Runes are ancient symbols in the Germanic languages that were used for writing, divination, and magic. The word "rune" itself comes from the Old Norse word "rún" meaning a secret or a mystery. There are several different runic alphabets, but the most commonly known is the Elder Futhark, which consists of 24 letters. Each letter represents a specific sound and has a corresponding meaning. For example, the first rune, Fehu, represents wealth and abundance, while the last rune, Othala, symbolizes ancestral heritage and inheritance. The interpretation of runes involves the casting of these symbols and then interpreting the pattern in which they fall.
Rating: 5/5
It helps young readers understand that the hunting of animals for sport is wrong and that the things you do can have a big impact on other people s or in this case, ducks lives. When we read James and the Giant Peach I specifically sought out the illustrations by Nancy Eckholm Burkert and, so far, that s been one of my favorite Dahl stories.
The interpretation of runes involves the casting of these symbols and then interpreting the pattern in which they fall. Runes can be cast in various ways, such as by drawing them from a bag, throwing them onto a cloth, or carving them onto stones. The most popular method is the three-rune spread, where the runes are drawn one by one and placed in a row.
The magic finger bok
Possibly my son's favorite Dahl book, he's spend the last few years enjoying the Quentin Blake illustrations, and it was only recently that we checked the original version out from the library. Now, I love children's things that have a decidedly anti-gun theme. Not to say that I am against guns or hunting as to each his own, but children's stories that show the repercussions of killing living creatures hold a warm spot in my heart. Iron Giant, great anti-gun film for kids. Thus, where The Magic Finger comes in. A story told by a little girl with a magic touch about her gun toting neighbors. So, the story begins.
Now the one thing that Mr. Gregg and his two boys loved to do more than anything else was to go hunting. Every Saturday morning they would take their guns and go off into the woods to look for animals and birds to shoot. Even Philip, who was only eight years old, had a gun of his own.
I can't stand hunting. I just can't stand it. It doesn't seem right to me that men and boys should kill animals just for the fun they get out of it. So I used to try and stop Philip and William from doing it.
And that she does. By putting the magic finger on the whole lot of them. What is the magic finger, you ask?
Well, one time when the girl put the magic finger on her teacher, she turned into a cat. Du Bois created an incredible trick of the eye by taking these two pictures and putting them on both sides of a single page with the instructions HOLD THIS PAGE UP TO BRIGHT LIGHT. I've never seen this done in a book before, but the result is pure genius. a cat lady!
Once the magic finger touches the Gregg family, they find themselves trading places with a flock of ducks and hilarity ensues.
Never a dull Dahl, I tell you.
6 comments:
Anonymous said.This is a copy I would be glad to read.
Thanks for this post.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post! We really love Roald Dahl, but (and I feel like I should duck for cover when I say this) I really can't stand Quentin Blake's illustrations! Ugh, just ugh - I have a really weird, personal, visceral reaction to them. They almost ruin the stories for me. When we read James and the Giant Peach I specifically sought out the illustrations by Nancy Eckholm Burkert and, so far, that's been one of my favorite Dahl stories. I suffered through the illustrations in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because that's such a great story, but couldn't get through Great Glass Elevator. Do you know if any of the others (Matilda, Charlie, The Witches, BFG, etc) have been illustrated by other illustrators?
Burgin Streetman said.You are so funny! I know Danny, Charlie and Mr. Fox were. I assume most of them were illustrated by others, but those are the only older ones we have. Glass Elevator though. That's just a crummy book in my opinion. It's the only Dahl I don't like!
Dave said.I've been rereading all of Dahl's books to my boys lately and couldn't agree more about Great Glass Elevator being pants, I just don't like it. The version I have has illustrations by someone other than Blake (who I love to bits, including his writing, Mr Magnolia is great)
Antmusic said.This version FREAKED me out when I was little. Those pictures! Now, of course, I love the books that scared/scarred me as a child. Well, I found myself a copy of it finally this weekend at a library sale. Yay! They had two, but I left the other for another lucky book nut. Last year, I found the 1st ed of Mr. Fox at this sale!
ahoi! said.These illustrations are so great. I like Quentin Blake when he illustrates his own books, but less so in the Dahl books. My biggest problem is the cover design of most of the Blake/Dahl reissues, but I suspect that's more the fault of the publisher.
Thanks for this post. I'm still looking for the original Mr. Fox too (hint, hint).
. and thanks to Chandra for her spirited comment!
And that she does. By putting the magic finger on the whole lot of them. What is the magic finger, you ask?
The interpretation of the runes can be done by referring to traditional meanings, personal intuition, or by consulting a guidebook. Each rune has a range of possible meanings, and their interpretation can vary depending on the context and the question being asked. It is important to note that runic divination is not about predicting the future, but rather gaining insight and guidance from the runes. Runes can be used for various purposes, such as providing advice, guidance, or insight on a specific situation, seeking clarity in decision-making, or connecting with ancestral wisdom. They can also be used for meditation and personal reflection, as each rune carries a unique energy that can be explored and contemplated. In conclusion, runes are ancient symbols that can be used for writing, divination, and magic. The interpretation of runes involves casting them and interpreting the pattern in which they fall. Runes can provide guidance and insight, and can be used for various purposes such as decision-making and personal reflection. Overall, the use of runes is a powerful tool for connecting with ancient wisdom and gaining insight into ourselves and the world around us..
Reviews for "Runic divination techniques: methods for interpreting the future"
1. Sara - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with "Runes and their interpretation." I was hoping for a comprehensive guide to understanding the meaning behind each rune, but instead, I found the explanations to be vague and lacking depth. The book seemed rushed and poorly researched, with no real insight provided. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is serious about delving into the world of runes and their symbolism.
2. Mark - 1 star: This book was a complete waste of time and money. The author's interpretation of the runes was so subjective and unsubstantiated that it felt like reading a work of fiction rather than a factual guide. There was no logical reasoning or historical context provided for the interpretations, making it impossible for me to take any of it seriously. It's a shame, as I was genuinely interested in learning about runes, but this book failed to deliver any credible information.
3. Emily - 2 stars: As a beginner in the field of rune interpretation, I was hoping to find a book that would provide clear and concise explanations. Unfortunately, "Runes and their interpretation" did not meet my expectations. The author seemed to jump from one idea to another without establishing a solid foundation. The lack of structure made it difficult for me to understand the concepts presented. I would recommend looking for other resources if you're serious about understanding the runes in a meaningful way.
4. Alex - 2 stars: I was left feeling frustrated and confused after reading "Runes and their interpretation." The book was poorly organized, with information scattered throughout without any logical progression. The examples provided were too simplistic and did not reflect the complexity of rune symbolism. I felt that the author failed to adequately explain the deeper meanings behind each rune, leaving me with more questions than answers. This book did not provide the level of insight I was hoping for, and I would caution others before investing their time and money in it.
5. Jessica - 1 star: I found "Runes and their interpretation" to be highly misleading. The title suggested a comprehensive guide to understanding and interpreting runes, but the content fell short. The information provided was superficial, lacking the depth and nuance required to grasp the true essence of each rune. It felt like the author was simply scratching the surface, providing shallow interpretations without any meaningful insight. I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a genuine exploration of rune symbolism.