The Beginner's Guide to Runes: Divination and Magic with the Elder Futhark Runes

by Josh Simonds

From divination to magic—a beginner-friendly guide to runes

Discover a simple way to unlock the ancient power of runes. Digging deep into both history and mythology, The Beginner's Guide to Runes serves as the perfect starting point for anyone interested in exploring these ancient and magical symbols

Focused around the Elder Futhark (the oldest runic alphabet), this informative book offers a simple and effective path to bringing runes into your day-to-day life. Whether you want to gain insight into the future through divination or creating protective talismans, straightforward and concise instructions make them simple to understand.

The Beginner's Guide to Runes helps

Read it in the runes—this book is the easiest way to get started with this unique form of magic.

Genres: Witchcraft, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Divination, History, Magick

172 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2020

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

By studying the lore and mythology of the ancient Norse people, we not only learn of the origin of the runes, but we also discover the gods and creatures that brought them to us...

Ancient runes have been a popular source of divination and connection to Norse mythology for movies and books.

This little guide delves into the origins of Runes and the lore surrounding it.

It talks a little bit about the various versions of the runic alphabet and how we were able to learn about what the runes meant.

From there the book describes how runes apply to our modern era.

They are keys to help us increase our own inner landscapes, as well as tools to help us increase our own intuition.

And it talks about how runic divination works as well as magic.

In this chapter, you will discover the basics of runic magic and how to use the runes to bring about change in your world.

The end of the book focuses on the exact meanings of the runes and their connections with the gods.

All in all this was a rather informative and quick book.

It was fun to learn about the origins and the connections between the runes to the gods and goddesses.

I wish there were more illustrations because this felt a bit text-heavy. It got a little dry, but overall it felt like a good guide to learn about runes.

Thank you to Rockridge Press, Callisto Publisher's Club and Josh Simonds for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review

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[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted to know more about Runes. I became interested after reading Deborah Harkness' book series, a Discovery of Witches. Gallowglass consulted Runes when he had difficult decisions and it sounded fascinating. This book gives very basic instruction what the symbols mean, variations of the alphabets and how various combinations work. The author explains the Norse culture and the magical powers of the Runes. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, pretty good basic introduction for beginners

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have Norse ancestry so when Runes started appearing in my life I paid attention. I was pleased to receive this book for review. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity . .This is the perfect introduction to Runes for a beginner. As a green witch and crystal worker as well as one interested in ancestry I consider runes a necessary part of my education . Several years ago rune sigils began to appear in my life so I knew it was time to pay attention and learn more about runes. I have read a few books about learning the use of runes but this is my favorite by far.

Having not delved far enough into runes to understand their use I was interested in this "beginners' manual so to speak. I found a wealth of information here . I like the format the author created that is well crafted to each reader's understanding. There are three sections. The first is history which is fascinating. The second teaches how the runes are in 3 groups of 8 each and how they are pronounced. ( This is a critical part to learn correctly). This section includes the use in divination and"magic" which I enjoyed learning from the author's viewpoint. The third was my favorite and teaches us what each rune symbolizes. This was most interesting and helps you in your rune practice immensely. To finalize my review I believe this is a outstanding body of work on Runes and the author is a excellent teacher of the craft.

I highly recommend this book and will be adding it in hard copy to my personal magick library.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this Beginner's Rune book. I wished I had read it before The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Runes: Your Complete Guide to the Divination Power of Runes. The only gripe I have with this book (and it's not enough to deduct a star, or even half a star) is that the information about rune layouts and how to pull runes were before the break-down of what each rune means. This is just my personal opinion, it felt like a weird order to me, but nothing major. I really loved how Mr. Simonds writes. You can tell how passionate and knowledgeable he is about the Elder Futhark and Norse history/mythology, which made this a really fun read as well! I highly recommend this book if you are interested in reading the Elder Futhark Runes.

(It only took me so long to read because other things in life happened to interrupt my reading time)

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains a massive amount of information. It goes into the origins of runes, the history, mythology, principles, and a whole lot more. But it does it in such a way that it’s interesting and informative, not boring. There are three major sections: Origin and Types; Practices and Principles; and the Three Aetts which include definitions and pronunciation of individual runes.

What I liked: As noted above, this is easy to read and understand. It gives you good ideas on how to use runes in your daily life. You can read each section individually, but I suggest reading it in the order given helps you understand more. I also liked the resources and references section at the back.

What I didn’t like: Nothing. It’s one of the best books on runes that I’ve read in a while.

Recommendation: A definite add for anyone looking to know more about these mystical symbols.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Simond's Beginner's Guide to Runes is absolutely excellent. I'm someone who has had an interest in runes for years, but haven't taken the plunge, being a tarot junkie instead. :) This book has helped me to get on the road and start my journey. I don't feel confident to cast runes, yet, but understanding the background is getting me on the path to use them in meditation and to start to move forward in relationship with these ancient, powerful symbols. Of particular note is Simonds' reference section, which covers all the bases for a comprehensive Runic, and Norse mythology, background for the seeker. This will remain a reference on my shelf as I seek to learn more and bring these symbols to heart and soul. It is apparent to me that Josh Simonds put much wonderful energy into this book, and blessed those who have read it. Thank you, Callisto, for the review copy!!

[Emma (littledollreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a great time with this book. I initially picked up this book as I heard that casting runes was one way to practice divination and I feel that divination is one of my favorite parts of magic and spirituality. Several spells that I have read through involve inscribing appropriate runes in order to add depth and meaning to the spell. For me it felt wrong to do that without knowing anything about what the runes meant so I decided to read up on them. Runes are fascinating. I like how they came about and think they would be great to do some further study on and incorporate into my divination practices.

[GabbyCamilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book, it is a great beginners guide to runes. It was very easy to follow and I enjoyed the personal touches the author included. You can tell from the writing that the author is really passionate about runes in its entirety. Ofcourse the book does not include the complete Norse Mythology and rune lore, but it gives a very good overview and some advice on where to go search if you want to read more about it. The only thing I was a bit disappointed about, was the lack of mention about reversed runes. I do not recall the author stating anything about it, and I wish he would've mentioned his take on it!

[Weslyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still fairly new to runes and found this book easy to read and incredibly useful. My only issue with it was in chapter six on Heimdall’s Aett. Simonds started referring to them as Hagal’s Aett which I thought was a typo at first (since I know zip about all of this.) After he continued to call them that, I did a quick google search to find out why. It would have saved me a little bit of confusion had he simply said Heimdall *or* Hagal’s Aett in the intro to the chapter.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Elliot Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty solid introduction into runes but I didn't appreciate the repetition of sections or stories. I understand that he intended this book to be read in any order but you didn't need to tell me that Odin hung from Yggdrasil for 9 days and 9 nights 100 times. This also doesn't include any information about rune reversals which is a little strange considering Josh has been reading runes for so long.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

New heathen but old pagan

And this book was so perfect for me answering the call of the runes, my ancestors, and the path I have found. The history and mythos is beautiful and pertinent to things that we experience today. We really aren't that disconnected from our ancestors, but we have to put the modern world to the side sometimes to hear them, to see them. This book helps SO much!!!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

I have always had an interest in runes but not really what they were about. Just how they looked basically and wanting to collect them. This book shares so much detailed information on each kind of rune and a great way to utilize them for max benefit. It is easy to understand and can be a great gift.

[Yvonne Glasgow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love using runes for divination. This book is all you need in ordee to get the most out of your runes, from making runes and practicing rune magic to understanding what message your reading is trying to tell you.

[Graeme Heddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best primers available

Excellent book for the new rune student. Whilst some Kindle Unlimited titles can be a bit, well, amateur, this one isn’t. Extremely well written and offers advice on where to go next on your rune journey. Highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me by the publisher. Part 1, the history, got kind of lengthy. Part 3 was definitely the most interesting to me, it lists the meanings of the runes.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good guide overall. Some conflicting information with other books but thats to be expected so just make sure you cross check while studying!

[FrankyReadsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Indigo Crow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay book. Though I feel like it could've used more detailing and some extra explanation. I felt like everything was explained in the quickest way possible rather than the most effective way possible. But I've found it useful in any case.

[Nicole Bills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a nicely done beginners guide. I love having it in my collection to easily refer to.

[Dana Buchmiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, but some incorrect information on Norse Mythology.

[Viktor House · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty simple and straightforward introduction to the runes, great for a beginner.

[Tom Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginner book!

[Beth Blanchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide

This is a very handy and useful book for learning about runes. As a beginner, all the information here is extremely useful and easy to understand.

[Ramsey Rashelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indepth details

I like how it goes a little indepth of each runes and they backstory and what they represent individual and as a bindrune.

[Sarah Alma Angelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction for beginners: I listened to it on Audible while driving across Sweden!

[Tina Romanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful introduction even on audible without a pdf. The author’s passion for the subject is evident in the enthusiastic connections to myth.

[GritCityWitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digestible Information

Very well written introductory book on runes. The author has made the information easy to understand, and is enjoyable to read. I found it quite resourceful!