Study of Ancient Runes First Years Lesson 2 Date: July 8, 2005.

This is the second lesson of the class along with the HW. REMEMBER: NO copying and NO cheating!

Second Lesson: Runes and it's history and origin. Part II.

As far as the runes being used as an alphabet it eventually became in no longer use because the Roman alphabet started becoming the more preferred script for writing. However, their forms and meanings were preserved in inscriptions and manuscripts. Used by the northern Germanic tribes of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Northern Germany. Some runes symbols are likely to have been acquired from other alphabets, such as the Greek, Etruscan, and the Early Roman. The runes were made of straight lines to make the characters suitable for cutting into wood or stone. The runes being used as an alphabet it eventually became in no longer use because the Roman alphabet started becoming the more preferred script for writing. However, their forms and meanings were preserved in inscriptions and manuscripts.

So how did magic folk use these ancient runes back then? The runes were used in many different ways. You will even find that it is linked with some other different branch of magic. They wrote secret messages that only those that knew them could unlock it. Used it for charms or amulets and in rituals. It can also be used for healing or guidance, things like that. They also used it for spells and Runic Divination (rune casting). Runic Divination is not "fortune telling" in the sense that one can see the future. Instead, runes give one a means of analyzing the path that one is on and a likely outcome. The future is not fixed. It changes with everything one does. If one does not like the prediction, one can always change paths. Kind of like seeking advice. Sometimes the readings may not be clear. The runes may throw hints but you have to figure out the details. Some even say it was used for dark magic but I assure you none of it will be taught here.

For the Shaman, runes are used for healing powers or for divination. Both are achieved either by spirit possession or by the departure of the shaman's soul to heaven or to the underworld. Attempts to explain the shamans and their cures have been numerous.

Each translates into a word or a phrase signifying concepts important to the early peoples who used them, representing the forces of nature and mind. (Objects, People, Animals etc) Each rune has a story attached to it, a relationship to a Norse God.

The Runic Revival

The runes remained in common use up until the 17th century. Until that time they were found on wood to stone. From coffins and coins; almost everywhere. The runes were used for public and private interest. It was common to see someone perform a simple runic spell. Unfortunately, as with most (if not all) magic arts, they were officially banned in 1639 as though to some people it was thought of as evil. The rune masters were either executed or went underground. No wonder the Ministry of Magic wants to keep magic seperate from the Muggle community.

Perhaps the darkest period in the history of runic studies was their revival by German scholars connected with the Nazi movement in the 20's and 30's. What began as a legitimate folkloric activity, unfortunately became so corrupted by Nazi ideology and racism that the research from this period was rendered all but useless to any serious student of runic lore. After WWII many seemed to disfavor using Runes or even studying them because they were connected with Nazism. It wasn't until the mid 80's when the runes were yet again used. The widespread of the "New Age" movement runes regained their popularity for use in Runic divination or by other magical means.

1. Name the tribes that were said that runes have been used by.

2. Why was the runes carved into wood or stone?

3. Name two different ways the runes were used by magic folk.

4. What is Runic Divination also called?

5. What do the runes represent in general?

Extra Credit- Briefly state what was the Runic Revival with the information that I have given.

Please send all assignments or for homework help to Destiny34567. Don't forget to include the assignment, your name and house.

July 8 Homework Received.

Gryffindor: :(

Ravenclaw: sarika_ambrielle, selinateo, alexalexalex234

Hufflepuff: :(

Slytherin: x_kisseshugs_o