What Are the Runen

What Are the Runen?

By: Steve Anthonijsz

“Rune-magic is the great knowledge of cosmic

energies, the recognition of hidden energies of

nature, of the subtle heavenly, as well as earthly

streams, waves, entities, and powers. All forms of

higher wisdom, all secret knowledge of the world, are

but fragments, and through the course of time have

been for the most part distorted and corrupted; but at

one time it had its origin in the divine, Aryan magic of

the Runes.”

~~Siegfried Adolf Kummer

Runen=Magie 1933

“What is the meaning of a river? I don’t know. What I

Do know is that a river is a stream of flowing energy

That performs many important functions.

What is the meaning of electricity? I don't know. But it

is an energy that can be harnessed to perform many

important functions.

What are Runes? I do know. They are keys to the

Creative Energies of the Universe. They are small

packets of energy inside what the Quantum scientists

call the Quantum Ocean. This is what our ancestors

called the Mind of God, The Grand Architect of the

Universe, the Cosmic All, the Prime Mover.”

~~Ragnar Storyteller

Rune Meanings 2007

The Runen are the single most celebrated and frequently discussed aspect of our triuwa--yet the subject remains arguably the least understood facet of it. Pop-occultniks have marketed books, “stones,” jewellery, and other merchandise offering nothing for the consumer’s money except an opportunity to join what seems to be an underground fad. Thousands of websites on the subject of the Runen appear on the internet ranging from the academic to the infantile, and from the truly arcane to the simply bizarre.

Both academic and mythical histories of the Runen have been written so many times that there is no need to rehash that information here—especially as neither can offer a conclusive account. While each of these may offer us clues, neither truly explains to us what the Runen are in any practical sense.

To understand runic energies we must first know about magan. Magan is an OHG term often translated to modern English as ‘luck’ or ‘power.’ While there exists a certain truth and accuracy in translating this word as either ‘luck’ or ‘power’ its true definition is even more sublime than either of these terms, as both are rather vague—at least as they exist in modern English. Theoretical sciences such as quantum physics and orgonomic research have taken great steps toward being able to quantify and even utilize this force. Soon we may even be able to measure it!

Magan, like light, radiation or electro-magnetic energy, may be broken down into s ‘spectrum’ of sorts. Each of these “frequencies” (if the reader will allow me to use an analogy) may be understood as manifesting a particular state which we call a runic energy. Thus, the energy of OS might be conceived of as magan bearing a different wavelength from the energy we call RIT and so forth. One way to conceptualize this might be to compare the runic “frequencies” to those of electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic energy at frequencies of 3 kHz to 300 mHz is known as radiofrequency, whereas that same energy at frequencies of 300 mHz to 300 gHz is known as microwave radiation. Because of the difference in effects at these different frequency ranges these are conceptualized as different types of energy even though we know because of scientific evidence that they are technically the same. The electromagnetic spectrum can, of course, be subdivided into other ranges, ionizing versus non-ionizing radiation, alpha particles versus beta particles, and so forth. The energies that we refer to as runic energies work similarly.

The number of “wavelengths” possible within the runic spectrum is indeterminable. Guido von List informs us in The Secret of the Runes:

“Because these were, and still are, many

hundreds of runic symbols, their exact number has

still not been finally determined. However, out of this

mass only about thirty came into use as letters in the

sense of our modern writing symbols. So at this

time, two main groups result from these script symbols,

the ‘letter-runes’ and the ‘hieroglyph-runes,’ both of

which were preserved in their unique ways, and

both of which went along their special paths of

development after the separation had been completed.

All of these symbols were runes, but today only the

‘letter-runes’ carry that designation, while the

‘hieroglyph-runes’ from this point forward were not

recognized as actual script symbols.”

These ‘hieroglyph-runes’ of course, refer to staves such as the Wolfsangel and the Sonnenrad.

Using this analogy one might say that the application of distinct rune rows (e.g., the Teut-onic Row or the Armanen Row) might be thought of as utilizing different scales to measure those frequency differentiations, but all within the same spectrum of magan. Thus, the Standard Nordic Row breaks the scale into 16 units, the Armanen Row into 18, the Teut-onic Row into 24, and so forth. ‘Hieroglyph runes’—or more correctly, hiroglif[1]--might be thought of as those on the periphery of the spectrum. Just as ultraviolet and infrared are technically part of the light spectrum but are invisible to the human eye; so the hiroglif Runen might be thought of as parts of the spectrum outside of the range of the futharkh.

Etymology hints more strongly than academic history regarding the nature of these energies, and melds well with mythic history. OHG rûna, OS rüna, ON rún, OE rún and Go rúna all bear meanings such as “whisper” and/or “secret.” We are informed in the Edda that Óðinn (Wodan) took up the Runen shrieking, telling us that even Wodan could barely embrace this primordial power! Only after drinking the mead from Wôdhruorer did he begin reciting the runic songs[2]. It is significant to note that even after that sip of the Mead of Inspiration Wodan is only able to describe each of the staves through poetry, perhaps because only through such allegory could he even hint at the mysteries. And here begins our search into the unknown…

As previously stated the Runen are not what most people think that they are. Those that would purchase a set of carved stones and a handbook intending to ‘learn the runes’ are those that fail to understand even the concept of what a rune might be! But the mistake is an understandable one considering the information that is generally available. Couple this with the fact that the Runen, bearing the mercurial nature that they do, may work well for purposes other than their intended ones; thus, they may belie their own existence.

To explain this statement, perhaps another analogy is in order. You have purchased an SUV. Years later, due to circumstances not yet considered at the time of purchase, you find yourself living in your car in the mountains using your car as both a house and as an off-road vehicle. Your SUV will work in both of these functions—and may even work better than some other types of cars available—but obviously neither represents the manufacturer’s intention. Similarly the Runen may be used for divination, decoration, worn as charms, or used for any number of other applications—and again, they may work better than many other available options; but these are clearly not the intended function of the animating principle(s) of the All.

Returning to magan, as the foundation of life itself, magan is a force that has been recognized by cultures all worldwide. Various national and ethnic traditions have developed their own unique technologies in an attempt to define, accumulate and manipulate this energy. Examples in other cultures might include qigong from China and kundalini from India. As history has unfolded some of these technologies have continued through religions, some through philosophies, and some through systems of alternative medicine and some even through martial arts. One of the most fascinating methods of manipulation, acupuncture/acupressure originates in the ancient Orient and is still used commonly even in the modern Western world.

Magan has also been identified by experimental/theoretical sciences, but has yet to be acknowledged by the mainstream. One might ask why the scientific community is so resistant to accepting and researching a form of energy that seems so apparent.

“Scientists are professional seekers, forging the path up

the ‘mountain of knowledge.’ Their search takes them

into the uncharted unknowns of the universe. With

each scientific discovery, humanity gains a better

foothold in scaling the mountain. Ascension is paved

one scientific discovery at a time. ¶Occasionally,

scientists embark in a direction that ultimately

leads to an apparent dead end. When that happens,

we are faced with two choices: Continue to plod forward

with the hope that science will eventually discover a

way around the impediment, or return to the fork and

reconsider the alternate path. Unfortunately, the more

science invests in a particular path, the more difficult

it is to science to let go of beliefs that keep it on that

path. …the culture which includes the scientific

mainstream inevitably clings to fixed ideas and rigid

patterns in the face of imposing challenges. And yet

from among their ranks arise creative minorities that

resolve the threatening challenges with more viable

responses. Creative minorities are active agents that

transform old, outdated philosophical ‘truths’ into new,

life-sustaining cultural beliefs.

~~Bruce Lipton

Embracing the Immaterial Universe

A number of scientists over the centuries have re-discovered magan and have attempted to use various theories and technologies toward its manipulation such as Dr. Franz Anton Mesmer, Baron Karl von Reichenbach, Dr. Robert O. Becker and Dr. Alexander P. Dubrov. The most important of these, though, was arguably Dr. Wilhelm Reich. Like the other scientists mentioned above, though, his work has been discredited by the mainstream scientific establishment.

Dr. Reich referred to magan as orgone. Reich developed a holistic approach to health maintenance and healing referred to as “psychiatric orgone therapy” or “sex therapy.” The gist of this method was to put the client into a device known as an orgone accumulator [3] for a certain time period (usually around 20 minutes) to increase the levels of magan in the body. Excess magan would later be released through orgasm after the client went home. Compare this to the UR rune as described in Hávamál 148:

A second I know, | that men shall need
Who leechcraft long to use;

Reich experimented with other applications for the use of orgone as well, most notably in manipulation of the weather through the use of a device known as a cloudbuster, although he is certainly most well known for Psychiatric orgone therapy. Does this sound far-fetched? Consider the IS rune as described in Hávamál 155:

A ninth I know, | if need there comes
To shelter my ship on the flood;
The wind I calm | upon the waves,
And the sea I put to sleep.

In addition to the progress in medical science and meteorology spawned by Reich, he made three discoveries that may be considered fundamental in our modern understanding of the Runen.

The first of these was the discovery of energy units visible under a microscope that he termed “bions.” In his work, Die Bione he describes these units as:

“…a minute quantity of matter, containing a quantity of

energy derived from the matter…not complete living

beings but only carriers of biological energy…forms of

transition from non-living to living.”[4]

Despite medical scientists ridiculing Reich’s discovery, his notion of ‘bions’ was echoed by research in other disciplines ranging from quantum physics ("All forms of matter are really light waves in motion." ~Albert Einstein) to runic research (“…Spirit is compared to steam; just as it becomes water by means of condensation (inhalation) and finally turns into ice, so too did spirit become matter by means of a similar kind of condensation; spirit and steam remained what they are, and have only changed their forms of appearance.” ~Guido von List).

What Reich lacked in his research was a means of refining this energy without the use of material technology. Magan may be applied to the same goals naturally without the use of hi-tech devices as has been demonstrated by myriad peoples around the world. In our Heathendom this is accomplished by breaking down the various “frequencies” of magan into “bands” we identify as the Runen.

Another researcher who has contributed immensely toward our understanding of these energies and the manipulation of them was Friedrich Bernhard Marby. A contemporary of Guido von List, Marby was a runic researcher who revolutionized our modern understanding and the means of applying the Runen. While List focussed on runic symbolism and the German religious heritage, Marby focussed more on the skills of manipulating these energies. Being unfamiliar with Heathen cosmology, Marby borrowed many terms and concepts from the Hollow Earth Theory and from Theosophy, both of which proved to be very influential among thinkers during the early part of the twentieth century. Because of this, although his theories have proved instrumental in the reawakening of runic studies, his terminology often eludes modern Heathens. If one considers what he is saying, however, it is not difficult to “translate” the technologies he describes into terms more familiar to Irminen or other Heathens[5]. He recognized that different frequencies of these “cosmic forces” were more powerful from certain sources than from others, for example. Based on the Hollow Earth Theory he described these energies as originating from five distinct atmospheric layers.

1. Inner Earth Space

2. Material Earth Space

3. Wave Space

4. Cosmic Space

5. Super Cosmic Space

As we see in Alvíssmál, however, knowing a thing from one perspective does not necessarily mean that we know how a thing is understood from another. Below are the names of these same locations in Irminic terminology[6]:

1. Suarzalpâheim

2. Mittigart

3. Alpâheim

4. Ensigart; Wanâheim

5. Rîsiheim

Thus, when we draw upon runic energies we are drawing on distinct manifestations of life-force(s) extracted from the various different worlds through the conduit we call Irminsûl.

In summery, magan is the “stuff” from which all of life and existence derive. The Runen represent various expressions of that essence.

“The runes have their own lives, they are true magical

signs, from which we can draw the Spirit to Advise

and the Courage to Action.”[7]

Does this imply that the runes are divine? That we can somehow consult them as we do the gods or ancestors? No. The ‘system’ of the Runen and the ‘system’ of the gods (MoHG Götter) are very much distinct—although they do bear some superficial similarities. Yes, the Runen do help us to better understand and see reality just as the gods do, and they may help us to increase our affects on the world like the gods do. The Runen follow their own course as they affect us; but how can we affect them? Our gods can be reasoned with; they may challenge or pity us; we can make deals with them. The gods share a bond with us not only through blood, but through the principle of ‘a gift for a gift.’ We can offer no gift to a mystery.

Alternative Names for ‘Magan’ as Used in Ethnic Traditions and Theoretical Sciences

Germanic		World		Science

Old High German	magan	Chinese	qi; ch’i	Karl von Reichenbach	Od; Odic Force
Old Norse	önd; megin	Korean	ki	Franz Anton Mesmer	Animal Magnetism
Modern High German	Lebenskraft; Kraft	Yòrubá	Ashe	Wilhelm Reich	orgone
Old Saxon	megin	Hindu	prana	Bruce Lipton	quantum ocean
Old English	mægin	Old Irish	anál
Middle English	main	Hawaiian	huna

Bibliography

-Books-

Camp, Larry A Handbook of Armanen Runic Wisdom: History, World View, Runic Yoga, Runic divination, the Sidereal Pendulum, Runic Health and the Runic Year as Each Pertain to the Armanen Tradition ©2006 Europa Publishing House, USA

-Websites-

Anton Mesmer and Samuel Hahnemann

http://www.accampbell.uklinux.net/essays/altmed/mesmer.html

Armanen Runes Introduction

http://www.magitech.com/runes/

Bellows, Henry Adams The Poetic Edda; public domain (1936)

The Bions: An Investigation into the Origin of Life http://www.actlab.utexas.edu/~hahmad/bions.htm

Donaldson IML. Mesmer’s 1780 proposal for a controlled trial to test his method of treatment using ‘Animal Magnetism’.

http://www.jameslindlibrary.org/trial_records/17th_18th_Century/mesmer/mesmer_commentary.html

Embracing the Immaterial Universe by Bruce H. Lipton, PhD

http://www.brucelipton.com/article/embracing-the-immaterial-universe

Ole Viking Shop

http://www.olevikingshop.com/page/page/3634272.htm

Propositions Concerning Animal Magnetism by Anton Mesmer (1779)

http://www.general-anaesthesia.com/images/antonmesmer.html

Public Orgonomic Research Exchange

http://www.orgone.org/

Runes for Health – Wealth – Love Now! (Rune Radionics)

http://www.runes-for-health-wealth-love-now.com/index.html

Stáv International

http://www.stavinternational.org/

What is Orgone Energy & What is an Orgone Energy Accumulator?

http://www.orgonics.com/whatisor.htm

Return to Cosmology folder

Return to Irminenschaft homepage

[3] Early orgone accumulators sat upright like a closet or sauna. The construction was a variation of a Faraday Cage that was intended to hold orgone inside (similar to a capacitor in electronic applications) rather than to shield energy out as traditional Faraday Cages are designed to do. Modern accumulators are much smaller and more portable, but are still based on the same principles as earlier models.

[5] For more detail on this see my article Internalizing the Runes

[6] These attributions are based on my own research and should not be taken as representative of the beliefs of all Irminen.

[7] Gorsleben, Rudolph John Hoch-Zeit der Meschheit; tr. Karl Hans Welz