Rune Magic

by Donald Tyson

This book is about the magical alphabet of the Northern European peoples - its background, history, use in ritual and divination, and its meaning. The runes are fully integrated into modern Western occult practice. A fascinating ritual method is presented which clearly shows how a rune ritual may be patterned. Drawing upon historical records, poetic fragments, and the informed study of scholars, Rune Magic resurrects the ancient techniques of rune magic which until now have generally been assumed lost in time. It integrates these methods with modern occultism so that anyone can fit the runes into a personal magical system. It gives for the first time all known and conjectured meanings of all 33 extant runes. A complete mythic background is presented that places the runes in the context in which they evolved and were used. In addition, a concise mnemonic exposition of the magical method is provided that will prove invaluable to anyone trying to understand how magic is worked. The ancient method of divination by rune wands is clearly explained, along with two easier and more modern methods using cards and dice. A technique of mirror skrying - which has rarely been revealed with any degree of clarity - is offered whereby the runes may be explored astrally, and 24 rune worlds are outlined. All the known information on the ancient meaning and use of the runes is condensed in a readable and easily accessible format, allowing you to arrive at your own personal understanding of rune magic.

Genres: Occult, Divination

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

Donald Tyson is a Canadian from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early in life he was drawn to science by an intense fascination with astronomy, building a telescope by hand when he was eight. He began university seeking a science degree, but became disillusioned with the aridity and futility of a mechanistic view of the universe and shifted his major to English. After graduating with honors he has pursued a writing career.

Now he devotes his life to the attainment of a complete gnosis of the art of magic in theory and practice. His purpose is to formulate an accessible system of personal training composed of East and West, past and present, that will help the individual discover the reason for one's existence and a way to fulfill it.

Reviews

[David]

If you're serious about runes you need to read everything you can get your hand on. But don't stop at this book. Please move on to someone like Edred Thorsson. This book really isn't scholarly. It's a bit of fun, but fairly fluffy like many other books in Llewellyn's "Practical Magick" series.

[Andy Mchugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much Golden Dawn. So many rules. Rather competent at the start but preachy and injured as it goes on. There’s one passage which is hilariously anti-marriage and pretty much screams 1989. After a while my Interest flagged and then I decided I have had enough of it. Time to put it back in the library.

[Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are wanting to further your study of the runes, beyond Ralph Blum, then this book is a good place to start. This book is more for the serious rune caster.

[Ruth Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Open minded Viking, to a family of Gypsy's, and now new jersey USA.
Live life and follow your ancestry, good reads.

[Sadra Hesabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

To my knowledge, this is the most complete and accurate book on Runes. The introduction is well written, and in each chapter a new aspect of runes will reveal to you.

[Nat.]

very shallow mix of golden dawn magic muddled up with some theories of asatru = garbage