Customer Reviews

Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was the first popular esoteric rune book to contain some real academic research on runes. Thorsson's PhD gives him the background, research skills, and access to sources to put together a very impressive work. The awkward, dry, scholarly writing style adds to the perceived credibility.

Unfortunately, as we can see from other reviews, the average reader tends to accept the book as historical facts about the original runic traditions of Viking & pre-Viking times. Although the book is a cut above the New-Age pack, claims of authenticity are misleading.

Although it contains some good research that most of the other rune manuals lack, the esoteric ideas are largely based on the Armanen system invented in Germany in the early 1900s. The Armanen system was typical of the occultism of the day, mixing romanticised & poorly researched ideas about runes with poorly understood techniques borrowed from yoga, and a touch of Western ceremonial magic (itself mainly descended from Hebrew sources). It was a mish-mash of systems not so different from the anything-goes New-Age fusions of today.

The only problem with the book is that it does not always clearly separate recent inventions from pre-Christian sources, leaving the average reader with the impression that it describes a pre-Christian esoteric tradition. It also contains a fair amount of speculation about historical sources that is not clearly identified as such, or made to look more credible than it really is (eg his argument for rune postures). To be fair, if you have done some extra study, and read carefully, the distinctions are often there, but they tend to be worded so that the average reader will not notice when they enter the realms of UPG.

This book is useful to those interested in esoteric runology, but those interested in re-creationist or historical rune magic need to take it with a grain of salt. Read it, but first do the groundwork and look at the historical facts, then feel free to make your own speculations rather than rely on the imagination of the popular authors.

For those interested in a survey of real historical evidence and examples of rune magic, I recommend Runic Amulets and Magic Objects.

Sweyn
Author of
The Rune Primer

This book first came out in the late 1980's, and many rune magicians still consider it a classic. Several later authors, including Gundarsson, have been inspired by _Futhark_ to some extent.

Thorsson discusses the meanings and magical uses of each rune in detail, backing them with references from Norse pagan texts and Germanic folklore. He does occasionally allude to other esoteric traditions, but this doesn't feel as intrusive as it does in some other books. (My only complaint here is the table of astrological and Tarot correspondences at the end of the book; the runes, in my opinion, should be able to stand on their own as a magical system.)

I would still recommend this book ten years after I first bought it, although Thorsson's language may be too dry and academic for popular readers.

This book is REQUIRED READING for those who would dare seek true knowledge of the runes. Other books purporting to reveal the mysteries of the runes are best left to the New Agers -- this is the real deal. Be advised that even though this "introductory" text is "for beginners," it is only for those who truely wish to KNOW. There is no mass-market fluff here! Although I am not entirely in agreement with the teachings of Mister Flowers (Thorsson) and the Rune-Guild, this is, by far, the best book I've seen on the subject matter . . . better even than "Thorsson's" later books for more advanced studies. He has written a number of books on the runes, and, even though I have a working knowledge of runelore myself, a few of them were difficult to read. Fortunately, "Futhark" is not one of them. The only real criticism I have is that, personally, I find the concept of "runic postures" rather silly. Visualize them, carve them, stain them with your blood -- but don't go striking a pose! Aside from that, this was an excellent book, and I recommend it highly.

This is by far the best book on the rune tradition as a magical system I have come across. Despite the rumors of Edred being a mere Satanist I urge any serious studier of rune magic to read this book. In reality Edred is a member of the Temple of Set, seen by some uninformed as a satanic group. Beyond it's dark exterior, if one looks into the Temple, they will find the purpose behind them is to find the light within that darkness, and the personal empowerment this brings. It's not about cursing and killing. It's about personal improvement through research of magic in various different traditions. This holds true of Thorsson's books. What he has written is well researched, and is much more competent than most of the sources out there. This particular work is a little advanced for some. If you are unfamiliar with the subject you may wish to start with a more intorductory work first. Futhark will still be of use to a student of any range, but a beginner may have a little trouble following concepts presented here. All in all I give this my best rating. If you are looking for a book based on Norse religious faith, try his works on Troth. Futhark is centered more on just the runic forces.

This is a book for anyone serious about learning to use the runes. Thorsson is extremely well grounded in traditional lore and the material is presented in a logical and progressive manner, though it goes beyond basic material. It can certainly serve as a primer for the determined newbie, but I would recommend Bernard King's "Way of the Runes" as the best primer I have encountered for getting to know the basics.

The writing style is admittedly a little dry, but this book must be seen as the scholarly treatise that it is.

So why three stars? Thorsson leans very heavily on the Armamen system developed by Guido von List and others a hundred years ago. I would have no problem with this if he pointed it out in the book, clearly delineating what can be verified from the elder lore, what he has drawn from the Armamen system, and what has grown out of his own experience and speculation.

The most panned aspect of this work, stadha-galdr, or "runic yoga" has gotten it labelled as fluff by many Heathens. It should be known that this practise actually derives from the Armamen system and is not a whole cloth invention of Thorsson's.

On the whole, I give the material 4 stars, the presentation 2.

Although this book may seem too dry, it's one of the best resources for modern runic information available. The history included is a bit spotty, but the individual rune descriptions and explanations are fabulous! Also included is a good chunk of information on bindrunes, which are noticably absent from most books on the Elder Futhark. The illustrations are cohesive and quite nice, too.

This book is a classic of runeology and an excellent primer for those interrested in rune magic. The translations and meanings are on target. The exercises are good, and explinations of rune magic make it understandable.

However, Edred Thorsson has a rather dry, dull writing style that does make the good content difficult to follow at times, and it drags.

Edred Thorsson is one of the foremost experts I know in rune magic. His book is scholarly and very well fundamented. His knowledge and understanding of Norse and Germanic languages, mythology and cosmology is made clear in this book, which deals mainly with runic archetypes and runic talismans. In this book you will find interesting and profound rituals/meditations to attune yourself to the runic archetypes and memes. THIS BOOK DOES NOT INCLUDE DIVINATION TECHNIQUES, which I find a positive point, just as a good book on astrology should not include 'general' horoscopes.

Edred Thorsson doesn't create an aire of mystery and "can't touch" like so many others have. And he keeps his facts straight from one book to the other. Giving a concise history and explaination of the Runes, from their earliest uses and possible uses to the Third Reich in his other book, Rune Might. Definately, if you are interested in studying the Runes and don't want the flotsum of someone who doesn't have all the facts, then by all means, read his books. They give you practical understanding that goes beyond surface information

An absolute must have for anyone serious into the study of Runic Magick! Edred may be dry, and scholary, but that is what is needed for serious study of the runes. Any book by Thorsson is highly recommended. If you can tolerate his arrogance, then you too can learn from the master, I have, and this is one of the first books I give to my students who are serious about the runes. Leave Ralph Blum for the airy-fairy, all-is-light, I-don't-care-what-the-facts-are, no-nothings.