This little volume provides a useful introduction and guide to the ancient runes of the Germanic peoples. It discusses the origins and meaning of all the known runes, and includes text and translations of rune poems and riddles from England, Norway amd Iceland, as well as two short essays on The Norfolk TIW runes' and The Brandon runes'.

Offers a full introduction to and survey of runes and runology: their history, how they were used, and their interpretation. Runes, often considered magical symbols of mystery and power, are in fact an alphabetic form of writing. Derived from one or more Mediterranean prototypes, they were used by Germanic peoples to write different kinds of Germanic language, principally Anglo-Saxon and the various Scandinavian idioms, and were carved into stone, wood, bone, metal, and other hard surfaces; types of inscription range from memorials to the dead, through Christian prayers and everyday messages to crude graffiti. First reliably attested in the second century AD, runes were in due course supplanted by the roman alphabet, though in Anglo-Saxon England they continued in use until the early eleventh century, inScandinavia until the fifteenth (and later still in one or two outlying areas). This book provides an accessible, general account of runes and runic writing from their inception to their final demise. It also covers modern uses of runes, and deals with such topics as encoded texts, rune names, how runic inscriptions were made, runological method, and the history of runic research. A final chapter explains where those keen to see runic inscriptions can most easily find them. Professor MICHAEL P, BARNES is Emeritus Professor of Scandinavian Studies, University College London.

This dictionary and thesaurus makes accessible the core vocabulary relating to Anglo-Saxon life and culture. Words in the dictionary are encoded for easy cross-reference to the thesaurus which has over fifty headings, such as art, church, evil, kin, time, warfare, wealth and so on.

Reveals the ancient oracle based on the runic Elder Futhark alphabet of the Norse.

An accessible, in-depth exploration of the runes as a living spiritual tradition. Diana Paxson has distilled her many years of experience working with the runes into this essential source book. Readers will learn the historical meaning of each individual rune and its use and meaning now, in contemporary culture. But, Paxson reveals, the real power of the runes comes from internalizing them and using their symbols as sources of wisdom and power. At the end of each chapter are rituals and spells for all levels of ability that aim to help internalize the attributions, meanings, symbolism, and use of the runes. Everything regarding runes is covered in this definitive workbook, from the history of runes and how to make your own rune sets, to how to work with them on a psychic, spiritual, and magical level.

Runes are the ancient Norse alphabet used for communication, divination, and magical work. In Futhark, American runologist Edred Thorsson introduces readers to the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark, their definitions, and mystic properties. The runic system of magic and mysticism is one of the most powerful forms of metaphysical thought available to the Western world. This bestselling classic book on Runes continues to be required reading for those who seek true knowledge of the mystery of the Runes. Thorsson's presentation of this powerful system is lucid and profound and provides a valuable tool for spiritual transformation and self-development.

This new survey takes into account recent finds from Britain, Scandinavia and the Continent together with new interpretations of old finds. It investigates the reasons for the creation of the script and who used it, and traces the runes' transition from the secret of a closed social class to the common property of entire societies.

This short book does not aim to provide a grammar of Old English. Rather it suggests why the language is so fun to learn, and guides the beginner through some of the resources available from the Early Medieval world. The types of text surviving are discussed and a few guided exercises show how reading these is really no more difficult than studying Latin.

A comprehensive and detailed examination of every aspect of the early English approach to illness and healing, including a full list of the plants used and the properties they contain. Other themes include witchcraft, magic and paganism and appendices present healing theories, amulets, causes of disease, charms, dreams, omens and tree-lore. Three key Old English texts are reproduced in full, accompanied by new translations: Bald's Third Leechbook, the Lacnunga Manuscript, and 'The Old English Herbarium' Manuscript 5. This is a fascinating work of reference, packed full of information and interesting details.

A complete, well presented and easy to use Old English language course which contains all the exercises and texts needed to learn Old English. The course has been designed to be of help to a wide range of students, from those who are teaching themselves at home, to undergraduates who are learning Old English as part of their English degree course. The author is aware that some students have difficulty learning languages and that many have trouble with grammar. To help overcome these problems he has adopted a step by step approach that enables students of differing abilities to advance at their own pace. The course contains exercises designed to aid the learning process.