I came across the term "Practitioners of Magic" in the popular Series "The Witcher" being mentioned as "incanting in Elder". I was quite intrigued and marvelled at the episode writer's terminology "Elder".
Although I have read extensively on "The World of Witches" and Celtic, Scandinavian/Norse Mythology/Literature, Signs and Symbols and have 15 of the World's best Tarot Decks and Greenman Tree and Buddha and Kabala Oracles, I 'ching etc. in my personal library, I felt inclined to find out where the term "Elder" originally came from.
I found out that "Elder" and "Younger" were terms used in the description of Runes - an ancient form of Divination.
I was disappointed to find that on browsing through my "Divination" library, I did not have anything on Runes.
I have promptly ordered a whole set of Rune books and Runic Glass Tiles for my personal research.
The Header shows the Reverses of the six Runic alphabets. An inscription reads - CAST RUNES.
What is a Rune Reading?
"Rune Reading", also called "Rune Casting", is a divination tool that uses stones with symbols to answer questions about the querent's past, present, and future.
Rune stones can also help the querent to get clarification or advice on how to address an issue or problem.
More about Runes:
A Rune is a letter in a set of related alphabets known as Runic Alphabets originally known to the Germanic peoples.
Runes were used to write Germanic languages (with some exceptions) before they adopted the Latin alphabet, and for specialised purposes thereafter.
In addition to representing a sound value (a phoneme), Runes can be used to represent the concepts after which they are named (Ideographs). They are referred to as "Begriffsrunen" ('Concept Runes').
The Scandinavian variants are also known as "futhark or fuþark" (derived from their first six letters of the script: F, U, Þ, A, R, and K) while the Anglo-Saxon variant is "futhorc or fuþorc" (due to sound-changes undergone in Old English by the names of those six letters).
Runology is the academic study of the runic alphabets, runic inscriptions, runestones, and their history. Runology forms a specialised branch of Germanic philology.
Historic evolution of the Runes for Divination:
The earliest secure runic inscriptions date from around AD 150, with a potentially earlier inscription dating to AD 50 and Tacitus's potential description of Rune use dates from around AD 98 (Tacitus was a Roman historian and politician (56-120 AD).
The Svingerud Runestone dates from between AD 1 to 250.
Runes were generally replaced by the Latin alphabet as the cultures that had used runes became Christians, by approximately AD 700 in central Europe and 1100 in Northern Europe.
Nevertheless, the use of runes persisted for specialised purposes beyond this period.
Until the early 20th century, runes were still used in rural Sweden for decorative purposes in Dalarna and on runic calendars.
The three best-known runic alphabets are the Elder Futhark (c. AD 150–800), the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (400–1100), and the Younger Futhark (800–1100).
The Younger Futhark is divided further into the long-branch runes (also called Danish, although they were also used in Norway, Sweden, and Frisia), short-branch or Rök runes (also called Swedish-Norwegian, although they were also used in Denmark); and the Stavlösa or Hälsinge runes (staveless runes).
The Younger Futhark developed further into the Medieval Runes (1100–1500), and the Dalecarlian Runes (c. 1500–1800).
The development of the early runic alphabet is lost in the mists of time, but the script ultimately stems from the Phoenician alphabet.
Early runes may have developed from the Raetic, Venetic, Etruscan, or Old Latin.
At the time, all of these scripts had the same angular letter shapes suited for epigraphy, which would become characteristic of the runes and related scripts in the region.
The process of transmission of the script is again obscured through the Ages.
The oldest clear inscriptions are found in Denmark and northern Germany.
A "West Germanic hypothesis" mentions transmission via Elbe Germanic groups, while a "Gothic hypothesis" presumes transmission via East Germanic expansion.
Runes continue to be used in a wide variety of ways in modern popular culture.
The actual origins of the runic alphabet are shrouded in a lot of mystery.
The earliest inscription is the one that reads "Harja" (meaning warrior or comb, which can be found on the Vimose comb in Denmark that dates back to 160 CE.)
This uses the runes so maturely and confidently that Rune readers believe it resulted from about 100 years' experience from writing the runes over this amount of time.
How this tradition was created has been debated and speculated for many years. Inspirations from the Roman and Greek alphabet, along with Danish and Italic origins have been suggested. The most likely is the Greek since it does resemble a variation of the Greek alphabet between the years of 700 to 400 BCE. It could have reached Germanic speakers through groups that were made up of Eastern Europeans.
The Germania :
According to Norse beliefs, the God Odin sacrificed his life to receive knowledge of runic magic so he could share it with others.
The mythology of the Norse gives us the story of Odin and his sacrifice.
The runic alphabet (Elder Futhark) is a script once used by Germanic peoples.
The alphabet, which consists of 24 characters called runes, was carved in various materials - wood, bone, metal, and most often in stone. Each rune has a specific sound and meaning.
Germania, encountered the Runes while exploring a new land.
Runes also accompany the Valkyries, goddesses and daughters of Odin, who identify the bravest soldiers who have fallen in battle for a seat at Odin's table at Valhalla.
Fehu Rune:
The letter Fehu is a powerful and auspicious rune, seen as a positive sign. It attracts wealth and abundance.
The rune brings financial gain, prosperity and material success. It can also embody potential rather than actual wealth, suggesting that action is needed to turn ideas or resources into tangible results.
The wealth in question also refers to intangible matters: intellect, creativity, charisma and a circle of trusted friends.
Dagaz Rune:
The Dagaz Rune is associated with the idea of awakening and blooming.
It symbolises a new beginning or transformation, just as the rising sun brings the beginning of a new day. It indicates a time of renewal, growth and enlightenment, balance and harmony.
It is also associated with positive outcomes and indicates a time of new opportunities. It can also suggest the need to let go of old patterns and embrace change.
Algiz Rune:
The Algiz Rune is a powerful symbol of protection and defence against potential danger or harm.
It also signifies the need to connect with one’s higher self or to seek guidance from a higher power, which would allow one to overcome challenges and achieve goals.
It represents the idea of a shield, both physical and spiritual, and the ability to ward off harm and negativity. It is also associated with the concept of higher consciousness.
Wunjo Rune:
The Wunjo Rune is an auspicious symbol, associated with the idea of joy, happiness and fulfilment.
It signifies the need to focus on one’s inner state of being, rather than external circumstances or material possessions.
It symbolises a state of harmony and contentment. Indicates the chance to achieve one’s goals and desires. Helps to find true love and happiness.
Ansuz Rune:
The Ansuz Rune is seen as a sign of divine inspiration and the need to pay attention to messages from a higher power or inner voice.
It also signifies the need to express oneself honestly and effectively. It promotes creativity and clarity of message. Adds courage and confidence.
Represents the power of words and the ability to communicate ideas and knowledge to others. Proclaims that wisdom can come from a higher source.
Uruz Rune:
The Uruz Rune is seen as a positive sign, indicating strength, energy and vitality.
It signifies the need to use one’s inner power to overcome difficulties and achieve goals.
It represents the power to create and destroy, as well as the ability to overcome obstacles and challenges. It is also associated with physical and mental health and well-being, as well as with the natural world.
