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...

Written between 28 March and 13 June 2021, "Untimely Meditations" borrows its title from Nietzsche's Unzeitgemässe Betrachtunge . This essay is intended to serve a dual purpose. It is to serve as an introduction to my series of Meditations on the Armanen Runes providing background for those unfamiliar with this Futhorkh and its main proponents. It will also serve as part of Treatise that I am preparing for my Knights of Runes course work. In Nietzsche's volume, he wrote, "Nobody can build the bridge for you to walk across the river of life, no one but you yourself alone. There are, to be sure, countless paths and bridges and demi-gods which would carry you across this river; but only at the cost of yourself; you would pawn yourself and lose. There is in the world only one way, on which nobody can go, except you: where does it lead? Do not ask, go along with it." His thought is likely both as accurate and as untimely as the day he wrote it. ********* Why wo...