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The Runic Alphabet was the 24 letter alphabet of the Germanic peoples
- Norse speaking, Scandinavian, the Vikings.
Most of the ancient runes that still survive today were carved on stone as
memorials. The earliest date back to the 2nd century A.D., and continue through
the 1400’s.
The path of Viking raiders and Germanic trading expeditions can be tracked
by the Rune Stones left behind throughout the Celtic and Icelandic regions.
It was considered a "Pagan" alphabet and disappeared with the spread of Christianity.
Although a multitude of objects have been used as tools for divination throughout
history (including bones, sticks, clouds, leaves, etc.), it is interesting
to note that the use of the Runic Alphabet as a device for divination has
no factual, historical basis. (Nor, for that matter, does the use of Tarot
Cards. Tarot Cards were devised for a specific set of parlour games and were
invented in Italy during the 15th century. In 1773, Frenchman Antoine Court
published an entirely invented history of Tarot Cards - imbuing them with
mystical wisdom derived from the Ancient Egyptians and describing an "ancient"
method for their use as tools of divination. Like the false history of Runes,
this interpretation caught the fancy of the public and grew in popularity
over time.)
Try using the method of TRANSLITERATION, (the exchanging of one alphabet
for another while still remaining in the same language), to write your name
or for special messages with your friends. Keep in mind that there are no
double letters, as in the word leTTer, you would drop any letter we use twice,
and that some sounds are combined (C and K for example) while other sounds,
like X are spelled out, (eks). Have fun! :)
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