II. History
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Before the Germanic peoples of ancient Western Europe
possessed a true alphabet, they used pictorial symbols
to carve into stones their ideas and thoughts. The
earliest of these pictorial writings date from about
1300 BCE. They were probably linked to Sun and Fertility
cults. Among the signs were parts of the human body,
weapons, animals and variations on the circle, square,
and swastika. These pictoglyphs later evolved into the
more abstract glyphs that were composed of lines
resembling no particular objects. That there was power
endowed to those who were adept at the use of these
glyphs is indicated by the name given to the glyphs
themselves. These glyphs were called Runes, from the
Gothic Runa, meaning 'a secret thing, a mystery.' The
Runic letter or Runastafr was use to foretell the
future by Runemal, or the casting of the Runes. The
Runes were inscribed into tools, weapons, rocks,
alters, and other personal items. Runes were also used
by the clergy as an alternative to the Latin alphabet.
It is believed that Runes were derived from a northern
Etruscan alphabet used among Italic tribes in the
Eastern Alps. They may have been developed by people
living in the area of Bohemia. From the beginning
Runes were used for the casting of lots, for divination
and to evoke higher powers that might influence the
'luck' of man. There were Runes that influenced the
weather, the harvest, curses, the tides, love, and
healing. The Practicianer of Runemal was easily
recognizable by the very clothing they wore. As the
13th century author of the 'Saga of Erik the Red' said,
"She wore a cloak set with stones along the hem.
Around her neck and covering her head she wore a hood
lined with white catskins. In one hand she carried a
staff with a knob on the end and her belt, holding
together her long dress, hung a charm pouch." As you
can also see from this passage, many of the Rune
Masters were women. As time wore on, the Runes
themselves became standardized through out Europe.
Although in some places the Runes numbered as many as
36 or as few as 16. Twenty-four of these were the
basic Runes, or futhark. The name futhark comes from
the first 6 Runes. There were 3 families of 8 Runes
each, named after the Norse Gods Freyr, Hagal and Tyr.
These three aettir, as they were called were:
(Pic by CB Sunny - Click into it in order to open her website)
