Taking Up the Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic Paperback – December 1, 2021

From Paxson’s introduction I was able to gather three things: (1) she is open to receiving insights from all valuable sources; (2) it does not matter who you are, the Runes can be a blessing to everyone; (3) while tradition is essential to gaining a solid foundation, in the end it is most important to embody the Runes and discover one’s own Path through them. All that works for me.I’ve come across a few lists that state, Taking up the Runes is the best beginner’s book on Runes. I do not agree with that. While Paxson’s book covers most everything a person needs to know to begin working with the Runes, the information is spread out throughout her book which makes it difficult to see the bigger picture when starting off. I suggest Nordic Runes: Understanding, Casting, and Interpreting the Ancient Viking Oracle by Mountfort to be the best beginner’s book, not only because he gives the bigger picture but also because he helps the reader understand the differences between the traditional and modern perspectives.As for beginner/intermediate books on Rune magic, I would definitely say this is one of the best. Every Rune has one or more rituals/meditations that the reader can work with in order to help them tap into the Runic energies and experience their power. The second half of her book is filled with rituals, which, while a little bit too ritualistic for my taste, were still beautiful and amazing.What both Mountfort and Paxson have in common is their integration of myths and stories of the gods as they relate to each Rune. In this regard I would say Paxson’s stories had more impact on me and were more relevant than Mountfort’s. Although, they did share different myths which makes both of them valuable in that regards.To give an example, Mountfort mentions Audumla as a relevant myth to relate with Fehu while Paxson give us the story of Sigfried and verses 78-79 from the Havamal. Because Fehu deals with cattle, and one could say, cows in general, Audumla fits, but Paxton gives us the story of Sigfried and how that is a lesson on money’s corrupting power and then backs it up with a quote from the Havamal. Paxson’s two quotes helped expound upon the three Runic poems in a way that brought the message home.While there are many things that stand out in Paxson’s book, it was her amazing suggestions on how the Runes work together and for what purpose they could be applied to that was really inspiring and practical to me. Practical in the sense that it not only helps us understand different facets of each Rune, but also gives us a means to invite the Runic energies into our lives. That alone makes the book worth reading.One thing to consider with Paxson’s book is that it is set up as a yearlong group study course. Paxson has many suggestions on how to go about each study group, what to include, rituals to undertake, discussions to have, and a host of other great ideas. All of which were beautiful and powerful. I will definitely utilize some of her suggestions when I host a study group of my own.All and all this is a book I suggest every Rune student should have. It’s definitely worth the price in my opinion.This is the sixth book on my suggested Rune Reading List. While not on my suggested read list, I also encouraged you to get Rune Correspondences by Frodi Ingsson so that you can add things that are meaningful to you as you learn more about the Runes.1. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Runes by Nigel Pennick2. Way of the Runes by Bernard King3. Runes: Reading the Past by R.I Page4. Runelore: A Handbook of Esoteric Runology by Edred Thorsson5. Nordic Runes by Paul Rhys Mountfort6. Taking up the Runes Diana L Paxson7. Runecaster’s Handbook Edred Thorsson8. Poetic Edda by either Hollander, Crawford, or Larrington9. Prose Edda by Jesse L. Byock10. Hávamál Meditations: Embodying Oðinn’s Teachings by Frodi Ingsson (forthcoming)11. Runes of Transformation by Kaedrich Olsen12. Helrunar by Jan Fries13. Runes and Magic by Stephen E. Flowers14. Rune Yoga: Staða & Galdr15. Rune Workings: Meditations and Rituals by Frodi Ingsson (forthcoming)

I like the way the author has set up the learning sections in a manner a group could work on learning the runes, meeting periodically. I do not have a group. However, I stop after each section to work on the lessons learned there. The book is easy to understand, and The author tells what other well-known Rune practitioners, say about each Rune and the methods of reading Runes, As a comparison to her interpretations and Rune layouts. I highly recommend this book for beginners and intermediate, rune students. Experts will likely find the book useful as a review and see some New information they can incorporate into their own practice.

this book really help with a research project I hand and loved all the info in it.

I didn't know anything about runes before reading this book. This gives runes flesh and context to make them alive, usable, and relatable. I highly recommend this for beginners. I feel like I know what I am doing now!

I love the poems and UPG included, but this is also geared towards a group setting as well.

I was introduced to the runes by Lisa Chamberlain, but I've fallen in love with Diana Praxton. I've learned more about the runes from this book and now I know why a lot of my rune spells never worked before. I never fully understand the runes.

Didn't expect it to be thick love it and can't wait to read it. Love the text and pictures

Buy this before you get into Aswyn or Thorsson books because it includes all of those authors information about runes plus Paxsons. It's basically an overview of all the great interpreters of runes theories of each rune rolled into one book. It even has exercises you can do to learn the runes that are fun. Some rune spells. And Paxson describes the runes in an aspect that connects them with the myths of the Nordic Gods. I'd suggest this to be read after you read a runes for dummies kind of book to get you educated simply. Then read this one and you will see what Thorrson, Aswyn and other prominent scholars in the study and application of runes have said in their own books.