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Runecaster's Handbook: The Well Of Wyrd
This work on rune divination shows how to make and empower your own runes, prepare the optimum setting of a rune reading and prepare yourself psychologically and spiritually for casting the runes.
129 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1988
57 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Edred Thorsson
42 books90 followers
Stephen Edred Flowers
(born 1953) also known by the pen-name Edred Thorsson, is an American Runologist and proponent of occultism and Germanic mysticism. He has over two dozen published books and hundreds of published papers on a disparate range of subjects. Flowers advocates "Esoteric Runology" or "Odianism", an occultist version of Germanic Neopaganism.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 12, 2022
This book does not skimp on the lore, and Thorsson wrote two additional books that talk about additional Germanic rune lore just in case there is not enough (reviews on those will follow)!
I will warn that more casual runecasters may not appreciate this book, as it is very critical of what the author views as the bastardization of the practice. While they admit that there is certainly room for innovation and nuance, that does not seem to apply to the majority of popular texts that, relatively speaking, take a more casual approach to divining via the Elder Futhark. They also suggest that the reader first attempt practicing with at least one of the traditional methods before considering a more modern divination process. This includes creating your own runes in a ritualistic fashion rather than buying them, as well as treating the casting of runes its self as a ritual. Admittedly this makes the practice less accessible, but I have to respect the endeavor.
While I will not likely be following the traditional practice outlined in this book, I did come away with a few things that will affect how I continue to practice, and I'll be updating the meanings of many runes as well as how I interpret them in relation to one another.
If you're looking to get more out of your rune divination practice, and connect with what is believed to be the traditional practices of the ancient Germanic tribes, I highly recommend this and Thorsson's other books as a key resource.
I will warn that more casual runecasters may not appreciate this book, as it is very critical of what the author views as the bastardization of the practice. While they admit that there is certainly room for innovation and nuance, that does not seem to apply to the majority of popular texts that, relatively speaking, take a more casual approach to divining via the Elder Futhark. They also suggest that the reader first attempt practicing with at least one of the traditional methods before considering a more modern divination process. This includes creating your own runes in a ritualistic fashion rather than buying them, as well as treating the casting of runes its self as a ritual. Admittedly this makes the practice less accessible, but I have to respect the endeavor.
While I will not likely be following the traditional practice outlined in this book, I did come away with a few things that will affect how I continue to practice, and I'll be updating the meanings of many runes as well as how I interpret them in relation to one another.
If you're looking to get more out of your rune divination practice, and connect with what is believed to be the traditional practices of the ancient Germanic tribes, I highly recommend this and Thorsson's other books as a key resource.
August 23, 2010
Being the third book on runes to come from Edred, this definitely stands out because it deals mainly with the casting of runes. This book contains general rune meanings, divinatory tables, the positive and negative aspects of each rune, its linguistic component and phonetic value. We are provided with runic layouts and sample readings to help us better get a feeling for the art of reading the staves.
August 14, 2012
My mind can finally follow runes.
December 16, 2020
The writing in this book is dense and academic, which makes it difficult to read sometimes. Some of his wording can make meanings unclear - for instance, he uses "in the offing" a lot, a phrase that I don't think I've ever heard before. He seems to use it to me "will happen" or "is happening" but then I wondered why he didn't just use that phrase, or if there was some other way I should understand it.
The book gives a very thorough overview of the rituals surrounding runecasting, the meaning of each rune, and different methods of interpretation, but the thoroughness is too much for a beginner. The explanation of the philosophy behind the runes requires the reader to already have a deep understanding of ancient Norse cosmology. And in many sections, he references other books he's written, which makes this one seem incomplete.
Furthermore, the author clearly has an opinion on what the best way to runecast is, and it's his way, which he says is taken directly from ancient descriptions. However, I believe rituals and magic are made powerful by being shaped along with the person performing and using them; while the author hints at this, the way he talks about it does not seem to recognize that there might be adjustments and modernizations.
This was the first book I picked up on runecasting and I am sure I will reference it in the future (particularly for its straightforward explanations of each rune individually and the different possible layouts for runecasting) but it will probably take another for runecasting to seem more accessible to me as a modern practitioner.
The book gives a very thorough overview of the rituals surrounding runecasting, the meaning of each rune, and different methods of interpretation, but the thoroughness is too much for a beginner. The explanation of the philosophy behind the runes requires the reader to already have a deep understanding of ancient Norse cosmology. And in many sections, he references other books he's written, which makes this one seem incomplete.
Furthermore, the author clearly has an opinion on what the best way to runecast is, and it's his way, which he says is taken directly from ancient descriptions. However, I believe rituals and magic are made powerful by being shaped along with the person performing and using them; while the author hints at this, the way he talks about it does not seem to recognize that there might be adjustments and modernizations.
This was the first book I picked up on runecasting and I am sure I will reference it in the future (particularly for its straightforward explanations of each rune individually and the different possible layouts for runecasting) but it will probably take another for runecasting to seem more accessible to me as a modern practitioner.
Read
July 12, 2008It's what appears to be an attempt at something scholarly and practical. Scholarly is something that can't be said for a great number of occult books. I read quite a few books on runes in my time as a pagan and if I could only recommend one, this would be it. His other books are indispensable for a more complete understanding of the system he presents, but this one is enough to get started. I no longer practice or even believe in a lot of practical magick, yet still look back on this rune book as not a complete waste of time.
April 16, 2018
I wanted to give this book 2.5 stars, but that’s not an option. So because I’m feeling generous, it gets 3 for authenticity, but certainly not for clarity or practicality. For those, for a really accessible and enjoyable introduction to Nordic runes & rune casting, read Paul Rhys Mountfort’s “Nordic Runes.”
January 11, 2013
At a casual glance or skim through of this slim volume, one might not expect as much knowledge as you truly can get out of this book. Mr. Thorsson did an excellent job of packing in a wealth of both theoretical and practical knowledge in a very concise package.
This book is broken down into six sections.
1.Historical Background
2.Runic Divination Theory (underlying metaphysical concepts behind divination)
3.Runic Symbolism and Divinitory Tables (The meanings of the runes for divination purposes)
4.The Tools of Runecasting (traditional ritual supplies and practical DIY related info)
5.Rites of Runecasting (opening, rune casting, and closing ceremony guideline suggestions)
6.The Ways of Runecasting (actual casting methods)
Sections 4-6 alone are enough to constitute a practical instruction manual for working basic rune craft of a very versatile scope for any Heathen. They alone justify the cost of this book in my opinion. Eclectics, non-germanic Wiccans, Unitarian pagans, and people of diverse tradition in general will all find sections 4 and 6 equally practical in integrating the runes into their craft.
This book is broken down into six sections.
1.Historical Background
2.Runic Divination Theory (underlying metaphysical concepts behind divination)
3.Runic Symbolism and Divinitory Tables (The meanings of the runes for divination purposes)
4.The Tools of Runecasting (traditional ritual supplies and practical DIY related info)
5.Rites of Runecasting (opening, rune casting, and closing ceremony guideline suggestions)
6.The Ways of Runecasting (actual casting methods)
Sections 4-6 alone are enough to constitute a practical instruction manual for working basic rune craft of a very versatile scope for any Heathen. They alone justify the cost of this book in my opinion. Eclectics, non-germanic Wiccans, Unitarian pagans, and people of diverse tradition in general will all find sections 4 and 6 equally practical in integrating the runes into their craft.
March 17, 2008
Excellent detail concerning history, meaning, and proper use of the Runes. For serious scholars as well as those starting out. No mention of Buddha or Jesus, as in other "New Age" texts on Runes or other Northern European ways. A great effort!
December 30, 2017
Great read
Decent enough primer on rune casting with an excellent overview of runic history. While this book may not be a "must read", I enjoyed it well enough the whole way through.
Decent enough primer on rune casting with an excellent overview of runic history. While this book may not be a "must read", I enjoyed it well enough the whole way through.
July 14, 2011
Review posted here: http://thepaganmomblog.com/reviews/ru...
January 5, 2013
Interesting subject matter, written in a clear, concise manner. I particularly enjoyed the theory section. The author's a little prone to pimping his other books, though.
September 28, 2015
Very informative.
October 5, 2016
An esoteric work from Thorsson that offers a complete array of guidance and exercises for the student seeking an understanding of the ruens within a divination context.
December 25, 2016
Awesome! I can't wait to read another of his books.
July 12, 2017
One of the essential books
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews