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Little exists historically as to Runic application and oral magical tradition. Here's a basic understanding of what Galdr is and how to actively apply its prnciples.
Runes as an occult tool differ from all other forms of divination such as the Tarot or the I-Ching in that they are tools in and of themselves consisting of a spiritual language, an alphabet. Having this understanding laid as a foundation to build upon is key in becoming successful to working with the runes in a oral and magical sense, for whereas one can understand that a Tarot Card represents an essence or quality, words of power cannot be formed from them. To understand the power of language as a magical tool would require more space than this article. Students of the Kabbalah may more easily understand the correlation in that the Hebrew Language is often employed in this same way, with each letter representing its own quality which when combined with other letters to form words render the word itself a whole comprised of distinct and separate parts. This article then will focus on the aspect of learning to call the runes in a more oral tradition, and leave the reader to explore the finer points of magic and language, which is encouraged heartily for any student of the Occult. Havamal - The History of the RunesFor the purposes of magical workings, we account the history of the Runes to the Havamal, or Poetic Edda, which serves as the source of Odin's revelation of how he came to receive the Runes, and is the basis of instruction for Runic Practioners. The Havamal can be divided into four distinct sections, Advisement, Love and Sex, The History of How Odin Came to Acquire the Wisdom and Rune Magic. Calling the RunesHaving laid then the foundation, why is Galdr, or rune calling, considered an important part of Runes at all? Like all mysteries, much depends upon the relationship between the novitiate and the tool. Some will not be moved to oral tradition whatsoever, whereas others will feel it is a thing which they must know more of, grasping and laying hands on whatever information they can acquire in order to serve their craft better. While Galdr is a valuable and powerful application of Runic Magick, it should be understood that as with all things spiritual the relationship lies between the practioner and the practice as opposed to any stringent dogma or tradition as truth. Calling the runes is much like prayer - it is a thing one inherently understands, and though much or little may exist within the way of direction, ultimately it is the will to power that proves successful. In learning Galdr, two sources to consider are Edred Thorrson's 'Handbook of Rune Magic' where several vocal exercises are detailed for each Rune. Freya Aswynn additionally recorded and set to music Shamanic Rune-based chants in her CD 'Songs of Yggdrasil' which are considered to be perhaps the best representation today of Galdr in action. Practicing and listening to these works will lend you a more familiar understanding of what Galdr is, rather than provoking any specific discipline in how to perform it. The primary criticism with emulation and mimicry being that it is similar to merely reading someone else’s words as opposed to creating them in a way which is from the seat and spirit of you. A thing to remember is that when speaking the Runes, it should be done with the same comprehension of what it is to call a thing. It is not merely setting in motion a sound or a voice, it is the intent of the will behind the sound and voice that is instrumental. The concept is the same invocation present as in when calling a loved one for dinner, or calling a pet home. It is not mere rote pronunciation or any correctness therein, but a spiritual query behind the voicing itself which is not dissimilar to prayer. 'Calling' the thing is key: You are connecting to the essence through the use of its name the thing which you are trying to create. Through practice and effort and the focus of your will, understanding and success will be soon to follow. Additional ResourcesGaldr - Using the Runes Magick
The copyright of the article Galdr in Alternative Spirituality is owned by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman. Permission to republish Galdr in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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