Rune Magicks
                               by Balder

There are many ways to use Runes, either by themselves or with other techniques
that can enhance your work. One such way is to focus on a single Rune itself and 
call upon it to help effect the change required or strengthen the energy. 
Another way is to use several runes in a line (much like a typical casting) to 
shape the energy around or in the work you are doing. Yet another is to combine 
runes into a single shape. These are known as binding Runes. The last is to 
write out a word or group of words, spelled in the rune staves, and either 
carved, painted, or written down on parchment.

Below I've listed some examples of Rune Magick in typical spell work. The use of 
Runes will start to come naturally to you once you have spent time on them. Like 
beginning any thing new, start with simple things. Don't get too complex until 
you're understanding of the Rune is clear. There are, in the sagas, tales of the 
inexperienced Runester carving Runes for a well intended purpose and winding up 
with disastrous results.

I recommend focusing on each Rune, one at a time. Use them in simple divination 
and meditate on each staves shape. Note the flow, their relationship, the "tone" 
that each one has. There are both the elements of sheer strength and hidden 
subtleties to look for. Like the rushing stream, there is both the power of the 
movement and the delicacy of life hidden beneath. Or conversely, the seemingly 
gentle appearance and the powerful current below.

Candle Magick

Prepare your altar or space, set the lights dim or use lighting by candles only. 
Play soft music in the background, I recommend instrumental or non-lingual 
vocals. Select the type of candle you wish to use, depending on its purpose. 
Carve on the can

dle a binding rune upon it, or you can instead carve the purpose of the candle 
in rune staves (E.g. Health).

Set the candle down for a moment and concentrate on your intent. Gather your 
energy, pick up the candle, and charge it. The runes will help shape the energy 
you send it into its pattern. Set the candle down and meditate on it for a 
moment, then light it.

The runes will partially insure the energy you sent into is shaped to its 
pattern. This focuses the energy into a very tightly knit band that is very 
difficult to disturb. Thus, the work you've just performed is less inclined to 
break down due to forces of entropy.

Charging Oils

How you prepare your oils and what type to use is strictly up to you. Some 
extract the oil from their own garden of herbs and plants. While I admire such 
dedication, many of us rarely have the time or resources to dedicate to such 
purity. One must bear in mind though, that what one puts in to their efforts 
will be returned.

I usually purchase my oils from a source that knows the difference between good 
oils and cheap ones. To those just starting I might point out that you should 
stay clear from synthetic based Essentials and stick to the natural Essential 
oils. In my industry there's also a known acronym "GIGO", Garbage In, Garbage 
Out.

Set about your workspace the Runes you wish to invoke. I frequently use another 
set of Rune stones that I use for spell work. Blend your oil using the base of 
your choice, if its meant to be worn. Otherwise, combine your oils carefully. 
After pouring the oil into its vial, meditate on the Runes you've selected and 
the energy you wish to send. Charge the oil, hold it, and set it down carefully. 
At this point I like to let the oil set overnight, with the Runes surrounding 
it. The cone formed by the Runes surrounding the vial help protect it and lets 
it "mature" to its fullest potential.

Optional: If you wish to go a step further, you can write your spell to which 
you are preparing your oils in Runes, usually on parchment. The spell can be 
prose, verse, a single word, or a binding rune. Anoint the parchment with a 
touch of the oil. Set the parchment in your cauldron and light the paper. This 
acts as the initialization of the oil, activating it.

Sealing Your Home

Its good to protect your home every so often. Many of us absorb a lot from our 
environment and as such we should do as much as we can to insure our comfort and 
protection. Sealing one's home is really setting up filters on all points of 
entry. These filter allow the positive energy to flow in while preventing the 
negative from gaining entry. In some cases you may also wish to limit what you 
allow out. No need letting the neighbors get hit with whatever you're sending...

What you use in this as a medium is completely up to you. I use incense ash, 
others use oils. For the doors, you can use a cord knot or a mounted plate with 
your Runes carved on them. This technique will use the ashes, and can be 
combined with the more traditional Smudging.

In candle light, with soft music, draw your circle and create your sacred space. 
Start with the shielding and protection of your space. Light your incense. The 
kind you use is strictly up to you. Keep in mind, however, that you are doing a 
protection spell. If you wish to add other elements to that, such as cleansing, 
feel free. Again, sometimes it is better to keep it simple, and there for 
minimize the chance of confusing the spell.

As the incense burns, expand the walls of your circle slightly. Meditate on the 
feeling of being within that space while the incense burns. When the incense has 
stopped burning, and you have adequate ashes, you can let your circle down. Go 
with the burner and mark each door and window frame with your Runes. Elhaz and 
Thuriwaz are the most "protection" or "defense" attributed. "Uruz" can also be 
invoked, albeit cautiously so, and "Othila" can be as well..

Enchanting an Item

The purpose of carving Runes on specific objects is to essentially bless and 
dedicate them to their specific tasks. The Runes are either that of invocation 
to make their attributes purer, stronger, and more reliable. Enchanting ones 
drinking horn or sword was an extremely common practice. Drinking horns were 
carved to enchant the drink it held, or to detect poison. Usually sounding horns 
were carved to sound true and over long distances.

For Swords, the enchanting normally called upon its strength, sureness of 
stroke, sharpness, etc.. Blades were also named, for naming a thing gave it its 
identity and personality. To this end we have essentially created something 
which is partially "aware" in the astral realm. Name usually corresponded with 
its function or desired result. "Helm Splitter", "Ever Bright" , etc.. In the 
case of my ceremonial sword, I have named it "Veil Cleaver" for its ability to 
define and cut through the "veils" of reality and the planes on which we work.

Start with candle light, incense, and low playing music. Music for this type of 
work may be a Richard Wagner piece.. (that's pronounced Rikhard Vaagner). With 
all elements and tools within your reach, create your Sacred Space. Open a path 
to your patron deity and ask for their guidance. Offer up the item and call upon 
those you wish to help enchant it. Each deity has their own particularities and 
qualities, remember the path you choose and why you are dedicating this.

On smudge the item with the incense. This should be prepared for cleansing the 
item and help bias it with the properties you will later instill (i.e. Astral, 
Truth, Defense, Healing). Hold the object close and let your energy wash it. 
Fill it with the energy you wish it to have. Like the candle or the oils, what 
we need to possess qualities we must first place therein.

After charging the item, meditate on it. Visualize your use of it. Walk though 
its properties and how it helps you. Pick it up again and continue to reflect on 
these visions, the feelings. We are programming it, making it our own, and 
fashioning its purpose. Once done, paint or carve the Runes you have already 
designed. Unless your instinct is well defined, I strongly recommend thinking 
Very carefully before marking any object irrevocably. Not only physical marks, 
but the astral marks it will bear from the energy you are etching upon it.

Upon finishing the Runes, seal it with an oil or the drop of wax. This in effect 
states you are clearly finished with that phase of the rite, putting the period 
to the binding of the Rune. Sit a while, meditate, clear your mind and feel the 
object. Sense it in the now, and beyond. Open your channels and see how it moves 
energy. After satisfactory calm and meditation, lay the object down, clean your 
circle, and close. Let the object "cool" overnight.

Other Tips

As I stated previously, all the efforts you put into something is what you can 
expect back. IF you feel comfortable, you can start more complex rituals and 
Rune Magicks by tying them in with other elements such as Moon phases, 
Astrology, Crystals and stones, group circle rituals, etc...