This article is complementary to the release of my book ‘Heathenry for the Solitary Practitioner’, and offers an introductory look at The Runes, one of the key tools for building a solid Heathen practice.

I have been a Runic practitioner long before I became a Heathen. It all began with a school copy of ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien, which is not only a fantastic adventure story heavily steeped in Old Norse and Germanic tales and myths, but also was my introduction to Runes. Seeing them on the page both intrigued and fascinated me. Tolkien’s explanation of Runes at the beginning of the book, although simplistic, gave them credence and presented a whole history that was unknown to me and a stepping stone into a new world. To say I was fascinated by the Runes and their world is an understatement!

My next encounter arose from the front cover of the UK magazine Prediction. This prestigious magazine was one of the first mainstream occult/alternative magazines, and my mother was a long-time subscriber. The article inside explained that Runes were an excellent tool for divination, offering a guide to interpretation, and even suggested combinations to use within magical working. I was impulsively drawn to their energy, and they have been my life-guides ever since. When I barely existed, when my life was filled with transience and anguish, the Runes were an anchor. I crafted them, read copious books about them and found a solace in them that is profound and impermeable.

In the Havamal – Sayings of the High One, a key text within Heathenry, it states that Odin, the god, hung from the branches of Yggdrasil – the World Tree, for nine days and nine nights to gain the wisdom of the Runes. He was prepared to sacrifice everything, including his own life, for the knowledge the Runes hold. Much like the mead of poetry (another of the many stories about Odin’s insatiable quest for knowledge), the Runes are the catalyst or key to finding infinite and profound wisdom.  Within the sagas – stories and histories written down about the escapades and exploits from the Viking Age people – there are numerous examples of magic and sorcery associated with them, all offering a tantalising glimpse into their uses far beyond a simple writing system.

In modern times, Runes have become a staple in many other pagan belief systems and practices, and you may well already be familiar with them. The more deeply you work with Runes, the greater you will find their depth of meaning resonates with you. Runes are intensely intuitive, and gradually, you will find that your individual understanding of them evolves and changes. Each reading you do, each question you ask, will offer a level of insight that becomes profoundly nuanced, totally unique, and personal to you.   

To form a deeper still connection with the energy and essence of your Runes, I would recommend creating your own set – this probably sounds daunting, but can be as simple as painting or drawing each letter onto a stone or piece of wood. My daughter even made a set of Runes from bottle tops as a child!  A dedication to Odin, the Rune Master Himself, is something I would advocate, although you may have a preferred deity, not necessarily Heathen, with whom you have a relationship that would work better for your own personal practice.  For more information about this and creating your own Rune set, please see Chapter Nine in my book, Heathenry for the Solitary Practitioner.

For more details: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com/moon-books/our-books/pagan-portals-heathenry-solitary-practitioner

Thea is a Heathen and a pilgrim. She likes to think of herself as a Nemophilist, which means a ‘haunter of woods’. She spends most of her free time walking in the wildest remotest lands, places that still make the gods tremble, and she loves the challenge of finding connection through nature to the divine. She writes prolifically, read equally, has a passion for learning, taking photos, grow things, and spend time with her family. she works in education and lives in the south of the UK.