A Study of the Elder Futhark Runes; - Bindrunes by Beorc Kano

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

One of the things that inevitably comes up when dealing with workers of
the runes is rune magic. One of the major methods of rune magic is
creating something called a bindrune.

WHAT IS A BINDRUNE?

A Bindrune is a glyph or sigil that is created by drawing several Norse
Futhark/Futhorc/Ogham/what-have-you runes in such a way that they
merge, creating a Bindrune. Many Sig-runes (signature runes) are
bindrunes. My own is a bindrune formed of Beorc (Berkana) and Kano
(Kenaz). Others have their own versions, and, for sigunes, there is no
right or wrong way to make them. I would suggest care in making them,
however, as I adhere to the concept that even an uncharged sigrune has
the power of the runes that it was created from influencing it, and
that which it is connected to, namely the one who uses it as a sigrune.

WHY WOULD YOU USE A BINDRUNE?

Consider bindrunes to be similar to the other symbols used throughout
spirituality. The christians have their cross, the Hebrews have the
Star of David, the Wiccans have the Pentacle, etc... The Ankh, the
Yin-Yang, the Triskellion, all of these are glyphs and symbols used for
a purpose, and with their own significance and power. With bindrunes,
you can tailor your own glyph to produce a specific effect (a spell, if
you will). The power of a rune is easily integrated and interwoven with
the energies of other runes, though some do conflict. For example, what
if you wanted a glyph that promoted understanding and psychic abilty,
because you are studying under someone who is teaching you how to
properly focus your mental abilities? A bindrune carved into a lapis
pendant would be helpful, if you selected the runes correctly. Kenaz
and Laguz seem to go together well, correct? Consider that according to
some, Laguz is aligned with water, and Kenaz with fire. How well do the
energies of water and fire mix? A more fortuitous binding would be
Laguz and Jera, as Jera represents progress, and can arguably be either
earth aligned or water aligned. I personally align it with the moon,
and the tides are effected by the moon. That would be a more harmonious
binding, and the energies would bolster each other better. Which brings
us to...

HOW DO YOU MAKE A BINDRUNE?

I have seen and heard many methods for creating bindrunes, using
various alphabets and rune sets. Since I prefer the Elder Futhark, that
is what this discussion is referring to.

Now, I have been asked on several occasions to make bindrunes or
describe ritual to help people take care of problems in their lives. I
have been asked, more than once, to create destructive bindrunes,
because of the general overall effectiveness of my non-destructive
bindrunes. Makes sense that if I can make powerful benevolent runes, my
malevolent runes should be as effective, aye?

It is true. I could gear the runes and their uses into a malevolent
purpose, and use them in a curse, hex, aggressive ritual, what have
you... but I refuse to. Especially for someone else. That sort of
ability needs to be earned and researched by ones own self, not just
handed over.

1) First of all, runeworking is an art. The casting, the making of the
rune sets themselves, and then the combining of the mystical sigils
into another single sigil that encompasses the original runes. All of
these are different facets of the same gemstone. And, just like any
art, it takes time before one gets 'good' at it. Making bindrunes is
absolutely no different. You should have seen some of my early
bindrunes... Imbalanced, gawky, and aesthetically unpleasing to the
eye. That made them harder to focus on, because they didn't grab my
attention, and thus harder to imbue with energy and really 'send' to
work.

2) Care should be taken in selecting which runes one adds into the mix.
Certain runes, when combined, can form a conflict of energies. They can
also create other runes that are already a part of the Futhark.. For
example...

Combining Kano/Kenaz with Laguz. Laguz is generally attributed to the
element of water, and Kano to the element of Fire. These two elements
do not mix well, and can form a conflict of energies, unless artfully
and carefully done, while focusing on the attributes that they share
that CAN co-exist. Also, if one were to simply slap Kano up against
Laguz, you'd get a backwards Thurisaz with a little tag on the top. If
you don't want the influence of Thurisaz, this is not a desirable thing.

3) I find that the more runes one attempts to shove into a bindrune,
the sloppier it looks. Limiting the number to no more than three makes
the resulting bindrune much sleeker and pleasing to the eye. I have
made specialized runes with up to five runes in them, but I seldom like
how they turn out, and I have moved to making them with only three.
Also, using only three bindrunes gives acknowledgment to the three
Aetts, and the sacred number of three, thus, adding power to the
bindrune.

4) I do not believe in toying with things such as Runes and other forms
of magic. Magic is a gift to us, and the abuse of it can be seen as
disrespectful by those who reside on a higher level than we do. Also,
in playing with things like Bindrunes, one has more opportunities for
mistakes, which can range from embarrassing, to troublesome, to
disastrous. Making a bindrune for everyday things that do not need them
is decent practice, I suppose, but, be careful with the gifts you are
given. Playing with power is like playing with electricity or fire. You
could very easily get zapped or burned. Maybe not badly, but the risk
is always there.

5) Be wary of making all but the simplest bindrunes for someone else.
In creating a bindrune, you are taking, with your mind, and thus your
spirit, magical symbols of power, and fusing them together. In doing
so, you add your own personal creative energy to it, and give it a
small part of yourself. This part of your energy remains with the
bindrune, no matter who uses it. So long as they follow the pattern for
drawing it out that YOU set forth, they are using YOUR bindrune. If
they do wrong with it, it will have a trace of your own energy
associated with it. The fault is still theirs, but you'll have your
role to play in it as well. This holds especially true with
aggressive/destructive bindrunes. The few I have made have only been
for my own purposes, and I destroyed any record of them afterwords,
lest they be found and used by someone other than myself.



These are all the points I have to share at this time. I will show now
several bindrunes I have created and freely shared, as they are not
malevolent in creation. I also outline which runes I used in the making
of some of them, to help illustrate the attributes they have, and why I
have named them such.

Those are some of the many, many runes I have made over the years.
Others I cannot show, because I made them for others, some I will not
show because they are for my own personal use. However, I will show one
final rune, my own personal bindrune. It is myself. It is Me.

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

A Ritual to send a series of Runes or a Bindrune by Beorc Kano

Materials you'll need;

A peice of leather, organic/natural paper, or 100% cotton or silk cloth. A flat section of papery bark (such as birch) will work too.

A peice of natural 100% Hemp/cotton line or a leather thong

A small brush

A wooden bowl filled with natural water (from a wild creek, pond, lake, or ocean)

A wooden bowl filled with sand/fine gravel/soil (from the wild... No potting soil or purchased cultured stone/silica sand)

one small, empty wooden bowl

Means to start flame (I prefer flint and steel)

5 sticks of incense

Firewood from shed limbs in a forest (must be able to break by hand or with an axe)

A fixed-blade knife (a folder *can* work, but I find a fixed blade knife distracts me less)

Gauze bandages, disinfectant, absorbant pad, and medical tape

A secluded place in the wilderness

Mead/wine/alcohol of your choice. Something you would be proud to offer to a friend or a spirit as a tribute.



PRE RITUAL SETUP

Clear the area of debris, leaves, or anything excessively flammable in a circle about 10 feet in diameter. Dig a shallow pit in the center, about 18 inches across, and 6 to 8 inches deep. Set your firewood next to it. Set rocks around it in a ring. If possible, set rocks around your cleared area in a ring as well. One in each cardinal direction will suffice, if an entire ring is not feasable. One in each cardinal direction, and then also to the NW, SW, NE and SE will also work well.



Cleanse yourself in whatever manner you find appropriate. It all depends on what you are using the runes for and what your particular path leads you to follow. For example;

For an agressive ritual, one may wish to meditate, and then sharpen the knife you plan to use in the ritual, to attune it to your energy, while focusing on the object of your agression and shedding your mercy like bindings keeping you back.

For a non-agressive ritual, one may wish to lower yourself into a natural pond or creek, and envision the water washing away your agression, leaving you with nothing but benevolence and a sense of peace.

... or whatever it is you do for said situations.



Bathe. Not just as one showers before a party. Bathe FASTIDIOUSLY. If you are a male, shave/trim/style your beard as you would were you to go before the Gods. Trim your fingernails. Trim your hair, if you need it. Wash every part of yourself until you are utterly clean.



Fast for one day. Drink only clean, pure water. Eat nothing. Spend your time in isolation, meditation, and study. Use this time to design, perfectly, the bindrunes you will use, if you are using them. Commit them and thier meanings to memory. Make them unforgettable in your mind.



CLEAN THE KNIFE EXTENSIVELY.



Dress in whatever ceremonial garb is appropriate for yourself and your tradition.



THE RITUAL

At whichever time of day/night would be appropriate to your purpose (Either noon or midnight... Don't go by clocks. Go by the actual Solar noon or 12 hours from it), be at your circle, and step into it. Treat it like stepping into a world of your own making. Apart from the one you dwell in, yet intrinsically connected. Feel the energy in yourself, and KNOW (don't think, KNOW) that you are here for a purpose that will be completed. Approach the firepit, and start your fire. Light the incense, and set it to the West, NW, North, NE, and East of the firepit. Position yourself to the south.

Set the bowl of water to the west if the ocean is nearer to the west, to the east if the ocean is nearer to the east. Set the bowl of water to the opposite side. Position the leather/paper/cloth in front of you, the brush on top, and the small empty bowl on the side of your dominant hand. Pour about 1 ounce of whatever alcohol you brought into it.

Gather your energy, and draw from the air about you, the earth, the water, and the fire. Draw from all four of the elements, and from yourself. Send that energy into your arms, and focus it there. As much energy as you feel is appropriate for your purpose. Take the knife, and make a slice on your forearm, the top side (away from the veins) that draws blood. When the blood flows, take the small brush, and dip it into your blood, then into the alcohol. Use the mixture to paint your rune(s)/bindrune(s) onto the leather/paper/cloth.

When you are done, apply disinfectant to your cut, and bandage yourself. (some prefer to do this after the ritual, myself included. Some feel more comfortable cleaning it immediately.)

Wrap the leather/paper/cloth about a peice of firewood like a scroll, and tie it into place with the natural cord. I find it is best to tie it in three places.

Send the energy from your hands into the painted runes, until you you feel you have sent enough. Put the scroll into the fire, and keep the fire burning until the scroll is no more. Some prefer to keep the fire burning for a total of 24 hours. I have done this at times that I find the number 24 to be of significance (when using the Elder Futhark, when using the sacred woods of the Norse, etc..).

When the Scroll is gone (or the 24 hours have passed) draw energy from the fire. Then, take the bowl of sand, and Hold it up. Speaking aloud, "My power has been sent, and my will guides it. From the elements that create all things, I draw my power. Fire warms my body and has sent my Will. Earth suppports my body and will make my will firm."

Pour the sand over the fire, extinguishing it. Lift the bowl of water.

"Water will sustain my life, and allow my energy to flow."

Pour the water on the sand, extinguishing the fire entirely. Take the incense sticks (whether they are burnt out or not) and set them on top of the wet sand.

"The air fills my lungs, and carries the intent in my voice"

Stand, and walk to the edge of your circle. Turn back to the extinguished firepit.
"My will has been done. My power has been sent. I am at rest."

Step out of the circle.

Gather your remaining materials, scatter your stone rings, and depart.