It was the early ’80’s and I was twelve years old, at the mall, and looking for a birthday gift for my mother. I wanted to get her something special – it had been a hard year or so for both of us. My parents had separated, and although we were all pleased about that, it meant that in the months before the family home sold and Mum could buy the small place in the western part of the city, close to the trees and beaches that she dreamed of, things had been tight.
Finally though, we’d moved, and Mum had found a job that suited her – her first time working since a teenager. She had five kids and hadn’t worked since before she’d married at the age of nineteen. I wanted to get her something that she’d really use, something that suited her.
Because I was me, however, I was looking in the bookshop. Mum barely ever read a book, but I was still hopeful I’d find something for her. Perhaps a magasine subscription, although that might cost more than I had saved. My father gave me a little money each week, and I’d been putting it aside for a couple months.
I saw it then. The perfect gift.
The Book of Runes, by Ralph Blum. I turned the box over in my hands, excited. Not only did it contain a guide book, but it had the set of 25 runes. I’d never heard of them, but I didn’t have to – it said there, right on the box, what they were.
A Handbook for the Use of an Ancient Oracle: The Viking Runes.
– the photo here is of that very same set. All these years later I still have and use the rune stones. Although these days, when I want to look up a meaning, I use the one I wrote myself.
My mother had been using the Tarot since before I was born. There had even visits to various Tarot readers in person. I was familiar with the cards and whenever she let me I was frowning over them, sifting through them, trying to learn what they meant, how to use them.
Another sort of oracle was right up my mother’s alley. The Viking Runes sounded pretty impressive. A bit of Viking spirit wouldn’t go amiss in this new life we were both getting used to.
Best of all, I had enough money to buy them.
Four years later, my mum died in an unfortunate accident, and I inherited the Runes. I’d been right about her liking them though – she’d used them a lot. They went on to become my favourite oracle.
I never did upgrade from using the Ralph Blum book though, and even though used them constantly and I later played around with making my own sets of runes from wood and stone, I never did get around to learning much more about the runes, their history, or anything more than their two or three line traditional meanings – which were what I used in the Wilde Grove books, to write my rune interpretations.
I’ve had a lot of emails and suchlike over the last couple years asking for book recommendations for working with runes, and I’m always a little amused at having to admit I don’t have any I can recommend as I’ve never read any. Fortunately for us all, other people have.
Here are the recommendations from one person who knows much more than I do:
The 10 Best Books on the Runes – Norse Mythology for Smart People (norse-mythology.org)
If you have a favourite, please share your knowledge in the comments!
I’m doing a lot of writing at the moment, working on both The North Star (Book 5 of the Wilde Grove series) and the screenplay of The Gathering. I’m finding that there isn’t as much mental juice left over for blog posts as I had hoped. I’ll continue with them as and when I can, but I’ve been thinking it might be fun to talk to you all. Perhaps we can do a couple zoom calls (or similar – I shall investigate) a month, making sure we cover time zones as best as possible, and giving you an opportunity to ask me things. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, do let me know. And if so, start thinking of whatever it could be that you might like me to talk about, or questions about the books or my practice or any related thing that you might like me to have a go at. I’ll look forward to seeing what you think of this idea!
Katherine Genet is the author of the Wilde Grove fiction series. She has been walking a pagan path for 30 years and is a shamanic Druid, spirit worker, and priestess of Elen of the Ways.
I love the idea of monthly ZOOM meet ups ????
I love the idea of monthly ZOOM meet ups ????
I love the idea of monthly ZOOM meet ups ????
Love the idea of zoom meet up!
Do you have any pla to come to the UK any time soon?
Perhaps in the second half of 2024. It depends on how the writing is going. I hope so, though. To the US also.
I love the idea of monthly ZOOM meet ups ????
That’s awesome. I think it could be fun. And it would be nice to talk instead of write!
Love the idea of zoom meet up!
Do you have any pla to come to the UK any time soon?
Perhaps in the second half of 2024. It depends on how the writing is going. I hope so, though. To the US also.
“Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers” by “Freya Aswynn”
and
“Taking Up the Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic” by “Diana L Paxson”
Oh yes, I’ve heard particularly that Diana Paxon’s books are good. Thanks for adding to the list!
That you know is the same Diana L. Paxon that co wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley in the Mists of Avalon series?
I do think so, yes.
“Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers” by “Freya Aswynn”
and
“Taking Up the Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic” by “Diana L Paxson”
Oh yes, I’ve heard particularly that Diana Paxon’s books are good. Thanks for adding to the list!
That you know is the same Diana L. Paxon that co wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley in the Mists of Avalon series?
I do think so, yes.
Hello Katherine, I would love to be on a zoom call with you and the community.
That’s wonderful!
Hello Katherine, I would love to be on a zoom call with you and the community.
That’s wonderful!
I notice that the linked article recommends books by Edred Thorsson. For those who aren’t familiar with him, Edred Thorsson (Stephen Flowers) has had long-standing ties to white supremacist groups such as the Asatru Folk Assembly, which actually owns the rights to many of his books. While they’ve been popular for a long while, purchasing his books helps fund white supremacist movements.
That is good to know, thank you for that. Definitely not something we want to support.
Kelley Harrell has written in depth about runes and shamanic practices at https://www.soulintentarts.com/. She includes a weekly rune commentary in her newsletter, too.
Perfect! I shall look it up. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Kelley Harrell has written in depth about runes and shamanic practices at https://www.soulintentarts.com/. She includes a weekly rune commentary in her newsletter, too.
Perfect! I shall look it up. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Love the idea of a monthly zoom call and am excited for the gathering coming to screen too x. I sooo love your books x
Love the idea of a monthly zoom call and am excited for the gathering coming to screen too x. I sooo love your books x
Glad you think it sounds like a good idea – I think we will have to make it happen. It will be a long time until it gets to the screen, but I’m hopeful and excited that it will.
That is good to know, thank you for that. Definitely not something we want to support.
I have also had a set of the Ralph Blum runes and book for many years although I do not use them regularly, but I do recommend them as a good starting point. I had been fascinated by the idea or runes for some time before I came across the set and found it easy to use and understand.
I have also had a set of the Ralph Blum runes and book for many years although I do not use them regularly, but I do recommend them as a good starting point. I had been fascinated by the idea or runes for some time before I came across the set and found it easy to use and understand.
Would love monthly (or even quarterly depending on how busy you are) meetups on Zoom to connect with the whole community.
I’ve only just discovered your books and website so I’m late to this blog post but I’d love regular zoom meet ups too x
Would love monthly (or even quarterly depending on how busy you are) meetups on Zoom to connect with the whole community.
I like “The Book of Rune Secrets” by Tyriel.
And Yes! to finding ways to gather! It would be so lovely to do so.