Secret Runes
Blessed with the most complex cryptology of any ancient writing system
because they were used for magic, and also because they were against
the law in many places due to political and religious pressures, runes
were often written in code. This secrecy also prevented others from
altering the inscription, and thereby the magical effect. In fact, writing
runes in code is so effective that there are still several cryptic stones
in Scandinavia yet to be deciphered.
One group of coded runes that is considered to possess powerful magic
is called wendrunes. These runes are written backward, from right to
left, with their shapes reversed. Runes written upside down are also
called wendrunes.
Other codes substitute one letter for another by shifting the entire
alphabet one rune in either direction. This creates a row of seemingly
meaningless letters and it can be used to encode a person's name. You
can substitute runic characters in many ways, either rune by rune or
in rune groups.
Code sticks were the key to deciphering secret runes. They were
frequently used to exchange coded messages. These sticks are similar
to the sett-sticks of the plaid weavers of Scotland that encode the
tartan colors of the clans.
Number symbols are another simple way to write runes in code. If
you number the Elder Futhark 1 through 24, you can use the number
rather than the letter for writing messages. For example, the word
"rune" would be encoded as "5, 2, 10, 19." You can shift one letter
in either direction to make this method more complex, or you can
reverse the numbering sequence, making Othala number 1 and Fehu
number 24.
Another encryption method, called Lonnrunor, which means secret
runes, is still employed today. Using numbers to represent the
runes of the Elder Futhark, their aett, and position within the
aett, Lonnrunor offers more flexibility because it allows for a
two-tier numbering system. First the aettir are numbered: the up-
per row, first aett, ruled by Freyja and Frey, is numbered 1; the
middle row, second aett, ruled by Heimdall and Mordgud, is numbered
2; and the lower row, third aett, ruled by Tyr and Zisa, is numbered
3. Next, the runes are numbered consecutively 1-8 within their res-
pective aettir. In this Lonnrunor method, the name "Freyja" would be
written as: 1:1, 1:5, 3:3, 2:4, 2:3, 1:4. You could also reverse the
aettir in Lonnrunor, numbering the first aett as 3 and the third aett
as 1. The second aett would remain number 2 in this variation. To
make secret runes even harder to decipher, the rune numbers can also
be reversed or changed within the three aettir.
Secret runes encoded in Lonnrunor are usually written on branch
runes, which are upright staves with side branches or twigs that
point upward. On one side of the stave, the branch number corresponds
to the aett number. On the other side of the stave, the number of
branches corresponds to the number of the individual rune in that aett.
A stave with three branches to the left and six branches to the right
refers to the sixth rune of the third aett (Ingwaz in the Elder Futhark).
To further hide the meaning in branch runes, twigs or branches were added
in odd places, or parts of a rune were omitted, such as the bottom or top
of the rune.
While the side branches on branch runes point upward, hook runes ("hahalrunar")
point downward, but the principle is exactly the same. Tent runes ("tjaldrunar")
correspond to aett and rune number, but are based on an X-shape, without the
vertical stave. The lines that correspond to the aett and rune are written on the
legs and the arms of the "X." Tent runes are read sunwise (clockwise), from left
to right. "Iis" runes are made up of unconnected single lines, short ones to denote
the aett number and long ones to signify the rune within the aett. The "Lagu" runes
are exactly the same as the "Iis" runes, but use the Laguz rune in place of single
lines. Other secret runic code systems use combinations or groups of dots and lines,
and alternate short and long lines attached to an upright stave, similar to the Irish
Ogham tree alphabet.
The runic code practice called "klopruna" uses sounds in numerical groups
corresponding to the aett and the rune in the same way as the Lonnrunor codes
use numbers. Kloprunes, a binary alphabet that was the forerunner of Morse
Code, were sent by knocking on walls, clapping hands, or using drums, bells,
and whistling over long distances. In ancient and medieval times, hunters sent
kloprune messages with horns. Candles, flaming torches, and flashlight beams were
also used to send secret kloprune messages at night. Lights were shown in groups
on either side of a board, with those on one side corresponding to the aett and
those on the other side corresponding to the rune within the aett. Lighted kloprunes
were used to send signals at night to ships.
You can learn to send kloprunes to a partner. First, decide on the runic
code you will be using. Next, select a simple word that you will be sending
in kloprunes, and write it down on a sheet of paper. You can spell out anything
but, to begin with, select something short and easy to send. Position the sheet
so that only you can see it as you send the runes by clapping hands, knocking on
wood, or whistling. Duration, sequence, and volume are all important, since each
rune is designated by a series of sounds, long or short and loud or soft. Ask your
partner to write down the kloprunes as you send them. After you finish sending the
runes, see how closely the word on your sheet matches the word your partner has
written down. Remember, you can create runic shortcuts by using certain runes as
abbreviations, for example, Mannaz as an abbreviation for human, Gebo for gift, or
Dagaz for day. You will find that your kloprune skills greatly improve with practice.
Children especially enjoy sending kloprunes, and the activity can be made into a family
game, while traveling, for example. You can also teach your child how to whistle his or
her name using kloprunes.
Traditional Runic Practices
Buildings With Runes
Runes As Alphabets
Writing Runes
Bindrunes
Rune Categories
The Runes
Elder Futhark's Three Aettir
Rune Interpretations
Divination With Runes
Rune Meditation Techniques
Rune Dreaming Techniques
The Magical Uses of Runes
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