Modern Use

Third Reich - Runes have been used in Nazi symbolism by National Socialists and neo-Nazi groups that associate themselves with Germanic traditions, mainly the Sigel, Eihwaz, Tyr, Odal (see Odalism) and Algiz runes. The fascination that runes seem to have exerted on the Nazis can be traced to the occult and volkisch author Guido von List, one of the important figures in Germanic mysticism and runic revivalism in the late 19th and early 20th century. In 1908, List published in Das Geheimnis der Runen ("The Secret of the Runes") a set of 18 so-called "Armanen Runes", based on the Younger Futhark, which were allegedly revealed to him in a state of temporary blindness after a cataract operation on both eyes in 1902. In Nazi contexts, the s-rune is referred to as "Sig" (after List, probably from Anglo-Saxon Sigel). The "Wolfsangel", while not a rune historically, has the shape of List's "Gibor" rune.

Neopaganism - The runes are a major element in Heathenry and Asatru in particular, often used to indicate ancestry, in crafts and for ritual purposes. They are not to be construed with political implications without additional evidence. Neopagans such as Wiccans and some occult groups may often also sometimes use runes under various conditions.

Military use - The German Bundeswehr uses a design reminiscent of the odal rune as a part of their shoulder-board ranking system on a variety of levels, including the German Army and German Navy.

There is a lot of good historical context here, some I knew and some I didn't.  M-B is usually very educational (when I'm not busy ranting).  The only thing I think this thread lacked was a personal touch, so I will try and at least attempt to address that here.

The runes are a crutch.  I use that word deliberately.  In my case, I live in the real world (or R/W in Nicole vernacular) and the opportunity to live a spiritual life can be difficult because of the demands and distractions of that life.  To grow spiritually is difficult, especially at the beginning, because of these demands.  I wonder how many people try and give up because of the distractions of the R/W.  Meditation and faith, they can be really tough.  By the time the end of the day comes, after work and parenting, I usually collapse on the futon.  How to be more spiritually when living each day many demands seems insurmountable.  With spirituality, if there is a tangible sign, it is encouraging and encouragement is necessary.  So much the better if the encouragement promotes wisdom and sparks thought which could lead to meditation.  

The runes do this nicely.  They are easy to use and interpret, yet their is enough sophistication that they are marvelous tools to promote spiritual growth.  I am still on the beginning of a spiritual journey, and am still looking to find what works for me.  Although the definition of what works requires something that I can integrate into my life; if the "what works" is so difficult or demanding, it probably won't make it into my life.  The runes are not so taxing that they can't be there.  I do not need to be a scholar to use them either.  Much like the prayer beads of many faiths, the runes are designed for relatively simple thought processes that can spark greater spiritual activity.

Unlike prayer beads, and more to the credit of the runes, is that they speak back.  Yes, I know that is the divination part, which is something I haven't been use to (because Christian education, which I was brought up with, equates divination as one of the greatest evils) but it is a wonderful thing.  It seems that conventional (i.e. Christian) prayer is one way.  You put a lot of effort in and if you are fortunate (or blessed, in the Christian vernacular) you get your answer/result.  That is really hard for me.  Casting the runes provides a message right away, although interpretation is not as easy (that is the promoting of (pre-)meditative thought).  It is not faith in a vacuum, it is connection.  Connection helps keep the faith going.  

And who the connection with is important.  I recently blogged on an incident with the Ouija board which I found to be accurate.  But it was scary, too, because when I look back, I don't know who I was connecting with.  It is probably very naive to assume all supernatural forces represent benign entities.  Evil has it's place in our existence; just look at the atrocities in the world.  The runes are the legacy of the Norse traditions, specifically Odin who paid a sacrifice to learn the way of the runes.  For those who think Odin (or other Gods for that matter) is just myth, there is some historical context that they may have been real people who walked the Earth.  Explorer Thor Heyerdahl proposes that Odin may have been real; there are other theories for other Gods (like Brigid, an Irish Goddess, who was canonized by the Catholic Church).  The point being that the runes are the legacy, the connection, with Odin & Company which gave them to humanity.  In a world where there is cultural diversity, it is nice (and reassuring and encouraging) to connect with my ancestors who, probably many years ago, invoked names like Odin, Thor and Freya in their daily lives.  Our 21st century society has made great strides in technology, but a consequence of this has been to banish the past and spirituality. The runes are one of those bridges that let us reach back in time, to seek out more than the R/W offers us, and gives us a chance to grow beyond our R/W limits.

Very well said Earl. Thank you for the post.

hi sweta
i want to know from where to purchase the rune stone in mumbai and can u suggest me some good book to study the runes
thanks
regard

I would suggest you type runes into google and/or new age shop mumbai and see what it reveals.  Check out the thread in here called sources for further reading material.

MG