Runes: Theory and Practice [Paperback]

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 remains unsurpassed as the best modern book on rune magic, but nonetheless Runes: Theory and Practice represents a considerable contribution to esoteric runic literature and offers many refreshing insights and reflections.

Disclaimer: The Author and I have been acquainted for many years through various Heathen elists. We met and exchanged gifts this summer (July 2010).

The opening line states 'This is not an introductory book on runes...' This is true - do not read this book until you have some experience with the runes and have studied the primary Lore of the Northern European Gods and Goddesses.

The value of 'Runes: Theory & Practice' is not in what it says but in what it forces the reader to do - to think form her or himself; to decide what the runes are; to decide what led to Odin's Ordeal on Yggdrasil and what the consequences are to Northern Tradition/Asatruar today.

Ms Krasskova's theory and practice are not part of the mainstream. Her rune paradigm is that they are living, sentient entities. Her rune practice calls for feeding the runes blood. That theory and that practice flavors the attributes she gives the individual runes.

My rune paradigm is different; my runes do not crave blood. However, I can understand why runes as described by Ms Krasskova would. Each rune worker must determine their rune paradigm for themselves. Experience will provide the answer if there is only one way to work with the runes. Read, write, work with the runes and decide for yourself.

A complaint - the back cover includes two endorsements - praise for 'Runes: Theory & Practice'. One endorsement is by her co-author for 'Northern Tradition for the Solitary Practitioner'; the other is by the author of the Modern Rune Poems used in 'Runes: Theory & Practice'. The publisher should have obtained endorsements from people who are not so closely connected with the Author and the book being endorsed.

I haven't had a chance to read the entire book yet, but I want to say that I am really impressed with what I have read so far.

The book does assume a good amount of working familiarity with the runes. I suspect that a significant number of her readers have taken a workshop with her at one time or another. A lot of information gets conveyed orally, particularly with galdr singing, that is difficult to reduce to written text in its entirety.

Different people experience the runes in different ways. Krasskova is giving general descriptions that the majority of readers will be able to "tap into" in terms of their own experience in at least a limited way. Some of her rune descriptions are extremely insightful - her observations on Uruz helped me figure out so much that I had felt but not truly grasped when I first experienced the rune myself. I felt the same was true of her observations of Fehu.

If anything, Krasskova minimizes how dark some of these runes can be. She gives a positive description of Odal. In my own experience, this rune can be very bitter for those whose personal family relationships are tainted, which is the case for me personally. The first time I used this rune I heard about the murder of two families on TV the next morning, one of whom lived in my area. I always try to work with a rune at least twice, to determine if there is a consistent pattern of energy that I need to be aware of. The second time I used it, I was accused of making abusive remarks to a child at my workplace. Events leading up to the accusation were duplicitous - I ended up getting "burned" and having to walk away. I would be unlikely to work with this rune a third time. My feeling is that some sort of personal taboo is in place regarding this rune. This is not an issue that Krasskova addressed, but in all fairness, it would be difficult to cover all the "cautions" in a slim volume.

Regarding the issue of blood sacrifice - I do feel that she tries to acknowledge that it is not standard practice. She returns to the topic in the last sections of the book, and explains her reasoning in further depth. Her approach is careful. She distinguishes blood sacrifice from the pain of ordeal work. Although not explicitly stated, it is implied that there are people who work with trace amounts of own blood who would never consider pursuing ordeal. Her practice clearly is not bloodthirsty. In my experience, the runes also seem to like electricity and one's favorite jewelry. If you aren't prepared to sacrifice one way, you will do so in another.

Regarding the issue of Christ vs. Odin - If anything, Christ comes out ahead in the major point that she makes early in the book. As tremendous as Odin' s sacrifice was, and as beneficial as it was for those who access the runes, she correctly points out that he did it for himself, to augment his own individual power. She also correctly points out that Christ sacrificed himself for others. She does not elaborate on this controversial issue, and the language she uses is spare and non-judgmental, leaving the reader to draw his or her own conclusions.

There is a lot to be learned from this author's experience, and her ability to convey it. Even if you don't agree with everything she has to say (and I don't), you will come away from reading this with a much greater depth of comprehension, as well as a sense of the sacred. Highly recommended!!