{"id":20828,"date":"2019-11-01T01:10:20","date_gmt":"2019-11-01T01:10:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=20828"},"modified":"2019-10-28T15:13:26","modified_gmt":"2019-10-28T15:13:26","slug":"the-road-to-runes-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2019\/11\/01\/the-road-to-runes-13\/","title":{"rendered":"The Road to Runes"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>The <\/b><b>Road to Runes: Pocket Advisor App Review<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20830\" src=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/road-to-runes-pic.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"278\" height=\"278\" srcset=\"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/road-to-runes-pic.png 278w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/road-to-runes-pic-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/road-to-runes-pic-75x75.png 75w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Runes are a complex divination system based on ancient Germanic letters. They are most famously associated with Norse myths and legends and Asatru spirituality. Can these runes possibly work in a digital format?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I\u2019m not averse to digital divination, a form of technomancy, if you will. I\u2019ve found some tarot apps quite useful. An I-Ching app I tried once was particularly good. This makes sense as that divination system is all about numbers at its heart. But what about runes? Do the messages from the runes come from deep within ourselves? Then any tool which helps us focus could be useful. Do they come from an external power? If so, a digital app may not be the best way to access that power. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Whatever your thoughts on the power of runes, it\u2019s always interesting to take a look and see how well the digital version of runes measure up against the traditional.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The app I decided to give a try was <a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.funnyblox.runes&amp;hl=en_US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Runes: Pocket Advisor<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Celtic Runes, Oh No\u2026<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Straight away, on the very first page, I am putting my head in my hands and groaning. Under the heading \u201cAbout Divination Runes\u201d, this app refers to runes as Celtic Runes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Why is this problematic? There are no Celtic Runes. Runes are not Celtic. Under duress, I have, myself, referred to the Celtic script Ogham as \u201clike\u201d runes, or a Celtic writing similar to runes. But the runes in this app are clearly Elder Futhark and not Celtic in the slightest. Not a great start.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The \u201cAbout\u201d section continues on to say it offers three types of divination:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Fast divination runes, one rune to answer a single question<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Two runes, although it\u2019s unclear why (see below)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Three runes, for the past, present and future<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The writing is tricky to understand at times. Here\u2019s the explanation for the Two Rune divination:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>A combination of two runes gives a description of the current situation and the forces that affect you now, in the present. And so the question must not touch this or can not do without question. Two runes even without question, show characteristics of the present moment.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I think it means that the two runes will give a general overview without having to ask a question, but I really struggled to make sense of this.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Fast Rune<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Clicking on the Fast Rune button brings up Thurisaz which is subtitled as Giant. The description paints Thurisaz as a negative rune, and makes it synonymous with Thor\u2019s hammer. It then contradicts itself by stating the rune can mean security, protection and good news. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">While some of these points are correct, I\u2019m not sure of the link between Thurisaz and Thor\u2019s hammer, Mj\u00f6llnir. Sometimes jewellery incorporating Mj\u00f6llnir has Thurisaz carved upon it, as a symbol of strength or protection, but as far as I know it doesn\u2019t have any direct connection to the otherworldly weapon. I\u2019m happy for someone to correct me on this!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Two Runes<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">This section follows a slightly different format. The screen shows 25 overturned runes, and the user has to click on two that they wish to overturn. I puzzled over what the number 25 represented, as there are 24 runes in the Elder Futhark. However, when I checked the list of rune descriptions, they include a blank rune which they call WEIRD or Odin\u2019s Rune. This should be \u201cWyrd\u201d if following the modern addition of a blank rune, which purports to be a link to fate itself.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">There are lots of different schools of thought on the blank rune. It\u2019s not a rune at all, really, as there is no inscription and it isn\u2019t part of one of the three \u00e6ttir. However, in modern divination, many practitioners do use a blank rune. Personally, I don\u2019t. I find it hard enough to keep track of all the inscribed runes and their complex meanings without adding wild cards like the web of Wyrd into the mix!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">My two runes in this instance were Berkana and Raidho, both reversed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Berkana, or birch, I am told, represents hurdles or problems in the way of the birth or start of something. In its reversed aspect, it could be warning me of stagnation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Raidho reversed, the app claims, is indicative of delays or difficult journeys. It may also mean that there are important lessons on the way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I have to say, with both of these I agree with these points, although they are vastly simplified. Raidho is the \u201criding\u201d rune and all about journeys and growth. Berkana is often associated with birth and new beginnings, so the reading given feels right, if a little vague.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The three runes set up was exactly the same as the two runes, with similarly very short and limited descriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Takeaway<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">All in all, I was a little underwhelmed and disappointed with this app. It had quite a pretty interface, but was badly written and even included highly inaccurate information. It could be a useful tool for experienced practitioners as a simple way to pluck a rune name from the ether. But for beginners, it is highly misleading in terms of what the runes are, their origins, and even some of the meanings given.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Pros<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Useful for a quick way to choose a rune randomly<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Some good insights condensed well<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Attractive interface<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"_GoBack\"><\/a> <span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Cons<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Refers to Germanic runes as Celtic, highly misleading<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Some inaccurate information in readings<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Vague and unclear at times<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Overall rating:<\/b><\/span> 2 stars out of 5. I won\u2019t be keeping this one. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><span style=\"font-size: x-large;\"><b>Next month&#8230;<\/b><\/span> I\u2019m going to review another app. Do let me know if you want me to look at one in particular! Hit me up on Instagram or Twitter @Mabherick.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">***<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">About the Author:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mabh Savage<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"western\" lang=\"en-US\"><em><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">She is the author of <a href=\"http:\/\/buy.geni.us\/Proxy.ashx?TSID=4632&amp;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F1780997965%2Fref%3Das_li_tl%3Fie%3DUTF8%26camp%3D1789%26creative%3D9325%26creativeASIN%3D1780997965%26linkCode%3Das2%26tag%3Dpaganpages-20%26linkId%3D40b03661dfd5e19e5c4729ef04bf049c&amp;dtb=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"http:\/\/buy.geni.us\/Proxy.ashx?TSID=4632&amp;GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F1785353144%2Fref%3Das_li_tl%3Fie%3DUTF8%26camp%3D1789%26creative%3D9325%26creativeASIN%3D1785353144%26linkCode%3Das2%26tag%3Dpaganpages-20%26linkId%3D4f4547f18cf8c0d17134089cb7eb8d74&amp;dtb=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=paganpages-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B00EPQ7Y5O&amp;asins=B00EPQ7Y5O&amp;linkId=16e32c1fad9fed5e54874210613d4427&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe style=\"width: 120px; height: 240px;\" src=\"\/\/ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/widgets\/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=tf_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=paganpages-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=1785353144&amp;asins=1785353144&amp;linkId=befbf7fca638401636296f5481cb8c22&amp;show_border=false&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true&amp;price_color=333333&amp;title_color=0066c0&amp;bg_color=ffffff\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><br \/>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Road to Runes: Pocket Advisor App Review &nbsp; Runes are a complex divination system based on ancient Germanic letters. They are most famously associated with Norse myths and legends and Asatru spirituality. Can these runes possibly work in a digital format? I\u2019m not averse to digital divination, a form of technomancy, if you will. I\u2019ve found some tarot apps quite useful. An I-Ching app I tried once was particularly good. This makes sense as that divination system is all about numbers at its heart. But what about runes? Do the messages from the runes come from deep within ourselves? Then any tool which helps us focus could be useful. Do they come from an external power? If so, a digital app may not be the best way to access that power. Whatever your thoughts on the power of runes, it\u2019s always interesting to take a look and see how well the digital version of runes measure up against the traditional. The app I decided to give a try was Runes: Pocket Advisor. &nbsp; Celtic Runes, Oh No\u2026 Straight away, on the very first page, I am putting my head in my hands and groaning. Under the heading \u201cAbout Divination Runes\u201d, this app refers to runes as Celtic Runes. Why is this problematic? There are no Celtic Runes. Runes are not Celtic. Under duress, I have, myself, referred to the Celtic script Ogham as \u201clike\u201d runes, or a Celtic writing similar to runes. But the runes in this app are clearly Elder Futhark and not Celtic in the slightest. Not a great start. The \u201cAbout\u201d section continues on to say it offers three types of divination: Fast divination runes, one rune to answer a single question Two runes, although it\u2019s unclear why (see below) Three runes, for the past, present and future The writing is tricky to understand at times. Here\u2019s the explanation for the Two Rune divination: A combination of two runes gives a description of the current situation and the forces that affect you now, in the present. And so the question must not touch this or can not do without question. Two runes even without question, show characteristics of the present moment. I think it means that the two runes will give a general overview without having to ask a question, but I really struggled to make sense of this. &nbsp; Fast Rune Clicking on the Fast Rune button brings up Thurisaz which is subtitled as Giant. The description paints Thurisaz as a negative rune, and makes it synonymous with Thor\u2019s hammer. It then contradicts itself by stating the rune can mean security, protection and good news. While some of these points are correct, I\u2019m not sure of the link between Thurisaz and Thor\u2019s hammer, Mj\u00f6llnir. Sometimes jewellery incorporating Mj\u00f6llnir has Thurisaz carved upon it, as a symbol of strength or protection, but as far as I know it doesn\u2019t have any direct connection to the otherworldly weapon. I\u2019m happy for someone to correct me on this! &nbsp; Two Runes This section follows a slightly different format. The screen shows 25 overturned runes, and the user has to click on two that they wish to overturn. I puzzled over what the number 25 represented, as there are 24 runes in the Elder Futhark. However, when I checked the list of rune descriptions, they include a blank rune which they call WEIRD or Odin\u2019s Rune. This should be \u201cWyrd\u201d if following the modern addition of a blank rune, which purports to be a link to fate itself. There are lots of different schools of thought on the blank rune. It\u2019s not a rune at all, really, as there is no inscription and it isn\u2019t part of one of the three \u00e6ttir. However, in modern divination, many practitioners do use a blank rune. Personally, I don\u2019t. I find it hard enough to keep track of all the inscribed runes and their complex meanings without adding wild cards like the web of Wyrd into the mix! My two runes in this instance were Berkana and Raidho, both reversed. Berkana, or birch, I am told, represents hurdles or problems in the way of the birth or start of something. In its reversed aspect, it could be warning me of stagnation. Raidho reversed, the app claims, is indicative of delays or difficult journeys. It may also mean that there are important lessons on the way. I have to say, with both of these I agree with these points, although they are vastly simplified. Raidho is the \u201criding\u201d rune and all about journeys and growth. Berkana is often associated with birth and new beginnings, so the reading given feels right, if a little vague. The three runes set up was exactly the same as the two runes, with similarly very short and limited descriptions. &nbsp; Takeaway All in all, I was a little underwhelmed and disappointed with this app. It had quite a pretty interface, but was badly written and even included highly inaccurate information. It could be a useful tool for experienced practitioners as a simple way to pluck a rune name from the ether. But for beginners, it is highly misleading in terms of what the runes are, their origins, and even some of the meanings given. &nbsp; Pros Useful for a quick way to choose a rune randomly Some good insights condensed well Attractive interface &nbsp; Cons Refers to Germanic runes as Celtic, highly misleading Some inaccurate information in readings Vague and unclear at times &nbsp; Overall rating: 2 stars out of 5. I won\u2019t be keeping this one. &nbsp; Next month&#8230; I\u2019m going to review another app. Do let me know if you want me to look at one in particular! Hit me up on Instagram or Twitter @Mabherick. &nbsp; *** About the Author: Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist. She is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors &amp; Pagan Portals \u2013 Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10007],"tags":[10123,10119,10121,10070,10122,10118,10117,10120],"class_list":["post-20828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-divination-articles","tag-ancient","tag-app-review","tag-digital","tag-divination","tag-germanic-letters","tag-norse","tag-runes","tag-runes-pocket-advisor"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20828","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20828"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20828\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20833,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20828\/revisions\/20833"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20828"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20828"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20828"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}