Runes and Magic Paperback – May 1, 2011

This is a very solid book by Dr. Flowers. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the subject the book is dedicated to.As Dr. Flowers points out perhaps rather indirectly - a lot of interpretations provided to us by those who have dared to unlock this treasure chest are open to conjecture as there are no rules and regulations as to how exactly a runic formula is supposed to be concocted. Well, perhaps there are, but if we have to judge based upon the material evidence, it is like differentiating the grains of sand or blades of grass..In any case, Dr. Flowers was able to describe and even categorize as many grains of sands as possible within this book, and they seem to be falling within the categories of the ones that have more or less clear operative function and the ones that are not so clear. What makes some runic formulas operative besides the power of the rune-master is also not very clear, as well as whether it is the carver of the runes, or some other special person who has injected the runes with that operative power. Often times the phraseology is very vague or codified, or too poetic to allow for concrete conclusions. It ranges from obscure one-worded ones, to very long ones. Some of which have a reference to subtle powers of the cosmos, while others just telegrams to whoever or whatever.To conclude, I must say that we are dealing with a very special and specialized tradition of its own. Its beginnings are shrouded in mystery, at least until now. Its original language is also a mystery in itself as we are dealing with different epochs, and different permutations of the same languages. This seems to be outside of the scope of what scientists can explain, while the runes are still being practiced. Well, I guess that is why a mystery is what it is.

This is one of my go to books on Runology, the other would be Runic Amulets and Magic Objects by Mees & Macleod.

Spa you stuff

A solid historical and academic review of runology has a definite place when so much in the marketplace is trivial, inaccurate, and self-interested. Flowers provides this with a wealth of information, references, and conclusions in a field that is making a timely and appropriate resurgence; although this would be of interest only to the serious student and dedicated runologist. For those who know Flowers as Edred Thorsson, this work gives an appreciation of the depth of his background and appreciation of the field; it also helps to put his later works into a clearer context and on a solid foundation.

Great solid academic treaties on the runes and tradition. Excellent reference material and insight into the roots of where we have most of our knowledge about the tradition. Shame it's lacking practical materials but definitely worth having for deeper understanding of the background and history of the Runes.

Dies ist eine Dissertation und dementsprechend aufgearbeitet (viele Zitate und ausführliche Quellenangaben) alsomanchmal etwas sperrig zu lesen. Dafür viele brauchbre Faften, die versuchen einen realistisches Bild der Runenmagie zuvermitteln. Eine fundgrube an Daten, für die, die sich daran wagen. Empfehlenswert!

Originally written as a dissertiation whilst the author (aka Edred Thorsson) was at Texas University. An excellent overview of the runic corpus in relation to their suggested uses in 'magic'. THE best book this author has written relating to the historical runes. Recommended.