Nordic Runes: Understanding, Casting, and Interpreting the Ancient Viking Oracle Paperback – May 5, 2003

When you find an author that discusses esoteric topics with clarity, simplicity, and above all, experience and knowledge, you know you have found a good author. When that same author offers academic references and clearly stated personal opinions, you know you have found a great author. Mountfort falls under the second category.I really appreciate Mountfort’s efforts to include a variety of different sources when discussing the Runes. I definitely got the feel that he is well researched and practiced and not just regurgitating what others have said.I like his writing style and honesty. Rather than paint some mystic associations he is down to earth and practical. His main intention is to introduce the divinational aspects rather than the magical and developmental ones. Though, he does offer a little bit on these as well.The authors correspondence section of the Runes gives us some traditional names, sounds, imagery, and definitions, as well as, the traditional poems associated with each Rune, their meanings, keywords, and myths/legends related with them. The myths and legends part I really liked. This is by far the best introductory book on the Runes I have come across.This is the fifth book on my suggested Rune Reading List. While not on my suggested read list, I also encouraged you to get Rune Correspondences by Frodi Ingsson so that you can add things that are meaningful to you as you learn more about the Runes.1. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Runes by Nigel Pennick2. Way of the Runes by Bernard King3. Runes: Reading the Past by R.I Page4. Runelore: A Handbook of Esoteric Runology by Edred Thorsson5. Nordic Runes by Paul Rhys Mountfort6. Taking up the Runes Diana L Paxson7. Runecaster’s Handbook Edred Thorsson8. Poetic Edda by either Hollander, Crawford, or Larrington9. Prose Edda by Jesse L. Byock10. Hávamál Meditations: Embodying Oðinn’s Teachings by Frodi Ingsson (forthcoming)11. Runes of Transformation by Kaedrich Olsen12. Helrunar by Jan Fries13. Runes and Magic by Stephen E. Flowers14. Rune Yoga: Staða & Galdr15. Rune Workings: Meditations and Rituals by Frodi Ingsson (forthcoming)

I just finished reading this book and I am really impressed. Only a small part of the book is about the "how to" of rune casting, which is how it should be. The book covers a lot: the ancient historical origins, commentaries on 19th and 20th revivals, and commentary on how much of rune lore today came from BCE, to name just a few subjects. I was particularly impressed at the treatment of the various translations of the runic texts and meanings, allowing the reader to choose the most accessible way to use the runes. As a history major, I loved the first part of the book that went into the Norse tales of Odin and the Norns, so much so that I went to Barnes and Noble and picked up a couple books on Norse myths and legends to read up in further detail. I highly recommend this book to novice and seasoned rune casters alike, a real joy to read!

As described. Easy to read and understand.

The packaging of the book I ordered was a lovely presentation. Inside of the usual packaging material, was a very nice slick black bag with a large Thank You emboldened on the bag. I had ordered several books at once from different sources, but this book came in sophisticated packaging and of excellent condition. I will definitely order again from this source!

Interesting read. Very informative

I've been working with the Elder Futhark runes for a couple years now, and this has been my go-to book since I purchased it. It gives information on the history and historical context of the runes, all their meanings and associations, as well as insight into divination. This is a good starter book if you're interested in working with the Elder Futhark runes.

Great understanding of the runes and such great detail . I read this book in maybe 3 days and now I used it as a guide in my practice.

I have studyed runes for decades. i liked the reciting of the lore for each rune. It is important to me to know the lore. The author has a fresh point of view, compared to others. Like reading Thorson can be dry...like a collage professor. Dont get me wrong...Love Thorson, just when doing research one needs mutiple points of view and styles of addressing the information. It is easy the read and understand, even for a newbie, but doesnt bore someone who has been on this path for decades. A uuseful reference mateerial