Rune Gild: Introductory Information
The Outer Hall of the Rune-Gild
Runes are the mysteries
that underlie all of the worlds- that which lies hidden in, and gives
power to, all things. These Runes pull those who seek them ever onward
and upward. Knowledge of them and the quest for their mastery, both within
the self and throughout the worlds, is the Path of Odin. This quest leads
to transformation- in the Self and in the Worlds.
As a practical matter, the Odian Path has, until recently, been obstructed
by a general lack of available information on a refined and authentic
level. The Rune-Gild has undertaken to remedy this lamentable situation.
But beyond this goal, our intention is to provide a gateway into the practical
application of runic principles. It is imperative that a number of individuals
be initiated into the intellectual and working aspects of runology. The
soul of our folk has little chance of survival - much less of being as
great as it is destined to become - if it is not armed with the Secrets
of the Self. These secrets are the Runes.
Because knowledge of the Runes has languished under suppression in the distant past, and under ill-conceived superficial studies in the more recent past, it is now necessary that seekers along the true Rune-roads gain deep and sound intellectual knowledge along with more practical work in Runecraft. Knowledge and Work must always go hand in hand.
History of the Gild
The Rune-Gild was
founded in 1980ev as the first authentic rebirth of the elder Runic tradition
to be available to the new Gilders in about a millennium. Over the ensuing
years, the Gild has grown and changed its form as new information and
impulses entered into its knowledge base- and as its leadership became
more initiated. However, our aim has remained true and steadfast- to see
the elder Runemasters again make their wisdom known and felt in the world
of their descendants. This is a great task, for those interested in the
heritage of the Germanic or Gothic peoples- and this includes all those
who live in countries where a Germanic language (f.ex. English) predominates
- it may indeed be the greatest task that lies before us. For without
the deep level spiritual heritage to guide us we will surely be lost in
a morass of cultural confusion. The Runes stand ready, the Drightens know
their duty, but each Gilder must work for his or her own initiation. The
doors of the Gild-Hall now stand open- enter with heart, enter with mind
- and learn again the ways of the Runemasters.
With the publication of Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic, Runelore: A
Handbook of Esoteric Runology, and At the Well of Wyrd: A Handbook of
Runic Divination the gates were opened. The time has now come to have
those of you who will, enter the first doors of a gradual approach to
Rune-Work and Rune-craft. In the Rune-Gild you will be introduced to a
graded series of exercises known as the Nine Doors of Midgard. In these
exercises you will learn various techniques of Rune-Work: more explicitly
of Rune-thinking (meditation/contemplation), Rune-casting (divination),
galdor (incantational or verbal magic), making of Rune-tines (talismans)
and other forms of Rune-craft (operative magic) and Rune-Work (self-transformational
activity), as well as many other techniques that were only touched on
in a cursory fashion in Futhark and At the Well of Wyrd. The first three
books by Thorsson were the beginning- the Rune-Gild itself is a road which
is itself a goal.
The curriculum of the Gild is based on the oldest and most traditional runology of the Erulians. From this traditional base- which all profane approaches to the Runes recently published lack - Gild-members will be guided to levels of knowledge completely unavailable through other avenues.
Structure of the Rune-Gild
In the Outer Hall
of the Gild there are three levels, or "degrees," of initiation.
These are based on the most ancient steps of learning any skill known
in the elder age- that of apprentice, journeyman, and master. In the terminology
of the Gild, however, these are reflected in the names or titles Learner,
Fellow, and Master.
The Gild is divided into Inner and Outer Halls. The Outer Hall of the
Gild is made up of those who are now working on the curriculum of the
Nine Doors of Midgard and who want to be in close contact with the Gild
and its Hall-Workings. If there is a Leader in your area who is running
a Gild-Hall, there will also most likely be Outer Hall Workings and gatherings
which you could attend. Also, members are encouraged to set up Runa-Workshops
("runic study groups") in geographical areas where no Hall exists.
Many Gilders in the Outer Hall will be working alone, or in Runa-Workshops.
It can not be said too often that the Gild does not deal in "mail-order
occultism." All Gilders must be sponsored to gain membership, and
entry into the Inner Hall can only be gained in person and through direct
contact with a Gild-Drighten.
The Inner Hall is made up of those who have completed the Nine Doors of Midgard curriculum, or its equivalent, and who have been personally inducted by a Gild-Drighten. The Outer Hall the Gild is not overly formal in its organization- it is rather like an extended magical study group. The practical advantages to actual membership in the Outer Hall are the extensive personal contacts that can be made, information on all the latest developments in the world of Rune-Work, and most importantly the inner keys to making the Hall-Workings true magical bonds between yourself and the Gild-Halls (both Inner and Outer) around the world.
A word might be mentioned on the Gild-Masters and Drightens. They are a distinguished group of individuals each with their own area of expertise, each with their own unique gifts to offer the Gild. The Yrmin-Drighten, Edred Thorsson, is the author of a number of books, including the major "textbooks" of Rune-Gild Work. He also holds a Ph.D. in Germanic Studies from a major university. Many of the other Drightens are similarly qualified.
Goals of the Gild
Among the most important
goals of the Gild are the continued development of traditional and transformational
Runelore and the dissemination of that system to those who are inspired
by the quest for the Runes. We continue to institute Runa-Workshops around
the world. In addition to this, there is an ever expanding network of
Outer Gild-Halls open to members who are personally invited by a local
Hall-Leader to join a Gild-Hall. These span from North America to Australia
and western Europe.
It can not be overemphasized that the main work of the Gild is centered
in each individual, and its main aim is the self-transformation of each
Gilder according to the ancient Odian principles. For it is only from
this basis of transformed individuals that the new Gild can be reborn
in the full essence of the elder Gild of the Erulians.
For such transformations to occur there come key moments in the individual development of each Runer when personal contact with a true Runemaster is Needed. The Rune-path may begin in solitude, and may end there, but in the middle there comes a time to interact with those who bear the Flame and who can show it to you.
To this end the foundation of the first permanent Hall of the Gild - the Yrmin-Hall - was laid in late 1993 and it was fully erected in the early part of 1994. It is situated on 30 acres of land near Austin, Texas. The estate is known as Woodharrow. It is here that Gild-Moots and seminars in advanced Rune-Work will be held beginning later in 1994. It is to this Hall that Gilders of the future will come, be transformed, and go forth to spread the Word, which is Runa.
The Work of the Gild can be summed up in the Seed-Word Runa - "The Mystery," especially as extended and articulated through the stave: Reyn til Runa- "Seek toward the Mysteries!" Runa is the Hidden in the World, and the Sense of the Hidden lying within the depths of the Self. This eternal Quest is the essence of Rune-Work- and its fulfillment is the highest goal of the Gild.
If you choose to affiliate with the Gild, for your first year's toll you will receive in your initial package all of the publications that were put out that year. The toll makes you a member of the Gild, which will be certified with a letter from the Yrmin-Drighten. You will also receive four issues of the Yrmin-Drighten's personal communique RUNE-KEVELS, which will keep you up to date on all events and publications of the Gild from around the world in the area of Rune-Galdor. RUNE-KEVELS is available to Gilders only.
The Doors of Valhalla stand wide open. It is now your Work to step forth through the Doors of Midgard to face the challenges of a new way of being that awaits you within. The Gild stands ready to help you in this Work- as no other organization in the world today can do. We welcome those who now wish to join us in the Runic quest!
If you wish to join the Gild, send a letter of application for sponsorship to the address below, along with your initial Gild-toll of $50.00 (in the USA) - US$60.00 for non-USA applicants. The letter should provide basic information about your background and basic philosophy regarding the Runes and your aims and goals in joining the Gild.
The Rune-Gild
P.O. Box 7622
Austin, Texas 78713
- The Associate application can now be made via Runa-Raven.
Reyn til Runa!
© 2003, Rune Gild
Updated August 27, 2007