Millennium RunesTM
Welcome to the Millennium Runes™ home page.
If you are already familiar with the ancient Norse (Elder Futhark) or other
traditional runes sets, this will introduce you to a new style of runes, with a
new and extended vocabulary. You may be interested in reading about their origin, below. If you are not familiar with using runes, see
the section on Using Runes for an introduction to one form
of the traditional practice. If you wish to draw a "virtual" rune
from this set, you are invited to try one, and read the
testimonials of others. To obtain your own set,
carved in wood or etched on stained glass, see the Purchase
page. To contact others interested in these runes, try Networking
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Introduction
Ancient
runes have been in use for at least the last two millennia. The Millennium
Runes™ runes embody a new design intended for use in the context of modern
Western life in the Third Millennium. This design was created
during the very last day of the Second Millennium and the first day of the
Third, thus both symbolically and literally bridging from the familiar Piscean
dualisms - mystic/scientific, right/left, intuitive/rational, male/female - to
the nascent Aquarian age of integration. We present them to you as received,
with no further claim for their usefulness or validity than "Try them, and see for yourself".
Using
Runes
Life
comes with challenges and opportunities aplenty. Everyone finds ways to cope,
and after awhile those ways become habits, and habits become unconscious.
That's partly a good thing, because it means we don't have to re-invent our
lives every time something comes up. But it also means that, simply out of
habit, we may miss the gift in a situation even though we have the wisdom to
find it.
These runes are intended as a tool to help
find that inner wisdom, and just possibly the gift. They contain no wisdom of
their own, indeed they are simply symbols on small tablets. Their role is to
help bring wisdom and guidance to a question or problem, by nudging one's mind
out of habitual patterns and into new directions. Thus your reaction as you
cast a rune and contemplate its meaning, is at least as important as the
particular rune drawn. In our experience, the most powerful insights come to
those who treat these runes as a partner, rather than a director.
Casting
a Rune
These
runes form in effect a language of wisdom. A person may come with a question in
mind, and draw a single rune for inspiration or to trigger a reflective
process. Or one may lay out a set of three or four runes. Here
are several suggestions for different rune layouts. In all cases, it is
suggested that one decide on the layout, and draw and place the runes, in
advance of looking at them.
It is of course possible to use the runes
without listening to your own inner voice, as a mechanical tool to demand a
reply to any type of question. In that case they will give an answer, but one
lacking in wisdom. We hope you will use these runes in ways both gentle and
honoring of your connection with your own inner wisdom. Your reaction to the
drawn rune is very likely the most useful part of the drawing, and it is only
your reaction in combination with the rune itself which together bear the
wisdom you seek.
Layouts
Often when
casting runes, a person will cast more than one rune. This can give insight
into several aspects of an issue. One common spread is the PAST, PRESENT and
FUTURE layout. The three runes drawn may refer to past, present and future in
the specific issue you bring. You may wish to select a fourth rune, called the
"attention" rune: in that case, the rune you choose will invite
special attention to its particular focus, as a background to the other three
runes. Another layout is: SELF, ACTION and OTHER. You may prefer to use only
these three, or to add a "modifier" rune as well.
If you
decide to use a modifier rune, decide in advance which of the other three runes
will be modified. Another common layout is BODY, MIND and SPIRIT. In that case
each rune would bring wisdom to that aspect of your being, as it applies to the
question or issue you pose. As in the previous layouts, a fourth rune may be
drawn as either "modifier" of one of the other three, or as
"attention" to provide a background or focus for the other three. The
runes are simply tools, so you may of course create different layouts you find
useful.
Origin
These runes were conceived, created and
developed in the final day of the second millennium and the first few days of
the third. I spent the millennium turnover with friends at a cabin near
Algonquin Park, Ontario. As December 31, 2000 dawned, we realized we did not
have with us a traditional rune set. Rather than abandon the idea of drawing
runes to reflect on the year past and the year arriving, we began to wonder
what a set of runes would look like, if it were created in modern times for use
in the next millennium.
Accordingly, we set about making lists of
words and concepts we thought might be useful as guides. These lists flowed
easily onto paper and blended with surprising harmony. With increasing
interest, we tested and extended the combined list until it seemed complete.
Then I retired to my workshop and began carving the first set in small wooden
tablets. As I got deeper into the project, I realized that the runes were
invoking symbols as well as words, so I began rather tentatively to draw
symbols for the reverse side of the tablets. As the work continued, symbol
after symbol flowed readily onto the page and into the wood. A pattern began to
emerge, a relationship and consistency among the symbols, which began to take
on the aspect of a language.
Soon it became clear that I needed to
document and describe the symbols. Again there was the experience of being
caught up in a creative flow. Again and again I found ideas and relationships
asking for expression, and again and again when asked "where did that come
from?" I could only reply "it just seemed right".
As we began to use the new set, and watch
friends and fellow healers use it, we refined the runes' scope by adding a very
few more symbols, and by this point they seem to be a full set. We present them
to you as we received them, with no further claim for their usefulness or validity
than "Try them, and see for yourself".
In blessed light -
Grant Hallman
Networking
For more information or to offer feedback please contact Grant Hallman at
705-635-1146 or via e-mail
If You Liked This Site, Try These...
Austin Repath, writer, pilgrim,
philosopher
[More links here]
To join a discussion list:
Testimonials
- I am often moved by how sensitive [these Millennium]
runes are to the nuance of the moment, and how deep is the sense of
healing that underlies them. Many of my clients who have seen them on my
desk and asked if they could draw one have made the same observation. The
rune drawn seems to sum up the meaning of the session they have just had
with me and to confer a sense of completeness." - MH, therapist
and visual artist.
- Sometimes a rune gives me information right away, but
several times I haven't "got" the insight right when I draw the
rune -- it has come later on, and generally been even more profound. In
one instance I drew the same rune three times, over a period of about 6
weeks, so I knew there was some message there...and finally I made a
connection on a deep level. - SBJ, senior editor.
- Again and again, I am surprised by the power of this
simple tool. The invitation to look at a question from a new perspective
has opened doors I didn't know were even there. Thank you - FVH, psychotherapist.
- When I first encountered the Millennium Runes™, I was
intrigued by the modern symbols and concepts that relate to my life in the
here and now. I have used these runes in spreads to answer particular
questions, to clarify vague feelings I can't fully explain, and to find
meaning in recurring events. But most often I use them to explain my
dreams - and they have never failed me. Thank you. - SC, spiritual
psychotherapist and teacher.
- Whenever I am faced with a challenge or struggle with
an issue, I select a Millennium RuneTM for insight. It never
ceases to amaze me at the perceptive guidance I receive. - SV,
Teacher
- Yesterday after a Christmas dinner with a few
friends... we sat together and drew the Millennium RunesTM.
They worked their "magic" and we had a deep and meangful
conversation. Once again thank you for creating the runes. -
AR, author, pilgrim, philosopher.
- I don't see any rational reason to believe in this kind
of thing. It's just that when I draw a rune, the darndest coincidences
keep happening. Sometimes they make me wonder how I missed something that
was there waiting to be seen, sometimes they just totally amaze me.
Always, they make me think. - GMH, rune developer