• Basic Powers: To ensure a safe journey
• Pronunciation: “rye-though”

This rune symbolizes the journey to a place of power, the realms of the dead. Thus it can be used to gain knowledge from the dead through necromancy, seance, and divination. It is also useful for promoting change, unblocking stymied situations, and hallowing things.

It can be used to bless, in both positive and negative sense. A negative blessing is simply an injunction against dark forces, much like the Orthodox “God save you from all demons.” But it can also be used to invoke positive forces. In both cases there is a link to the dead who have positive or negative wisdom for and intentions toward us. It is good for understanding great changes, anything to do with ancestors (apart from inheritance), traveling in safety, and immigration.

Raidho is not only a rune of travel but also rules over the cosmic laws of Right and Order. It is useful for legal matters, especially when you have been unjustly accused and need to bring those forces of Right to bear on the issue. Safe and comfortable travel.

Strengthens ritual abilities and experience. Access to “inner advice”. Raises consciousness to right and natural rhythms. Obtaining justice according to right.

The Chant

raidho raidho raidho
r r r r r r r r r
ru ra ri re ro
rudh radh ridh redh rodh
(rut rat rit ret rot)
or er ir ar ur
r r r r r r r r r

It can be used in conjunction with the symbol, or chanted while visualizing the symbol. The symbol can be etched into a candle while intoning the chant, and then, as the candle burns, the spell is released and sent.

The Statement of Intent:

When one sits in one’s home
everything looks so easy;
talk is easier than action.
To walk in another’s shoes
and do better,
that is a most difficult task.

This is a modern version of the “Rune Poem” that defines this particular rune. It can be used in combination with the chant, and while creating a talisman or spell that uses the power of this rune.

Runic Posture

Rune Yoga, or Runic postures are used to anchor the energy of the Rune in your physical body. More about them can be found here: Runic Postures.

Assume the recommended runic posture and sing the name of the rune in a non-exhaustive way that you can feel your body vibrating – in magic literature it is called vibrating. It could be that you can hear overtones clearer as usual during vibrating. Take this as a good sign. You are visualizing the rune with your inner eye, as its form is being represented by your body and the energies are flowing through your body.

Standing with the left arm bent at the elbow and the left hand palm up. The right arm is bent at the shoulder with the right palm down. The two hands meet in the middle. The right leg extends out and down at an angle. Look to the east or to the south.

Because the traditional position seems almost impossible to accomplish, here is a much more comfortable variation. Stand up, with the left arm bent at the elbow and the palm on the hip. The left leg has to be tilted outwards, without  touching the ground; the right arm should be firmly attached to the side. Look to the south. As shown in the small pic, your body will resemble the letter R.

Before practicing a rune it is recommended to know everything on the powers of the rune you want to practice. The flow of energy is different for each rune, a field of research for your sensitivity.

The hand positions, or mudras are effective only after you have anchored the runes in your own aura and body. They can be made silent and unobtrusive.

Sources:

• Understanding Runes
• Asatru
• Futhark
• Flight of the Condor
• A Practical Guide to the Runes
• Esoteric Rune Magic
• Image from Deep Earth Arts