Are runes weak?

[agorman]

I put up an altar with Norse gods (Nerthus, Odin and Thor) and I've been meditating for a few days listening at recordings I've made with 108 repetitions of "Fehu" for example while I imagined the rune was in front of me or that I held it with my right hand.

And I can feel the power of those runes, especially of Sowilo and Tiwaz/Tyr, but I still find them very weak compared to Kabbalah names of God or Hindu mantras. Maybe I should be patient and keep meditating until I attune better to my new path?

After years of trying to relate to so many pantheons one after the other, I'd like to stay with Norse Gods and runes since I'm very fond of the culture, which is so similar to the Celtic one I also love. Besides, on last December I swear Odin cured my asma! And he just asked from me some dry, boneless chicken I had as an offering.

I also repeated the name "Odin" as a mantra. But I also don't notice great effects.

I do feel I have a crown or a diadem on my head. I think it's my sahasrara chakra which activated itself. Let's see if that has any use.

Do you think that maybe I need a formal commitment with the gods to get more favors from them and more results from the runes? That's a little hard here in Argentina. There are a few Ásatrú groups, but I don't find much sense in becoming a member of one of them just to swear allegiance to the Regin.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

"Power resides where men believe it resides."

You do not resonate with Asatru to the degree that you resonate with Judeo-Christianity or Hinduism. Can't blame you. Asatru isn't nearly as popular or well-known.

 

[Quintessence]

I find that the way to resonate with something is often to own it. When I began working with runes, I tossed out everything in the Neopagan literature that is said about them. Most of it is a modern construction anyway, so I had no gripes about this. I let the runes name themselves and speak for themselves. The result has become one of my favorite systems of divination.

I imagine this approach would probably sour a reconstructionist mindset, so I'd understand if this was not sagacious advice to you. Personally, if I was a reconstructionist, I wouldn't be so dead-set on historical accuracy as to stifle the relevancy of the material in the present. Too many old religions are already guilty of doing that, and part of what appealed to me about contemporary Paganism was... well... that it's contemporary and aims to be relevant and resonate with you in the now. If it doesn't resonate, I'd concur with what Gjallarhorn suggests: follow where the resonance lies. It's good to make a good effort, but if something doesn't stick, it doesn't stick, you know?

 

[Sees]

I've been working with runes for 20 years and think I barely scratch the surface

What kind of affects are you expecting when you chant Odin?

A big thing is rearranging your psycho-spiritual views and practices....empty your cup and start fresh. If you do a Norse, Celtic, Germanic flavoring of something you learned or believe is Kabbalah, Christian, Hindu, etc. you will probably be disappointed. It is a holistic reality and to notice and live the highest affects where things become actualized and there is transformation - it is a slow process. When it feels like the things associated with the traditions are becoming fully part of you, like blood and bone, then the things you are expecting now will start to be experienced because the power, energy, etc. is actually there in tune.

 

[EyeofOdin]

In my experience, the more secret something is kept, the more power it holds. If you try to not say as much about your path or practices for a while, you might get some results.

Also, maybe you're not in the right mindset. The words of runes and the names of gods are names of power with very ancient linguistic roots. By chanting them your also chanting the root power of many Germanic or Proto-Indo-European ancestors before you.

Take the name "Odin". It's an Old Norse variant of the Proto-Germanic word "Wodanaz" meaning "master of shamanic excitement". Wod is very hard to translate, but think of it as pure, divine, untamed, shamanic energy. It may even have connections with our interjection "wow". It is also cognate to the Latin word "vates" meaning prophet, oracle or seer. So when chanting "Wod" or "Wodan" you're invoking the energy that is pure, divine ecstasy.

Take also the name of the God Thor. Thor is another Old Norse word, a variant of the Proto-Germanic word "Thunraz", meaning "Thunderer". His name is also cognate with the Latin word "Tonare" meaning "to thunder" and the Vedic name for the god "Indra". Indra is also thought to be a cognate deity with Dionysos, god of wine, fertility and ecstacy and the Gaulish Taranis, god of thunder and lightning. So when chanting the name "Thunraz" or "Thor" or "Donar", you're invoking the energy of a god of raw power, the power that could definitely hold his liquor, fight any problems on earth, come back for more and then some.

 

[peanutbutter63]

I've worked with (elder futhark) runes...powerful indeed for divination (I know zero about so-called rune magic) when combined with the Havamal and absolute familiarity with the Norse myths (some knowledge of the sagas may help). The runes when used as guidance for one's life, tend to go back to the basics...or I think they call it 'bedrock', or something like that. Straightforward in explanations...sometimes a little too straightforward (I've heard some Asatru say...downright rude at times...*laughter*). In my experience, avoiding or ignoring the advise and wisdom of the runes followed directly by WHEN THE SH*T HITS THE FAN (as we say here in Australia)...the afterwards feels like someone shouting from behind me...'I told you so'...

If you're(that means, anyone) expecting a lot of flashes and whizz-bangs when working with the runes and learning about the Gods, then you're(that means, anyone) going to be disappointed. The Gods and/or other supernatural beings don't speak to anyone(although the so-called 'ancestor-worshipers' and claimers of 'seidr' and/or 'witchcraft' skills may tell you different)...and anyone who says otherwise...well...I'd like to see proof of that. So many creatures out there have claimed to have been spoken to by...
-Mohammed the prophet himself(and some even claim to have been blessed by him...I'm a Moslem convert and I find that strange and funny, but that's me)
-God Himself
-aliens
...and so on....hmmmm....

Back to the runes....it's about a basic, simple way of life. Not for those looking for excitement...or worse, Odin's Great Ride...as below...