This entry in the Heathen And Heretical Ways blog is delayed because of a challenging and difficult effort to advance by returning to the authentic academic basics of what are known about runes. It's enjoyable to read "Runes and Magic : Formulaic Elements in the Older Runic Tradition" by Stephen E. Flowers and be challenged to take on some other academic works. Any insights I could gather to enact in a real way are limited by my previous commitments. Keeping an oath to accomplish a task within a year is in keeping with a Germanic ethic of honor and that task and previous responsibilities takes precedence.

So far, in my plateu of learning, I've been impressed that runes arrived through a certain cultural paradigm. This cultic paradigm is the reason they survived in a consistant form after centuries of use. There was a consistancy of teaching the shape, number, sequence, and lore that must have been influenced by a 'school' of some sort. It seems that to practice runic powers today, a similar approach would be advisable. Fortunately such an opportunity is available. There is The Rune-Gild as established by Edred Thorsson and some kindreds and knowledgable people who have learned from this source. Also in the context of returning to a true Germanic culture there are organizations like the Asatru Folk Assembly. The AFA is more focused on religious and cultural reawakening, however, the influences and recommended teaching about runes would be in keeping with authenticity.

There are certain qualities of a Germanic authenticity that are intuited. These perceptions can be conceptual or arrive as events and life-structures that can be appreciated in the moment, or recognized later. Love and respect are some ways that this recognition arises. The Individual and the Supra-Individual function in harmony. Indeed, the Individual is a set of multiple states that are both separate as independent functions and connected to the 'normal' state and only awaiting recognition through runic work.

The study of Stephen E. Flowers' "Runes and Magic : Formulaic Elements in the Older Runic Tradition" will add a quality of legitimate ambience to anyone's previous understanding and work. It is taking me some time to get there and I'm only half-way through the book. In addition the forces of Orlog and Wyrd have brought to our awakening community the Masters thesis of Flowers is available. "Sigurdh : Rebirth And The Rites of Transformation" has conceptual relevance that is probably presented in the Flowers Ph.D. thesis yet arrives more quickly in these pages of his Masters thesis. This relates directly to a quest to my above statement, "The individual and the Supra-Individual function in harmony. Indeed, the Individual is a set of multiple states that are both separate as independent functions and connected to the 'normal' state and only awaiting recognition through runic work.".

One aspect that deals with both having a strong ego and transcending the ego is that of an entity or presence attached to certain individuals as the 'Aettarfylgja'. This is another name for the 'Kynfylfgja' although the Kynfylgja has traditionally appeard usually as a large image of a female entity. I believe the Aettarfylgja is the same concept maybe without the imagery representation. The important point is that the Spiritual potencies of a single great ancestor or a combination of the ancestral 'luck' will be attached to a family member and be available as a power for victory.