A Koan Rune

The word Rune comes from the Gothic which means “a mystery, secret consultation,” and Runes have had magical powers attributed to them for around three thousand years. The word later came to mean “whisper or secret.”

Archcologists in Scandinavia have found stones from the Bronze Age (1300 B.C.) carved with the Runic signs.

Originally these symbols were used by the Vikings as an alphabet for writing, but later on they took on a secret mantle and became divinatory instruments. They became an essential part of the shamanic culture of the Vikings.

Viking chiefs and their shamans drew, or painted Rune signs during sacred ceremonies, sometimes colouring them with human blood to strengthen a spell, or to personalise the symbol. Later, these Runic signs assumed even greater importance in the shaman’s magic bag, when they were used to control the spirit energies of the people and their activities, for tools, household objects and weapons and to protect from harm, homes, villages and sacred places.

Like many pre-Christian societies, the Vikings were connected closely to nature and the landscape of their environment and so it was very natural for them to carve the Runes in wood, or stone, inscribe them in metal, or clay, or even cut, or burn them into leather. The power of the Rune symbol was supported and amplified by the intensic energy of the natural materials.

From these pre-Christian times onwards, the mysterious Runes spread around Europe, reaching as far as Greenland and countries of the Mediterranean, like Greece and Turkey.

How we came to know the Runes

Our first contact with the Runes always takes place while walking the path of personal growth. The pleasure of tuning into each one of them and verbalizing simple messages that have arisen, creates a beautiful opportunity to go deeper and further on our inner search. The Runes can help many the many seekers who follow the path for eternal human peace. They are a simple, easy meditative way to see through darkness into the light; the word Zen means “meditation” in Japanese.

In 1923, Ralph Blum, an anthropologist, encountered a set of Runes in an excavation whilst in Egypt and turned into one of the greatest scholars in the oracles.

Today the Runes are used as an oracle in the same manner as I Ching, Taro cards and others.

The Runes were a present from Odin (Shaman), god of Nordic mythology, receiving them after a sacrifice of nine days and nine nights hanging from a Yaggdrasil, the tree of life, wounded by his own lance. After passing through hunger, thirst and many sufferings, Odin “saw” the Runes and entered into their knowledge.

Being travellers in life, we can take the advantage of any incident which presents itself and turn it into a physic test.

Zen Runes are a combination of the inspiration of the Rune wisdom and the Zen insight.

A course in Zen Runes is for anyone who wishes to have a way of seeing into the future and a way of communication beyond.

The only requirment needed to undergo the course in Zen Runes is the will and interest to advance in their spiritual journey.