Vikings, Goths, Saxons, Marcomanni, and many other Germanic people lived and died by the traditions, ethos, and methods of their respective warrior archetypes. The Berserker who entered a no-mind state of unity with their violence and the Ulfhednar who channeled the spirit of the wolf during battle are but two poetic examples of how these people wove art and waged war in the same motion and with one spirit.
Reading, Writing, and Wielding the Runes
All of these people used the runes as a written alphabet and as magical devices to contact the divine and cosmic forces the letter-characters are linked to. While it is challenging to find information on the use of runes within the context of combat, we can easily infer use of runes in weaponized magic through the correspondences of each rune, affiliation of deities with specific runes, and so forth.
In Principles of the Runes, Freya Aswynn makes note of the “terrifying” power of the runes when unleashed in combative magic, stating everyone involved was shocked and distraught over how effective the magic proved. Intrigued but skeptical, since reading that book I have employed runes on rare occasions when I have deemed harmful magic justified, and indeed the results could be aptly described as shocking.
How could we expect otherwise? The Futhark Runes were the utilities of warrior cultures who took great pride in their individual and collective combat effectiveness.
A Few Fighting Runes to Test
These are only suggestions per my personal approach. Methods and preferences will vary.
Use individually or in non-linguistic combination.
NOTE: Because sorry-ass Word Press is such a buggy piece of shit software, I’m not allowed to place a caption on Tiwaz above. One of many reasons I hate this fucking script and seek an alternative. Anyway, the caption for the first rune would be “TIWAZ for justice and victory.”
Obviously you can use linguistic combinations as well, wherein the sky is the limit in terms of creativity and effectiveness. What I mean by linguistic combinations is applying runes to form words and sentences relevant to your operation. This naturally adds layers of potency and power to any magic because you bring in greater detail, enhanced and nuanced intent, and so on.
For example, consider the word “CRUSH” in combative context. The intent to crush a foe is indeed powerful by itself. Add the fire of earth element (or vice versa) and the influence of Saturn and you have a serious weapon on hand. Delivered via runes, adding another layer of effectiveness and danger to the mix, this would be:
In order, the intent for each rune could be:
- Kenaz = power for your attack plus the forces of Mars and Saturn upon your target
- Raido = right way, or accuracy and appropriate course of unleashed force
- Urus = power of the bull crashing against your enemy
- Sowilo = victory in battle
- Hagalaz = destruction, the underworld devour your foe
Each rune above offers different potential meanings as well.
The linguistic possibilities are of course wide open. How about “STOP”
A breakdown of the runic intent:
- Sowilo = masculine power or solar forces and victory
- Tiwaz = justice, vengeance, and a double down on victory
- Othala = protect the magic to fulfillment and protect the caster from retaliation or backlash
- Pertho = unleash the forces of death and fortune upon your enemy
How about “STRIKE”, “FIST”, “SWORD”, “BREAK”, or “THWART”?
Use your imagination.
Get mean.
