The runic system was used by the Nordic an Germanic tribes of Northern Europe as both secular and religious items, and the first examples of the runes phonically representing a language appear around the second century B.C.E., brought about by the increased trading activity with their Mediterranean neighbors, who already possessed a completely developed alphabet. Before this time, the runes were primarily a magical system of pictographs, each individually representing forces and objects in nature. It was believed that by calling upon the appropriate rune, one could thereby make contact with the force in Nature which that rune represented.
Though several different runic alphabets were in use throughout Northern Europe over the centuries, the most common of them was the Germanic, or Elder, FUTHARK, which received its name from the its first six letters: F, U, TH, A, R and K. This system was most widely in use between 200 B.C.E. and the late eighth century, and contained 24 letters, which were divided into three groups of eight runes each (known as "Frey's Aett," "Hagall's Aett," and "Tir's Aett").
The shaman, who was the high priest and magician of the people, held the mysteries of the runes, as well as being responsible for many other things. With the rune, he could "bless and curse, hurt and heal," and could also divine, the ability for which he was much in demand by all (from the chieftains and peasants alike).
The runes were mysteries to these people, forces and secret allies, which those of knowledge could use for many purposes. Their magical use was entrusted ONLY to a very few, and this knowledge was never written down for the eyes of the unworthy, but was transmitted by mouth, and learned by heart. Through diligent study, and proper use, they brought people closer to the gods for aid in ordinary living.
Runes were created to influence the weather, aid crops, head the sick, and for many other purposes. They were carved into drinking horny, spears, and the prows of ships, staffs, and the timbers of houses. Each had its own combination of runes, usually meant for luck and protection. In fact, the runes were such an important part of the people's lives, they drew comfort in seeing the powerful symbols on ever the most homely of objects.
What we know now as the Tudor, or half-timbered, building style evolved from the Germanic Fachwerk architecture: The placing of timbers at angels, in plaster, in such a way as to form specific rune shapes. They were then believed to impart their power and magical significance onto the building, which then passed it onto the people who lived inside.
The runes never dictated the lives of people, but ere used as a tool, a guide through problems, by showing what was likely to happen, as well as some suggestions on behavior in such an event of those happenings. The rune cast acted as an astrological chart in this way. There were used to help change a person's life, and were treated with great respect.
Runes could be made from any natural material (such as stone, clay, or wood), by hand, and wood was the preferred material of their construction. The oldest rune pieces still in existence were etched into bone.
Tacitus, a Latin writer, tells of the Germanic tribes casting lots using strips of Fruitwood inscribed with symbols, and a later source says the pieces were made of Ash. The symbols themselves could have been carved into the wood, pained, or even burned there.
Tradition tells that Odin and Freya were the guardians and patrons of the runes, and many practitioners prayed to them for their aid and knowledge. Red was the traditional colour or runic magic, and represented the active, male, principle, and was the embodiment of the life force in blood. Blue, though, was sacred to Odin, and was also believed suitable for the runes, as was Green, the colour sacred to Freya (it being the colour of fertility, prosperity, and growth).
The runes were normally kept in a pouch made of leather, cloth, or fur, and Tacitus, in chapter ten of "Germania," stated that, once the rune magicians crafted the rune pieces from the Fruitwood, thy were scattered at random on a white cloth, white being a symbol of purity and truth, and had an advantage of being a totally neutral colour, which aided in keeping the magicians mind upon the reading.
