Would a priest bless runes?

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RosaryGirl_777

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I might be playing as a fake fortuneteller/rune reader at the Renaissances fair next year . After doing some research I found out that no documents of the original meanings for runes used in divination or how to interpret them exists . It looks like someone just made up meanings for each rune so that they wouldn’t rune out of ideas when telling fortunes. After Finding this out Runes seem to be more of a parlor trick & acting then divination, though I could be wrong. If I am wrong using a blessed set of runes might be a good idea, I wouldn’t be using them for real fortune telling anyway & having them blessed should make them safe. (just in case)

I hope I’m not offending any one by asking this.
 
RosaryGirl_777 said:
I might be playing as a fake fortuneteller/rune reader at the Renaissances fair next year . After doing some research I found out that no documents of the original meanings for runes used in divination or how to interpret them exists . It looks like someone just made up meanings for each rune so that they wouldn’t rune out of ideas when telling fortunes. After Finding this out Runes seem to be more of a parlor trick & acting then divination, though I could be wrong. If I am wrong using a blessed set of runes might be a good idea, I wouldn’t be using them for real fortune telling anyway & having them blessed should make them safe. (just in case)

I hope I’m not offending any one by asking this.
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Since runes are a form of divination and come from paganism, there is no precedent for having a Christian blessing upon them.

Peace…

MW
 
ok just curious.

I would like to point out again that I am not using nor will I use rune stones for divination. To be honest I don’t see what is wrong with them as long as you don’t use them for divination (or witchcraft). The symbols on rune stones are actually a form of alphabet called Runic that some people sadly used for such things as divination & witchcraft. People also used Runic as a written language for poetry,grave stones, important land marks & writing in general . Some older Christian monuments in other countries have Runic written on them.

pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html
 
RosaryGirl_777 said:
ok just curious.

I would like to point out again that I am not using nor will I use rune stones for divination. To be honest I don’t see what is wrong with them as long as you don’t use them for divination (or witchcraft). The symbols on rune stones are actually a form of alphabet called Runic that some people sadly used for such things as divination & witchcraft. People also used Runic as a written language for poetry,grave stones, important land marks & writing in general . Some older Christian monuments in other countries have Runic written on them.

pbs.org/wgbh/nova/vikings/runes.html
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I understand. Here’s my analogy: it’s like asking for a Christian blessing on a voodoo doll, a Satanic Bible or tarot cards. The runes mean more than just divination. They were the writing of pagan peoples and in my opinion are not worthy of touching, keeping in one’s home or using even if for “prop” purposes. That’s just my opinion and in no way reflects the Catholic Church.

Peace…

MW
 
RosaryGirl_777 said:
I might be playing as a fake fortuneteller/rune reader at the Renaissances fair next year . After doing some research I found out that no documents of the original meanings for runes used in divination or how to interpret them exists . It looks like someone just made up meanings for each rune so that they wouldn’t rune out of ideas when telling fortunes. After Finding this out Runes seem to be more of a parlor trick & acting then divination, though I could be wrong. If I am wrong using a blessed set of runes might be a good idea, I wouldn’t be using them for real fortune telling anyway & having them blessed should make them safe. (just in case)

I hope I’m not offending any one by asking this.
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I’m certainly not offended, but your question may evidence a certain misunderstanding of the concept of having something blessed. A blessing is liturgical rite that conveys a sacramental nature to something. For example, an unblessed rosary is merely a string with beads and a couple of medals. A blessed rosary is a sacred instrument, whose proper use propagates spiritual benefits over and above the use of one that is not blessed. (This is a simplification, but I hope you see my point.)

With that in mind, a blessing could not be properly given to a pagan device of divination. At best, it would have no effect and at worst, would be a sacrilege.

If the acting troubles your conscience or you are concerned that it could cause scandal, talk your priest about it.

Paul
 
Mystic_Warrior said:
I understand. Here’s my analogy: it’s like asking for a Christian blessing on a voodoo doll, a Satanic Bible or tarot cards. The runes mean more than just divination. They were the writing of pagan peoples and in my opinion are not worthy of touching, keeping in one’s home or using even if for “prop” purposes. That’s just my opinion and in no way reflects the Catholic Church.

Peace…

MW
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Thank you for your opinion.
 
T700 said:
I’m certainly not offended, but your question may evidence a certain misunderstanding of the concept of having something blessed. A blessing is liturgical rite that conveys a sacramental nature to something. For example, an unblessed rosary is merely a string with beads and a couple of medals. A blessed rosary is a sacred instrument, whose proper use propagates spiritual benefits over and above the use of one that is not blessed. (This is a simplification, but I hope you see my point.)

With that in mind, a blessing could not be properly given to a pagan device of divination. At best, it would have no effect and at worst, would be a sacrilege.

If the acting troubles your conscience or you are concerned that it could cause scandal, talk your priest about it.

Paul
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You have a very good point, thank you for explaining.
 
I think that the runes, in and of themselves, are morally neutral, just like the letters I’m typing this message with. After all, Tolkien used them in LOTR and the Hobbit.

Using them for divination is bad.

I think what you really need to do is talk the idea of playing an occultist at the RenFest over with your priest.

I, myself, wouldn’t do it. I’d rather be the rat catcher!

God bless us all,

Ruthie
 
Ruthie said:
I think that the runes, in and of themselves, are morally neutral, just like the letters I’m typing this message with. After all, Tolkien used them in LOTR and the Hobbit.

Using them for divination is bad.

I think what you really need to do is talk the idea of playing an occultist at the RenFest over with your priest.

I, myself, wouldn’t do it. I’d rather be the rat catcher!

God bless us all,

Ruthie
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Thanks for your post. I posted a question about playing as a fake fortune teller if you would like to check it out
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=285095
 
When studying the history of the German language, I was taught that runes were used for divination before their use in written communication. There was a rite similar to the Chinese I Ching in which the pagan priest would throw beechwood rods inscribed with the runes on the ground and „read“ the oracle by picking them up. The language still reflects this in the words for „letter“ (Buchstabe, beech-staff) and „to read“ (lesen, to pick or pick up – the expression for picking grapes for wine is to this day „Wein lesen“).
 
I would get rid of them and never let them in my house for fear of causing sandal. You sound like a good catholic but what if some one see your runes who is not catholic or as well versed as you are about runes and the catholic faith and is lead to believe that catholic approve of them in all their forms even the bad one? So to answer your question no I would not have them blessed.
 
I agree you guys make a very good point & I also agree that they shouldn’t be blessed. Thank you for your time. 🙂
 
I have a similar situation: I own a set of Tarot cards which were privately printed and have beautiful photographs on each card. I keep them because of their artistic value but would not use them for divination and certainly wouldn’t ask a priest to bless them.

It’s a thorny issue and I can understand why some people would find this scandalous. All I can say is that each of us is responsible for learning what the Church teaches and then let your (fully informed) conscience be your guide. 👍
 
Mystic_Warrior said:
I understand. Here’s my analogy: it’s like asking for a Christian blessing on a voodoo doll, a Satanic Bible or tarot cards. The runes mean more than just divination. They were the writing of pagan peoples and in my opinion are not worthy of touching, keeping in one’s home or using even if for “prop” purposes. That’s just my opinion and in no way reflects the Catholic Church.

Peace…

MW
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interesting!! I have some runes I use for deciding crucial moments , and I find myself praying to God while using them " c’mon God give me an answer please" I feel that these runes are not what most Christians think they are but a way of praying, speaking to God our creator… Yes as long as your conscious that it is God our Lord
 
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