Full Description
Uncovers the ancient Egyptian origin and magical power of the runes
• Reveals the lineage of the runes by tracing their historical journey from Egyptian hieroglyphs through the Semitic Phoenician language to northern Europe
• Draws on stories of the Norse sagas to show the runes' spiritual attributes by looking at the physical characteristics of the objects that represent them
• Illustrates the initiatory nature of the runes and how they, like Egyptian hieroglyphs, reveal mysteries of passage through life, death, and the afterlife
This book reveals the alphabet secrets in the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and traces their journey to the frozen north, where they came to be known as the runes—twenty-four magical symbols, each with their own unique story and power. Judith Dillon illustrates how the runes became not only an alphabet for communication but a spiritual portal to enlightenment.
Drawing on Norse sagas and runic poems, Dillon reveals the spiritual and divinatory attributes of each rune by examining the physical characteristics of the objects chosen to represent them. The meaning of rune is "secret," and she notes that, in addition to the gift of an alphabet, each symbol represents a secret taught to a few initiates through trade guilds that moved over Phoenician trading routes.
Dillon also shows how the magical properties of runes are demonstrated through mythological tales. Just as we see in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, or Spells of Coming Forth by Day, these rune mysteries were taught to initiates to reveal ritualistic wisdom of passage through life, death, and the afterlife. More than an alphabet, the runes contain the promise of a return to the light.
Contents
Acknowledgments
INTRODUCTION
The Magic of Runes:
A Brief History of the First Alphabet
Symbols and Meanings of the Ancient Scripts
Runes: A Mythic History
THE RUNE FAMILIES
Freyr, Hel, and Tir
FIRST AETTIR
Freyr's Family
1
Fehu: Cattle or Wealth
2
Uruz: Wild Bull or Aurochs
Ur: Water
3
Thurs: Giant or Thorn
4
Ansus: High God
Oss: Mouth
5
Raido: Journey
6
Ken: Torch
Kaun: Ulcer
7
Gyfu: Gift
8
Wunjo: Joy
Wynn: White
SECOND AETTIR
Hel's Family
9
Hagalaz: Hail or Heal
10
Naudiz: Need
11
Isaz: Ice
12
Jera: Harvest or Plenty
13
Ihwaz: Yew Tree
14
Perth: Dice box
15
Algiz: Elk or Elk Sedge
16
Sowilo: Sun
THIRD AETTIR
Tir's Family
17
Tiuwaz: Guiding Star
18
Berkan: Birch or Poplar
19
Ehwaz: Horse
20
Mannaz: Man
21
Laguz: Lake or Leek
22
Ingwaz: Earth God
23
Dagaz: Day
24
Othala: Homeland or Inheritance
Finale
Notes
Bibliography
Index
