Excellent work on runes and very interesting ideas on inner-outer runes and NLP!

Brother, thank you

Blum’s words are lovely too.
And about mass produced plastic runes… I believe it is the symbol that holds the power. Keep your eye singley fixed on good. Perhaps to make them feel more sacred and give them more meaning one can eventually carve their own in stone or wood. You might be amazed at how much life affirming power there is in holding a plastic rune set. Especially for ones who would otherwise not be inclined to carve or purchase a more substantial set.

Also I am the type of women who uses runes to change my life and give it deeper value and meaning. The runes have inspired greatness in me by strengthening my imagination, helping me with my resolve, building my constitution.. and other greatnesses.

I have yet to read Keadrich’s book, but am already grateful and happier knowing it exists. Thank you.

This is important to understand. You said that you wanted to know the truth in this “disgusting world.” I know that some days I feel very saddened by the awful things people do to each other and this very beautiful planet we inhabit. The ‘truth’ is not necessarly very comforting and as a medium, the runes are not a osft vehicle. They come from a northern reality where survival was often harsh – just in terms of the climate. The runes will not use pretty wrapping on the insights they offer. At the same time, at the core of the values they represent, is the energy of WUNJO – the joy of simply being and SOWELO the striving for healing and wholeness. Personally, I fing the values that underly all of the runes helpful in understanding the world in which we live in both the positive and negative aspects. This does not reduce the ugliness present, but it does also highlight the joy and beauty.

Hope you will keep visiting Rune Secrets and commenting more.

I really do think the runes are worth pursuing… and your pursuit of truth fits well with them. I’m both a skeptic and a believer, I often say “an open mind is half closed.” That means you have to be open to the unknown and unexpected but sometimes guarded against the opinions and beliefs of others.

The most important thing is to think for yourself. If something makes sense to you, pursue it. If it fits, if it works with what you already know, take it and leave what doesn’t fit.

In a way, the runes are a reflection of what you bring to them. They are great for self discovery and for introspection. I find I am able to look at them as a type of magic, and a type of psychology at the same time.

They are symbols that allow you to explore important concepts that are vital to living. They’re not a religion or a cult, in and of themselves, though there are some groups that use them.

The runes are a solitary experience a lot of the time. I know that they are used for divination or fortune telling, of course, but I mostly use them to explore.

This curiosity, this desire to explore, and a passion for truth and beauty… I really think that the runes are well suited for an individual who values these things :)

Hope to see you around the site, Erika! Thanks for commenting.

I’m still learning about how to handle comments on a site where so many hold strong opinions. I’m not of the mind the censor anyone or immediately judge their position…

… but that said, I will side with Mahryan (of course) and be much less tolerant of ignorant, hateful comments.

If you post, be prepared to say more than what ‘Mannaz’ originally offered, which was basically: ‘This book must suck because it’s the type of book bought by ‘women who are willing to try anything’.’

I bought Kaedrich’s book, and I hardly agree with that attitude. We can learn a lot from Kaedrich’s honesty and humility, never mind the creativity and virtue he brings to investigation.

Thorsson rubs off too, and yes, he too has a particular attitude. Preferring Flowers/Thorsson over another author is just that: a PREFERENCE… an opinion.

Mannaz (can’t imagine why he chose that name, unless it is a state to aim for) apparently is dismissive of women just because they are female. We, he appears to think, are incapable of deeper contemplation than Blum and plastic runes as we are “willing to try anything (even ancient symbols) to sort things out in their lives”. I am especially disappointed that Tyriel would follow such a remark by replying that Mannaz “had a point.” Fortunately for the (slight) chances of human survival and growth,there are also some men who are more open to considering anything that might help them sort through the life they find themselves within.

As for Blum’s work, it may differ from the traditional – that must have been one heck of a road trip – nevertheless, his thoughts and explorations deserve respect – a core runic value. I also fail to follow Mannez’s point about using or not using runes to change one’s life. The use of runes is (or should be) part of a life path in which we make a concious choice to work daily towards the core values they represent and towards full understanding of their concept in the multiverse.

I want to see more – many people commenting on this site, which has important thoughts and insights for ‘beginners’ or ‘experienced’ runesters -whatever those words actually mean in terms of the many lives any of us may bring with us when we pick up the runes in this one. I for one beleive that there is learning potential in all things. Please, those of you who are women, and those men who truly seek with open minds, do not be put off from commenting on this site, by this less than considerate exchange over what should have been received and recognized as a generous gift to the site. Keadrich, I haven’t had a chance to consider your writing yet, but I will. Thank you for sharing it with us.

-Mahryan

I’ve read Flowers a bit, I recall reading an interview with him. I’ve read his stuff under Thorsson too. I don’t have much trouble with it, myself, but he is needlessly academic sometimes… I wonder if he could write a simple sentence without complicating it somehow ;)

I’m going to check out that Semiotic book you mentioned though.

Have you ever read Guido von List’s stuff? I haven’t (yet) though I’ve seen some interesting quotations.

I don’t have a problem PER SE with the occult/new age paperbacks… with this site, at least, I’m trying to strike a balance. The material on Rune Secrets is not exactly beginner level, but I’d like to think that it’d still be accessible to someone only just beginning.

If you feel like spending some time giving my work (the stuff written here is all my original notes and writings) a critique, you could email me at runesecrets@gmail.com … or I welcome you to comment and be challenging in what you say. I know you LIKE the site, or you wouldn’t be here, so more substantial criticism is very appreciated. ;)

Thanks for keeping up this dialogue, Mannaz.