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The Illustrated Book of Runes

An introductory guide to the Elder Futhark runes, with watercolour illustrations and write ups.

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The Illustrated Book of Runes

The Illustrated Book of Runes

The Illustrated Book of Runes

The Illustrated Book of Runes

The Illustrated Book of Runes

An introductory guide to the Elder Futhark runes, with watercolour illustrations and write ups.

An introductory guide to the Elder Futhark runes, with watercolour illustrations and write ups.

An introductory guide to the Elder Futhark runes, with watercolour illustrations and write ups.

An introductory guide to the Elder Futhark runes, with watercolour illustrations and write ups.

Dawn Ravenwind
Dawn Ravenwind
Dawn Ravenwind
Dawn Ravenwind
1 Campaign |
Nelson, Canada
$7,581 USD $7,581 USD by 138 backers
$7,581 USD by 138 backers on Nov 15, 2020 with another platform

The Elder Futhark runes are the ancient alphabet of the Germanic descended peoples, most associated with ancient Nordic cultures. They were used not just in writing but also for magic and divination, as they believed there was a link between the vibrations of the sounds each letter represented and the larger cosmic vibrations that made up universal experiences. Each of the sounds is represented by a letter that is a simplified image, or symbol, of the universal concept that is linked to that particular vibration. 

To my knowledge, there has yet to be a comprehensive art book published of the Elder Futhark runes. My project is to create a semi-realistic watercolour style portrait image of each of the twenty-four runes that pays homage to what is believed to be the original icon or symbol each rune represents. 

For example, the rune Fehu is one vertical line and two diagonal lines pointing upwards which are said to represent cow horns. The cow represents wealth, and Fehu is therefore a representation of wealth, with the ‘f’ sound it represents being the vibration of abundance. My painting of the Fehu rune then overlays an image of a cow, to show more clearly the relationship of the shape of the rune and the image it represents. 

1. Fehu - Cattle - Wealth and Abundance

This book is meant to be a teaching guide for those attempting to learn the runes. As a visual learner, I think this would have been particularly helpful for myself if I would have had it when I began to learn the runes. By understanding the image that each rune represents, an initiate will be able to easily recall the corresponding sound and meaning. 

But this book is not just meant for beginners! It is sure to delight both the freshest folks as well as the most scholarly. The art inside contains powerful imagery that is not only stunningly detailed, but also conveys many symbolic levels of wisdom that lie within each rune. The write-ups are completed in a way that is straightforward and insightful. The combination of these two elements makes this book a collector’s item in the making!

I am Dawn Steeves BSc. (Hons) aka Ravenwind and was born in northern BC, Canada, where I grew up on an off-grid homestead. There, I developed my deep connection with nature. I am now a multi-talented Métis entrepreneurial woman with a strong educational background and a successful art business. I achieved a Bachelor of Science in Biology at UVic in 2012 with Honour's and an evolutionary thesis working with Haida Gwaii stickleback. I went on to write an MSc thesis related to paleoecology and forest changes over the past 14,000 years. I also took German language courses for 4 years in high school and university. 

After university, I moved to the heart of the Valhalla mountain range in Nelson, BC to focus on family. There, I began my chainmail business, DragonheART (https://dragonheartart.com/), where I vend my creations out of an Osberg-style viking-era style booth at outdoor festivals. I am also a math and science tutor and enjoy teaching the various things that I know. My detailed watercolour paintings have been developed for 15 years into a style that is perfect for book illustration, particularly detailed textbook style. Armed with these experiences and skills along with my use of runes for over a decade, I feel more than ready to complete and release my first book during these COVID-19 downtimes. 

This project began with the #runechallenge on Instagram and Facebook challenging artists to decorate a rune in their own art style. I had already been thinking about illustrating a rune book before this, but it triggered that desire and I put together the Fehu design, along with a quick paragraph I posted on DragonheART's social media page asking if I should make a book of them. The response was immense. The Fehu post gained more views, likes and reactions than any other post I've had to date, with people from all over North America and Europe responding with resounding support. 

To date, the rune paintings and write-ups are complete. The work has been passed off to the first editors, and I am arranging for printing to begin in the first months of 2021. The current budget raised in Kickstarter includes the editting and graphic work and will afford to print me 250 hardcopies that can be sent to me and signed, and have a paperback edition available for print on demand.

I'm currently trying to continue raising funds through pre-orders to try to raise that number to 500 or more printed copies (I need about another $1000 CAD to go), so that we may be able to lower the cost per book and offer a more affordable hardcover copy. I'd also like to extend the length by another 10 pages or so if possible to include some additional artwork. 

I have gathered a small team of editors and plan to work with Thoughtweft Publishing, who has designed the book cover, will create the final layout and will handle everything leading to print. Together, I am confident we can create a polished finished project that is ready for bookshelves worldwide.

All 24 rune paintings completed

The above rewards will be filled using the descriptions given in the purchase options on the side, please see the descriptions for full details. The rune cuffs will be made by myself, and are a regular product made by DragonheART. If you are interested in just purchasing a cuff, you can purchase them via my website:

https://dragonheartart.com/

The sets of wooden runes will be fulfilled by Mimir's Tree. He is another local craftsman, and the products will be shipped in the same packaging as with the books themselves. 

Set of Runes Available for Purchase

 

Thank you all for your support, whoever and wherever you are, and whatever support it is you offer me. Even if you are just a friendly human in the forums encouraging me, you have helped me to want to complete this project, I acknowledge and appreciate you. 

14. Perthro - The Dice Cup - Luck and Fate

Risks & Challenges

Currently the primary risk is budgetting issues. Printing and publishing costs for books are very high for self publishers and includes initial up front costs of layout, cover design, editting, etc. and funding is necessary to make a book happen. I have currently raised enough funds for a short run, but it would be great to up that to a larger run of books. 

Another challenge may be timelines, as sometimes editting, layout, printing and shipping can take longer than expected. Summer 2021 should be a generous timeline, however, as the writing and art of this book is complete and I expect printing to begin before spring 2021. 

Other Ways You Can Help

Share, share, share! The more buzz there is, the more people will be interested. Visit my illustration website for write ups and my rune paintings so you can learn about them ahead of time. 

http://ravenwindillustration.com/bookofrunes/

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Choose your Perk

Single 8.5x11" art print

Single 8.5x11" art print

Currency Conversion $8 USD $11 USD (20% off)
$12 CAD
One signed 8.5x11" print delivered to your door. Choose from any of the 24 rune art paintings, survey to select your choice will be emailed out.
Included Items
  • Art Print
Estimated Shipping
January 2021
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Paperback

Paperback

Currency Conversion $25 USD $28 USD (12% off)
$35 CAD
Includes one paperback copy of the Illustrated Book of Runes
Included Items
  • Paperback Copy
Estimated Shipping
August 2021
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Hardcover Copy

Hardcover Copy

Currency Conversion $35 USD $39 USD (9% off)
$50 CAD
One hardcover copy delivered to you
Included Items
  • Hardcover Copy
Estimated Shipping
August 2021
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Hardcover Plus Rune Set

Hardcover Plus Rune Set

Currency Conversion $77 USD $81 USD (4% off)
$110 CAD
One hardcover copy of the Illustrated Book of Runes, plus a special set of oak runes in their own leather pouch, handmade by Mimir's Tree.
Included Items
  • Hardcover Copy
  • Set of Runes
Estimated Shipping
August 2021
0 out of 20 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
Hardcover Plus 24 Print Set

Hardcover Plus 24 Print Set

Currency Conversion $141 USD $211 USD (33% off)
$200 CAD
One hardcover copy, plus a set of all 24 rune prints.
Included Items
  • Hardcover Copy
  • All 24 Rune Prints
Estimated Shipping
August 2021
0 claimed
Ships worldwide.
Hardcover Plus Custom Artwork

Hardcover Plus Custom Artwork

Currency Conversion $281 USD $387 USD (27% off)
$400 CAD
One hardcover copy, plus one original artwork by your design. Provide me with a detailed description, and I will paint you an 8.5x11" illustration just for you.
Included Items
  • Hardcover Copy
  • Custom Portrait
Estimated Shipping
November 2021
0 out of 10 of claimed
Ships worldwide.
Rune Painting Originals

Rune Painting Originals

Currency Conversion $352 USD $563 USD (37% off)
$500 CAD
One hardcover copy, plus you get to choose one of the original paintings from the book! Custom framing may be available, contact me to see which paintings are still available.
Included Items
  • Hardcover Copy
  • Original Rune Painting
Estimated Shipping
August 2021
0 out of 24 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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