
Advanced Rune Magic
The Greater Mysteries of Nordic Spirituality
David Linder(Author)
Inner Traditions Bear and Company (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 16. July 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
979-8-88850-217-4 (ISBN)
Description
Accessing deeper levels of rune magic to achieve self-transformation
* Comprehensively explores the meanings of the 24 Elder Futhark runes and how each serves as a distinct interface to the greater Mystery
* Draws upon source texts such as the Prose and Poetic Eddas as well as the Anglo Saxon, Norwegian, and Icelandic Rune Poems
* Offers methods to incorporate the runes into your daily life as powerful tools for contemplation and magical self-transformation
The runes are a system of magical symbols that can be used for divination and casting spells, both to harm and protect. While these uses of the runes are powerful, David Linder focuses on a deeper and arguably more significant level of the runic mysteries-the magic of self-transformation.
The runes of the Elder Futhark are 24 facets of the great Mystery, which is translated as Runa. Each rune serves as a distinct interface that allows access to certain aspects of the great Mystery in order to heal, to reconnect, and to transform oneself. To grasp a rune is not just a matter of intellectual understanding, but a task of experiencing it physically and spiritually. Linder reveals how the lived experience of grasping a rune's meaning is an initiatory step toward realizing one's higher self and coming closer to the great Mystery.
The author draws upon the Prose and Poetic Eddas as well as the Anglo-Saxon, Norwegian, and Icelandic Rune Poems to explain each rune. These source texts show how Nordic spirituality is more concerned with the practicalities of mundane life than dogmatic codes. Linder contextualizes the meaning of each rune for our time and reveals the concrete opportunities for growth that each rune offers when the spiritual insight is lived and embodied in the modern world.
Advanced Rune Magic teaches methods to incorporate the runes into your daily life as tools for both contemplation and self-transformation, showing how simple applications can produce tangible results. While these methods can enrich one's magical and spiritual practices, they will also lead to improved daily functioning, a stronger sense of purpose, and overall well-being.
* Comprehensively explores the meanings of the 24 Elder Futhark runes and how each serves as a distinct interface to the greater Mystery
* Draws upon source texts such as the Prose and Poetic Eddas as well as the Anglo Saxon, Norwegian, and Icelandic Rune Poems
* Offers methods to incorporate the runes into your daily life as powerful tools for contemplation and magical self-transformation
The runes are a system of magical symbols that can be used for divination and casting spells, both to harm and protect. While these uses of the runes are powerful, David Linder focuses on a deeper and arguably more significant level of the runic mysteries-the magic of self-transformation.
The runes of the Elder Futhark are 24 facets of the great Mystery, which is translated as Runa. Each rune serves as a distinct interface that allows access to certain aspects of the great Mystery in order to heal, to reconnect, and to transform oneself. To grasp a rune is not just a matter of intellectual understanding, but a task of experiencing it physically and spiritually. Linder reveals how the lived experience of grasping a rune's meaning is an initiatory step toward realizing one's higher self and coming closer to the great Mystery.
The author draws upon the Prose and Poetic Eddas as well as the Anglo-Saxon, Norwegian, and Icelandic Rune Poems to explain each rune. These source texts show how Nordic spirituality is more concerned with the practicalities of mundane life than dogmatic codes. Linder contextualizes the meaning of each rune for our time and reveals the concrete opportunities for growth that each rune offers when the spiritual insight is lived and embodied in the modern world.
Advanced Rune Magic teaches methods to incorporate the runes into your daily life as tools for both contemplation and self-transformation, showing how simple applications can produce tangible results. While these methods can enrich one's magical and spiritual practices, they will also lead to improved daily functioning, a stronger sense of purpose, and overall well-being.
Reviews / Votes
"In the growing flora of books that treat rune magic, Advanced Rune Magic stands out as a valuable addition-with insight into tradition as well as innovative creativity that gives the reader new perspectives on the runes. The book is rooted in historical runology and highlights esoteric aspects of the medieval rune poems, while being at the same time applicable to contemporary practitioners. Given all the beginner books on magic and runes, it is also appreciated to have a book that is aimed at experienced practitioners." * Thomas Karlsson, PhD, senior lecturer at Stockholm University and author of Nightside of the Runes * "This book presents the runes the way they were meant to be approached: through the worldview of the ancients, grounded in literary sources, not modern fantasy. It honors how the ancient Norse peoples understood and used the runes, then carries that wisdom forward into a clear, practical application for life today. This is the way I believe the runes are best understood: historically rooted, spiritually alive, and immediately usable." * Kaedrich Olsen, spiritual guide and author of Coexisting with the Paranormal * "Here David presents a mythic travelogue through the mysteries of the runes. Anyone who seeks to travel these roads and rivers at the highest levels will find in these pages a useful guide and companion." * Edred Thorsson, runologist, founder of the Rune-Gild, and author of Rune Might * "Truly a book of advanced rune magic! Whether you are a novice or an experienced practitioner, this work will still teach you something. Above all, it has a positive, magical application to one's daily life." * Christopher Alan Smith, author of Vegvisir: A Practical Guide to Runic and Icelandic Magic * "This is a book that shows the reader how to employ the magic of the runes for radical self-transformation. David bases his explanation of the runes on the historic medieval rune poems and then links each rune to the wights of the Nordic world-the deities, elves, giants, and dwarves-and to their mythology, making impressive sense of how the old tales fit together. An inspiring book for seasoned practitioners as well as beginners." * Dave Lee, author of Primordial Chaos *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Rochester
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
24 b&w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
349 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-88850-217-4 (9798888502174)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
06/2026
Simon + Schuster LLC
€16.80
Available for download
Persons
David Linder holds a bachelors degree in German linguistics and European history. A licensed falconer, he has studied the runes and Norse mythology extensively with a focus on practical applications. He lives in northern Switzerland with his wife and children.
Content
FOREWORD
TALES FROM TRUE SEEKER
DAVE LEE
NOTE TO THE READER
ON THE TRANSLATIONS USED IN THIS BOOK
INTRODUCTION
TWILIGHT AND DAWN
HOW IT ALL BEGAN . . .
THE FIRST FAMILY
FEHU-CATTLE
URUZ-AUROCHS
THURISAZ-THORN
ANSUZ-GOD
RAIDO-RIDING
KENAZ-TORCH
GEBO-GIFT
WUNJO-JOY
THE SECOND FAMILY
HAGALAZ-HAIL
NAUDIZ-NEED
ISA-ICE
JERA-YEAR
EIHWAZ-YEW
PERTHRO-LOT BOX
ELHAZ-ELK
SOWILO-SUN
THE THIRD FAMILY
TIWAZ-TYR
BERKANO-BIRCH
EHWAZ-HORSE
MANNAZ-MAN
LAGUZ-WATER
INGWAZ-ING
DAGAZ-DAY
OTHALA-HOMELAND
EPILOGUE
THEN I BEGAN TO GROW . . .
APPENDIX
THE RUNE POEMS
THE ANGO-SAXON RUNE POEM
THE NORWEGIAN RUNE POEM
THE ICELANDIC RUNE POEM
LEXICON OF NORSE NAMES, PLACES, AND TERMS
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
INDEX
TALES FROM TRUE SEEKER
DAVE LEE
NOTE TO THE READER
ON THE TRANSLATIONS USED IN THIS BOOK
INTRODUCTION
TWILIGHT AND DAWN
HOW IT ALL BEGAN . . .
THE FIRST FAMILY
FEHU-CATTLE
URUZ-AUROCHS
THURISAZ-THORN
ANSUZ-GOD
RAIDO-RIDING
KENAZ-TORCH
GEBO-GIFT
WUNJO-JOY
THE SECOND FAMILY
HAGALAZ-HAIL
NAUDIZ-NEED
ISA-ICE
JERA-YEAR
EIHWAZ-YEW
PERTHRO-LOT BOX
ELHAZ-ELK
SOWILO-SUN
THE THIRD FAMILY
TIWAZ-TYR
BERKANO-BIRCH
EHWAZ-HORSE
MANNAZ-MAN
LAGUZ-WATER
INGWAZ-ING
DAGAZ-DAY
OTHALA-HOMELAND
EPILOGUE
THEN I BEGAN TO GROW . . .
APPENDIX
THE RUNE POEMS
THE ANGO-SAXON RUNE POEM
THE NORWEGIAN RUNE POEM
THE ICELANDIC RUNE POEM
LEXICON OF NORSE NAMES, PLACES, AND TERMS
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
INDEX