Staining Runes

[RavenDarkWind]

My dad went out and got some stain for the set of runes we made. He bought Minwax Stain and Sealer Walnut with Polyurethane. Will this work for a set of runes? How do you apply stain to a small surface? If blood is needed, how much and how should it be mixed in without contaminating the stain for future projects? Sorry if the question doesn't really fit this forum.

[Desecrated]

Just paint the front. Take a piece of paper and remove the excess.
If you are using wood stain it takes a couple of minutes before it effects the wood, so you ave time.

Don't add blood to the runes.

[Nahemah]

I've never stained any,but I have used paint to 'fill in' the marks I've carved into wooden ones and mixed a little blood in with the paint before using it.
A couple of drops is fine,as too much thins the paint anyway.Pin pricks or a slight scratch are enough,don't go cutting yourself open or owt like that,as it's not necessary.

If you are varnishing or putting a clear seal over them,you could put a couple of drops in that,I guess.

Blooding your Runes makes the connection between you and the Runespirits highly personal and it functions also as an oath of sorts,so you shouldn't do it lightheartedly or because you've heard or read that the connection should be made only that way.

You can also use other bodily fluids,saliva,sweat,tears and so on,if blood gives you the 'ick' factor some folk get.

Handling the runes often,at least once every day,is a good idea,get to know them,the feel of them [and keeping them wrapped between uses,at least for a while ] as that will also get your 'luck' or hamingja going on with them,whether or not you chose to blood them. [thumbup]

[RavenDarkWind]

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but would you suggest storing the runes in a box or in a bag? I'm currently cannibalizing an old glasses case.

[RoseRed]

I'm not a Runecaster so my thoughts on this may not be correct from a cultural perspective.

If this is to be your only set of Runes EVER because you were called to make them then, yes, I would add blood to the stain.

If you believe that this will be your first set of Runes and that you may or not be truly called to them then, no, I would not add it.

As to the amounts - I have no idea. Nahemah has given some detailed advice.

[Ramscha]

Traditionally: Yes, Blood would be recommendet.

Modern perspective: Can be done, but is no must-have, more of personal taste and practice.

Ramscha

[RoseRed]

I'm going completely off topic for a moment...

Ramshca, I LOVE how you offer different perspectives in your post. That's just awesome [thumbup]

[Shinichi]

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but would you suggest storing the runes in a box or in a bag? I'm currently cannibalizing an old glasses case.

If you want to strengthen your connection to them and preserve the energy they become charged with, I would recommend wrapping them in a silk or cotton cloth or bag. Silk and such has certain effects, but speaking more generally, if you ceremoniously treat these cut mysteries as sacred magical tools then you'll both create a mental connection to them and help them become charged as such through repeated use. Likewise, if you toss them around as general "things," they will be just that.

On the topic of Staining, the traditional purpose for staining the Runes with blood or other bodily fluids is to Charge them with energy. If you can control Ond (the Old Norse word for Chi, or The Vital Force), then you don't really need to use blood, you can just charge them directly. Though as RoseRed pointed out, giving your blood to a specific set that you intend to keep forever is a bit like branding that set, where you ritualistically say "this is mine, and an extension of me" along with charging them.



~:Shin:~

[RoseRed]

Hi Shin!!!!! [yay]

[Shinichi]

Hi Rose. [happy2] Can you believe it's only been four years since I last stopped by here, and they had me on the spammer list? So easily forgotten. [razz]



~:Shin:~

[RoseRed]

Wow! I haven't been a member for that long here. I just think it's cool when people I know from other forums pop in.