There are three known kinds of Runic scripts, or alphabets, which are common in origin and similar in meaning. The Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark and the Anglo-Saxon Futhork. The word Futhark stems from the first six runes spelled out: feoh, uruz, thurisaz, ansuz, raidho and kenaz, while with the Futhork, the ansuz and kenaz runes are called os and cen.

The oldest is and most commonly used is the Elder Futhark, which comprises of 24 symbols. The Younger Futhark, which developed later as the runes spread to the North, was reduced to 16 letters, and the Anglo-Saxon Futhork, was expanded to 33 letters. The latter emerged as the Germanic tribes invaded Britain, bringing about the change in some of the Rune’s form and tone, in compensating with the new language.

Glossary

Rune – Secret, whisper, mystery, an ancient alphabetic script of Germanic origin.

Oracle – A source of wisdom, knowledge or prophecy, a piece of advice in the form of a puzzle or enigmatic statement.

Elder Futhark - The oldest and most commonly form of Runic script, of ancient Germanic origin. It comprises of 24 letters.

Anglo-Saxon / Anglo Frisian Futhorc: Runic Script from the British Isles, originating from the same source as the Elder Futhark. It has expanded to have as many as 33 runes in its script.

Younger (or Scandinavian) Futhark: A later version of the Elder Futhark, as the Runes spread northwards. The script here was reduced to only 16 Runes.

Aett – (Aettir plural) Family or groups; The three sections or groups of eight, in which the Runes are divided and categorized. The reason for this particular grouping still remains a mystery although there are a few theories, mostly esoterical, that touch on this.

Odin: The Norse “Chief god” or god of the sky, who is believed to have discovered the Runes. He is also known as “Woden” to the Anglo Saxons, and resided in Asgard, at the top of the world-tree.

Asgard: In Norse Mythology, the home of the gods.

Valhalla: In Norse mythology, it is the paradise where the souls of great warriors go.

The Eddas: A collection of ancient Norse writings, known as the Poetic Edda and the Prose (or Younger) Edda, which are the purest source of Nordic Mythology, illustrating the ideology and life of the early Germanic people.

The Upsala Codex: A significant parchment manuscript of the “Prose Edda”, which was written around 1220 CE. by Snorri Sturluson.

Hellerisninger: Carvings and paintings dating back to the Bronze Age, found in Scandinavia.

The Havam - Part of the Poetic Edda, it includes Odin’s advise to men called "The Words of the Most High"

Ragnarok – In Norse mythology, it is the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Asatru - The religion of ancient Norse gods.

Norns - Norse goddesses of fate or Wyrd, who were responsible for the destiny of people and the gods. Urdh was the goddess of the past, Verdhandi the goddess of the present and Skuld the goddess of the future.

Wyrd – Fate or destiny created by the interconnectedness of all things and the outcomes of one’s actions and choices.

For a selection of complete glossaries in Rune lore and Nordic Mythology, see the Resources links.