starwritten Posted August 30, 2019 Posted August 30, 2019 (edited) This is my first topic that I am starting, so I apologize if I do this incorrectly! I think I read over all of the rules that I could find, so let me just go ahead and get started... I've been working slowly to improve my knowledge of Elder Futhark runes. For personal reasons, I have had an affinity for them for years. I've found some rather high-priced rune learning decks, and I decided recently that I was going to make my own. Cards and supplies are ordered, but now I have this wonderful community to bounce ideas off of... so my question: has anyone done this? Does anyone have any recommendations, ideas, no-nos? Edited August 30, 2019 by starwritten typo correction!
euripides Posted August 30, 2019 Posted August 30, 2019 Great idea. I don't see any issues with it at all. With anything DIY, make sure you check your materials for colourfastness - nothing worse than putting effort in and getting ink smudged everywhere the first time you shuffle. Glossy cardstock in particular doesn't allow inks to sink in, so they can dry exceptionally slowly. So make a test card or two. I have a rather lovely set of runes that I was fortunate to pick up for a song at a fair a while ago - hand carved into slices of timber. They are a delight. I can't read them very well - I need the booklet.
Raggydoll Posted August 30, 2019 Posted August 30, 2019 Hey! It can absolutely be done. In fact, I’m currently working on my own personal deck, based on runes 😀 I really don’t have any ‘do’s and don’ts’ to give you, other than that I think it’s important to build your own understanding of the runes and not just go with what the books say. There are more than one way of viewing runes and I have found that most books in English do not really reflect the tradition that I adhere to (I’m Swedish). That’s why I wanted to create my own deck to allow myself to journey and meditate with each card. Oh, and another thing that I do consider important is the way a rune is painted and worded. This too will differ depending on tradition. I am of the belief that runes are the original vibrations of creation so their sound hold tremendous power. So I like to sound them as I create each image, to connect with their essence. Im making artwork that I’m scanning and I plan to actually send it off for printing when it’s done. Even though it’s just for me I still treasure the thought of having created my own deck. I also will be making a couple extras in case my children might want a copy of their own one day 😊 I have hand-painted other oracle cards in the past and it is absolutely possible. I used sturdy acid free paper (ca 250gsm). I have also tried printing out cards on heavy duty matte printer paper (roughly 225gsm) and that worked perfect too. Glossy paper is not as suitable. It is thinner, stickier and does not stand up for shuffling the way the matte paper does.
starwritten Posted August 30, 2019 Author Posted August 30, 2019 6 minutes ago, archimedea said: Great idea. I don't see any issues with it at all. With anything DIY, make sure you check your materials for colourfastness - nothing worse than putting effort in and getting ink smudged everywhere the first time you shuffle. Glossy cardstock in particular doesn't allow inks to sink in, so they can dry exceptionally slowly. So make a test card or two. I have a rather lovely set of runes that I was fortunate to pick up for a song at a fair a while ago - hand carved into slices of timber. They are a delight. I can't read them very well - I need the booklet. I'm so glad you like the idea! That was my huge concern. I spent SO much time trying to decide which cards I would choose out of the options. I settled on a pack of cards that should leave me enough (barring any mistakes) to even make my own tarot deck. I'm not sure if that's something I'll do, but I love watching videos/seeing pictures of hand-designed decks. Just depends on how creative I actually am, lol! That's incredible. What a great find! My issue is that I don't just want to order them - I'd also like to bump into them like that. I've been waiting for them to come to me! Reading them is very tough. I've got enough experience with them that I can patch through. On a basic level, though, some are cut so that it's much more difficult to read (smudged paint or jagged carving, for example). I've certainly walked away from a set or a few because of that!
starwritten Posted August 30, 2019 Author Posted August 30, 2019 4 minutes ago, Raggydoll said: Hey! It can absolutely be done. In fact, I’m currently working on my own personal deck, based on runes 😀 I really don’t have any ‘do’s and don’ts’ to give you, other than that I think it’s important to build your own understanding of the runes and not just go with what the books say. There are more than one way of viewing runes and I have found that most books in English do not really reflect the tradition that I adhere to (I’m Swedish). That’s why I wanted to create my own deck to allow myself to journey and meditate with each card. Oh, and another thing that I do consider important is the way a rune is painted and worded. This too will differ depending on tradition. I am of the belief that runes are the original vibrations of creation so their sound hold tremendous power. So I like to sound them as I create each image, to connect with their essence. Im making artwork that I’m scanning and I plan to actually send it off for printing when it’s done. Even though it’s just for me I still treasure the thought of having created my own deck. I also will be making a couple extras in case my children might want a copy of their own one day 😊 I have hand-painted other oracle cards in the past and it is absolutely possible. I used sturdy acid free paper (ca 250gsm). I have also tried printing out cards on heavy duty matte printer paper (roughly 225gsm) and that worked perfect too. Glossy paper is not as suitable. It is thinner, stickier and does not stand up for shuffling the way the matte paper does. thank you for all of this input! I've tried to find the most 'core' translations of the runes as well, and I've definitely noticed the difference between the English translations and what I (think) I'm looking for. I have done a lot of research on them professionally, and I have a vague understanding of some and very intense perceptions of others. I'm excited to blend that together ☺️ The idea of sounding it out seems like something that I definitely would like to do. I had planned to create them in a cleansed, altar space, but I wasn't sure what I would verbally or audibly do... and now, I do 🙂 I found cards on Amazon, which are basically blank, standard playing cards. I'm not completely sure if I'll like them, but what I read said that they hold ink well. I'm giving it a go! I'd really like to get more involved with the process next time, however, so I'll definitely be taking that advice soon!
ilweran Posted August 30, 2019 Posted August 30, 2019 I'm doing this but with the Ogham and Chakras - not together! The Ogham I'm still putting a 'book' together, researching each tree, considering my own associations with each tree, where I have any and so on, after that, I don't know. Cards? or actual wooden staves? I'm doing the same with the Chakras, but I'm starting with making cards. In my case I'm doing it on computer and will get them printed to match the size of the deck I want to use them with. It's quite exciting really, if hard work. Definitely worth doing, so go for it!
starwritten Posted August 30, 2019 Author Posted August 30, 2019 Wow, @ilweran, I love the idea of doing this for the chakras in particular! I'll have some leftover cards even after reserving some for my rune deck, a potential tarot deck, and margin for error. This might be exactly the way I do it! I'd love to hear about what you decide to do with the Ogham! I know very little about it, and I'm always-always-always interested in learning more. As far as I see it, I plan on sticking around on here, so keep me posted 🙂
ilweran Posted August 30, 2019 Posted August 30, 2019 Thanks @starwritten I have a journal in the journal section and will definitely be posting updates there, and I'm sure it will get mentioned in other places on the forum 😄
reall Posted August 30, 2019 Posted August 30, 2019 yep, I've created my digital mini card version & selfpublished with gamecrafter & drivethrucards!;) https://www.drivethrucards.com/product/236129/Rune-cards-mini-size https://www.thegamecrafter.com/games/ancient-lenormand-rune-cards-mini-size- simple cute & affordable!^^ I like!^^ also search tool provide plenty results for Rune on both gamecrafter & drivethrucards worth checking out for ideas!^^ lol @Raggydoll like your idea & craftiness be sure to share your project when ready!;D @ilweran looking forward to read more about Ogham!;D also I hear there is a fixer spray you should use over your art to preserve it when completed? & you can also use these card sleeves; https://www.thegamecrafter.com/parts/poker-sleeve-pack-100-?dept_uri=game-accessories&dept_name=Game Accessories
katrinka Posted August 31, 2019 Posted August 31, 2019 4 hours ago, reall said: also I hear there is a fixer spray you should use over your art to preserve it when completed? Yes, charcoal fixative, available at any art supply store or on amazon. As mentioned, hairspray also works. Do very thin, light coats (I'd do several since cards get a lot more handling than wall art), allowing it to dry thoroughly between doing those, and before restacking the cards.
Raggydoll Posted August 31, 2019 Posted August 31, 2019 @reall Thanks, I’m sure my deck will feature in my readings once it’s complete. I’m doing scenic cards with a special theme for the entire deck and I can say that its very ‘me’. It’s fun to make decks, but definitely hard as well. So much goes into each depiction that it takes a lot of energy. But you would already know that, I’m sure, having done so many decks 😀 I have done more plain wooden runes too, where I just burnt in the symbol. But for my cards I wanted something more!
reall Posted August 31, 2019 Posted August 31, 2019 I like scenic will keep an eye on you!xD mmm burned runes my fav! would like to try sigils as well!;D
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