The Rune Edda: Elder Futhark Runes and English Text for Readers

Dive deep into the captivating realm of Viking mythology and folklore with this Runic edition of the timeless Bellows Edda. Originating from the enchanting land of ice and fire and a courageous time when the hearts of Vikings resonated with the sounds of clashing swords and axes, these stories bring to life:

• The Gods and the Vikings
• Valhalla and Yggdrasil
• Valkyries and shieldmaidens
• Love and Romance
• War and Revolution
• Magic and Dragons
• Pirates, Outlaws, and Odin’s bear shirt warriors: the Berserkers.

At the core of every poem within this anthology lies a warrior philosophy, offering wisdom that empowers individuals to navigate life's challenges—insights that remain relevant even today. The tales and the runes they are transcribed into serve as a testament to the unyielding legacy of the Viking spirit, representing some of the most cherished gifts that have been handed down through generations. For the first time ever, these remarkable gifts have been united in The Rune Edda.

Employing the Elder Futhark, the runes for which Odin sacrificed himself, I’ve infused this text with an essence of antiquity. Readers are thus invited to explore the runes alongside their English translations. It is worth noting that although the Elder Futhark may predate the Viking Era, there is a mutual historic richness shared between the runes and our oral traditions, as well as the deities worshipped, all of which extend beyond the Viking age. These runes can be found on some of the earliest artifacts of that period, including those discovered in Viking ship burials—items such as weapons, jewelry, and religious pendants like Thor's hammer, Mjollnir. Everyday objects, including combs, divinatory rune staves, and memorial rune stones that honor departed friends and loved ones, further anchor this historical connection.

The Elder Futhark is steeped in a profound legacy, with its deepest roots tracing back to The Poetic Edda—also referred to as the Elder Edda. This foundational text serves as an essential piece of ancient history that predates the Viking age by at least a millennium through oral storytelling. It encompasses scales of the Norse Pantheon, mythology, legends, and sagas, establishing itself as one of the most influential works of Northern European lore. Its impact resonates through the literature that followed. The earliest preserved version of The Poetic Edda was deemed so priceless that Icelandic Christian bishop Brynjólfur Sveinsson presented it as the Codex Regius to the King of Denmark in 1662, safeguarding its return to its homeland. Even today, The Poetic Edda is revered as a national treasure among Heathens globally.

This anthology is an indispensable addition for all Heathens, Pagans, collectors, and enthusiasts of Viking lore within the broader heathen community we affectionately refer to as Heathendom. This book allows you to journey back in time—culturally and spiritually—into myths and legends from an era that inspires some of humanity’s finest qualities and the most compelling stories of gods and heroes.

Hail Odin! Hail Loki! Hail the Norns!

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