Futhark

Origin of the alphabet

The Elder Futhark appeared between 150 and 800 AD as the writing system of the early Germanic peoples (Goths, Vandals, Burgundians, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, Norwegians, Swedes, Danes). It is composed of 24 letters grouped in three families called aettir (each one of 8 runes), each one dedicated to a god of the Norse pantheon: Freyr/Freya, Heimdall, Tyr.

After the year 800, the Vikings simplified the system to the Younger Futhark of 16 runes (more efficient for inscriptions on stones and wood, but with fewer phonetic distinctions). The Anglo-Saxons, on the contrary, expanded the original alphabet to the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc of 33 runes. Christianisation gradually displaced the runes by the Latin alphabet (between the 8th and 11th centuries). They survived in marginal use in Iceland and Sweden until the 17th century. Modern revival: from the 19th century there has been romantic and esoteric recovery of the runes, and in the 1970s-80s they were popularised as divinatory oracle.

The 24 runes of the Elder Futhark

Aett of Freyr (8 runes): Fehu (cattle/wealth), Uruz (auroch/strength), Thurisaz (thorn/protection), Ansuz (god/divine breath), Raido (path/journey), Kenaz (torch/inspiration), Gebo (gift/exchange), Wunjo (joy/fulfilment).

Aett of Heimdall: Hagalaz (hail/disruption), Nauthiz (need/limit), Isa (ice/standstill), Jera (year/harvest), Eihwaz (yew/initiation), Perthro (cup/destiny), Algiz (elk/protection), Sowilo (sun/light).

Aett of Tyr: Tiwaz (Tyr god/justice), Berkano (birch/regeneration), Ehwaz (horse/cooperation), Mannaz (man/humanity), Laguz (water/flow), Ingwaz (Ing god/fertility), Dagaz (day/awakening), Othala (heritage/home).

Each rune has a name, a phonetic sound, an etymological meaning and deep symbolic meanings. They are used as divinatory oracle, magical talisman and meditation tool.

Working with the Futhark

For learning runes: 1) Get a set of runes (wood, ceramic, stone) — buy them or make them yourself (more powerful). 2) Study one rune per week for 24 weeks (almost 6 months) — meditate on its name, its symbolism, its name. 3) Practise simple consultations of 1 rune (rune of the day) and 3 runes (situation/action/result). 4) Study Norse mythology — the runes do not exist in the air, they belong to a complete cosmovisión. 5) Recommended manuals: Edred Thorsson, Freya Aswynn. The runes are simpler than the tarot but their depth requires time.