Soraya's Book of Runes
Extract from Soraya's Book of Runes

Today, in every lifestyle, we are familiar with symbols or signs. We have them on our motorways and dual carriageways telling us to slow down, speed up or stop. Petrol Stations, supermarkets, political parties, and the medical profession all use symbols and some of them come from this ancient Nordic culture. The Scottish National Party use a Runic symbol called Othello, which can be interpreted to stand for home, family and integrity. When we cross our fingers to make a wish, we are making another symbol called Gefu representing harmony and togetherness.
There are 25 runic symbols and each one represents a letter of the Germanic alphabet. Each Rune tells a story to help us to understand or deal with issues in our life. Some Runes, no matter which way they fall look exactly the same, an x for example which is the symbol for one Rune known as Gefu looks the same both ways while others in the upside down position give a more negative interpretation. Of all the esoteric disciplines that are used today, for me, the Runes have proved themselves time and again to be among the most accurate of them all.
I remember the first time that I heard of them. I wondered what they were and as usual being an avid numerologist I started to work out the hidden influence in the word Rune. The numerological value in Rune is twenty-two and this number is associated with crossing a bridge. Quite apt really since casting the Runes will allow us to cross the bridge between the present and the future.
I was fascinated when I first became acquainted with Runes and I wondered how they could help me in my life. I put them in an onyx box and kept them beside my bed. Each night before I went to sleep I would draw one Rune, thinking as I did so "What have I experienced today." It was not long before I realised how accurate that they were. Later I would draw one in the morning asking what the day would have in store for me. I managed to take advantage of opportunities that were shown to me and to avoid some pitfalls too.
Sometimes when I would draw a Rune I would be wary of the symbol that I had chosen and imagining the worst, I would be afraid that the predicted day’s events would be disastrous. I remember on one particular occasion, I was lying in my bed thinking about what I had to do that day. I realised with delight that I had no appointments and no pressing responsibilities. With a smile on my face at the thought of a free day I drew a Rune from my box. The smile disappeared from my face as I looked at the Rune that I had drawn. It forebode sudden unexpected changes. I couldn’t resist the temptation to draw another Rune to try to find the influences surrounding these sudden changes. This time I drew a Rune that depicted the home and matters connected to property. More panic! I was so concerned that something not very pleasant would happen that I was afraid to go out visiting or shopping.
Around noon a large delivery van arrived with my new suite aboard. I had expected it to arrive two weeks later but here it was being delivered and I hadn’t made arrangements to have the old one uplifted. Luckily a quick call to the local charity shop solved that problem and eventually I was able to put my house back to rights with a nice new suite instead of two suites. What I am really trying to say here is, do not imagine the worst as I did when I first began to use Runes. That day my Runes gave me advance warning that something unexpected (not drastic) was about to happen that would affect my plans and be connected to my property.

Brief history of Runes

Runes have been around for centuries and there have been many variations over the years. The number of Runes in the Runic alphabet varied widely in different places and at different times. At one point they increased to 33 whilst to the other extreme there was as few as 16 but they have evolved to what we know and use today. Traditionally Runes were small pebbles or pieces of wood 25 in all and each one had a symbol inscribed on them. In addition many people carved Rune symbols onto their personal possessions such as their weapons, bowls, or jewellery.
It is thought that Runes originally derived from an Etruscan alphabet used by the Italic tribes of the Eastern Alps, and developed by the Germanic peoples of Bohemia around the second to third centuries AD. The earliest surviving Runic inscriptions date from the middle of the third century though they were in wide use during the fourth to the eighth centuries. In the middle ages the Runes were used as an alternative alphabet to the standard Latin one.
In olden times Runes were used for divination and magic but they were used in secret because if any one was found to be using them they could be banished imprisoned or executed because of the power that they were believed to hold. Warriors would consult Runes to find out if they would come home safely and victorious from battle. Farmers would consult the Runes to find the best times to plant or harvest their crops. Combinations of Runes were bound together to make talisman (bind Runes) for fertility, love, protection, or healing and sometimes to curse an enemy.
In Sweden the Rune (th.) Thurizas is still used today in the modern Icelandic alphabet. Gradually the Runes were spread throughout Europe by the Anglo-Saxons
The twenty-five basic Runes are known as the Futhark. This is derived from the sounds of the first six letters, F U Th ARK. Norse mythology speaks of Odin (Woden), the A1I father sacrificing himself for the sake of knowledge. He hung from the tree of life by his ankles and lost or sacrificed his eye in order to drink from the Well of Mimir, which bestowed great knowledge.

Understanding the Runes

The ancient knowledge of the Runes has been passed on to us to use for guidance and wisdom. Many feelings and situations are associated with each Rune and it is important that you are familiar with them to fully understand and interpret them. On the following pages you will find stories associated with each Rune Symbol. These stories are my understanding but when you begin to live with your Runes you will have different experiences that you will attribute to each symbol. This will be your interpretation and this is what you should base your understanding on. Always remember to let your experience and your intuition be your guide.

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