Make 10: Bindrune Pendant

     Although I haven’t been posting, I have definitely been making. Chaotic work and home schedules have made it difficult for me to put the time into blogging about the various things I have been making. But no more! As of today, I am catching up, and, will post about three, count ‘em THREE, different makes, including this first one. Behold: the bindrune pendant!

     Bindrunes are an ancient tradition, wherein 2 or more runes are combined in such a way as to signify something-protection, power, etc. They are also used to connect names, whether an individuals names, or the names of 2 or more individuals. Runes are, for those of you who don’t know, an ancient writing system, most closely associated with the cultures and peoples of the North- Norsemen, Anglo-Saxons, Danes, etc- although some of the oldest runic inscriptions have actually been found in Italy. Those of you familiar with the works of J.R.R.Tolkien (and if you’ve made it this far, I’m going to assume you are a huge nerd, and, therefore, familiar with his works) will probably also know something of runes, albeit in an altered form. Folks (heh, inside joke) who practice Asatru or other Reconstructionist religious traditions also use runes in ritual practices, and assign meaning beyond the sound or name to each one. Keep this in mind as we move forward. Another modern use , as well as being a bindrune, too, is the universal symbol for Bluetooth, which is a combination of the runes Hagalaz and Berkano, the initials of the Danish king and viking, Harald Bluetooth, for whom the ubiquitious technology is named.

     So, my make for this week was a bindrune. I chose to use the runes that corresponded with the first letter of both mine and Rachelle’s names. For me, Gebo , corresponding with G, and for Rachelle, Raidho , corresponding with R. Together, these to runes create a bindrune that, in addition to looking cool, has meanings, both personal and, if one is so inclined, protective and spiritual.

     Before we get into the meanings, let's first talk about how I created the pendant with the bindrune on it. I used a variety of tools and materials, but nothing terribly complicated, I started with a a tile of wood, approximately 1 inch square, and, using a Dremel tool, shaped this into a teardrop/oval pendant. On this, I marked the design of the bindrune with a pencil. Using this drawing as a template, I used a woodburner to engrave the bindrune into the wood. I then drilled a hole in the top of the pendant, through which I could string a length of leather cord, so as to make it a necklace. Before I added the cord, I stained the pendant with olive oil, to protect it, and to bring out some of the grain of the wood. The finished product looks like this:

     But what does it mean? Well, there are a couple of ways in which one could look at this pendant, and derive meaning. The most obvious is simply the joining of the runes Gebo and Raidho, which reflects the joining of Rachelle and myself. This is an accurate meaning, but not a complete one. As I mentioned earlier, bindrunes often have a hidden, or esoteric meaning as well. In this case, let's look at the meanings ascribed to the 2 runes used. Gebo corresponds with the words in the old Germanic languages for “gift,” and in modern interpretations, is understood to refer to a relationship based on recoprocity, both giving and receiving. Raidho corresponds with various words in the old Germanic languages for “riding,” especially as it relates to horses. (Sidenote: horses and horseriding are key components of Proto-Indo-European culture and ritual, out of which the Germanic traditions came. For more information, read Mallory's excellent “In Search of the Indo-Europeans.”). In modern interpretations, Raidho is understood to be connected to moving, and journeying. (FYI, my reference for these meanings, both ancient and modern, is "Taking Up The Runes," by Diana L Paxson. Diana, in addition to being an outstanding author of numerous fantasy and historical fiction novels, is one of the preeminent practitioners of runelore alive today.)

     One possible interpretation of the bindrune created by joining Gebo and Raidho then, is of a relationship moving forward, and based on reciprocity. I think this is an excellent way of understanding and thinking about a relationship, and I like the implications for the relationship Rachelle and I are in.

     So, what about you? If you created a bindrune for you and your partner, what would it be? What would it mean? What would a bindrune using your initials be, and would would it mean?

Next make: kombucha!