Introducing the
Talking Forest Runes
The Talking Forest consists of 42 runes based on trees of the Boreal and Carolinian forests of North America. These beautiful keys are a novel divination system that can help the user find answers to your most pressing issues and aid you in discovering the mysteries of the magnificent trees of our woodlands.
Please note these runes are copyright protected and are for personal use only. They may not be revised or sold for financial profit. Let's explore some of the runes in further detail.
Ivy
This rune references beginning — the spiral that creates all life.
Ivy, one of the four "S"-shaped runes in the Talking Forest array, represents creeping plants in the Hedera family, as well as the Woodbines. This rune often indicates the beginning of a new process, the spark of creativity and innovation.
Birch
The third in the Talking Forest set, this is the rune of exploration and new travels on Life's road.
This rune, referencing youth, initiation and the coming of age, imitates the shape of the birch, a small tree, with delicately toothed oval leaves. Birch frequently "copses" or develops two or more trunks from the original.
Dogwood
The rune of opportunity, of seizing the moment.
The kenning for this demure tree is the Crossroads — the place where
two or more roads meet. Here you must make a decision regarding which path will take you where you need to go. Like the crimson twigs of Red Osier, the intriguing blue berries of Silky or the elegant petals of Flowering Dogwood, we strive to shine forth when the time is ripe.
Linden
Nurturing Linden — the loving tree, most frequented by bees.
The Linden rune, like that of Cherry, deals with matters of the heart — hence the shape of the upper part of the rune. But where Cherry deals with desire and romantic interest that may not last, Linden is the rune of abiding and often altruistic love.
Pine
This stalwart rune stands as guardian of our morality.
Pine instructs us to take courage and do the right thing, even if we must stand alone. An "iconic" rune, Pine imitates the windblown aspect
of trees such as the Scots pine, tall and craggy with asymmetrical
branches.
Oak
Stately Oak, king of the trees, stands for justice and status. This rune represents the two sides of the mighty Oak family — both white and red.
Along with Apple and Rose, Oak has garnered more mythology and folklore than any other tree. The rounded ends of the rune's left tine references the softly lobed leaves of White Oaks, while the arrow-like tine on the right imitates the spiky leaves of Red Oaks.
Elder
The final sigil of the Talking Forest — the rune that references harmony and the turning of the wheel of life.
Later reviled as a tree of evil magic and negative witchcraft, this small unassuming tree was, in Pagan times, highly honoured throughout much of Eurasia. Alongside Hawthorn and Rowan, the Elder frequently guarded sacred sites and standing stone circles. A "kenning" or hidden meaning of Elder is the labyrinth: the place
of mysteries and the hidden wonders of the earth — the World between the Worlds.
