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Living Runes: Theory and Practice of Norse Divination
Living Runes provides a thorough examination of the Norse runes that will challenge the experienced rune worker to deepen his or her understanding of these mysteries. The book begins with an explication of the story of Odin, the Norse god who won the runes by sacrificing himself on the World Tree. It continues by examining each of the individual runes in turn, both the Elder Futhark and the lesser-known Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. Each rune is studied not only from a historical viewpoint but also from the perspective of a modern practitioner. You will be introduced to the practice of galdr as well as the magical use of the runes and the proper way to sacrifice to them and read them for divination. Most importantly, the book specifically addresses the runes as living spirits and provides guidance on developing a working relationship with these otherworldly allies. Living Runes was previously published as Theory and Practice (New Page, 2009) but for several years has only been available from Lightning Source via Ingram.
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2019
17 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Galina Krasskova
65 books132 followersI'm a poet, polytheist, theologian and the majority of my writing is religious, of one flavor or another. I've written over twenty books covering a broad range of topics within contemporary Heathenry (Norse/Germanic polytheism), several devotionals (including a couple to Greco-Roman Deities), and I've edited several anthologies. I'm the managing editor of "Walking the Worlds" journal, the first peer reviewed journal focusing on issues of interest to polytheists and I maintain a blog at http://krasskova.wordpress.com. I cause a lot of trouble. LOL.
When I'm not writing (and causing trouble), I'm slogging my way through graduate school, round three. I currently hold a Masters in Religious Studies, worked for six years in a Phd program in Classics, hold a Masters in Medieval Studies, and I'm currently in my third year of PhD work in Theology.
I'm also an artist - acrylic and watercolor, some photography. Despite rumors to the contrary, I don't bite and I'm usually happy to answer any questions. ;)
When I'm not writing (and causing trouble), I'm slogging my way through graduate school, round three. I currently hold a Masters in Religious Studies, worked for six years in a Phd program in Classics, hold a Masters in Medieval Studies, and I'm currently in my third year of PhD work in Theology.
I'm also an artist - acrylic and watercolor, some photography. Despite rumors to the contrary, I don't bite and I'm usually happy to answer any questions. ;)
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 22, 2020
"At this point, I feel it necessary to issue a caveat. At some point, all runes like to be fed blood. Certain ones demand it before lending their energies to the task at hand, so be prepared for this. If you want to work with them well, they will likely want to feed on your blood. Put the resulting few drops of blood (after stabbing yourself with a lancet) directly on to the runes. I recommend going through them individually and blooding them at regular intervals. Once you begin to work with them at any deep level, they will demand this."
Ref: Living Runes Theory and Practice of Norse Divination, pages 26 Weiser Books 2019 by Galina Krasskova
The above 2019 second edition version by Galina Krasskova is a refreshing change from the plethora of New Age mind, body, and spirit rune books submissions to date. Living Runes was previously published under the title of Runes: Theory and Practice (New Page, 2009) but for several years has only been available from Lightning Source via Ingram. Blooding the elder fuþark runes for me has always been an integral part of the process for rune divination using these archaic symbols as a gift always demands a gift and nothing is free in our world.
The author’s dedication page is particularly moving:
"To my adopted mother who does not work the runes and hates magic with a passion but listened to early versions of this book with the patience of a saint. Ich habe dich unendlich gem auf Zeit und Ewigkeit, Mutti. Thank you so much for everything. And to those who taught me with gratitude".
The book initially gives an explication about the story of Odin the first Runemaster, the Old Norse Mythology warrior leader of the Aesir race of gods who discovered runes by sacrificing himself for nine nights on the ashen tree Yggdrasil which one interpretation suggests is a terrible steed or horse. It goes further in turn looking at each of the individual runes in turn, covering both the Elder Fuþark and Anglo-Saxon Fuþorc though the Norwegian, Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon rune poems. The author delves into the elder runes from a historical viewpoint but also from the perspective of the modern-day practitioner. An introduction is given to the practice of galðr on page 163 as well as the magical application of the runes from the authors perspective. Also, she covers the proper way to sacrifice to them and read them for divination. I would like to point out for clarity though that galðr taken from the historical sagas is not singing out reconstructed Fuþorc or Fuþark rune names but rather a high pitch form of singing incantations spells which we know very little about. So it is not necessarily later day reconstructed rune names such as ᚠ Fehu ᚢ Uruz ᚦ Thurisaz ᚨ Ansuz ᚱ Raido ᚲ Kaunan ᚷ Gebo ᚹ Wunjo and so forth. Singing aloud reconstructed rune names as galðr is a modern construct stemming from the early seventies by New Age rune authors.
The author also says, “Most importantly, the book specifically addresses the runes as living spirits and provides guidance on developing a working relationship with these otherworldly allies”. Now this part for myself rings true. The runes when used in a magical context as opposed to just an alphabet with ideograms are a living energy sentient sprit form. For this reason and as I have reiterated on several occasions, runes should never be played with and given the respect they deserve. Fuþark Runes are in my forty years plus experience of working with them both in divination and magic, an archaic mercenary energy form with a consciousness. Also, when working with runes, what happens is an exchange between you the diviner and the rune energy themselves. It is unlike other forms of divination as you are dealing with another sentient energy form and not just taping into Wyrd collective consciousness. So, I agree with Galina unreservedly on this point. Overall, I would say this book has been well thought out and written and I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to anyone new who has taken up the runes on their way to seeking out the divine gods and goddesses.
Ref: Living Runes Theory and Practice of Norse Divination, pages 26 Weiser Books 2019 by Galina Krasskova
The above 2019 second edition version by Galina Krasskova is a refreshing change from the plethora of New Age mind, body, and spirit rune books submissions to date. Living Runes was previously published under the title of Runes: Theory and Practice (New Page, 2009) but for several years has only been available from Lightning Source via Ingram. Blooding the elder fuþark runes for me has always been an integral part of the process for rune divination using these archaic symbols as a gift always demands a gift and nothing is free in our world.
The author’s dedication page is particularly moving:
"To my adopted mother who does not work the runes and hates magic with a passion but listened to early versions of this book with the patience of a saint. Ich habe dich unendlich gem auf Zeit und Ewigkeit, Mutti. Thank you so much for everything. And to those who taught me with gratitude".
The book initially gives an explication about the story of Odin the first Runemaster, the Old Norse Mythology warrior leader of the Aesir race of gods who discovered runes by sacrificing himself for nine nights on the ashen tree Yggdrasil which one interpretation suggests is a terrible steed or horse. It goes further in turn looking at each of the individual runes in turn, covering both the Elder Fuþark and Anglo-Saxon Fuþorc though the Norwegian, Icelandic and Anglo-Saxon rune poems. The author delves into the elder runes from a historical viewpoint but also from the perspective of the modern-day practitioner. An introduction is given to the practice of galðr on page 163 as well as the magical application of the runes from the authors perspective. Also, she covers the proper way to sacrifice to them and read them for divination. I would like to point out for clarity though that galðr taken from the historical sagas is not singing out reconstructed Fuþorc or Fuþark rune names but rather a high pitch form of singing incantations spells which we know very little about. So it is not necessarily later day reconstructed rune names such as ᚠ Fehu ᚢ Uruz ᚦ Thurisaz ᚨ Ansuz ᚱ Raido ᚲ Kaunan ᚷ Gebo ᚹ Wunjo and so forth. Singing aloud reconstructed rune names as galðr is a modern construct stemming from the early seventies by New Age rune authors.
The author also says, “Most importantly, the book specifically addresses the runes as living spirits and provides guidance on developing a working relationship with these otherworldly allies”. Now this part for myself rings true. The runes when used in a magical context as opposed to just an alphabet with ideograms are a living energy sentient sprit form. For this reason and as I have reiterated on several occasions, runes should never be played with and given the respect they deserve. Fuþark Runes are in my forty years plus experience of working with them both in divination and magic, an archaic mercenary energy form with a consciousness. Also, when working with runes, what happens is an exchange between you the diviner and the rune energy themselves. It is unlike other forms of divination as you are dealing with another sentient energy form and not just taping into Wyrd collective consciousness. So, I agree with Galina unreservedly on this point. Overall, I would say this book has been well thought out and written and I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to anyone new who has taken up the runes on their way to seeking out the divine gods and goddesses.
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October 28, 2020(EDIT: A very weak 2.5 ⭐, it's not 2⭐ but like it's definitely not a 3⭐ either. For this reason I removed my grade because I didn't wanna give it a 2, but 3 was too fucking generous.)
Oh wow, this was bad. I've never been unsatisfied and I've never hated a "witchy/magickal guidebook" more.. but boy, I really did not vibe with this one.
Mine and author's beliefs are very very different, which is okay becuase we're all unique and our own people. I always respect other beliefs, I always try to understand them but even when I don't respect is there. Therefore, the author's constant pushing of her OWN beliefs and her stating them as facts was rather annoying. Do not get me wrong, I always welcome and am happy to read about authors beliefs but as long as they are represented as such. Someone's personal craft, not facts. Your craft is not facts.
Which is why I basically hated this book. The author's constant bringing of blooding your runes and her constant saying you have to give them your blood and pain because they're thirsty for it reached its limits several times. I wouldn't mind it being stated as a part of her craft but when she writes, and I quote here:
???
Mine never seemed to want anything. I have two sets one made by myself and one thay I bought, neither of them wants blood. I shared all the blood related references on my stories on IG while reading and had several magickal people DM me saying that they do well without this and that this is complete nonsense. I wouldn't call it nonsense, since it's something a lot of people practice but I do find it unnecessary, and like it's very close to stepping over the religious fanaticism line.
Furthermore, again I quote:
The way author wrote this book really just pissed me off since it seemed as more of a journal rather than something that would help you understand the runes and how to work with them. So I definitely wouldn't recommend this to beginners, even though the author states this is something she wishes she had as a beginner. Umm, yeah... no. Congrats if you did find it helpful though.
Anyway, moving on from the "bad" things and reasons I didn't like this book. The good thing about this book though was the rune explanations, the fact the author included Anglo-Saxon runes as well and the chapter about Galdr. The explanations, surprisingly, had a healthy dose of rune's meanings and author's own personal take on them. I really liked this because it gave the runes more depth. The Anglo-Saxon runes were also explained quite well and the chapter made me wanna incorporate them into my practice, I found them to be quite deep and insightful. The chapter about Galdr was beautifully written and explained, very educational. The exercises the author incorporated in the book to help connect and learn the runes are very "simple" and seem as very helpful as well, so that's a bonus.
If you're a beginner and if you purchased this book, I just want to let you know, you don't have go do any of the things written here. You don't have to bleed your runes, you don't have to galdr. Anytime you see "you have to" or something being stated as a fact in books like this now you don't have to and know it's not a fact. But it you feel a need or called to incorporate any of these things in your practice, then go ahead.
Finally, as I've said I think the author needs to cut some and stop presenting her beliefs as facts, and more as if her own beliefs and practice. But the way she explained the runes was really not bad, it was helpful and educational. I still wouldn't recommend this book though.
To sum up, the reason for the low rating is gatekeeping. However, the book had some good moments too. But the gatekeeping completely ruined it for me and I will not stand for it and/or ignore it.
Oh wow, this was bad. I've never been unsatisfied and I've never hated a "witchy/magickal guidebook" more.. but boy, I really did not vibe with this one.
Mine and author's beliefs are very very different, which is okay becuase we're all unique and our own people. I always respect other beliefs, I always try to understand them but even when I don't respect is there. Therefore, the author's constant pushing of her OWN beliefs and her stating them as facts was rather annoying. Do not get me wrong, I always welcome and am happy to read about authors beliefs but as long as they are represented as such. Someone's personal craft, not facts. Your craft is not facts.
Which is why I basically hated this book. The author's constant bringing of blooding your runes and her constant saying you have to give them your blood and pain because they're thirsty for it reached its limits several times. I wouldn't mind it being stated as a part of her craft but when she writes, and I quote here:
"at some point all the runes like to be fed blood. (...) Once you begin working with them at any deeper level, they will demand this."
???
Mine never seemed to want anything. I have two sets one made by myself and one thay I bought, neither of them wants blood. I shared all the blood related references on my stories on IG while reading and had several magickal people DM me saying that they do well without this and that this is complete nonsense. I wouldn't call it nonsense, since it's something a lot of people practice but I do find it unnecessary, and like it's very close to stepping over the religious fanaticism line.
Furthermore, again I quote:
"Select a rune (and be prepared for it to ask for blood for its aid)"again, uhhh, no? I guess they do if you believe in that, but like I really don't.
"Sooner or later the question of whether or not to do this (blooding) will come up."It literally never even occured to me because I have literally never felt or thought my runes would need blood. Offering sacrafices is not something I do in my practice, nor will I ever do. Giving thanks? Yes, always. Sacrifices? Never.
The way author wrote this book really just pissed me off since it seemed as more of a journal rather than something that would help you understand the runes and how to work with them. So I definitely wouldn't recommend this to beginners, even though the author states this is something she wishes she had as a beginner. Umm, yeah... no. Congrats if you did find it helpful though.
Anyway, moving on from the "bad" things and reasons I didn't like this book. The good thing about this book though was the rune explanations, the fact the author included Anglo-Saxon runes as well and the chapter about Galdr. The explanations, surprisingly, had a healthy dose of rune's meanings and author's own personal take on them. I really liked this because it gave the runes more depth. The Anglo-Saxon runes were also explained quite well and the chapter made me wanna incorporate them into my practice, I found them to be quite deep and insightful. The chapter about Galdr was beautifully written and explained, very educational. The exercises the author incorporated in the book to help connect and learn the runes are very "simple" and seem as very helpful as well, so that's a bonus.
If you're a beginner and if you purchased this book, I just want to let you know, you don't have go do any of the things written here. You don't have to bleed your runes, you don't have to galdr. Anytime you see "you have to" or something being stated as a fact in books like this now you don't have to and know it's not a fact. But it you feel a need or called to incorporate any of these things in your practice, then go ahead.
Finally, as I've said I think the author needs to cut some and stop presenting her beliefs as facts, and more as if her own beliefs and practice. But the way she explained the runes was really not bad, it was helpful and educational. I still wouldn't recommend this book though.
To sum up, the reason for the low rating is gatekeeping. However, the book had some good moments too. But the gatekeeping completely ruined it for me and I will not stand for it and/or ignore it.
June 10, 2019
All in all, I really enjoyed Krasskova's book. I read "The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic" by Edred Thorsson not that long ago so the material was something that I was familiar with, though I enjoyed Krasskova's explanations. I guess if I were to put my finger on what I enjoyed the most, I'd have to say the poetry.
Her poem for the rune "Gar" ( page 153 ) was powerful and really moved me. I give "Living Runes" a "thumbs up" and I feel that her book serves as an excellent companion to Thorsson's "The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic".
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Her poem for the rune "Gar" ( page 153 ) was powerful and really moved me. I give "Living Runes" a "thumbs up" and I feel that her book serves as an excellent companion to Thorsson's "The Big Book of Runes and Rune Magic".
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Weiser Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
March 24, 2021
living runes is an awesome esoteric style look at the runes. That really opens your eyes to other avenues not just the basics on runes. I thoroughly enjoyed it and do you recommend it for intermediate and advanced Rune readers. Especially if you want to open your eyes to a more spiritual/ magical aspect then just reading the runes
October 26, 2023
This was a perfect work for those of us who have a good working understanding of divination and magic. It was excellent to expand my craft using these teachings. Thank you for your words of guidance and the knowledge you have shared with us!
November 5, 2022
A must read for anyone learning the runes. And absolute favorite of mine.
November 19, 2024
Informative, a lot of information.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews