Book Review:

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

By: L-E Camp

ISBN#: 0-977318-0-1

Europa Publlishing House

Reviewed by: Steve Anthonijsz

There are very few rune books on the market that can be recommended without some sort of disclaimer or caveat—at least not in English. While there are a number available that certainly do offer valuable information or teach useful practices, nearly all of them are also filled with enough nonsense that some sort of admonition needs to be mentioned—especially to those readers new to runic studies. This book is an exception.

Author and Compiler Larry Camp does not pretend that A Handbook of Armanen Runic Wisdom represents any sort of exhaustive study. It is called a ‘handbook,’ and is just that. A slight improvement over his earlier A handbook of Armanen Runes (Europa 2001), the current offering is still what the title implies—a handbook rather than a long, dry, confusing study, and as such Camp’s compilation offers a concise, simple compendium that is useful for the new rune-worker without filling one’s head with preconceived notions. It is also handy for the seasoned rune-worker who may simply need a few reminders or references handy.

A Handbook of Armanen Runic Wisdom begins with two of the author’s thought-provoking commentaries and a series of brief instructional basics (pronunciation, breathing techniques, usw.) that are vital for any would-be rune-worker. He then dedicates one page to each of the staves of the Armanen Futharkh distilled from the writings of such luminaries as List, Marby, Kummer, Gorsleben, Spiesberger, Thorsson and Welz in an easily read, back-to-basics format. The last sections of the book deal with peripheral studies such as divination, bindrunes, and the use of Heil-Runen (runic healing).

The best part of A Handbook of Armanen Runic Wisdom is what it does not say. It does not lend itself to the occultism, racialism, pseudo-Heathenry, or other agendas that so many other rune books are guilty of. It does not include long dissertations with no point except as an attempt to prove to the reader that the author has all the answers. Most importantly, it does not tell the reader what to believe or even what to expect from one’s runic work. It only offers realistic, workable, and tested techniques and sketches and leaves the reader to do the research from there. When tackling a topic as personal as one’s own relationship with the All, how can any author--regardless of his credentials—claim to offer such answers? Larry Camp knows that he is not qualified to do this. And in his humility demonstrates that he has much to share.

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