The Goddess Casts the Runes: Divination and Wisdom of the Earth Mother - Paperback

by Anu Dudley (Author)

A transformative perspective on the sacred feminine origins of the runic alphabet

- Explores the primordial foundations of the Elder Futhark in Mother Goddess lore, offering an alternative to the male-oriented ideologies that have historically shaped runic interpretation

- Examines each rune from an eco-feminist viewpoint, offering readers a more comprehensive understanding of their significance

- Shows how to interpret runes from an Earth-based spiritual perspective, exploring divination methods, casting techniques, and ethical considerations for rune readings

Examining each rune from a feminist and Goddess-oriented viewpoint, Anu Dudleyshows that the roots of the runes lie in Mother Goddess lore rather than the Odin-centric mythology that has long dominated interpretations.

Offering a more comprehensive understanding of their significance in relation to feminine energy and the Triple Goddess--the triad of Maiden, Mother, and Crone--Dudley delves into the primordial foundations of the Elder Futhark, intertwining themes of ecofeminism and Earth-based spirituality to provide a compelling alternative to the male-oriented ideologies that shape runic interpretation. She also addresses Odin's appropriation of the runes and their treatment in the Hávamál poem, highlighting how their meanings were rebranded within a patriarchal culture. Dudley then shows how to read and interpret runes from an Earth-based spiritual perspective, offering methods of divination aligned with the feminine. She also discusses casting techniques and considerations for rune interpretation.

Reframing the runes as symbols of our connection with the living world and setting aside male-oriented hero myths, this book rediscovers an ancient, intuitive, Earth-based spirituality that reveals the runes as representations of the Earth Mother ideals of compassion, wisdom, and justice.

Author Biography

Anu Dudley is a retired history professor and an ordained Pagan minister. She has taught such courses as History of the Goddess, Paganism 101, and Ethical Magic. The longtime producer of the radio show Earthwise: Reflections on Earth-Based Spirituality, she lives off-grid in a small homesteading community.