The Runic Charm Pouches consist of a small black velvet draw string bag containing 3 smooth pebbles; one of Rose Quartz, Moss Agate and Sodalite, and 3 hand crafted Runes. Initially the charm pouch was something I created for myself as part of a "harmonisation" process, but realised it was something more.

The tumbled gemstones are soothing just to hold, but have many qualities associated with them. The first of the 3 stones is Rose Quartz. The vibration energy of this crystal is believed to hold the properties by some, of healing - particularly having the ability to help balance emotions, clear stored anger, resentment, guilt, fear and jealousy. It raises tolerance levels, reduces stress and tensions, cooling hot tempers and enhancing self confidence and creativity. It is supposed to be an aid for the generation of feelings of forgiveness, compassion and love.

The second stone is Sodalite, which contains within it the energy to increase spiritual awareness. If held in the centre of the forehead against the 'Third Eye' it is supposed to stimulate the opening to a new perspective. It creates a link between conscious and subconscious and amplified by the Rose Quartz, it is another crystal of balance purported to lower blood pressure, balance the metabolism, and promote sleep.

The final crystal is Moss Agate, again a stone associated with balance, protection and stability. Agate is oft prized as an amulet, believed to calm the mind, heal fiery emotions, cleanse the immune system, alleviate stress and provide physical protection to the wearer.

We live in difficult 'spiritual' times, understanding, knowledge and wisdom we once had has been lost. The "magic" of the crystals is not imaginary, and the number 3 is renowned for it's mysticism. The world is traditionally divided into 3 sections, the underworld, the earth and the heavens. In Greek Mythology there were 3 Fates, 3 Furies, 3 Graces, 3 x 3 Muses, and Paris had to choose between 3 goddesses. Oaths are traditionally repeated 3 times, in the New Testament, Peter denies Christ 3 times, the natural world is 3 dimensional and the Bellman in "The Hunting of the Snark" says prosaically "What I tell you three times is true!". The association of the numeral 3 to both the occult and to science felt an obvious choice when designing the Runic Charm Pouch for myself.

The Runes themselves were once used as an alphabet, of which many were intertwined with Norse Mythology and were used for divination in a similar manner to tarot cards. Odin (or Woden) was the highest in the hierarchy and it was he who discovered the Runes (Incidentally, many of the days of the week are named after Norse Gods, Wednesday being originally named "Woden's Day"). In addition, the Runes were used either on their own, or in combination, as part of a talisman or charm. Runes are symbols of nature and universal natural forces. The three runes in this pouch are Gyfu, Yr and Eolh. Gyfu, the first, in it's literal interpretation means a gift. But the implications have greater depth. It is the representation of the Norse belief that "A gift demands a gift", a strange inclusion for a charm pouch you may think. However, Gyfu is a rune of balance it's simple symmetry impresses upon our psyche the need to seek harmony. The second, Yr, has differing interpretations depending on where or what you read. It is in this charm pouch because of it's primary meaning of a Yew tree, traditionally believed to be magical and offer defence against danger. It is also contained within this pouch because as the Nordic peoples perceived Gyfu as the embodiment of "A gift demands a gift", Yr was seen as the embodiment of the "Better not to pledge than to pledge over much". Another balancing act. Finally Eolh is the third rune, a rune of protection against negative forces.

To summarise the magical quality of the runes, Gyfu brings harmony - emotional, mental, and physical equilibrium. Yr brings protection and can remove obstacles, or miraculously transmute them into stepping-stones to success. Eolh brings protection from evil thoughts and activities of others and aids in the renouncing of one opportunity in order to take up another.

For me, these 3 runes combined with the 3 crystals provide a means of attaining a certain harmony and balance as the strange nature of our reality unfolds, and we prepare for the brave new world approaching rapidly. The combination of these items generates specific energies and was intended to protect and aid my spiritual balance as we move into a new millennia facing a future unimaginable. Many have tried to predict what's to come at the final turn of the century, from Nostrodamus to the Bible. Many many people are feeling rising tension, through the miracles of media we can see all around our globe and it is not a pretty sight. Poverty and pestilence on our planet is rife. This speck of dust in the universe which we inhabit and call home is being destroyed, by ourselves through ignorance and greed. We are a world at war, literally, faction after faction of political and religious battles are occurring, some fought with weapons others with words. But this WILL change. We constantly live and learn, evolving into our true potential, and on what I believe to be the precipice of a new world order of the highest magnitude, I am excited at the prospect that Mankind WILL find the spiritual strength to absorb our outdated animalistic program, and the vibrations of the Runic Charm Pouch are an aid in this evolution and harmonisation.

Mark
Weaver of Dreams

Statue and large rough crystal are for display purposes only.