Runes

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October 26, 2003

Making Runes

At some point in your wanderings/studies, you may want to make your own Rune Set.

Yes, you can buy a number of sets, but if you make them, you will certainly make them your own... It should actually be a part of your studies and lends itself to pleasing meditation.

Your first set should probably be one that is made for you. Either a handmade set or store bought set. Work with them for at least a year. Learn the symbols and their meanings. When you are comfortable with the symbols and the system, then embark on creating your own set.

I have made sets of many materials. Each one has its own flavor and only you can decide which material feels best to you.

I have seen a set created from an axe handle. It was a very precious set. Her father took the handle and cut it through the width to create 24 wooden "coins." The wood was carved and painted.

I created a similar set from a piece of scrap wood. On an unoccupied floor of the building where I worked, there was a man making a conference table. Being a "construction area," we sometimes went there to smoke when it was cold out. It was a chance meeting. I watched as the man gradually fashioned the table. It was made from Honduras Mahogany. What captured my attention was the loving care he was putting into building this table. I noticed a piece of "scrap" that was not being included. I asked for the piece and he gave it to me. I cut it into 24 squares and used a wood-burning tool to engrave the symbols.

I have also used a Dremmel to carve the symbols into flat marbles. You can find the flat marbles at most Walmart stores. They're usually found in the area where the pots and vases are stored. They come in a bag and are sometimes used at the base of a floral arrangement. You'll find them next to the bags of river rocks. A Dremmel will penetrate the surface of the flat glass marbles and is very simple to use. You will want to paint the symbols after etching to make them more easily seen. This type of Rune set is good for those who actually "cast" Runes by tossing them. The river rocks could also make a set, but you'll be painting on the surface and the paint will eventually wear off.

Another method of Rune set creation is through using Sculpey. It's not the best clay to work with, but can produce a fine set if you're careful. It takes 4oz of Sculpey to make a good set. It usually comes in 2oz packages (the big square) and many colors. Choose the color that suits you best.

I created a set using black clay and another set using white clay. The white clay burned while baking...and had to be painted. If the black clay burned, I couldn't tell...

The most recent sets were made in this way:

1. Clear the area where you will work. Set the mood and environment. I lit incense and used the Rune Song tape.

2. Take the sculpey and divide it into 24 squares. Roll each one into a ball. Shape the ball into a rectangle. Place it on the baking surface and carve the symbol while saying it (aloud or in your mind) three times. After carving the stave, lift the tablet and place it back on the baking surface.

3. Bake for 15 min at 350 degrees. Allow the tablets to cool before handling them.

4. Paint the carved stave.

I made the tablets rectangular because I use spreads in my Rune Work. It helps to have rectangular (vs circular or square) tablets so that the selected Runes are upright or reversed. Circular or square tablets can sometimes be selected sideways, making them more challenging to read.

The tablets were formed to be as wide as my finger and just a little longer than the first knuckle (between the first and second fold of the finger). This gives them a thickness of about 1/4 inch. If you make yours thicker or thinner, adjust the baking time (or they will burn).

If your tablets burn, or if you can't find the color you really want, you can use hobby paint to paint them. It will take a few coats, but will give you the effect you want. You will want to use a hobby artist's brush with a very thin point to paint the carved staves. It's difficult to get in the carved area without getting paint all over the front unless you use a fine point. The plastic carving tools that come with Sculpey packs allow you to easily carve the staves prior to baking. I would carve the staves before baking rather than try to carve them afterwards.

It is very important to bake the tablets as a set. If you don't understand why, wait until you do before making your set.

Make the Runes in order and keep them in Oetts. Tablets made with 4oz of sculpey fit nicely into three rows in the baking pan provided with most toaster ovens. Use a fresh piece of aluminum foil to line the bottom of the pan.

The mood and environment during which the Runes are created will affect the power and feel of the set. Do this when you are alone and have the inner space needed to create. Insure that you have enough time to complete this project without interruptions. Meditate and center yourself while you are creating the tablets and carving the symbols.

For environment, I used Edred Thorsson's Rune Song tape. I had listened to it before (having bought it years ago) and thought it would be most appropriate. It was a very intense experience -- highly recommended. On the tape, Edred covers the proper pronounciation of all the Runes in their proper language, reads the Rune Poems, and performs vocal rune intonations.

It's a very hard book and tape set to find, but you may be able to order it directly from Runa Raven (the publisher).

If you can't find the tape set, you may want to create your own. It would be a good idea to create the Runes during a private ceremony, however, each would detract from the other. If you are focusing on the ceremony, the creation of the tablets may be diminished. If you are trying to perform a ceremony while creating the tablets, the ceremony will be diminished. Having the rite on tape will allow you to participate without detracting from the creation aspect.

For best results, color the staves RED.

Posted by BlueWolf on October 26, 2003 08:04 PM