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From the Glossary: • Odin • Aesir • Vanir • Valhalla • Hel

Books about Asatru: • Guide Picks, runes and runelore

Definition: A Norse alphabet developed around 200 BCE, from characters used for magical purposes. It was believed to have been discovered by Odin as he hung upside down and wounded for nine days on the World Tree Ygdrasil. There are three commonly known runic alphabets: the 'elder' and 'younger' Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon futhork, and the Danish 'short twig' or script alphabet. The word 'rune' literally means a 'whisper' or 'secret.'

The Elder Futhark is the oldest, and consists of three sets of eight letters; there have been as many as thirty three runic characters, and as few as sixteen at various times. Runes have been used as a divinatory device from the beginning, and some scholars believe that at one time, a special class of diviners existed dealing soley in rune reading.

In the present time, runes are created and used by Asatru believers as a device for meditation and divination. One is generally expected to construct their own set of runestones.

Pronunciation: Roowns • (noun)

Related Resources:

Asatru
The customs, history, and links on Norse Spirituality on About.com.

Runes- The Alphabet of Odin
Discover the ancient oracular alphabet of the Norse, the meanings of the Runic characters, and learn how to do a basic divination with Runes.

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