The Runic Workbook: Understanding and Using the Power of Runes (Aquarian Press Divination Series) [Paperback]

Tony Willis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1986 | Series: Aquarian Press Divination Series

Tony Willis not only describes the ancient art of Casting the Runes but also explains many of the age-old beliefs and concepts which make the Ruins such powerful magical tool.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc; First edition (September 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0850304695
• ISBN-13: 978-0850304695
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,978,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars New Age Flowers Gems and Quaballa overlays, September 30, 2007

By 

Seidr Thought Memory "Meditation" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Runic Workbook: Understanding and Using the Power of Runes (Paperback)

I'm giving this book a middle to slightly negative rating. It contains some useful information. But it is trying to incoroporate too much of today's melting pot messages which eventually becomes an overlay in this book to the Runes clarity and concepts themselves. The concepts are difficult to understand today since we are taught to filter our understandings through different lenses.

Since sometimes various religious or political modis operandi has unfortunately for many been to stamp out another's belief systems via wars or outright genocides, a culture's ancient teachings have tended to be misunderstood. This makes such a topic particularly difficult to cover. To the author's credit, this topic is an important and a challenging one especially since the earth and all in it need true diversity and tolerance of difference (in contrast to today's melted pots which ultimately destroy all unique cultures). Understanding and studying the ancient ways may help the ancestors of many different ones to retain their old ways, practice them, and not reinvent them into a superficial New World theme park melting pot.

The author misses the point entirely that for those of the Runes, the ancients partner with the gods and goddesses. Unlike many modern religions, the rune people did not consider themselves and were not powerless at the whims of the seasons or correct god picks. Since ancient times, both the gods themselves and the people are evolving in an active working partnership. Humans just as the different gods have free will; therefore, the outcomes are worked together. Not all ancient runemasters were the Vikings or sacrifice tribes as implied in the book. Without understanding and emphasizing the sensational, unfortunately today's myth makers melts a few alien prevalent and dominant themes into one horrible pot which would make any reasonable person look no further and miss the connection to nature and the cycles offered in Runic studies and personal development.

Many different peoples have worked with the Runes. Casting them like Tarot cards may be for some people and depends on the integrity and understanding of the person casting (sounds like a technique for both scammers as well as good practitioners), but may have some benefit of helping people become familiar with the Runes again. The book also talks about standing on "the brink of a new Runic instruction". This sounds to me like another attempt to reinvent another Ages' overlay to further obscure the ancient path from the few salmon swimming back up ancient streams. Instead of a new instruction set, reconnecting today with the ancient ones are vital to survival of many peoples. The ancient tree people of Middle Earth seem like a different group than any described in the book.

To the author's credit, the Runes are a difficult topic to write about. The ancient teachings even say "none may hold [contain or own] the Runes". To work with the Runes is a journey just as this life is one. May we each journey well and may the best of this book help those seeking to understand the Runes. It was also good to read many of the explanations about how to expand ones ability to sense and grow in this understanding.

Here is a classic explanation of the origin of the Runes and the journey to even beginning with them here in Middle Earth:

The Speech of the High One

Suspended on that windswept tree,

I swung there for nine long nights,

Wounded by my own blade (thought),

Bloodied for O'din

Myself an offering to myself:

Bound to the tree,

That no man knows,

Whither the roots of it run.

None gave me bread,

None gave me drink,

Down to the deepest depths I peered,

Until I spied the Runes.

With a roaring cry I seized them up,

Then dizzy and fainting, I fell.

Well being I won,

And wisdom too.

I grew and took joy in my growth:

From a word to a word,

I was led to a word,

From a deed to another deed.

The Poetic Edda

(circa A.D. 1200)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful. Very informative., May 13, 2006

By 

T. J. Vise - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Runic Workbook: Understanding and Using the Power of Runes (Paperback)

One of the best books I have ever seen on the subject. Great for beginers and experts alike. Easy to understand meanings. Covers many ways runes can be used, and is in a format perfect for newcomers. Start here.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great resource, March 7, 2004

By 

Ian Marlow "Argetduir" (Kenmore, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Runic Workbook: Understanding and Using the Power of Runes (Aquarian Press Divination Series) (Paperback)

One of the better runes for beginners. While the author ties a lot of info in with astrology, the detailed information on the meanings of the runes are great for any beginner.