Hi all as in a previous discussion topic about the use of Gemstones or Crystals to make runes, I thought I better post this bit of information I found in one of my books.  (Runes by David V Barrette from the preminitions library)  Although I do not agree with there use as I believe that Runes have a different energy to Gemstones and Crystals and would disrupt their separate energies creating a different Tool which would  need to be understood differently from either Runes or Crystals by themselves.  As Runes were created with the purpose for creative change I can not totally disgard this combination and so I will share with what knowledge I have regarding this. (I have no images of crystals yet so you will have to bear with me until I place what ever I find in here)

Feoh, Fehu the Rune of Cattle, movable wealth, earnt wealth by hard work.  Moss Agate Feoh is associated with moss agate which has both medicinal and talismanic virtues.

Uraz, Ur The rune of strength.  Carbuncle Ur is linked with the carbuncle, which reputedly brings success and energy.

Thurisaz, Thorn the rune of defensive protection, The rune of Thor and sudden change.  Sapphire Thorn's gem is the sapphire.  Its colour is linked with the heavens and holiness

Ansuz the rune of comunication, the Rune of Odin the god of Shaminism or all things to do with the occult and spirituality.  Emerald, Ansur is linked with emeralds, which have properties of hidden knowledge, and are considered beneficial for the eyes.

Radaz, Raidho, Rad the rune of travel and the means to do it.  Chrysoprase, Rad's gemstone is the greenish chrysoprase...(does not explain why)

Kenaz the rune of knowledge, positive energy and the strength to go with it.  Bloodstone traditionally, the bloodstone, Ken's gemstone, has magical curative powers to stop bleeding from wounds.

Gifu, Gyfu the gift rune, help when needed.  Opal (Which to me the image I have in this book looks more like yellow topaz then opal, but hey I don't profess to know anything about gemstones...lol) Gyfu's stone, is the opal is linked with friendship, but it should not be used selfishly to try to bring love.

 Wunjo, Wyn the rune of joy and harmony, Diamond the hardest gemstone is the diamond, wyn's stone.  It's purity and clarity makes it a symbol of truth, love and commitment.

Sorry can't go and further with this as I do not have my heart in it and I feel there are way to many discrepencies...and it just feels wrong.  I think that is why this book I don't really take any stock into it and feel it is best left for a bit of brain fluff on the coffee table.  Yes harsh I hear you say but you have to trust your gut instinct some times and mine is telling me that if I continue I would only be miss leading your all.  So please do understand that I do not agree with any of the information here about crstal, gemstone associations.  The bit about the runes I have added so the meaning are correct for the runes and are only just a general overview of what they mean.  I will finish here before I delete the whole entire thing as I am more so inclined to do.

MG

I LLLOOOOOVVVEEEEE crystals and dont know much about Runes but am learning.  There seems to be a current trend lately that seems to blend many of the therapies and sets and tools together.  there are aromatherapy readings, Australian Wattle tarot readings, Crystal Runes readings.  It does feel that the orignial tool are becoming mixtures of the many.  Fun to look at and play with etc but more often than not confusing and information starts to conflict.

I'm like you I tend to keep my bits seperate and whilst I do not know much about runes to me they have always been a woody feeling.  I dont know why but I'm visual but when I hear runes I imagine wood in my mind an earthy texture.  I'm aware crystals are from the earth but their vibrations are much much higher than wood.

Thanks for posting this and please do leave it as it is interesting and worth a look for others as you have so done....

I have thoughts on both MG and Angel's post and will comment as needed ;)  



I couldn't agree more.  I look to the writing of the past to guide me in my understanding of these things.  I just don't see crystals ever mentioned in Germania.  Now Celtics may be a different story, of course, but it was the Germanics who were rune-users and crystal proficiency isn't part of what we know about them...



Again, I couldn't agree more.  Unfortunately, if we believe there is a mystical association with these tools, then they most likely have that energy in their original form and not blended in with a modern fabrication to appeal to a specific audience.  If we muddy the waters, we risk diluting that energy and for those interested in how it is done, they may not get the full (or any) impact from improper (as defined by historical scholarship) practices.  Modern crystal practices and therapies certainly have their place in our world but they just don't need to be attached to runecasting and vice versa.  Wood never lies.

Note: The edit comment below is to clean up a markup tag, basically a fix for the quoting of Angel, and not any content.  Just so it is clear in context of the subsequent post and response.    

Perhaps you are confusing crystals with runestones? Many stones were carved with runes and used, when is a stone a crystal and viceversa? If you just use wood as a medium for runes you are really missing out on a whole world of stone runes. Stone carving isnt that much harder but does need proper tools now to keep H&S happy and of course a dustmask. Maybe the opposite is true, instead of diluting energies, maye modern man is responsble for labelling and pigeon-holing them and our egos allow us to cause rifts rather than using a harmonious whats ever does the job best approach that would have been the case in the older times?

What did u mean by wood never lies?

Hmmm, I am re-checking my post and am not sure where I confused stone with crystal.  But in case I wasn't clear I was saying I did not advocate crystal as a runic media.  I am quite content with stone as media for runic inscription and engraving.  I have posted on the subject before (had to do something useful in 1000+ posts) advocating stone and criticizing crystal for purposes as runic media.  Here is one such post today:



The relevant part of that post is right here:  I don't recall any historical precent for crystal carving in Norse runes.  Wood, bone, metal and stone seem to be the mediums of choice of ancient Germania.

I also spoke in favor of stone in this post:



With the topic relevant portion here:  For media, let's stick with wood as the media of choice, although whalebone (kinda frowned upon in the modern era), stone and metal (in that order) are historically agreeable choices.

Then there was my discussion on  the blank rune where I displayed a nifty stone runic inscription in Sweden (post is here: ) and here is the image:



So... I think I was clear on where I stand on stone (although maybe not in this post ?  Well I am now).  But other posts (as I have shown) clearly state my approval and not disapproval of stone as runic media.  Hope this clears things up!

Rising Sun wrote:

our egos allow us to cause rifts rather than using a harmonious whats ever does the job best approach that would have been the case in the older times?

If that is directed to me, the part about the egos, I may be inclined to take offense.  But instead I will ask you to see what I have posted over the last several months and you will see for the most part plenty of content devoted to the ways of the old Norse.   I have not been as active in posting as I would like, to be honest, but I would hope that MB considers me one of its more dedicated members where adherence to old Norse ways goes...  Don't mean to tout my own horn and I do that rarely to be sure, but it's not often where I am considered to not be faithful to the ancient Germanic beliefs.  Odin be praised!

Now, about wood never lying?  My way of saying that for me its use always leads to energized, authentic (and rarely ambiguous, exceptions are my errors and not the runes!) runecasts.  Wood is so alive IMHO.