Product Description: Although many of us first encountered runes in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, this sacred alphabet is by no means a fabrication for books or movies. Similar to Hebrew letters in the sense that each symbol contains a meaning that transcends its original function as a letter, the runes are practical, flexible, and effective symbols with a variety of uses.
Today, the best known application of rune lore is divination: chips or stones marked with runes are drawn, cast, or laid out in patterns like tarot cards. In Taking Up the Runes, Paxson delves into the ancient historical meaning of each rune and explains their contemporary uses and meanings. We discover that the real power of runes comes from inside ourselves when we find the wisdom and power within each symbol and internalize them.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A bit new agey but better than many
In this work, renowned fiction author Diana Paxson tackles practical rune-uses in magic, divination, and ritual. The book is obviously intended to be a sort of popular guide rather than a more serious piece. While there are places where the book misses the mark, there are places where it is fairly good as well. It is a good introduction to more serious works but it is not, by itself, a complete guide.
First the good:
I appreciate the fact that the author provides a fair ... Read More
Rating: - Invaluable resource
If you can only afford to buy one rune book I recommend this one. Not only because the author includes a wide variety of valuable information and suggestions, but because she extensively quotes and references many of the other most often recommended rune authors including Aswynn and Gundarsson. Because of this through buying this book you get the advantage of the knowledge contained in the other authors' books as well. I liked the set up of the book, with each chapter featuring two paired runes and ... Read More
Rating: - Taking Up The Runes
Very complicated, but if it sparks an interest it is well worth the read. I'm into the Celts right now, but I've held a bag of runes that just stoked heat our of it into my hands. Check them out.
Rating: - excellent rune-lore!
I enormously enjoyed and appreciated this book!
A long-awaited tome from one of the leading lights of the Norse revival. Diana L. Paxon is well known to many as a prolific author of fine historical fantasies, including the Wodan's Children trilogy and her current continuation of the Mists of Avalon series begun by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Yet to some she is also well respected for her work with the Ring of Troth and the Hrafner kindred, which has revived the ancient oracular practice of seid-working. ... Read More
Rating: - Wonderful Rune Resource
Diana Paxson is one of the experts in this field and her book is a treasure. It's easily read and understood. Great experiential exercises to really get one in touch with the Runes.
- A bit new agey but better than many
- Invaluable resource