Tales from the Ironwood

The subject contained herein has taken on a new and significant meaning for me. In fact, several subjects at one time quite marginal have now taken center stage. Written from 8 - 15 May 2026 ********* In considering the practice of the Runes—particularly as a path toward true Rune Mastery—one encounters a subject too often misunderstood or insufficiently emphasized: the necessity of personal discipline within one’s way of life. Discussions on the matter frequently avoid speaking directly and affirmatively about moderation, preferring instead merely to reject the extremes of asceticism. This raises an important question: does Rune Mastery demand ascetic discipline, or may such concerns be set aside altogether? Before proceeding, it is necessary to define our terms. By Rune Mastery , I do not mean a purely academic understanding of the Runes—their history, symbolism, or linguistic significance—but rather mastery of the practical and esoteric art of Rune-work as taught by Rune magicians ...

Intended as another installment of my Portrait series for inclusion in the journal FUTHORKH , the research for this article rekindled my interest and deepened my appreciation for the work of Karl Spiesberger. While his two Rune books have long been among my favorites, I came to better understand the title of the latter of these volumes,  Runenexerzitien für Jedermann . In 1958 it was critically important to indicate that Rune Exercises were indeed for "Everyman" and not only for the few. With this bold title, Spiesberger ensured the future for Rune Magick and its part in spiritual rebirth of its initiates.  Written on 18 and 19 April 2026. ********* On October 29, 1904, there entered the world a figure who would later stand at the crossroads of ruin and renewal: Karl Spiesberger—Austrian mystic, magician, and architect of a postwar esoteric renaissance.[1] In the long shadow cast by the collapse of the Third Reich, when ancient symbols lay buried beneath distortion and suspic...

I've been planning this article for some time. Clearly there is much more to explore on the topic of Rune-Zodiac correspondence as well as indications of Zodiac references in the old lore. With this article, I only begin to scratch the surface.  Written on 7 and 8 April 2023. ********* Various Rune Masters have long associated runic systems with the Zodiac. This has been accomplished in different ways, however, through the years. Siegfried Kummer provided such correspondences in his Holy Rune Might: Rebirth of Armanendom through Rune Exercises and Dance . His system aligned a single rune with each of the 12 Zodiac signs over a three-year cycle, for example, he aligned Aries with FA in the first cycle. Kummer used this method, in part, to address the challenge of aligning 18 runes with only 12 Zodiac signs. Hence, over three years, the 36 Zodiac signs (12 x 3=36) align evenly with two sets of the 18-Rune Futhorkh (18 x 2=36). If one reviews the diagram of Kummer’s rune circle, you ...

This essay was composed on 22 August 2022. On 20 August, I taught a Rune Yoga class to a large number of students. At the conclusion of the class, I was asked why one should discharge runic energy. Why wouldn't the practitioner want to store up this power? The essay that follows constitutes my research to properly respond to such a query. It is also a good reminder to master and beginner alike as to why such a practice is recommended and how it reduces the chance of undesired consequences of Rune practice. Minor edits on 26 February and 3 and 14 July 2023. ********* Masters of Rune Yoga, especially Armanen Rune Yoga, have long suggested that accumulated runic energy be discharged at the conclusion of one’s yoga work. It seems that the first Armanen Master to advocate the importance of this step was Siegfried Adolf Kummer in his Runen-Magie ( Rune-Magic ) of 1933. Most practitioners have continued this practice without pausing to understand why this act is necessary and strongly re...

This essay was written in a blinding flash worthy of SIG itself on 23 January 2022. It was subsequently revised on 20 February. It marks an important point in my "Untimely Meditations" as it is the eighteenth such essay. In the past the "conquering" imagery associated with this rune was too brash and superficial. SIG does provide hope and victory in battle against all odds --but such battles are not necessarily of the material world, rather they may also take place in our daily lives in the realm of the spirit.  ********* I begin my meditations on the eleventh rune, SIG by considering Hávamál verse 156. Here Odin reveals how to be victorious in life’s battles. “This I know as eleventh: When I lead Into battle the friend, The beloved; I sing it in his shield: He will win in battle And good luck around him Wherever you look.” [1] Once again we are presented with a Hávamál verse that on the surface does not appear to align with the traditional rune poems. Ea...

This essay was completed on 22 January 2022. It's been in the works for awhile. Like many of the essays in this series, I can no longer accurately say when I began to write it. One point that I failed to discuss in this essay is that AR is one half of the composite word "AR-MAN." In that important word, I have come to understand that the light --the streaming sun power-- of AR is joined with MAN's energies to enable those on the Armanen path to perceive the spiritual plane. Together these runes are surely a formula for personal enlightenment. ********* I begin my meditations on the tenth rune, AR by considering Hávamál verse 155. Here Odin reveals how to eliminate spiritual darkness and uncertainty. “A tenth one I know: When ill-witching spirits Fly high in the air. I shall cause them to turn Back to their homes, Deprived of their covers; Back to their homes, Bewildered their minds.” [1] On the surface this verse speaks of fending off “ill-witching spirits” o...

This essay finally took form in the closing days of 2021, being completed on December 30. I see that I began recording my thoughts on IS some two and a half years ago. Certainly my ideas have evolved over that time. While many Runemasters begin their exercises with IS, and with it falling ninth in Futhorkh order, it is revealing to me that it is the sixteenth of my written rune meditations. It appears that I could not have written it any sooner than I have. ********* I begin my meditations on the ninth rune, IS by considering Hávamál verse 154. Here Odin reveals how he uses this rune to calm raging seas. “A ninth one is mine: If danger is out in the sea To protect my good ship I conjure the wind on the billowing floods And I sing into slumber the sea.” [1] The exoteric meaning of the ninth rune is ice. Upon reading this verse, it immediately comes to mind that through the process of freezing, waves and running water become still. Guido Von List had this same thought, “Through the...