Customer Reviews

The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Runes

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is well-written and complete. Knight presents the runes in a clear and concise way--I was actually able to read the book and then do the hands-on stuff included. Knight has put all the rune books out there into one book, without all the usual ego, negative stuff that I have found in a lot of Neo-Nazi rune books. Her book is positive and for the good of all. Like me, if you want to know how to use the runes without all the evil stuff that a lot of authors include, read Knight's book first. It is a good read from a very good author. "Do what ye will, but harm none."

I recommend this book to everybody. It's extra-good and helpful to someone like myself, a New Ager from the Wine Country in California. I didn't know anything about runes until I read it. I was even able to make myself a rune set from Sirona Knight's instructions and my kids and I made a deck of rune cards too. We colored ours different colors and drew pictures on them too. We haven't baked the rune cookies yet, but that's something my family wants to do on the holidays--with chocolate chips. This book gave us all these cool ideas. Check Sirona Knight's rune book out and read it. It's extra-good! And FUN!

OK, so some say that she copied much of the lore in this book with nary a bibliography. This would be bad scholarship and bad form. I would hope that those who feel that their intellectual property was stolen would take legal proceedings in order to set the records straight. If they are unwilling to prove their claims in court then perhaps silence is their best course...

That being said...

I found this book to be a valuable tool in getting to know the runes in a more detailed and deeper way. I have made my own set of runes. I did not follow her suggestions step by step. I am ecclectic to say the least. I also made my own rune bag and I'm working on my own rune cloth.

Anyway, the lore in the book is sound as I have read other works. She does not give false information. None of the usual dark Neo-Nazi garbage is contained within this volume. I appreciate that.

Also, remember that when we pass down our lore, we are plagiarizing. All Bards plagiarized. They were not so concerned with material aggrandizement or ego as some. They passed on their lore and the lore of others so that none of it would be forgotten. Sirona has done her job to ensure that we do not forget this lore.

This book looks good at first glance, but Knight's words soon start to seem disturbingly familiar. Examples:

Knight
Thurisaz is either active energy directed outward or passive Thurisaz energy contained and directed inward. It acts mostly as a carrier, and combines well with various other runes to ensure success when you're doing works of magic.

Aswynn
Thurisaz is either active energy directed outwards or, or passive Thurisaz energy contained or directed inwards. Primarily, this rune is a carrier and can be combined with various other runes to ensure effectiveness in a working

Knight
Thurisaz is a power of defense and destruction

Thorsson
Thurisaz is the directed cosmic force of destruction and defense.

Knight
Wunjo is the mid-point between opposites, where alienation and anxiety disappear. It is the rune of fellowship, comradery (sic), shared aims and generall well-being.

Pennick
Wyn is the mid-point between opposites. It removes alienation and anxiety. It is a rune of fellowship, shared aims, and general well-being.

And so it goes for most of the book, Copy, paste, and change a couple of words to avoid copyright.

Nowhere in the book are these copied authors acknowledged or even mentioned. There is not even a bibliography. The paragraphs are just taken out of context, and jumbled together. As these source authors are quite speculative, the interpretations are very dependent on their perspectives and "systems". Out of context, the paragraphs lose any value as information about runes.

The few parts that are relatively original amount to trivial information on Wiccan customs, with little relevance to runes. The only positive point is that she does not mention the spurious "blank rune", although one has to suspect that it is only because she didn't happen to have a copy of Blum handy to scan into her PC.

If you are really interested in reliable source information on runes, there are many good books available.

Rudiments of Runelore

Runes (Reading the Past, Vol 4)

Runic Amulets and Magic Objects

This oddly shaped little book was much better than I expected. Its publisher, Sterling Publishing Company, puts out dozens of "Giant Little Encyclopedia" books on various subjects, so I was expecting some new-age gobbledygook thrown together for the mass market. To my delight, the runelore is solidly based in history and Norse mythology, with comprehensive discussions of each rune and its meanings and uses in writing, divination, meditation, and magic. It's a nice book for beginners or for quick reference. The author has done her research well. My only dissatisfaction is with the little book's awkward size and shape--short and squat. It gets easily lost in a crowded bookcase, and it's a bit thick for a pocket or purse.

Are you familiar with the saying, "10 pounds of (stuff) in a 5 pound bag"? This is an example of such. This silly little book is a mish-mash of runic systems, with a lot of contradictory and questionable data. If, however, you happen to be a typical "New-Ager," this will not be a problem. I was disappointed with this one. Flipping through it at the bookstore it appeared to have some merit, but after I had more time to see what she had to say for herself, I found that there was an abundance of filler material. She seems to have copied information from several conflicting systems without a clear understanding of what she was doing. An understandable error for a neophyte, and a worthy attempt at a difficult undertaking -- but she simply was not up to the task. The runes are a complex subject which require a deep understanding on many different levels before one can presume to instruct others. There IS some good information here, but it is mixed in with far too much fluff and filler to do any good. This text will only confuse and disappoint most readers (provided that they, indeed, have a sincere interest in the subject). Unfortunately, a sad example of "The blind leading the blind."

Not only did this book contain information on every area of runes and rune casting, but it also contains a section on dream incubation with runes, which explains three different approaches to dealing with daily problems during a night's sleep.

There is another rune encyclopedia by the same author: Little Giant Encyclopedia: Runes

The book is in good condition, even though I bought it used. I am very happy with what I got!

A sublime book on the runes. I have been working with runes most of my life and this book really sings to me. It's easy to understand and filled with helpful information. Many of my friends have bought this Encyclopedia of Runes and they have successfully done rune casts on the first read. A lot of the books out there on runes are especially hard to understand. Knight has written a book that accessible and easy to follow. She has put together all the ideas and information about runes in one book--Norse Mythology, rune lore, encyclopedia listing of each of the Futhark runes, hands-on rune casting step-by-step instructions and lots of rune magic info. Knight has even added some things I didn't know. I love this book and I take it and my runestones whenever I'm on long flights. There is always something new in it to try that I didn't notice before. If you are an individual that wants to know more about runes and how to actually use them, then read this book before the others. You will avoid a lot of confusion. It's the most complete and sublime rune book out there.

This book contains a TON of info for anyone interested in learn ing about the runes. Has a great section explaining each of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark, their interpretations in readings,how to perform readings + other magical uses. Includes runic yoga. etc.