It was palaeography – the study of the ancient origins of writing – that led me to the runes over twenty years ago. Runes comprise a system of divination (and magic) that has been used by shamans for more than 3 000 years. The runes whisper wisdom across the ages by providing us with a practical tool for guidance in life when the hectic nature of everyday existence sometimes obscures the greater picture.
Traditionally, runes are carved into bark and wood or engraved on stone. The word ”write” originally meant “to scratch or cut” (compare the German cognate “ritze”), while “book” is a variant of “Beech” (tree). Even “read” originally meant “to decipher”.
While studying these northern shamanistic scribblings, and related symbolism, I’ve found remarkable cross-mapping with other major divinatory systems, including that of the sangomas of southern Africa. I’m holding a day workshop in Cape Town, on Saturday 12 May, to share the secrets of rune reading as a valuable tool for lateral thinking in decision making. You’re welcome to contact me at runemagic@icon.co.za for more details on the upcoming workshop or visit my website at www.icon.co.za/~runemagic.
