A Bindrune is a combination of runes drawn to create a symbol of increased power for a particular purpose–to attract money, love, luck, and other objects (obscure and otherwise) of desire, or to banish negative energies, avoid misfortune, and avert generally unpleasant things.

Wikipedia has a brief and useful article on the history of bindrunes for those interested. Authors with interesting ideas on working with bindrunes include Raven Kaldera, Galina Krasskova, and Nigel Pennick.

Bindrunes can be used for magical purposes–to attract something desired, to inspire qualities such as courage or creativity, or to overcome an obstacle or solve a problem. As with any magic, you must still do the necessary work on the material plane to accomplish your goal. Creating a bindrune helps to focus your energy so you can do the work–creating a bind rune does not replace actually doing the work. You must still study for the test, apply for the job, speak to the person who can make the right connection, or whatever action is needed. The bindrune is a tool to help with the work, not a substitute for the work.

Each week, I will post a bindrune for a specific purpose, as I explore working with them in my own magic. You can, of course, alter the bindrune to include or remove runes as they fit your situation. Once you have read a post, I suggest you draw the rune for yourself. You can make it fancy by using special inks and paper if you wish; a simple pen or colored pencil on plain paper works just as well. You don’t have to be an artist or calligrapher to charge the bindrune; your focused intention is the key.

You can also charge the bindrune with scent, either an essential oil, or a magical oil prepared for a specific purpose. Scent reaches parts of our brains on a physical level that no amount of focused thinking can reach, and can be a powerful way to boost the energies of the bindrune with your personal energy.

You can set aside quiet time and ritual space to create your bindrune in a magic circle or other protected space to more deeply imbue it with energy. Even if you are not able to do a full ritual to create your bindrune, do make it with thought and care. Light a candle, focus on what you want the bindrune to help you with, and draw it with attention. The ritual doesn’t have to be elaborate; ten minutes of good focus on your energies and intent is workable. The more time and energy you put into creating the bindrune, the more effective it can be–just as with any form of magic.

If you find a particular bindrune resonates for you, you can paint it onto fabric, carve it into leather or wood, or cast it in metal. Make it out of Sculpey or Das clay, or make your own clay. Decorate cookies or some other food, or twist bread dough into a bind rune, and make an edible charm. This can be a powerful way to quite literally take in the energy of the bindrune and let it feed your body as well as your spirit.

There are countless ways to work with bindrunes. Try different methods and materials, and means of setting the space for creation. The important thing is to find what what works for you with each bindrune you create.

Try one, and see how it works for you. All the posts will be in the “Bindrune” category and also carry the “Bindrune” tag, so they will be easy to find.

Do let me know what happens!

As I continue my exploration of the Northern Traditions, I was pleased to see “Norse Goddess Magic” by Alice Karlsdottir appear on the New Titles list from Inner Traditions, and their publicity department kindly sent me a review copy. This is an expanded and updated version of the earlier “Magic of the Norse Goddesses”.

Karlsdottir has deep experience working with what she terms the “Germanic Heathen revival”, and has written about her work in print and online. The book is written for an audience who may be new to or moderately familiar with the Norse pantheon, and to meditation / trance work. The writing is coherent and easy to follow, and the ideas are presented in a way that is understandable and engaging.

She describes her research and personal explorations of working with the Asynjur, the Norse Aesir goddesses. As we all find, over and over, historical resources on the female members of the pantheon are few, and most simply repeat information from prior sources. Karlsdottir conducts what research she can with material sources, and deepens her knowledge through direct work with the Goddesses through trance and ritual. She includes a brief and thoughtful discussion on the use of personal gnosis in group practice, and also a good, basic introduction to meditation and to creating a ritual.

The main section of the book is a thorough introduction to Frigg, The Allmother and Queen of the Gods. Karlsdottir explores the historical depictions of Frigg, as well as her associations with other goddesses in the Norse and Germanic worlds. By understanding Frigg and Her role in depth, we more easily connect to the 12 Asynjur whose chapters follow. I especially enjoyed her description of Frigg’s hall, Fensalir, “like a women’s college”, as that creates not only a visual image, but an intellectual concept that creates a workable structure for the book.

Each chapter describes one goddess, starting with the commonly accepted lore regarding Her, associations with Her, and connections to goddesses in other pantheons and figures in folklore. Karlsdottir then suggests ways to approach each goddess, and details one of her own trance encounters. The chapter closes with an example ritual for invoking and working with that particular deity.

The bibliography is a good mix of sources, including a few that were new to me, so I am pleased at having further reading to do!

The goddesses covered are Frigg, Eir, Saga, Gna, Gefjon, Snotra, Lofn, Sjofn, Var, Fulla (Frigg’s sister), Hlin, Syn, and Vor. The book also includes appendices which contain stories of Mother Holle, The Three Spinners and Queen Olga, which round out the book with a pleasing mix of magic and folklore.