Runes: Theory and Practice by Galina Krasskova
With contributions by Raven Kaldera and Elizabeth Vongvisith
2009, New Page Books.
223 pages.
I have enjoyed what I have read of Galina Krasskova’s writings, so I was quite excited to review this book. Having devoured it, I have come to the conclusion that, although there are some discordant notes that did not sit comfortably with me, it is on the whole a valuable contribution to contemporary runic lore.
The book is not really for beginners, and for the most part assumes the reader already has (or is capable of acquiring) a grasp of the history of the runes, and indeed of Heathenry more generally. It focuses more on explaining Krasskova’s ideas and experiences pertaining to rune work, derived from her many years of experience.
Krasskova is one of those admirable Heathen/runic authors who is open about which of her claims have an historical basis and which come from her own invention or experience. In a world where many authors on runes present themselves as being historically/academically sound – only to then promulgate all kinds of fabrications as “authentic” – this is very welcome.
The book begins with some general comments on rune magic, including Krasskova’s thesis that the runes are sentient spirits; moves to a discussion of each rune (including the Anglo-Saxon runes, a rare inclusion); and then discusses theory and technique for applying the runes to various purposes such as magic, galdr (song magic, which she correctly notes as not necessarily being a runic practice), and divination.
The discussion of the runes themselves is thought-provoking and Krasskova has some fascinating interpretations and ideas. She accompanies her thoughts with translations of the three Rune Poems that history has bequeathed us – essential for anyone who has an interest in the runes – and her discussion is also accompanied by some evocative modern rune poems composed by Elizabeth Vongvisith.
Krasskova’s ideas on divination and singing the runes are very useful. Some authors on rune magic, being addicted to the vice of over-complication, leave the reader feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, whereas Krasskova makes one feel inspired to experiment and explore.
Despite my generally very positive impression, I did have a few raised eyebrows when reading this book. Krasskova’s ideas about runes as spirit allies are very unorthodox, but she pretty much presents the notion as though it were simply a matter of fact. I think a little more transparency with her readers would be appropriate on that score. I am somewhat sympathetic to the idea personally, but there are plenty of very experienced rune workers out there who do not adopt this notion and seem to have no difficulties at all.
Similarly, her claim that runes inevitably and necessarily like to feed on blood offerings is very unusual. I have known many experienced rune workers – and indeed, I am one myself – but I have never before encountered this notion. Again, Krasskova presents this idea as a simple matter of fact, whereas in truth it is quite unusual. I think for something potentially so controversial it would have been in good taste to have explicitly noted that many rune workers would disagree with this idea.
Perhaps Galina has simply assumed that, given her audience are likely to have some familiarity with runes already, they will know that these ideas are unorthodox. Nonetheless, I think that a simple acknowledgement or qualification would have been easy enough to include. Certainly such an inclusion would have been more consistent with her general openness about the difference between historical lore and personal innovation/experience.
Some of the book’s initial remarks on ordeal magic and spirit allies feel like introductory comments, but unfortunately the book does not really return to flesh these themes out. I rather wish the book had been longer; it ends rather abruptly and I felt like she had more to say. This is especially relevant given that this is a book for those who are no longer beginners and who are willing (and able) to dive deep.
I would hesitate to recommend this book to a beginner, but it certainly has given me pause and some fresh ideas for exploration, as well as inspiration to re-examine my own spiritual/magical practice. I still think that Jan Fries’ Helrunar
Thank you so much for your review. I just ordered this book on amazon, and your review was very helpful. I look forward to reading it myself.
I have come across quite a few people who have felt that the runes were spirits, with each rune being the symbol of an individual spirit, but you are correct, it is in no way common.
I also have fed my runes my own blood, but only once. When I was making my own rune set for divination, and I added a drop of blood to the paint. To my knowledge, within a historical and literary perspective, using blood with the runes is a common way of staining to activate them. But I don’t think it needs to be a frequent or even repeated offering, unless you are making new rune sets every time.
Again, thank you for the review.
The runes are sentient. Sentient enough to place Odin through an ordeal so he may learn them. Odin hung for 9 days and 9 nights, pierced by his tree to the great world Tree rooted between life and death, bleeding to learn them in agony.
It comes as no surprise to treat them as allies. To approach them with respect, not just as a tool to be used. They will test and try you until you’ve proven your worth to them first.
And that’s just the initial learning. I find the runes are much like onions, they allow us to learn them in layers. And they will test you to learn beyond the most basic or surface instruction.
Hi Lokis_dottir,
At the risk of being pedantic, the point is that such characterisations of the runes are in fact personal opinion. Each individual’s mileage will vary, and there are many ways of relating to the runes…so saying that “this is the truth” when really it is just a fact of one’s own _personal_ experience is problematic in my view. Speculation is fantastic, wild spiritual experiences are great, but it is only fair to distinguish between these and claims which have some kind of objective basis (e.g. we can all agree about the approximate content of the Old English Rune Poem, even if we might all disagree to various extents about the meaning of that content).
All that said – thanks for your thoughts, they’re very insightful!
I just started reading the book a few days ago. I have been a rune reader for a little over a decade having started in my teens with, dare I say, a Ralph Blum book. However, from Blum I did get a nice introduction then moved onto much deeper, more historically accurate works(which did require relearning some runes).
I like it so far but the second chapter made me a little uneasy and I’m glad I found this review and that I’m not the only one. I think it’s a personal choice of how you wish to empower your runes. I certainly believe that sacrifice is certainly important, but I like to feed my runes some TLC as opposed to my own blood. I will say it adds a great deal of depth to your personal practice and relationship to your tools. I carry my stones with me everywhere I go, and have lost a stone or two and they always come back to me. That’s love baby!
I think I’m halfway between runes are just letters/rocks/wood chips and runes are a spirit entity/guide. more than just objects my runes are charged with WYRD and with my own being, personality and energy that makes them work for me. I respect my runes but do not deify them.
I really enjoyed the review, the book is very insightful, and although ideas are touched on that are not a part of my personal practice, it opens me up to new ideas and rituals that I may not have done but possibly incorporate or rethink for myself. Definitely not a book for beginners. I have been reading runes for over ten years and everytime I pick up a new rune book I get something great out of it.
When I created my first rune set about five years ago, I applied my own blood to them as part of the process. Nobody told me this was necessary, save the runes themselves.
I re-apply blood to them on a regular basis, again, not because any person has said I must or ought, but because the runes themselves have made it clear this is what they want from me.
I understand that different people have different experiences of the runes. I have not read Galina’s rune book yet, although I’ve read several of Thorsson’s, and Paxson’s, as well as material by Jordsvin, and Kaldera.
I don’t think we need to inflict criticism on each other. What works for one may not work for others. I do believe the runes themselves are perfectly capable of regulating who they wish to work with, and in what capacity. They aren’t passive symbols, that I’ve experienced.