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13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
 Insight and wisdom on the runic mysteries Feb 23, 2009
By G. Wilson
Chris Travers has written a highly readable book that is suitable for beginners and more advanced runic practitioners alike. Travers offers his own valuable insights and experiences on the runes, European mythology, and magic in general.
The book is divided into three parts, perhaps reflecting three divisions that Travers explains is fundamental to Nordic mythology, and the runes themselves. The parts are: I - Runic Fundamentals; II - The Runestaves of the Elder Futhark; III - Runic Practice.
'Runic Fundamentals' introduces the background material that is needed for understanding and working with the runes. This includes the cosmology, a runic theory of magic, and the three divisions of the Universe, with introductions of important figures and symbols such as Oðinn, Yggdrassil, The Norns, and Wyrd (Urð).
Travers offers some good insight with his discussion on the three-fold division structure that can be found throughout European cosmology. He postulates that this structure is reflected in the mythology with beings that are "Celestial (Dwelling in the Heavens), Terrestrial (Dwelling on the Earth), and Chthonic (Dwelling in the Earth or Sea)." (Page 30). He footnotes this, commenting that "One should also note that Roberto Assagioli postulated a model for the psyche with a similar structure for use in psychotherapy." It is also useful to consider the "three veils" of the Kabbalistic tradition, as well as the "Three Worlds" described by Michael Harner as part of core shamanism.
'The Runestaves of the Elder Futhark' contains a good introduction to each of the runes, looking at the three aetts (divisions) of the runes, and describing the relationship each rune has to each other. Each rune's entry contains etymology, descriptions relating the runes to the rune poems and sagas, as well as their uses in divination and magic.
'Runic Practice' covers three areas fundamental to runic practices: mediation, divination and rune magic, as well as appendices covering The Valkyrie, Oðinn, sample rituals and further resources. The rune magic presented by Travers especially focuses on rune poems, and gives good advice for learning and developing the techniques for writing magical poetry. This is an aspect that could be very useful to magicians interested in non-Runic paths, as the basis could be easily adapted to other practices. The role of language in magic is of cross-cultural importance, and any magician or pagan could well benefit from mastering language for magical purposes.
While the book is easy to read, it contains plenty of material that can be re-read multiple times, and the meditations and magical practices need to be worked to gain a true understanding of the runes.
12 of 13 found the following review helpful:
Should be a classic Feb 05, 2009
By Robert W. Thompson
"Waldo"
The Serpent and the Eagle is intended to be a beginner's book on the Runes that has enough "meat" in it to be useful for the advanced user as well. Many texts make a similar claim; what's unique about The Serpent and the Eagle is that it actually succeeds in this task.
For one thing, the clarity of Travers' thought and his attention to detail is stunning. The bibliography alone is worth the price of admission. A beginner introduced to a new concept will learn enough to be conversant, and both the beginner and advanced student will find clear pointers toward topics in depth.
This book deserves to become a classic of Runic Lore.
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Right balance of simplicity and depth. Feb 17, 2009
By L. Bradley
I've done runes a bit as a hobby, and read some simple texts on them which basically treat them as a novelty item, with minimal information about the deeper aspects of it. The Serpent and the Eagle was a completely different kind of introduction, which grounded me in the traditional mythology, philosophy and culture behind the runes, therefore putting their practical use in a real context. The writer does a great job of presenting the concepts in a way that is well researched without being dryly academic: its full of footnotes but you never lose the sense that the writer regards the subject as a deep living tradition, complete with all the mysteries of the divine.
My only wish was that there was more. It was a complete introduction, but you get the sense of having only seen the tip of the iceberg as far as what this writer could say. I will be looking out for more books by Chris Travers.
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Brilliant Analytical Introduction: a Must-Read for All Rune Students Nov 14, 2009
By Sara Thornton
Short review: this is a damned good book. The Serpent & the Eagle is that rare book which balances perfectly between novice & master. Echoing the Norse tripartite divisions, Mr. Travers introduces runic history, analysis, and practice in a concise, precisely and brilliantly written treatise. He suggests without dogma, encourages introspection, and argues persuasively for alternative uses or definitions. In defining his material, he quietly lays out the distinction between New Age commercialism and earning a living at a craft. This is a fine but very necessary point in understanding the subsequent chapters.
Many in modern Western culture seem to believe that enlightenment and salvation are just an extra dollar away. In a multi-cultural religio-spiritual all-you-can-eat buffet, sellers glue together a charismatic mosaic of many traditions with a mortar of inspiration, fiction, & a fine "the way it should have been" disregard for the truth of historical, archaeological fact. Rather like eating the frosting off a cake, this mash-up satisfies for a while but ultimately leaves a hollow emptiness. It can also lead to danger & death. Consider the recent New Mexico spiritual retreat with a badly constructed sweat lodge. This retreat was based on classic New Age mash-ups incorporating bits of many traditions. Without the cultural supports, grounding, and safeguards provided by a single tradition, 2 people died. Unfortunately, in creating this sort of mosaic, the New Age destroys as much as it preserves. In studying the oldest sources whole, the student can find patterns unbroken, safeguards and warnings passed down by people now nameless & forgotten. Individuals or a class might study the Runic tradition to find spiritual enlightenment, learn all of the necessary steps to safely use the tools acquired, & thereby create a single, safer spiritual experience. In this way Yggdrasil no longer is a fairy tale World Tree. It reveals itself as the Cosmos, the Consciousness, Alpha & Omega, Micro & Macro. Order from chaos, seed to full maturity to death and rebirth.
After millennia of knowing only one religion, most Westerners view pre-Christian religions with a patronizing blend of nostalgia for the noble savage and post-Enlightenment disbelief: Our ancestors believed or did WHAT in their daily prayers? Mr. Travers removes this condescension and presents the Runes as a tradition worthy of reverence as well as study. The Divinities have neither wings nor horns on their helmets; singing fat ladies don't brandish spears. But Mr. Travers shows They are worthy of as much veneration as Any of the Judeo-Christian pantheon.
The book's compact analysis of the Runes suggests meditative lessons. Individual Runes, individual Aetts, or the entire structure itself: each a lesson to base the next step, to clarify and refine belief - thought - consciousness.
In the final section of his book, Mr. Travers gives historically based, detailed instructions to make and use the Runes. As with the preceding sections, any deviations from tradition are thoughtful, reasonable and wholly in keeping with the spirit of the tradition. The Germanic & Norse were practical; a certain flexibility allowed "to each his own priest" sort of mindset. Remember, Germany & Scandinavia were among the last to come under Rome and the first to discard Catholicism.
An introduction should draw the reader into the heart of a book or highlight a complex subject for an audience unfamiliar with the subject. Mr. Travers does both in The Serpent & the Eagle. I strongly recommend this book for all students of Runes. Now, Mr. Travers, you have whetted the appetites of many. When is your next book published? Soon, I hope?
Full disclosure: I haven't been "Christian" for more than 30 years, ever since I found out to my childhood's born-again shock and surprise that the Christian Divine did not answer my prayers - but the Norse did. Mr. Travers invited me to review this book based on comments I made on a discussion thread. I am doing so gladly, paid by the joy of discovering his book. My bona fides, such as they are: I am a linguist, historian, and student of comparitive religion & mythology. I have had direct experience with the Anglo-Norse traditions for more than 30 years. By trade I bring order out of chaos.
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
The best entry level book by far. May 01, 2009
By R. E. James
"Reverend Roy"
I am not a runic scholar or historian so this review is not from that point of view. I have been "playing" with the runes sometimes seriously and sometimes not for about 20 years. I own numerous beginner books on runes. This is by far the best one I have come across. There is really a lot of good usable information in this book. It is very well written and easy to read without being so "scholarly" that is scares the casual reader away. It is also well grounded in traditional lore with numerous references to the Eddas and Sagas. I found it a breath of fresh air that Chris admits "the Norse Myth's are quite preposterous when contemplated literally and without poetic interpretation". He does a good job of taking these myth's and putting them into a symbolic frame work which we can use. Another strong point is that the "Runic Practice" section begins with meditation. He tells why it is needed and then gives some suggested practices. It is pointed out that no worthy magical or divinatory practices can be carried out if the basic grounding of settling the mind and internalizing the runes is done. This is the exact opposite of the "no effort needed, just buy my book genre" which plagues the whole magical book spectrum. If you have any interest in the runes at all buy this book first. You'll save whole bunch of money in the long run.
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