Readers learn to decipher and harness the magic of the ancient Nordic runes! Feogh symbolizes financial gain and status . . . Thorn stands for protection, defense, and caution. These and each of the runic alphabet’s many other magic symbols have special meanings all their own. Author Francis Melville presents directions for making amulets and talismans to invoke the power of Norse gods. He describes the method of conducting readings with rune stones to predict future events and bring good fortune. This heavily illustrated volume also presents the history of rune stones, the meaning of the runic alphabet, and the secret symbols attached to each meaning. Rune stones and rune sticks can be purchased from many outlets, but readers who follow the author’s instructions can make runes of their own, using any of several different natural materials, including pebbles, wood, and clay. This fascinating collection of ancient magic lore, with instructions for making and reading runes, is complemented with more than 150 vivid, full-color photos and illustrations.
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From the Back Cover
[back cover]
Discover the history of the runes, the meaning of the runic alphabet, and the power of the secret symbols they contain Learn how to make your own rune stones and how to use them for divination Harness the magic of the runes--make protective talismans, petition the help of the Norse gods, and perform runic blessings
[flap copy]
The history of the runes is mysterious. According to Norse mythology, Odin, the chief of the gods, hung himself in self-sacrifice from the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days and nights in order to receive cosmic wisdom. This was granted to him in the form of the runes. The word rune is derived from runa, an ancient Germanic word meaning whisper or mystery.
The runes make up an alphabet that, with local variations, was used across most of northern Europe from pre-Christian times until the thirteenth century. This book explains the meanings of the runes and the Norse mythology that underpins their basic concepts.
The straight, angular lines of the runes are ideal for carving into bone, wood, or stone, or forming with twigs. Different methods for making rune stones are described with instructions on how to use them for divinatory and magical purposes, from making talismans to petitioning the Norse gods.
Francis Melville has researched widely to gather his resources for this book. A student of theology, he now lives in Devon, England, where he runs a charitable foundation dedicated to research into Spagyrics--alchemical medicine. He has written for publications as diverse as The Times of London and The Fortean Times, presented a television documentary, and edited a major survey of spiritual lore. He is also the author of Love Potions and Charms, The Book of Angels, and The Secrets of High Magic, all published in North America by Barron's.
[flap copy]
The history of the runes is mysterious. According to Norse mythology, Odin, the chief of the gods, hung himself in self-sacrifice from the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days and nights in order to receive cosmic wisdom. This was granted to him in the form of the runes. The word rune is derived from runa, an ancient Germanic word meaning whisper or mystery.
The runes make up an alphabet that, with local variations, was used across most of northern Europe from pre-Christian times until the thirteenth century. This book explains the meanings of the runes and the Norse mythology that underpins their basic concepts.
The straight, angular lines of the runes are ideal for carving into bone, wood, or stone, or forming with twigs. Different methods for making rune stones are described with instructions on how to use them for divinatory and magical purposes, from making talismans to petitioning the Norse gods.
Francis Melville has researched widely to gather his resources for this book. A student of theology, he now lives in Devon, England, where he runs a charitable foundation dedicated to research into Spagyrics--alchemical medicine. He has written for publications as diverse as The Times of London and The Fortean Times, presented a television documentary, and edited a major survey of spiritual lore. He is also the author of Love Potions and Charms, The Book of Angels, and The Secrets of High Magic, all published in North America by Barron's.
About the Author
Francis Melville has researched widely to gather resources for this book. A student of theology, he has written for publications as diverse as The Times of London and The Fortean Times, anchored a television documentary, and edited a major survey of spiritual lore. He is also the author of Love Potions and Charms, The Book of Angels, and The Secrets of High Magic.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book for the meaning of the runes,
By
This review is from: The Book of Runes: Read the Secrets in the Language of the Stones (Hardcover)
Melville explains well the meanings of the runes and what they are related to. He also gives a brief background into the Gods of the old Germanic peoples. A very well informative and well researched book. However, I think he lacks a little on the part of runecasting, runemagic, and runebinds, But there is enough there to get started if you are a beginner. Very well worth the time and money to read the book.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A decent and colorful intro for Runes,
By Grymdycche (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Book of Runes: Read the Secrets in the Language of the Stones (Hardcover)
The Books of Runes by Francis Melville is a colorful but basic introduction to Runes.He starts with some history, then lead into Nordic mythology, which was a nice touch, and then on to the various runesets and the meanings of the runes themselves. I found his interpretations of the various runes to be fairly good, though some of the strange associations he makes for each rune (plants, trees, animals, gemstones?) struck me as unnecessary and questionable as to origin, if not overly new-agey. Nonetheless, these correspondences only appear in a tiny table for each rune, easily ignored or overlooked, and they don't detract from the main text and overview of the rune meanings themselves. While I don't agree with absolutely every thing in the book (I personally see no connection between Hagalaz and Ymir), no two rune books (or authors) are alike and everyone will have some varying degree of personal interpretation anyway. He touches only briefly on bindrunes, dedicating two pages, (I would've like to see more) but more importantly, IMO, is the virtual lack of common modern day rune weirdness, such as "runic yoga". Overall, a fairly solid but basic work, a good addition to my library of Rune books.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
good replacement,
By
This review is from: The Book of Runes: Read the Secrets in the Language of the Stones (Hardcover)
I bought this book to replace the book that I had with my set of runes. I misplaced it or lost it in moving and this book is a wonderful replacement.
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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