How to carve runes and read them?

Hello, beloved children of Odin! My name is Kalf, Kalf the Rune-Maker. Many people know about runes, but not everyone knows how to carve them and read. But believe me, it’s not that hard as it seems. Today I will teach you this ancient ways: how to read and how to write and what power do they possess.

Runic alphabets

First of all, runes are a writing form that has been used by Proto-Germanic people, Vikings, Slavic people and Anglo-Saxons. But today we will talk only about  two alphabets: Elder Futhark and Younger Futhark. Yes, these names sound scary but they’re actually not. Otherwise, I found this two alphabets the easiest and most interesting. But I will give a remark- Vikings used Younger Futhark, Elder Futhark has been used by Pre-Germanic people before Vikings. Pre-Germanic people are Celts and Gauls and mostly they used Elder Futhark, not as a way to communicate, but as a magical and powerful signs. Celts, Vikings, Gauls, Slavic folks, they are all pagans and they worshiped many different Gods and for each God, or almost for each there is a rune.

This is Elder Futhark but we can see that people mistake in such a simple thing. On the top of the picture we can see sign “THE VIKING RUNES” which is not true. It’s more likely to be Celtic runes or Gauls. But we never deny that Vikings knew Elder alphabet and used it as a strong magical source.

However, Younger Futhark became smaller than its father Elder Futhark, but also it became more complicated and phonetically hard as language developed. But runes saved meanings and they still are magical and powerful.

But I must admit, write on Younger runes are much harder and boring, they are not that ancient as Elder runes. So, that’s why I and other people give their preference to the Elder Futhark because it looks more cool, magical, simpler and just so Viking. Do you like it so far? I guess you do! So, let’s keep going!

Writing(carving) and reading runes.

Alright fellows, it’s time to learn how to read this badass and brutal words. Elder Futhark   translates on English easier than Younger and for each rune there is an English letter.

Seems big, doesn’t it? Yes, but it’s super easy to remember and use on own purpose.

   

Kalf.           Day.             sacrifice.                              Offspring of Odin.

That is a small example of how Elder Futhark works. You can see correlation between English and runes, just look at the table and on the words that I wrote. Nevertheless,  I would like to make a remark that you should not use English spelling in the rune writing. So basically, in the “Offspring of Odin” I should have written “Ofspring of Odin” because it’s more runically correct.

     it would look like this.

Also runes have a meaning and magical power and if we write some runes together they gain more power and able to do different work from protection of the house to the safe child birth. They can heal and kill, help in love and destroy someones’ relationships. Use them for the good and Gods will bless you! 🙂

That is my first work with the wood and runes of Elder Futhark. On the top left runes against witchcraft and in front runes for the house protection.

Wood, stone and Bone.

Additionally, we came to the point where we have to chose between source on which we will carve our immortal word. But remember my friends, wood is not immortal! Wood is perfect for practicing or just for carving. I see wood as one of the most easiest sources to get, but it does not look ancient. What wood should I take for carving? Here is the list of wood that is the best for this runatal: beech, oak, aspen, linden, birch, cedar, pine, cherry tree. In addition, to carve you need knives or the machine for burning out on the tree.

If you are brutal shaman- viking and want something tough for yourself, then you need stone. Work with a stone is tiring and requires a lot of power and patience. Probably, it will take couple attempts to even feel how to carve on stone. Better use other stone like copper to carve or special instruments. As my personal opinion, stone is the most immortal and brutal and it pays off. But be aware that it is hard work!

With the last one it can be a bit difficult because you need a bone. It can be any bone and everything that you need is knife or the machine for burning out on the tree. It’s easy to work with and mostly all healing runes was carved on bones because they have more magical power than either stone or wood.

Now you know what runes are and how to use them! Congratulations, sons and daughters of Odin!

On this note I finish my blog. Feel free to text me if you have any questions and leave comments down below.

With great honor I wish you farewell, and may Gods protect you always,

Kalf the Rune-Maker