A Pocket Guide to Runes Paperback – February 28, 2019

While this is not the most in depth book about runes, it is a perfect reference guide. The small size means it can fit in your bag, purse, or pocket, and it contains all the basic information any rune reader would need in that compact size. Ben's writing, as always, is engaging and informative.

I’ve been working with runes as a divination, magical, and daily life for over a decade. I received the print book as a gift and also have it digitally. This is a fantastic pocket sized book for the divination use of runes. It is a handy introduction to the runes for someone who is interested in learning them and it is a nice book to have as a quick reference for long term runesters.It opens with a Q & A to answer the most common questions about runes. Such as: what are runes? How did the runes originate? Is there a blank rune? The answers are not in depth, Waggoner leaves that for other works that are designed for and suited to that level of follow up, but they are informative in their brevity. A very thought provoking part is the response to What is Wyrd. Worth a lot of contemplation on that alone - including when working with the runes as a divination tool.The book continues with each of the Elder Futhark runes staves. The Elder Rune and any alternate forms shapes are included with the sounds it represents. A short description pulling information from the rune poems and including experiences and revelations from modern resources. Some include great little tidbits such as references in writings (Lore) and runes that are found on objects in gravedigs or other archaeological sites. The descriptions are short, to the point and kept to their own page. Each also has an accompanying illustration that illustrates the rune concept or historical finds with the runes on them.The third section of the book is a collection of the rune poems : Norwegian, Icelandic, Old English and the Abecedarium Nordmanncum from which the divination meanings we use today are based.Waggoner lists resources in the back for historical and magical/esoteric use.Overall it is a very good book for what it is designed to be - a pocket guide.For more in-depth study see the recommendations of Katie Gerrard, Ann Groan Sheffield, and Diana Paxson.

Bought this book thinking it would be mini book that tells you what the runes mean. It really doesn't. Mainly tells you the norse mythology surrounding the rune. Doesn't give a good description of what each rune means when doing rune readings. Disappointed. Going to give book away.