Re: Rune Making Time!!! By: Lark Moderator / Adept
Post # 2 Mar 04, 2013
The book by Ralph Blum is not very well thought of by most Rune Masters that I know of. In particular Blum's "blank rune" has no basis in traditional rune lore and is something that he just made up.
A better book, in my opinion is "Taking Up the Runes" by Diana Paxson. I would also recommend "At the Well of Wyrd: A Handbook of Runic Divination" by Edred Thorsson and "Power and Principles of the Runes" by Freya Aswynn
While I agree with that, His descriptions of other runes tends to be quite well written. As I said in my description the blank rune isn't traditional, but accepted amongst many runecasters. But in the end it is only one book suggested by one man. And as the description was an attempt to have an easy to read and get to know each rune, I feel Blum does a good job at that.
I will also mention that I have only read Freya Aswynn's work off the list you gave, and she does a good job too, so I can only assume all the books suggested would do as well. *nods head out of respect*
Oh boy, Ralph Blum. He's an odd character in my opinion. A lot of people, including myself give him credit for sparking a big interest in runes in the United States. Blum was not entirely worthless as many rune workers will say. His interpretations of the runes and his basic info he supplied was a good start for people to build on. The main blunder he did was to try and change the system and try to go against the tradition. He added a blank rune, essentially for the fun of it. Ralph's book is good if you take a sharpie and hunt through the book and eradicate the blank rune sections lol.
Books I suggest are:
The Runic Workbook by Tony Willis
Runes: Understanding, Casting, and Divination by Jonathan Dee
The Runes Workbook by Leon D. Wild
Elements of the Runes by Bernard King
Northern Magic: Rune Mysteries and Shamanism by Edred Thorsson
Something I'd like to add to this post, if you don't mind, is that some good woods that I have worked with are apple which is associated with Idunn, oak which is related to Thor, yew which is related to Freyr, and ash which is connected to Odin.
Also a good cloth to cast runes on is a simple white bandana. You can get them at Wal-mart either in men's clothing or the fabric's section. A good pouch is made from organic materials as that shows a connection with the Earth. I would go with cotton.
I'd just like to add before we all go running out to make a nice new set of runes to take a little care when cutting branches from trees.
I'm sure many here know much about care for trees but cutting in the wrong place can leave the tree open to infection. When cutting look for a few things.
1. Look for a natural collar at the base of the branch. This will allow the tree to heal and close the wound. It looks a little like a bulge coming from the main trunk / branch just before the branch growth.
2. Make your first cut about 30cm (12") away from the main trunk / branch this is to stop any damage to the tree if the cut should splinter or rip the bark.
3. Once you have the branch cut from the tree go back and make a neat cut close to the top of the collar. Without the branch weight it shouldn't splinter damaging the main branch. pare off any frayed edges if there are any.
Most trees will not need more care than that but if taking from a tree that is prone to infection such as most fruit bearing tree a light brushing to seal the area with bees wax will help.
With good care are leafy friends will be gifting generations to come with bounty a plenty.
Thank you so much for adding this detail. I forgot that others may not understand how to care for the tree in this moment. I would also add that you MUST ask the tree first and that if the tree says no then find another tree as It is a rude gesture and bad idea to rape a tree of its limb. The runes will not work and you will have negative karma on your hands.
You just know. Usually you either pick up a warm welcoming vibe, or a cold and unwanting feeling. Just open up a bit and wait for the sign. If no sign comes than assume it's a no and wait til another day or find a different tree.
Cutting a branch from a tree can be a little like going up to a stranger in the street and saying 'Excuse me do you mind if I shave you head'. Look for a tree that could use a little trim, over grown or dense canopy as it is more likely to be seen as a favor.
To get a feel for an answer from nature.
For this you will need a 'safe' wood or grove to be in and about fifteen or so ribbons in three colous (red, blue and green work for me)
1. Before hand meditate if safe to do so meditate in the wood.
2. Approach a tree and place your hand on the trunk at the same height as your heart and either ask out loud or think 'May I gather some wood from you' The first tree you find could give you a yes, no or just unclear. Note the feeling you get in the next thirty seconds from the tree you'll be VERY unlikely to hear a voice in your head saying yes or no but you should get a 'feeling' at this point it doesn't matter if you know it is a yes or no but mark the tree with a green ribbon.
3. Move to another tree and do the same making sure your hand is at the same height if the feeling you get is:
More positive mark it with a blue ribbon.
If the same a green
Less a red.
4. If you find you have only used green and red the first green and all other greens are your yes answer and reds are a no.
5. If you find you have only used blue and green then blue is your yes and green is your no.
6. If you have used all three colours blue is your yes answer, green you are not sure or unable to get a clear answer and
red a no.
7. If you find you only used green colour ribbons start over and meditate again, you are very unlikely to find a whole forest of trees giving the same answer.
keep an open mind as you go to cut and keep asking the question it will become very clear if the tree wants you to continue I've not known a tree to change its answer but you never know.
It is a long winded process but like anything it is best not rushed it will give you a good idea on the feeling and energy you get from nature and with time you will come to know by heart the different answers.
