Ralph H. Blum's Little Book of Runic Wisdom (ISBN 185906065X)

Book Description:
Since its first publication nearly 20 years ago, Ralph Blum's The Book of Runes has brought inspiration and comfort to millions of people around the world. Every culture for the whole of recorded history has possessed some form of oracular tradition, and the primary function of Runes—stones and cards alike—is to help us get our bearings in life. An ancient Western alphabet last used in Iceland during the late Middle Ages, the Runes may have originated as long ago as the Bronze Age. Ralph has found the Runes to be a strong teacher and wise companion, and he now offers thoughts that have illuminated his path in the hope that they will illuminate yours too. Ralph H. Blum's Little Book of Runic Wisdom is a pocket-sized book of days which can be consulted daily or dipped into randomly to provide wisdom and guidance whenever it is needed. A large part of the book is made up of quotations taken from the author's own bestselling books on the Runes. There are also previously unpublished extracts from the author's working notes for his many Rune-related titles. This book is completed with a selection of quotes, poetry, jokes, and proverbs from many personal contacts and other diverse sources to bring inspiration and humor to every day.

Enjoyable, but full of inappropriate religous dogma!:
Below the review is an actual response from Ralph Blum himself regarding the concerns I had. His curt and strictly anti-academic response was enough to cause a concern on my part that his book was relying on the name of the ancient Runes to entice people, falsely, to buy his book thinking they were going to be getting something they would not. HOWEVER, NOTE THAT EVEN WITH THE BELOW TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, A GOOD 75% OF BLUM'S BOOK IS RUNIC IN NATURE AND WORTHY OF A READ!! Blum's book is an enjoyable read and does have some valuable daily meditations based upon the original Runic wisdom. Unfortunately, it is also rife with completely inappropriate Christian dogma. If this was implied in any way in the title or description, this fact would be acceptable, but for those looking to escape the ever-present, proselytistic attempts of some members of this belief system, it is an annoyance. More importantly, it is misleading as the average purchaser of this book might be expecting it to be full of wisdom based upon the ancient peoples that created, studied, and believed in the Runes and not have the text focus, at least in part, on the very belief system that crushed them in the 10th-13th centuries (later if you consider Iceland and Greenland). After all, it was Christendom itself that destroyed the ancient Norse belief system, often under the threat of death or banishment. Please know this review is NOT coming from an anti-Christian person, just one that wanted to study as the ancients might have. Blum believes that simply because he styles his little book, "Ralph Blum's..." he can spread Christian dogma and pass it off to the unsuspecting as Runic. Blum should keep in mind that his book's title also uses the words, "...RUNIC WISDOM." If he simply wanted to make his meditations more available to today's modern and largely monotheistic person by including the use of G-d in the singular tense and writings focused on Christ, then he should either call that fact out in the book's description or title. Or simply add wisdom from other major influences such as Judaism, Islam, Shintoism, Buddhism, etc.; he does not such thing. ------ Blum's response to my email (posted below): Hi Jeff ******, Thanks for your thoughtful letter. Am off to London in 12 hours, so this is a compressed time for me. I am not much interested in what would or would not go well for the ancients, or re. the odyssey of Christianity. For me God is a collective. Singular, plural, too simple to discuss. If you notice the title of the wee book it's "Ralph Blum's etc." So the choices and inclusions are for my sake. If they serve or support others, I am delighted. And they will vary in the next edition. For me there are no "shoulds," just what this compiler decides. And I confess, I am responsible for putting in things that pleased, served and lifted me up. And the last thing I crave, Mr. ******, is academic dialogue re. what is for me deeply personal: my faith, my love of God, my efforts to live by a "compass for conduct" that is oracular in nature and in which mode, right action always trumps personal preference. Blessings to you. ------- My original email to which Blum was responding: Dear Sir, My name is Jeff ****** and I study the Runes, though I am relatively new to the practice. I do have training in Anthropology (B.A.) and the multi-disciplinary study of Quaternary Sciences (M.Sc.), so I tend to approach things with a largely academic outlook. With that said, I would like to ask a question about your book entitled, "Ralph Blum's Little Book of Runic Wisdom," if I may be so bold. I have been reading the meditations in said book daily for about 1/3+ of a year now (since I purchased the book) and frequently find them both useful and insightful. Thank you for putting the book together. However, I was wondering why there are so many daily meditations centered on Christianity? Moreover, why is it that when G-d is mentioned, the Deity is referred to in the singular? Maybe it is just my admittedly less than well-informed opinion, but I find the focus on Christianity in this context disagreeable. It is my understanding that when Christianity first invaded the regions in which the people used the Runes originally (whether you are talking about the ancient Germanic or Scandinavian areas matters little) the practitioners felt under siege and saw the death of their own belief system, frequently under the penalty of death or banishment, loss of property and rights, etc. Furthermore, I thought that the ancient peoples of these areas worshiped, or at least believed in, multiple gods - not being monotheistic as are Christians. With those facts considered, if indeed I am correct in my assumptions and assertions, isn't it at least a little unsympathetic to introduce so much Christian dogma into a book of Runic meditations? Lastly, if you simply wanted to make the book more accessible to the modern person by adding the influence of today's monotheistic religious canons should not influences of Judaism, Islam, and the eastern traditions be ushered in as well? Please know sir that my intent with this email is simply to raise a few questions and possibly open an academic dialogue. My meaning was never to be offensive in any way or fashion, so let me say that it is my sincerest hope that I have not been so. I look forward with great anticipation to reading any response you see fit to send. I thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Best regards and kind wishes, Jeff ****** Make your own decision as to whether or not you want to read something actually about the Runes, or if you want to read Ralph Blum's personal beliefs, for his sake, then purchase and enjoy. Even with this in mind however, you should realize that about 70-75% of the book is Runic in nature and worthy of a read.