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Runic Book of Days: A Guide to Living the Annual Cycle of Rune Magick
A step-by-step guide to working with the runes throughout the year
• 2019 Nautilus Silver Award
• Explains how the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark each rule the calendar for a half-month
• Details the runes most powerful during each runic half-month, what they portend for personal and spiritual wellbeing, and techniques for creating relationships with them
• Includes structured devotionals for each half-month and runic initiation rituals for the 8 pagan Sabbats, or holy days, such as the Summer Solstice (Litha) and Lughnssadh (the first harvest holy day)
The Old Norse runes, known as the Elder Futhark, have long joined forces with the cycles of the seasons to offer powerful initiations, guidance, and wisdom. Aligning the sacred festivals, plantings, and harvests of ancient runic calendars with our modern 12-month calendar, Kelley Harrell reveals how the runes can once again offer initiations as well as instruct us on the holy days and creative rhythms of today.
Drawing on her more than 25 years of shamanic practice and runic study, Harrell offers a step-by-step primer to work with the runes throughout the year. She explains how the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark follow a seasonal progression in which each stave rules the calendar for a half-month. She explores the meaning of each rune in detail and presents structured runic devotionals for each half-month, interwoven with guidance on how to make the best use of the life force available during each season, as well as runic initiation rituals for the 8 pagan Sabbats, or holy days, such as the Summer Solstice (Litha) and Beltane (May Day). She details the runes most powerful during each half-month, what they portend for personal and spiritual wellbeing, techniques for creating relationships with them, and how to work with them as an oracle. The author also explains how the runes leading up to each Sabbat help create the space for properly greeting each calendrical transition and completing its initiation.
By moving through Nature’s cycle with the runes, each year becomes a reliable and trackable process of personalized growth and spiritual connection. Progressing through the teachings of each stave while honoring the seasons, Harrell’s year with the runes becomes an initiation into a direct relationship with powers of Nature.
• 2019 Nautilus Silver Award
• Explains how the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark each rule the calendar for a half-month
• Details the runes most powerful during each runic half-month, what they portend for personal and spiritual wellbeing, and techniques for creating relationships with them
• Includes structured devotionals for each half-month and runic initiation rituals for the 8 pagan Sabbats, or holy days, such as the Summer Solstice (Litha) and Lughnssadh (the first harvest holy day)
The Old Norse runes, known as the Elder Futhark, have long joined forces with the cycles of the seasons to offer powerful initiations, guidance, and wisdom. Aligning the sacred festivals, plantings, and harvests of ancient runic calendars with our modern 12-month calendar, Kelley Harrell reveals how the runes can once again offer initiations as well as instruct us on the holy days and creative rhythms of today.
Drawing on her more than 25 years of shamanic practice and runic study, Harrell offers a step-by-step primer to work with the runes throughout the year. She explains how the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark follow a seasonal progression in which each stave rules the calendar for a half-month. She explores the meaning of each rune in detail and presents structured runic devotionals for each half-month, interwoven with guidance on how to make the best use of the life force available during each season, as well as runic initiation rituals for the 8 pagan Sabbats, or holy days, such as the Summer Solstice (Litha) and Beltane (May Day). She details the runes most powerful during each half-month, what they portend for personal and spiritual wellbeing, techniques for creating relationships with them, and how to work with them as an oracle. The author also explains how the runes leading up to each Sabbat help create the space for properly greeting each calendrical transition and completing its initiation.
By moving through Nature’s cycle with the runes, each year becomes a reliable and trackable process of personalized growth and spiritual connection. Progressing through the teachings of each stave while honoring the seasons, Harrell’s year with the runes becomes an initiation into a direct relationship with powers of Nature.
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2018
16 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
S. Kelley Harrell
14 books106 followersKelley (she/they) is an animist, author, deathwalker, and death doula. For the last 25 years, through Soul Intent Arts she's helped others ethically build thriving spiritual paths. Her work is Nature-based, and centers soul tending through the Elder Futhark runes, animism, ancestral tending, and deathwork. Her books are From Elder to Ancestor, Runic Book of Days, Teen Spirit Guide to Modern Shamanism, Real Wyrd, Life Betwixt, and Gift of the Dreamtime, and she hosts the podcast, What in the Wyrd. She also writes The Weekly Rune as a celebration of the Elder Futhark in season.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 15, 2018
Runic Book of Days by S Kelley Harrell
Book Review by Dawn Thomas
208 Pages
Publisher: Inner Traditions / Destiny Books
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Nonfiction (Adult), Religion, Spiritual, Runes, Paganism, Neo-Paganism, Divination
When I saw a new rune book was coming out, I was very excited. I have been studying runes for more than ten years and am always looking for new sources for research. The author is extremely knowledgeable on the subject of runes. Nigel Pennick contributes the foreword to the book.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part is informative with the history and differences of runes and staves. I think my favorite section in the book is a few lines associated with the rune Uruz, “Uruz isn’t the cross-your-legs and look pretty kind of feminine. It’s the savage soul story ‘lived out lout or die’ kind of feminine.” Kelley discusses how to throw runes and the meanings of the positions of each rune. She also includes the description of the runic calendar.
In Part 2, Living the Rune, Kelley discusses the breakdown of the runic calendar in detail. For each two-week period, she details the rune’s attributes for the period. She also includes affirmations and meditations. This section is designed to be used as a guidebook while going through the year. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in deepening your connection with runes.
Book Review by Dawn Thomas
208 Pages
Publisher: Inner Traditions / Destiny Books
Publication Date: September 11, 2018
Nonfiction (Adult), Religion, Spiritual, Runes, Paganism, Neo-Paganism, Divination
When I saw a new rune book was coming out, I was very excited. I have been studying runes for more than ten years and am always looking for new sources for research. The author is extremely knowledgeable on the subject of runes. Nigel Pennick contributes the foreword to the book.
The book is divided into two parts. The first part is informative with the history and differences of runes and staves. I think my favorite section in the book is a few lines associated with the rune Uruz, “Uruz isn’t the cross-your-legs and look pretty kind of feminine. It’s the savage soul story ‘lived out lout or die’ kind of feminine.” Kelley discusses how to throw runes and the meanings of the positions of each rune. She also includes the description of the runic calendar.
In Part 2, Living the Rune, Kelley discusses the breakdown of the runic calendar in detail. For each two-week period, she details the rune’s attributes for the period. She also includes affirmations and meditations. This section is designed to be used as a guidebook while going through the year. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in deepening your connection with runes.
February 13, 2020
I'll never really be able to say I'm "done" reading this because it follows the calendar with insights that remain continuously relevant. I has some challenge come up, and I just pulled it out and turned to the relevant section and was inspired.
July 19, 2020
This was a really, really great book and opportunity to work with the runes and made me think outside the box. I have learned and experienced a lot and I think in a couple of years, I will do it again. There's always something new to learn after a while.
So thankful I found this book in a precious little bookshop in London. :)
So thankful I found this book in a precious little bookshop in London. :)
July 2, 2018
I lived learning about rune magic and how to use it throughout the year. I would recommend it to anyone interested in runes and learning to use them.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.
June 7, 2020
It's a 'live the runes' rather than a 'learn the runes' book. I thoroughly enjoyed it, am working with it and suspect this book will be a close companion for many years.
The author has an engaging, down to earth style.
The author has an engaging, down to earth style.
October 18, 2019
Great and interesting introductory guide
April 11, 2021
The book is good! It is more in detail of the runes and how you can apply them into your days
October 30, 2024
The book follows a new ager reconstruction upon runes. The mainframe of its system might learn from 二十四节气.
July 1, 2018
A very interesting and useful books on runes, how to use them and their use in the year circle.
It's well written, with clear and detailed examples.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Inner Traditions and Netgalley for this ARC.
It's well written, with clear and detailed examples.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Inner Traditions and Netgalley for this ARC.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews