The history of Runes provides a fascinating insight into the lives and beliefs of a people long since gone, but who have left us a legacy of mystery which manages to survive even in these times of hard facts and measurable science. Perhaps far more than simply survive, Runic history has enjoyed a massive revival, and proves to be one of the most popular items which we sell. Whether you choose our stunning Hematite Runes, the very tactile Sunstone Runes or the striking Bloodstone Runes, we are sure that, like so many people before, once you hold them in your hand you will feel that same connection as us – a connection to a distant people with secrets and mysteries which only deepen with time.


You might notice that our Runes are engraved with the Elder Futhark, but not everyone understands what is meant by this, or its significance. The history of the Runes depicts a journey which, as with many languages, has been like a river, or set of streams, being joined by other streams and swelling to encompass new waters, dividing and becoming separate tributaries, even disappearing underground and becoming lost from view. But to appreciate the Runic history and the importance of Runes it is helpful to have some idea of where these symbols have come from, their original significance, and how Runes today can vary quite considerably.


To begin with, where does the name Futhark come from? Very simply, it is derived in the same way as the world ‘alphabet’, and means much the same thing – a collection of letters or symbols. The word alphabet is created by taking the first two letters of our alphabet, in their original form, and putting them together – alpha and beta. In exactly the same way the Futhark is so named because of the first few letters or symbols.


But in studying Runic history it becomes clear that there is not one single Futhark, but several. There are two main Futharks, the Elder Futhark and the Younger Futhark, although there are many more variations besides, leading to about a dozen in all. Perhaps this is not so surprising, since the Runes have been in use for two thousand years, and many of the symbols have been found on engravings from the Bronze Age. Although scholars have spent many decades studying and tracing the history of the Futharks, there are dark patches, areas of knowledge that are unknown and as steeped in mystery and speculation as the Runes themselves.


The oldest and original Futhark consisted of 24 letters or symbols, although in the 17th century a version using just 16 symbols was in widespread use. The full set of 24 symbols is known as the Elder Futhark, whilst the newer, reduced set, although still 400 years old, is the Younger Futhark. Most people with a serious interest in Runes prefer the full set of 24, and all of the sets of Runes which we stock use the full 24 alphabet, or Elder Futhark.


But Runes are far more than simply letters. Our own alphabet may be little more than lines and circles, with no real significance other than that which we have attached to them in terms of pronunciation and use within words. But Runes represent far more. Many of the symbols are representative of aspects of the lives of the people who created and developed the Runes. Such symbols represent things such as the sun, a horse, and other elements of their lives, the natural environment around them, and of their spiritual beliefs.


Across two thousand years, Runes have carried with them an insight into the lives of those people, celebrating beliefs and perceptions which reveal a great deal about them. In particular, the fact that they were deeply spiritual, and connected both to the spiritual realm and the natural world in ways which far surpass anything we manage to achieve today.


But what were Runes used for, if they were more than simply letters in an alphabet used merely for everyday words? In truth, we know relatively little, thanks to many attempts to crush or eliminate the use of Runes over the centuries. In 1639 the Church tried to rid Europe of the Devil, and Runes were sadly misunderstood, being driven underground to survive only by being passed on through secret meetings and closed circles. But we do know that Runes were used for many things, from casting lots to divination, from magic spells to calling upon the spirits of the natural world to bring good harvests, rain or sun.


Today they are hugely popular for both their historical interest and value, as much as for use within divination. Without doubt, the history of Runes is shrouded in mystery and secrecy, and there is still much within the power of the Runes which we do not fully understand, and perhaps never will. If you have already purchased one of our beautiful sets of Runes, you’ll already understand something of the magic within those simple lines and curves, and appreciate the connection between us, and those whose spiritual connections live on through the Futhark.

Buy Runes at Moonrust – New Age Shop.