Odin's Gateways by Katie Gerrard
ODIN'S GATEWAYS A Practical Guide to the Wisdom of the Runes through Galdr, Sigils and Casting By Katie Gerrard "The runes you must find ... Which the mighty sage stained and the powerful gods made and the runemaster of the gods carved out." (The Poetic Edda, translated by C. Larrington) The runes are mysterious and powerful magical keys to the primal forces of nature that shaped Norse and Northern European culture. These twenty-four unique and inspiring symbols of the Elder Futhark (first runic alphabet) each possess powerful energies, identities, meanings, and sounds. The runes are invoked and harnessed to create change through inspiration, healing, protection, knowledge and divine wisdom from the Norse gods. Odin's Gateways is a practical guide to using the runes in our lives, in magic and in divination - a unique journey into the mysteries hidden within the runes, filled with the information and practices necessary to developing a deep personal understanding and relationship with them. By focusing on how to directly harness and channel the energy of the individual runes, the author guides the reader along the path to self-knowledge and empowerment. With a deft hand and lucid style, Katie Gerrard cuts to the heart of the runes, combining the wisdom of the Norse Sagas and Rune Poems with practical advice and techniques gained through living and experiencing their powers. The divinatory meanings of the runes are given, with a range of different reading methods; bindrunes are explained in detail, with numerous examples presented ready for use; galdr (incantation) and spellcraft, charms and talismans are all seamlessly explored and made accessible in this fluid, concise and practical guide. 2009 190 pages. Paperback & Kindle editions available. ISBN 978-1-905297-31-3 B&W 6.14 x 9.21 in or 234 x 156 mm (Royal 8vo) Perfect Bound on White w/Gloss Lam
Table of Contents
Introduction Do you know how to ask? Letting the runes lead you History of the runes The Aetts The Havamal The Rune Poems Tacitus The use of the runes in modern times The blank rune The nine worlds Midgard Asgard Vanaheim Jotunheim Alfheim/ Ljosalfheim/ Svartalfheim Nidavellir Muspellheim Niflheim Helheim/ Niflhel/ Hel Primary and secondary sources : Germanic and Norse mythology Do you know how to interpret? Meeting Odin Journeying to meet with Odin Meeting the runes Journey through the gateway of the rune The runes Do you know how to carve? Making your own Sourcing the right materials for your runes Markings Shape The runes and their voices Making your runes in an afternoon Making your runes over 24 days (or 24 months) Additional equipment Do you know how to cast? Reading the runes Keep your notes close to you Forming the right questions Reading for other people Casting the runes The ‘To Do List’ reading The time target reading The Norns reading One rune reading The lost rune reading Structured readings To reverse or not reverse Bindrunes Using runic wheels to create bindrunes Galdr Talismans and Sigils The runic alphabet Using the runes for magic and spell craft Runic Protection Childbirth Battle Runes Fertility Runes at Home Cursing Runes and Healing Creating a sacred space Sleep Conclusion Bibliography and suggested reading
About the Author
Katie Gerrard is a writer, researcher and workshop facilitator with a passion for the magic of the Runes and Seidr. She has been studying the different forms of Norse magic and working with the Norse Gods since discovering them in the 1990s, when she was at university in West Wales.
Katie lectures and facilitates workshops at national and international events on the Runes, Seidr and related subjects, and also leads a practical Seidr group on the outskirts of London. Her work on the runes spans understanding, divination, voice work, and runic magic, which she teaches in and around London (UK). Her work on Seidr focuses on the High Seat rite and her essay ‘The Seer’ on this subject appeared in the anthology Priestesses Pythonesses Sibyls. She is the author of Odin’s Gateways, which is a practical guide to the wisdom of the Runes through Galdr, Sigils and Casting.
When she is not doing things of a magickal persuasion she enjoys creative pursuits such as fashion design, sewing, and various handicrafts. She lives in London with her husband, daughter, and fat idiot cat.
