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The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic: How to Interpret Runes, Rune Lore, and the Art of Runecasting
A complete in-depth guide to the ancient runic alphabet and its use in communicating with the gods, in divination, and in magical work.
American runologist Edred Thorsson provides a complete introduction to the world of runes f or beginners and enthusiasts alike . Thorsson's presentation of this powerful system provides a valuable tool for self-development and spiritual transformation.
This comprehensive guide is suitable to those new to the runes as well as for long-time practitioners . It
This comprehensive guide also includes Instructions on how to make your own runes and imbue them with numinous power, arrange the optimum setting for a rune reading, and prepare yourself psychologically and spiritually for casting the runes.
This book includes material drawn from some of the author's previous books— Futhark, Runelore, and Runecaster's Handbook —as well as new additions and revisions by the author.
American runologist Edred Thorsson provides a complete introduction to the world of runes f or beginners and enthusiasts alike . Thorsson's presentation of this powerful system provides a valuable tool for self-development and spiritual transformation.
This comprehensive guide is suitable to those new to the runes as well as for long-time practitioners . It
This comprehensive guide also includes Instructions on how to make your own runes and imbue them with numinous power, arrange the optimum setting for a rune reading, and prepare yourself psychologically and spiritually for casting the runes.
This book includes material drawn from some of the author's previous books— Futhark, Runelore, and Runecaster's Handbook —as well as new additions and revisions by the author.
320 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2018
98 people are currently reading
283 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 11, 2019
This review originally appeared on The Magical Buffet website on 02/11/2019.
If you’re a reader of this website, you probably already know what runes are, but just in case you don’t; runes are an ancient Norse alphabet used for magic, communication, and divination. If you want to learn more, you’re in luck because I’m here to tell you about THE book about runes.
“The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic: How to Interpret Runes, Rune Lore, and the Art of Runecasting” by Edred Thorsson is 320 pages of EVERYTHING rune. Thorsson has written THE book on runes. Actually, he has written over two dozen books about runes and all that research has culminated in “The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic”.
It starts with an amazingly deep dive into the history of runes. Viking age, medieval, and modern runic history is discussed. This includes the history of runes in magic and divination as well. Then, utilizing this research Thorsson examines what he refers to as the hidden lore of runes. How the runes relate to cosmology, psychology, and the Gods. Only after a thorough study of these previous two sections are you ready to read the runes. Thorsson discusses divinatory theory and provides useful tables.
I’m loathe to say one book on any subject is all you’ll ever need, but “The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic” by Edred Thorsson is as close as you’ll get.
If you’re a reader of this website, you probably already know what runes are, but just in case you don’t; runes are an ancient Norse alphabet used for magic, communication, and divination. If you want to learn more, you’re in luck because I’m here to tell you about THE book about runes.
“The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic: How to Interpret Runes, Rune Lore, and the Art of Runecasting” by Edred Thorsson is 320 pages of EVERYTHING rune. Thorsson has written THE book on runes. Actually, he has written over two dozen books about runes and all that research has culminated in “The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic”.
It starts with an amazingly deep dive into the history of runes. Viking age, medieval, and modern runic history is discussed. This includes the history of runes in magic and divination as well. Then, utilizing this research Thorsson examines what he refers to as the hidden lore of runes. How the runes relate to cosmology, psychology, and the Gods. Only after a thorough study of these previous two sections are you ready to read the runes. Thorsson discusses divinatory theory and provides useful tables.
I’m loathe to say one book on any subject is all you’ll ever need, but “The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic” by Edred Thorsson is as close as you’ll get.
February 23, 2021
I'm not really sure exactly how I want to approach this review. In some ways I think giving it 3 stars might be generous, but at the same time, the book isn't necessarily bad. I think it's something more like "rambling". In my opinion, this took away a good deal from its usefulness.
There's a lot of information here, but surprisingly little all at once. The author does an awful lot of rambling, as I mentioned, but doesn't spend a good amount of time on good description or explanation. A few examples are given, but they are extremely brief and simplified. A few more examples with a better explanation might have served better to show how something might work or why.
The author does seem to have a lot of knowledge and has been studying and/or practicing for decades. But he's not terribly good at explaining himself or how to apply these ideas to real world practice. Or perhaps this just wasn't a good place to start with his books.
In any case, my quest continues. It may be that my thirst for knowledge will never be quenched or perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong places, but I'll not give up.
There's a lot of information here, but surprisingly little all at once. The author does an awful lot of rambling, as I mentioned, but doesn't spend a good amount of time on good description or explanation. A few examples are given, but they are extremely brief and simplified. A few more examples with a better explanation might have served better to show how something might work or why.
The author does seem to have a lot of knowledge and has been studying and/or practicing for decades. But he's not terribly good at explaining himself or how to apply these ideas to real world practice. Or perhaps this just wasn't a good place to start with his books.
In any case, my quest continues. It may be that my thirst for knowledge will never be quenched or perhaps I'm just looking in the wrong places, but I'll not give up.
January 4, 2022
I have lately been trying to understand my ancestry and decided it would be interesting to learn how to interpret runes; I encountered many of them once-upon-a-time in my previous life as an archaeologist, but didn't know how to properly interpret them.
This book is a good place to start and explains the history and meaning of these things in depth.
This book is a good place to start and explains the history and meaning of these things in depth.
April 28, 2020
A complete and comprehensive beginners guide to taking up the runes and walking the Odian path. Enlightening and invigorating.
July 2, 2020
Of the big book series this one was so far the best due to the clear and concise nature of presenting information for beginners.
February 2, 2021
Look up facts well!
This has a long explanation of runes, plus a totally handy look-up guide of different languages of runes. By far the best I've read yet for quick researching.
This has a long explanation of runes, plus a totally handy look-up guide of different languages of runes. By far the best I've read yet for quick researching.
January 12, 2023
It's the best rune book that I've read. It contains so much useful information about runes, history and history of runes. Approved by Scandinavian witch 🤌🤌
December 25, 2023
Great book that is a necessity to anyone studying Runes. I will be recommending it to others.
June 30, 2024
great book
This book made complete sense Thorsson is a master of Norse practices. I give this book a total SKOL. Thank you
This book made complete sense Thorsson is a master of Norse practices. I give this book a total SKOL. Thank you
November 20, 2025
I don't know if this is a way too advanced book for my level, or if the text is confusing, or the translator was somewhat incompetent (read it in portuguese) but I found it quite confusing. Still, its a great source of knowledge, and very profound
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews