In his book,Runes and Astrology, author Nigel Pennick explores the ancient Northern Tradition's use of runes to understand the natural world and the cycles of time. The runes were more than just an alphabet, but also a system of symbols used to gain insights into the cosmos and our place within it. Pennick begins by discussing the pagan wheel of the year, a system of eight seasonal festivals that were celebrated by the ancient Norse and other Germanic peoples. He then looks at the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark, the oldest runic alphabet, and their relationship to the planets, stars, seasons, and months, as well as their elemental and color associations. There are charts and calculations used to determine which rune is the primary influence on a particular day, week, month, season, or year. He also explores the concept of runic astrology, and shows how the runes can be used to create birth charts and horoscopes. There's so much information here that you could say that not getting this book would totally rune your day!