A step-by-step guide to working with the runes throughout the year

• Explains how the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark each rule the calendar for a half-month

• Details the runes most powerful during each runic half-month, what they portend for personal and spiritual wellbeing, and techniques for creating relationships with them

• Includes structured devotionals for each half-month and runic initiation rituals for the 8 pagan Sabbats, or holy days, such as the Summer Solstice (Litha) and Lughnssadh (the first harvest holy day)

The Old Norse runes, known as the Elder Futhark, have long joined forces with the cycles of the seasons to offer powerful initiations, guidance, and wisdom. Aligning the sacred festivals, plantings, and harvests of ancient runic calendars with our modern 12-month calendar, Kelley Harrell reveals how the runes can once again offer initiations as well as instruct us on the holy days and creative rhythms of today.

Drawing on her more than 25 years of shamanic practice and runic study, Harrell offers a step-by-step primer to work with the runes throughout the year. She explains how the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark follow a seasonal progression in which each stave rules the calendar for a half-month. She explores the meaning of each rune in detail and presents structured runic devotionals for each half-month, interwoven with guidance on how to make the best use of the life force available during each season, as well as runic initiation rituals for the 8 pagan Sabbats, or holy days, such as the Summer Solstice (Litha) and Beltane (May Day). She details the runes most powerful during each half-month, what they portend for personal and spiritual wellbeing, techniques for creating relationships with them, and how to work with them as an oracle. The author also explains how the runes leading up to each Sabbat help create the space for properly greeting each calendrical transition and completing its initiation.

By moving through Nature’s cycle with the runes, each year becomes a reliable and trackable process of personalized growth and spiritual connection. Progressing through the teachings of each stave while honoring the seasons, Harrell’s year with the runes becomes an initiation into a direct relationship with powers of Nature.

S. Kelley Harrell has worked with the Elder Futhark runes for over 25 years. A lifelong intuitive and ordained interfaith minister, she holds a master’s degree in Religious Studies and has been a practicing shaman since 2000. Her shamanic practice is called Soul Intent Arts. The author of Gift of the Dreamtime and Teen Spirit Guide to Modern Shamanism, she lives in North Carolina.

Foreword by Nigel Pennick

Acknowledgments

Introduction

PART 1
Engaging the Runes

1 History and Origin of the Runes

2 The Runes Tools and Strategies for Rune Work

3 The Staves The Symbolism of the Elder Futhark

4 The Runic Calendar Structure and Sacred Rites

PART 2
Living the Runes

5 June 29-July 14 -- Fehu
Manifesting the Sacred Self

6 July 14-July 29 -- Uruz
Greeting Shadow

7 July 29-August 13 -- Thurisaz and Lammas
Finding Personal Divinity

8 August 13-August 29 -- Ansuz
Speaking Your Personal Truth

9 August 29-September 13 -- Raidho
Telling Your Story

10 September 13-September 28 -- Kenaz and Mabon
Meeting the Personal Metaphor

11 September 28-October 13 -- Gebo
Giving and Growing

12 October 13-October 28 -- Wunjo
Allowing Joy

13 October 28-November 13 -- Hagalaz and Samhain
Facing Fear, Finding Faith

14 November 13-November 28 --Nauthiz
Embracing Need

15 November 28-December 13 -- Isa
Excavating Hidden Life Force

16 December 13-December 28 -- Jera and Yule
Finding Tools That Work

17 December 28-January 13 -- Eihwaz
Navigating the Personal Path

18 January 13-January 28 -- Perthro
Confronting Your Wyrd

19 January 28-February 12 --Algiz and Imbolc
Embodying Power

20 February 12-February 27 -- Sowilo
Remembering Infinite Divinity

21 February 27-March 14 -- Tiwaz
Holding Space

22 March 14-March 30 -- Berkano and Ostara
Healing Dues

23 March 30-April 14 -- Ehwaz
Meeting Allies

24 April 14-April 29 -- Mannaz
Finding Your Tribe

25 April 29-May 14 -- Laguz and Beltane
Staying in Flow

26 May 14-May 29 -- Ingwaz
Feeding New Consciousness

27 May 29-June 14 -- Othala
Being the Present

28 June 14-June 29 -- Dagaz and Midsummer
Befriending the Tension of Change

29 Continuing the Cycle

Suggested Reading and Resources

Notes

Glossary

Index