I think you all are well informed in the art of runes.

I assume there have been some misunderstanding from both parts....and I don't believe any post are attack on the others knowledge...but more a statement about what oneself prefer.
So please look upon each other as friends with mutual interest in an exciting art

Everyone has the right to choose the medium of their choice. Whatever feels most comfortable to them. If your past life was with one then you are more likely to use that one for a reason. gemstones were rare or too expensive or they did not have the technology at that time to make appropriate runes with crystal materials. Originally they would have been made with wood and then when they found the correct stones and tools to use they did. This would be called technological advancement, if they even knew that word. To use crystals you say may be New Age but what is wrong with that. If everyone stopped still at the original learning of something, you would be living under a bush and eating with you hands. You certainly would not have your computer to connect with so many people around the world. there is nothing wrong with what runes are made of so long as you are using them with unconditional love and honor the Universal Laws. I would imagine that many people would have had Gold and Silver runes in ancient times and of course now if it was practical and not so expensive. Crystals are equally of the earth and of the Universe. Wood can receive negative energy and doesn't cleanse so well after people use them too much, they get worn down and then you have to make more. It is possible that you would need a separate set of wooden runes for each different person as their energy will seep into the wood immediately. I believe the Norse people found stones to be last longer and cleanse clearer
than wood, so for them this was an advancement. Same as crystals. There really is no debate once again. What feels most comfortable to you is what you use.
There are a few websites explaining the special power and cleansing ability of the crystals used. Imagine using gold? Wouldn't that be wonderful!!!!

I never disputed individual choice, only a clarification of what was historically accurate for the people who lived in that time.  Silver was more common than gold, and was often used as currency, such as a mark of silver (8 ounces).  Metal was (frankly) too valuable to be used in runecasting when it was a measure of wealth or manufactured in armor, weapons and other essential items relying on metalwork.  The Norse lands of 1000 years ago did not have the metal fabrication capacity of today (obviously) and was a very valuable resource.  Non-metal substitutes would always be employed when possible, and for runes, it was possible.  

I suspect the Norse of old did not take cleansing of negative energy into account because they were (to my best understanding) not aware of the concepts.  Wood was plentiful in 11th century Scandinavia (for the most part) so wood runes were common based one ease of acquisition and craftsmanship (easy to brand wood than engrave stone).  Is there anything wrong with New Age use of the crystal rune?  Well, depends.  The use of of the runes (to many) is to recreate the wisdom and experience of those who used them a millenium ago.  Imitation of their methods ideally produces the best results.  The old Norse were, unless anyone can prove otherwise, the best practitioners of their art and skill.  Technology and progress is not always the answer for everything.  Yes, I use my computer (4 of them in my place) but do I adopt every belief of modern society.  Uhh... no.  I trust in the example of the old ones to guide my experience with the runes.  They know more than me or anyone else breathing on this planet.

Would I use gold runes?  Hmmm... honestly, no.  I would like to acquire a set of stone runes, possibly as stones to collect this summer (summer coming soon in the northern hemisphere).  I do agree that the unconditional love is the most important element and have (in different posts and/or blog entries over the last half year) said so.  100% agreement here, no doubt.  Paper runes (although that is a wood product, lol) would work just fine with the right disposition.  

You mention the Universal Laws, not a term I am familiar with, well, not in context with Germanic beliefs.  It does come back to Germania because that's where the runes come from, according to legend from this guy named Odin.  We can change the runes to suit out needs but they stop becoming "the runes" when we do that. So instead of Universal Laws I would say Germanic Tradition.  I understand there are way more Celts and Wiccans out there than there are Norse and these people may pick up the runes, and use them well, but it does not change the history and scholarly understanding of what the runes were and how they were used.  If I accomplish anything on MB, it will be devotion to the ancient Norse ways.  Not to coerce others into following it (although providing good example is okay) but to let others know that there is an old way and how to approach it, if they be so inclined.

Hi LibB

Actually wood doesnt seem to hold negative enegy or transmitt it to others.  Wood is probably one of the best tools for any divination as wood is very grounding.  Which is why some people after giving readings or had arguments will place their hands upon the trees bark so that the enegy can be taken down through the ground to be used as compost for mother earth.  So wood for any divination tool besides at times wearing down it would not hold or transmitt energy to other people.  I find at times if I use too much psychic energy or angel energy I must sit my root chakra on the ground holding some fallen wood and ground myself.  Crystals and such do although have a habit of keeping energies within as some stones would do also.  although like all crystals stones and such would need cleansing.
After your next Angel reading try holding some wood and see if that helps ground you.  Dont use it during the reading as you may not lift your vibration but for after certainly get a hold of some to bring you down quicker and release any energy you have held onto.

Wow so much controversey!  I posted this topic although I do not aggree about it as a tool of learning for us all, not so that we can get all steamed up about it.

As this is the Runes forum and most of what is put in here is lovingly posted so that all can learn and expand there knowledge about runes.  I believe that we should keep ourself open and not closed minded about this.  I also believe that we should listen to those who have experience in working with runes and not be quick to judge them because they prefer the use of Wood over Crystals.  If this was in the Crystals forum I am sure the moderator there would ask you to respect the views of those more experienced in Crystals.  So I am asking your to respect the views of those experience in Runes and not jump down their throat because they are more then likely backing their post up by reference material or knowledge learn by working with runes.

Thank you

MoonGoddess