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THE SYMBOLISM OF THE RUNES
There are some people who think that a symbol becomes an active symbol (one having an effect on the material levels), once it is charged with energy. Others believe that every symbol emanates some kind of radiation by itself, and that charging it is not necessary. The latter strengthen their position by pointing out results of the intensive research, which has been done on pyramids, pentagrams, hexagrams, talismans, and other symbolic structures. In those experiments, energies were found to emanate from uncharged symbols. The opponents of this view counter that expectation of the effects had in fact charged the symbols, although the action was done
subconsciously. The two positions may be summarized by saving that one group emphasizes the position that the symbol contains the energy and the other insists that any symbol must be charged before it emanates any energy.

A third position is taken by those who say that the energetic effect of the symbol is the result of centuries old beliefs projected on the symbols and producing a collective charge. And there is a set of practitioners who claim that it is the belief of the worker with the symbol that causes the charge. Needless to say, each of these groups produces evidence for their idea, and can prove its validity within their own world mapping and intellectual framework. The arguing among the groups is destined to be fruitless because any new facts are forced into the preconceived mold of the postures instead of being used to expand the theories.

Since all the viewpoints seem to be correct in some way, we have to develop a new picture of how things interact that contains all of them, and which is flexible enough to contain any other opinions based on observation. It is clear from a reading of the literature that most of the people theorizing in metaphysics have not yet attained the scientific level of say, quantum mechanics, which is capable of incorporating varied and sometimes contradictory observations into one general theory or mapping. It is from this background that we assert the principle on which this Rune work is based.

None of the theories mentioned hold any interest to us as practical Rune workers. What is important to us is how we can practically USE the Runic energies that we perceive. We eat the apple instead of wasting effort discussing the various names by which it is known. The logic of the people who argue is part of the verbal levels; the truth of the Runes is beyond those levels. What we actually observe is that when we work with Runes, then we can trigger specific energies, or vibrations. For convenience, we talk about "shape" vibrations, which are found in the Rune symbolism, whether those symbols be drawn, visualized, posed with body or hand, sung, or heard with the inner ear.
It is irrelevant to us whether Runes and their energies and vibrations result from the use of Runes over long periods of time, or whether the
natural laws of Rune energy are shape specific, universal (like gravity), or statistical. What is important is that we can work with Runes and that the energies of Runes have some relation to the material levels, which can be formulated by natural laws. These laws we can use to devise useful ways of applying Rune energies to have a desired impact on our universe. It does not matter to us whether a technology is "true" or "false." Our only concern is that it is useful.

Now that our position is clear, we can go more deeply into what we mean by symbols. Symbols have several aspects. They have an outline, or some kind of shape. This shape need not be limited to our visual sense. It can be auditive, like a mantra, kinetic, like a dance, or can be part of any of our access systems of perceptions. Furthermore, one of the aspects that a symbol contains, is its symbolic aspect. By this we mean that we can derive some meaning of the symbol by analyzing and getting in tune with its shape, The symbolic meaning which we find in such a symbol does not need to be active. It does not have to emanate any energy. Next, there is the evocative aspect of the symbol. This aspect is not necessarily represented in the outline or shape of the symbol. The evocative meaning needs no context. The symbol serves as a trigger, giving access to a particular evocative realm and meaning connected with the symbol. Many of the evocative meanings of symbols are man-made, Some symbols that have been misused are "protected" so that their specific energies are not easily available until the negative evocative characteristic has been eliminated from the symbol. The energetic aspects of a symbol then can be derived from the symbolic and evocative meanings of the symbol.

A symbol can be part of a symbolism. As has already been mentioned, we mean by this term an ordered arrangement of symbols in which their positioning with respect to one another is important. The position of the symbol within the symbolism is according to its specific energy. It is also true that the symbolism is always greater than the sum of its parts.

We have already mentioned too that many of the "Rune" alphabets quoted in current books are not symbolisms but incoherent arrays in which the sum of the parts is not greater than the whole. Practice with the 18 Sacred Futhork Runes will show you practically and by experience that the realm of a symbolism encompasses more than the sum of its component symbols. Other arbitrary arrays of symbols have hardly any dimension beyond the sum of the individual parts. In a symbolism that we call linear, such as an alphabet, each symbol has a number assigned. The number given to the symbol determines its position within the symbolism. It does not describe the symbol in a numerological way, nor does the number add its own meaning to the symbol. The Runic symbolism is more than linear, as you will find out in your studies. For now, let us just say that the symbolism of the Runes can be applied to the space around the Earth, and it is based on the hexagon with its three inscribed diameters.

Symbolisms in general represent a form of mapping of the realms for which the symbols are relevant. The symbolism of chemistry for example is based on the periodic system of the elements. It is a valid mapping for the realm of chemistry. Using this system and formulas derived from if, a person can make accurate descriptions of the many phenomena for which the system is relevant. We do not know of any material thing, which we could not express with the help of chemical formulas. This does not mean, however, that the system constitutes a world formula, or an exhaustive mapping of everything that happens in the universe. (In fact, being an abstraction, it cannot be. Looking for an abstraction that "explains everything" is like hunting the snark! By its nature, an abstraction leaves things out. )

There are other mappings that deal with matters for which the chemistry mapping may be unsuitable; physics for instance, or Boolean algebra. However, WE KNOW OF NO SYMBOLISM THAT CAN GIVE AN EXHAUSTIVE DESCRIPTION OF EVERYTHING THAT EXISTS. Furthermore, EVERY SYMBOLISM IMPLIES A FRAMEWORK IN WHICH IT IS VALID.

Our common experience makes these statements seem obvious, even unnecessary. However, many occultists, astrologers included, act as if they are not aware of these simple principles. They deduce "truth" logically from their system as if their system described everything. It takes a scientific training to make one capable of handling symbolisms correctly, and with the limitations of the symbolism always present in
the mind. Unfortunately, there are very few in the metaphysical field with such training.

The uses of the symbolism of chemistry are limited to the descriptions of the interactions of matter, as defined by chemistry, and can be used to develop practical applications of the science. The chemistry symbol system cannot be applied to everything in the universe. Similarly, there is no metaphysical or hyperphysical symbolism which can be applied exhaustively to ALL things. Runes are no exception.

It is possible to describe many phenomena in Runic terms especially phenomena that occur on levels above the Material planes. As you study the Runes, you will gain knowledge that is useful for you when you develop specific strategies to be applied on the material levels and on levels above the material. Bear in mind while doing this that the world formula syndrome permeates most metaphysical circles because so many of the workers in those fields lack the scientific training that makes fully aware symbol manipulation possible. Be very attentive to the assumptions behind the writings of such metaphysicians, even when they write about Runes.