in the water, it can wound cruelly, the blood of any man burns who in anyway seizes it.

ᛋ ᛫ Sigel or Sowelio - The Sun for sailors is always hoped for when they depart over the fishes' bath, until their ship carries them to land.

ᛏ ᛫ Tir or Tiewaz - The North Star is one signal, it holds faith well with nobles, it is always on track, throughout night's darkness it never deceives.

ᛒ ᛫ Beroc or Berkana - Birch is without fruit it bears even so, it bears shoots instead of fruit, its branches are beautiful, high in the treetops decorated attractively, laden with foliage, lofty passage.

ᛖ ᛫ Eh or Ehwaz - Horse is for lords the joy of the aristocracy, horse hooves boastful, where around the hero, prosperous in respect to horses, it exchanges discourse, and its restlessness is ever to help.

ᛗ ᛫ Mann or Mannaz - Person with joy is beloved of his kin, even though each one depart away for moreover the lord wills his fate, the destitute flesh be delivered to the earth.

ᛚ ᛫ Lagu or Laguz - Water seems of endless length to people, if they must venture on unstable ships, and the sea waves terrify them exceedingly, and the ship does not heed its reins.

ᛜ ᛫ Ing or Ingwaz - Lord Ing was first seen among the east Danes it is said, until he later went back over the sea, his chariot following after, thus the brave men named that hero.

ᛞ ᛫ Daeg or Dagaz - Day is the god's ambassador beloved of men, the great god's light, Mirth and also hope, prosperous and poor, all enjoying it.

ᛟ ᛫ Ethel or Othila - Home is very dear to all people if there they have the opportunity to for justice and honesty while enjoying prosperity in the dwelling most often.

-------------------------------------------------

Additional runes to the Elder Futhark set

Ac - Oak is on Earth for the children of men, meat-animal's fodder it travels often over the gannet's bath, the sea tests whether the oak possesses noble truth. (The rune looks like F but the small arm on top is hooked like a check mark or small v and the bottom one is slanted like Ansuz.)

Aesc - Ash Tree, is lofty, glorified by men stiff in its trunk, it holds its position exactly, although it fights against many men. (I explained at top, this rune looks exactly like the Elder Futhark Ansuz - ᚨ)

Yr - Bow is for noble men and warriors everywhere joy and a more of distinction upon a fair horse, steadfast on its course , a part of the war gear. (This Rune is ᚢ but with a small line in between the legs)

Ior - Beaver is a river fish, and although he resides there, he forages there on land he had a fair dwelling, water surrounding that place he joy fully holds dear. (This rune is a straight line vertically with a X in the middle of the line)

Ear - The Ground is loathsome to all men, yet certainly the body will e set upon there, the corpse grows old, the soil accepts its pale bed-fellow, it leaves fall, pleasure depart, men cease to be. (This rune looks like ᛏ but the two small arms are hooked that look like small Vs or check marks)

And that’s it! I do recommend reading other translations and the other rune poem, at times different translations can be worded much better and help to understand a lot better. If you don’t really like the rune poem on this blog there’s nothing wrong either checking out Norwegian or Icelandic rune poems and to see if it will help you better!

[poeticnorth]

Northumbrian Rune Poems is now officially available for purchase. Digital and physical copies available here.

Inspired by the Old English Rune Poem, Northumbrian Rune Poems centres its focus on the Early Medieval English Futhorc runerows with additional attention paid to the four runes that were in use in Northumrbia. Mixing free verse poetry with kennings found within Old Norse and Old English poetry, Northumbrian Rune Poems is a magical read that breathes new life into an otherwise neglected runerow. Alongside each poem is an Old English adaptation written in a Northumbrian dialect using Old English alliterative style to capture the spirit of the poems in a new light.

[findingthe-stillpoint-blog]

Meditation on the first Aett of the Anglo-Saxon Futhork

[gifts-of-heimdall-runes]

Posted by Freya Diana Wotan via Viking Mythology Group [Facebook]

[awen-born]

Hello all and blessed be <3

I'm a closeted pagan, amateur herbalist and a novice folk/ hedge witch two years into my practice as I write this. I'm studying all Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Appalachian and Norse witchcraft or folk practice. So I wanted to share my journey and knowledge somewhere, hence why I'm here.

I may not post consistently but I am going to post when I think of it. I'll be sharing anything from spirit, fair folk and deity work. Spells, folklore I've discovered or herbalism recipes. Just generally sharing my witchy and pagan journey somewhere.

[branddmc]

"Cen byþ cwicera gehwam, cuþ on fyre blac ond beorhtlic, byrneþ oftust ðær hi æþelingas inne restaþ."

Torch is known to every living man by its pale, bright flame; it always burns where princes sit within.

- Anglo-Saxon rune poem

[wishful-seeker]

Sigil I made using The Elder Futhark and Futhorc runes. I couldn't decide between the two since I feel really drawn to both so I used both.

Basically says "I will find the right diagnosis and treatment soon. Through death and transformation through the flames I will find healing and support. May I be a plant growing after a forest fire, thriving even after hope seemed lost."

[theherbwitchshoppe]

Hela bone offering with walnut stained bones. Available now!

[renegade-hierophant]

ᚻᛖᚱ ᛒᛁᚦ ᚠᛇᚻ ᛚᚫᚾᛖ ᚻᛖᚱ ᛒᛁᚦ ᚠᚱᛇᚾᛞ ᛚᚫᚾᛖ ᚻᛖᚱ ᛒᛁᚦ ᛗᚩᚾ ᛚᚫᚾᛖ ᚻᛖᚱ ᛒᛁᚦ ᛗᚫᚷ ᛚᚫᚾᛖ ᛠᛚ ᚦᛁᛋ ᛇᚱᚦᚪᚾ ᚷᛖᛋᛏᛠᛚ ᛁᛞᛖᛚ ᚹᛇᚱᚦᛖᚦ

Hér bið feoh lǽne, hér bið fréond lǽne, hér bið mon lǽne, hér bið mæġ lǽne, eal þis eorþan ġesteal ídel weorþeð!

Here money is fleeting, here friend is fleeting, here man is fleeting, here kinsman is fleeting, all the foundation of this world turns to waste!

(sang by Gealdýr) (full text of The Wanderer)

[merovingian-marvels]

Swastika/Hakenkreuz/Sun wheel/Wān/Tetraskelion

Perhaps one of the most controversial symbols in Europe all the while one of the most important symbols of Buddhism is the Swastika.

The Swastika can be found all over the world through time. From Iranian prehistory to Scandinavian Air Forces in the 1930’s, Native American symbolism and Indian (Jain) religious virtue.

Generally associated with the sun because of the widespread use of the Sanskrit word Swastika (conduct to wellbeing) and is literally used as a symbol for the Sun (Surya)

The orientation and color of the swastika, along with additional decoration of the cross itself is reflective of the people who used it and the meaning they attested to it.

The symbol was used since prehistory, corresponding to mankind’s love for geometry. It is believed that the European use for the symbol is to portray the sun’s pathway across the sky.

Swastika’s have been found on Runic Stones, petroglyphs, brooches, woven fabrics, pendants, etc.

Many researchers have their own individual interpretations for the use of Swastika’s in Europe as they are the least clear in meaning than the rest of the world’s. An example of this is not just the visualization of the passing of the sun, but a stylized image of lightning/a thunderstorm, thus referring to Thor.

Image: Snoldelev Stone (DR 248) (detail)

Found in: Snoldelev, Ramsø - Denmark. 9th Century A.D.