Lets talk Runes!

[Lilium of the Valley]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

No, not scrambled eggs (not sure if I mean the same thing by this so will try and explain) you use raw egg yolk mixed with pigment to create a paint. Don't use the yolk on the wood otherwise, only with pigment to make a paint.

If you cut wooden discs, you could use linseed with the pigment instead, or you could use linseed in order to strengthen the runes by just rubbing it in (it can take ages to dry).

You don't have to use blood to paint the runes - a drop on each would suffice as part of an empowering ritual, and you could paint or burn the symbols onto the runes themselves.

Menstrual blood would probably be quite acceptable if you don't want to cut yourself.

ooooh ok...now i get it lol thanks allot for explaining. i had gotten a little lost there for a minute

[Maria de Luna]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

alternately if one didnt want to draw god knows how much blood to cover the entire rune set.

If you like the blood idea, menstrual blood happens totally naturally, you dont have to cut yourself, and has for a really long time been used as offering and in magical applications by women. It is a major connection with life-force and has some really spectacular birthing symbology for creating something, or birthing your runes, clearly, as with any application of blood be sure to use care, and after imbuing you runes with said blood beeswax and linseed oil would be a lovely way to keep them preserved. Just don't do anything you are uncomfortable with if the blood idea, eigther pricking skin or menstrual, makes your skin crawl, it will likely continue to skeeve you out. If ya don't like it, dont do it! :P

[volcaniclastic]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

If you like the blood idea, menstrual blood happens totally naturally, you dont have to cut yourself, and has for a really long time been used as offering and in magical applications by women. It is a major connection with life-force and has some really spectacular birthing symbology for creating something, or birthing your runes, clearly, as with any application of blood be sure to use care, and after imbuing you runes with said blood beeswax and linseed oil would be a lovely way to keep them preserved. Just don't do anything you are uncomfortable with if the blood idea, eigther pricking skin or menstrual, makes your skin crawl, it will likely continue to skeeve you out. If ya don't like it, dont do it! :P

Ewwww....

I'd rather cut myself than touch menstrual blood. So icky!

[maybeimawitch]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

Eh, i put mine in the compost. It's an excellent fertiliser

[Nerá]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

Eff this blood nonsense. I like my blood inside of me.

What she said.

[Maria de Luna]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

Ewwww....

I'd rather cut myself than touch menstrual blood. So icky!

At least its supposed to be comming out, its less icky then cutting yourself and getting an infection, but not for everyone :P also its a total non-option for dudes...

[Lilium of the Valley]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

Ewwww....

I'd rather cut myself than touch menstrual blood. So icky!

that one i gotta agree with...that's most def not my thing...

[Ula]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

I mixed a few drops of blood with the red ocher when I did my runes and I use a drop of blood in water as an offering to them. Some see the runes as not just symbols but individual spirits or wights. I used blood in my naming ceremony for my athame too. I don't use menstrual blood for any of that since it's "dead".

[StormBringer]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

it's great that you're wanting to make your own. Here is my two cents on the matter.

Firstly, runes should always be personal while it's great to just use the viking/etc ones that float around, I've always felt that one should make them yours, perhaps a good starting idea would be to look at the runes of many cultures as a lot of languages go back to pictograms. Find a source that truly sticks to you and add small touches to make them unique. Id also suggest getting a very soft wood to start with maybe pine or similar, using wood chisels (can get them in most hobby shops) Practice a bit to get the feel for it and see where you want to take them.

Secondly, have you considered making your own dye for it in the old manner with pigments, oil, boiling water and so forth? Doing that you could perhaps put a few drops of blood into the mix overall. there are a lot of simple dye mixtures you can do to figure out how it works, maybe even choose a color that suits what you're looking for.

[Lilium of the Valley]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

it's great that you're wanting to make your own. Here is my two cents on the matter.

Firstly, runes should always be personal while it's great to just use the viking/etc ones that float around, I've always felt that one should make them yours, perhaps a good starting idea would be to look at the runes of many cultures as a lot of languages go back to pictograms. Find a source that truly sticks to you and add small touches to make them unique. Id also suggest getting a very soft wood to start with maybe pine or similar, using wood chisels (can get them in most hobby shops) Practice a bit to get the feel for it and see where you want to take them.

Secondly, have you considered making your own dye for it in the old manner with pigments, oil, boiling water and so forth? Doing that you could perhaps put a few drops of blood into the mix overall. there are a lot of simple dye mixtures you can do to figure out how it works, maybe even choose a color that suits what you're looking for.

thanks for the great reply!!! ive already started "messing" around with a few ideas...practicing with my wood burner...so i dont mess them up. love the idea of using a home made dye...do you have a good idea on how to make one?? or does anyone else know one? maybe a website that explains some stuff on that behalf or even a book?? that would be awesome.

[Rae'ya]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

I don't know any recipes for dyes but I just wanted to add my two cents.

I'm in the process of making a new set of runes and they will be blooded. I use blood in my magickal and runic practices as was as offering it regularly to certain deities and to the runespirits before each cast. Blood is an integral part of my practice but I know that the idea makes lots of people squirm. It's debated whether blooding runes is 'traditional' or not. Technically, it's debated whether the runes are actually the 'signs' that were used for divination at all. I'm not rec-con, and as far as I'm concerned what the runes want from me is between them and me. So do what you feel comfortable with and what your relationship with the runes suggests you do.

[Rick]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

Let me first address a common misconception about using stones or rocks to make runes. The term "runestones" refers to large, sometimes even monolithic-sized memorial stones carved with runes & found across Europe, Western Asia, Northern Africa, & North America. There is no historical evidence of "casting" runes made out of stones.

Traditionally, runes are carved into wood (Tacitus tells us in Germania that the wood of a fruit-bearing tree is used). Making a set of runes re-enacts the Teutonic creation story. The three brothers Odin, Vili and Ve created the First Man, Ask, from an ash tree & the First Woman, Embla, from an elm. Ve (or Vili, I can never keep those two straight) gave Shape & Form, Vili (or Ve) gave Life Fluid (in the story, its spit, but it's symbolic of blood, or maybe semen), & Odin breathed ond

My motto: be practical.

Again, think practical.

[Heka]

Re: Lets talk Runes!

For me all I ever wanted, all that ever felt right was hematite runes. Yes hematite (I'm a big rock person). And when I found a set I bought them. Love love love love love! They are all different shapes and sizes, no uniformity at all, beautiful things I keep in a Baggie on my altar. I would love to make my own wood ones, but to be honest I'm far to lazy and they wouldn't get used in favour of my hematite ones. I just have a connection with my rocks.

In terms of use, I've used them for divining, amulets, spells, inspiration, prayer, writing, anything that I needed that I could use runes for. Fascinating creatures.

Also, I'm an elder futhark kinda gal.

also this website is the bomb: sunnyway.com/runes