Book Review: "Runes in 10 Minutes" by R. T. Kaser

Avon Books,1995

ISBN 0380776057

So the title doesn’t sound very promising does it? Certainly I can hear the collective groans of sarcastic disapproval coming from the Northern Heathens reading this, and even for those who don’t use Runes or follow a Heathen path the title may be bordering on the New Age fluffy bullshit approach to Runework. But it’s not, I promise.

Let’s get one thing straight though – this is not a book that will tell you how the Runes were originally used; it is not a book for those who want historical accuracy; it is not a book for those who necessarily work with the Gods when they use Runes. This is a book for those who want to use the Runes to answer everyday questions as well as to show them some guidance on their path, and it is definitely a book for those with a sense of humour and a liberal approach to divination! If you don’t believe that using the Runes as ice-breakers or party games is a valid method of divination, don’t buy this book.

This book is hard to describe. It isn’t actually a crash course in Rune reading, as the title suggests, but it does offer a way for you to get some good readings almost instantly without much practice. It has 24 “readings” or sections, each one showing a new way of using the Runes, and each one usually giving you answers specific to the Rune you drew for that reading. For instance, Reading 12 is called “What am I becoming?” and using a bit of number-play you can find out which pair of Runes correspond to the stage of life you are in. Each pair then has a meaning that is directly related to the reading question. This is true for every section, but the back of the book does include fuller meanings for each Rune away from the questions asked.

Each section also contains, at the end, two “Extra Credit” exercises which are shorter and also very fun to do. One of my favourites is “Whisper Sweet Nothings”, where you can find out what turns you on based on the Rune you draw.

Undoubtedly my favourite sections are the three “Tell me a Story…” sections. Each one is devoted to a single Aett of the Rune set, and each Rune is illustrated much like a Runecard might be. The first Aett runes represent the beginning of the story; the second Aett is the middle of the story; and the third Aett the end. Drawing Runes this way helps you tell a story which can just be for entertainment or can be interpreted for a deeper reading, and I think the illustrations themselves are worth it (is anybody else thinking – “photocopy them and make a set of Runecards”?)

Is this really “Runes in 10 minutes”? Not quite. The book offers hours of entertainment and exploration. Will it teach you the basis of Rune reading, from a traditional perspective? Nope. But it will show you just how versatile this tool is, demonstrate the wide variety of situations it can apply to, and encourage you to get off your high horse and have some fun with Runes.

Is Odin getting ready to smite R.T. Kaser? Most likely. But I don’t care. Runes in 10 Minutes may not be written by a Norsie and it may not retain the history and traditions associated with the Northern Gods, but it’s still bloody good fun.