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Runes: A Free Course, pt 1

Jackson Crawford

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A Complete Course in Runes starts with establishing what languages were historically written in runes, and considering what the word "rune" might have originally meant.

Jackson Crawford, Ph.D.: Sharing real expertise in Norse language and myth with people hungry to learn, free of both ivory tower elitism and the agendas of self-appointed gurus. Visit https://jacksonwcrawford.com/ (includes bio and linked list of all videos).

Jackson Crawford’s Patreon page: Patreon: norsebysw

Visit Grimfrost at https://glnk.io/6q1z/jacksoncrawford

Latest FAQs: https://vimeo.com/375149287 (updated Nov. 2019).

Jackson Crawford’s translation of Hávamál, with complete Old Norse text: https://www.hackettpublishing.com/the... or https://www.amazon.com/Wanderers-Hava...

Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Poetic Edda: https://www.hackettpublishing.com/the... or https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-St...
Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Poetic...

Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Saga of the Volsungs: https://www.hackettpublishing.com/the... or https://www.amazon.com/Saga-Volsungs-...
Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Saga-o...

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20 Comments

@JacksonCrawford Creator 3 years ago Pinned

One other word I ought to have mentioned in the section about words related to "rune" is Finnish "runo," apparently derived directly from the Proto-Germanic word, except that in Finnish it means "poem" (note that each of the individual constituent poems/stories of the Kalevala is called a "runo"). Finnish isn't related to the Germanic languages, but it has borrowed words from them at every stage of their development, including Proto-Germanic. Anyway, this meaning adds one more wrinkle to the surprisingly complex picture of what this word might have originally meant.

@leval_413 2 years ago

I'm an Asian just spontaneously want to understand runes so now I'm here watching a man teaching in the snow. Tks

@janach1305 3 years ago

I remember when I was on a pagan bulletin board on the web back in the Nineties, people were outraged when I claimed that the main purpose of runes is writing, and that everything else (i.e. the magic stuff) is gravy. They thought I meant the use of runes in magic was bunk, whereas I meant it was a rare and secondary use, like modern pagans writing their magic spells in the Latin alphabet. I was surprised at how many people got angry at what I considered an entirely reasonable statement.

@hakon_dlc 3 years ago

Fascinating video, my Old English course at uni only touched this subject only very briefly so I am grateful for you covering it completely free of charge! A huge shoutout to the Patreon supporters who enable Dr. Crawford to share his knowledge publicly!

@bumpty9830 2 years ago

Thank you for the free course. Educating the public makes you a professor with or without an institutional affiliation.

@pepebriguglio6125 2 years ago

If a proto-germanic root of the word 'rune' meant 'whisper', then it's very tempting to think that 'rune' came to simply mean 'silent speech' or 'inaudible utterance' ... because runes must've been compared to speech, and as such, their most distinctive feature would've been their silence.

@its_your_alex777 3 years ago

I'm glad you cover these concepts in depth, and make your knowledge available to the public.

@jonaslundman5788 3 years ago

As a swedish history teacher I very mutch like this! This notion that the runes are some sort of a Taro deck is very irriting… thanks doc!

@teresabeekind5899 3 years ago

Thank you Mr Crawford🙏

@solveigw 3 years ago

Thank you. This is interesting.
As a Norwegian we learn about the runic alphabet in school. I was taught about them, and now my teens have been taught as well.
I can't say I know them, because I can't write the Futhark just based on memory, but in most generations of Norwegians alive today, there will be someone who have used runes as a secret code language :) Myself included!

@maenormand7635 3 years ago

What a generous offering. Thanks Doc!

@MatthewsPersonal 3 years ago

When odin hangs himself to obtain the runes, and given the context of the rest of havamal, i cant help but feel that Odin hanged himself to obtain the advise (and or magic) he gives in the other sections

@MacNab23 3 years ago

As someone with no academic background - indeed, I'm not even a college graduate - these videos have been invaluable to my personal studies and deep interest in this and related subjects. The Patreon is a pittance for the knowledge gained.

@marionl.9094 3 years ago

Hi,
I've been learning Old Norse and everything you've talked about for over 4 years now. Is there any other way than patreon to support you?
You're a star made of gold and we need more people like you! Thanks for all you're doing to spread the knowledge!

@LPGraham8890 10 months ago

I'm finally here in December of 2025. Thanks for such a wealth of information. Nice hat.

@kirkcavenaugh758 6 months ago

Finally a free youtube channel

@bombfog1 3 years ago

Until your intro in this video I had no idea that Runes were associated with magic in the public mind, or rather any more so than magic is associated with Classical Latin or Koine. There are ample extant magical incantations and curse tablets in these languages of course, but I don’t have the impression that anyone sees these two Mediterranean languages as anything to do with mysticism. Very interesting.

@SpákonaSpiritsbyAleciaSix 3 years ago

I appreciate the time you take to make these available to everyone. You've helped me understand more about Norse Mythology then I ever thought possible. Please don't stop posting 💜

@margomaloney6016 3 years ago

Thanks Doc for offering this college level lecture on YouTube! I really appreciate it and look forward to the next! :)

@Martzoerst 2 years ago

Great work! As a swede learning this it is a huge help. When I hear "ek erilaz" it says "I the jarl". To me it fits, the strong and learned man wrote what few can read.