CERVIDIC RUNES
Over the course of Atalav’s storied history, a system of runes and sigils have slowly coalesced into a generally understood application of use, ranging from household folk applications, to far more fringe, occult uses. Drawing from symbolism embedded deep within Faun’s living memory- as well as remnants from times that are long gone, the invocation of these runes and the creation and manipulation of sigils add structure to Atlavian life, and can magnify a Faun’s connection to the land.
Generally, these runes– as well as the discovery of older, more ancient symbols– are used for mundane day-to-day applications. Gardening spells, household spells, quick shorthands in the margins of notebooks and journals. You might see these runes in the margins of a mother’s cookbook, or carved into the wood fence of a garden bed to protect it. Metalsmiths might utilize these symbols for their equations; pubs signpost their business with an astrological star sign; protective sigils dot the city of Hernlak.
For the more mystical, magical Fauns, the studies of these runes and their invocation can often sit side-by-side with the study of Lifesource X and its integration in the basic elements. This usually hallmarks the difference between folk magic and arcane magic, used by alchemists and sorcerers, academics and the Corrupted.
The Cervidic Runes can be broken down into several categories. All of these overlap and interact with one another, and all of them draw from the natural world, the remnants of the old world, and the spiritual world. These Runes are a neutral system that can be adapted for various magical desires, scientific endeavors, or folk day-to-day living to perceive, structure and define the world. How someone like Fenris utilizes these systems will differ from Abel; Those more adherent to Herne’s gift may use more Hernian-inspired symbology, while others might use a more secular imagery of the runes.
See the bottom of this page for examples on how these runes are used.
This system is not a written language; it is used in conjunction with Atalavian languages.
This is an esoteric glossary.
Elements
Astrological
There are eight bodies in the night sky that serve as permanent astronomical features.
The Sun, the Moon, the North Star, Firefly [Jupiter], The Healer [Saturn], The Lightbearer [Venus], The Follower [Mars], and The Fawn [Mercury].
With the exception of the North Star, all of these planetary features can visually be seen as never wavering but moving across the sky, different from the stars.
The Earth
The Earth is, of course, the host planet to Faunids.It revolves around the Sun and seems to host a lovely assortment of guiding stars in the night. It is also the site of Herne’s Grace, and as such, is associated with Herne himself. Hernian Antlers can represent the Earth, often in more obscure and less secular texts.
Meaning: Life, Herne. Inversion is death, barrenness, sulfur.
The Fawn / Mercury
The Fawn is Herne’s star, depicted with a simplified Hernian Antler on top of a circular symbol; it represents, in the way that Herne, too, represents this, the Faunid.It generally sits closest to the horizon of the planets, and therefore closer to the Earth, to Herne, to Atalav, to Fauns. Spiritually, The Fawn is invoked often, with a particular tie to Bronze.
Meaning: Invention, adaptability. Inversion is foolishness, ignorance.
the follower / Mars
The Follower often sits below the Moon, and thus ties itself closely with the Moon’s directionality of time. It has been associated with the concepts of platonic or familial love, and in many texts, you can see [The Follower’s] symbol combined with one of the Moon’s symbols to indicate the echoes of a platonic relationship. For this reason, The Follower is also associated with loyalty.
Meaning: Loyalty, platonic bonds. Inversion represents coldness, closed-offness.
the lightbearer / Venus
The Lightbearer often appears above the moon, glowing brighter than any other object except the Moon and the Sun. It is associated with the concepts of romantic love, and when its symbol is combined with the Moon’s, is often depicted in texts to indicate a romantic relationship. Because of this, The Lightbearer also tends to be associated with passion.
Meaning: passion, romantic bonds. Inversion represents abandonment, loneliness.
the healer / Saturn
The Healer is often seen with Firefly, high above the horizon. It has been associated as a star of healing and health, and is often seen within the margins of experimental medicines. Herbs and agriculture are tied with The Healer’s symbolism, and a night that shines The Healer’s light on Atalav is often seen as a sign of waning sickness.
Meaning: Healing, health. Inversion represents disease, plague.
firefly / Jupiter
Firefly sits high above the Moon in the night sky. It tends to travel, from year to year, between each of the twelve constellations, earning it an association as the most learned of the planetary forces. As such, it has been tied with the master of the elusive magic of Lifesource X, and can occasionally, in more esoteric texts, be used interchangeably.
Meaning: Growth, ascendence. Inversion represents stagnancy and stubbornness.
The Moon
The Moon rules the night and the seasons. As it wanes and waxes across the sky, the seasons move onwards and the days seem to wane and wax with them. This clear-track of progression has made the Moon into the symbol of time, and its symbol can be combined and added onto to indicate time in written texts. As such, Atalav often structures time based on the lunar pathways.
Meaning: Time, cycles.
The Sun
The Sun moves through the sky from dawn to evening, and in some folktales, is depicted as continuing that circular cycle under the Earth, from dusk until dawn once more. It is symbolized by a circle with four dots– each dot represents a cardinal direction, and is often used to signify North, East, South, or West.
Meaning: Direction, stability.
The North Star
The North Star is a bright, unwavering feature in the sky. Ceaseless and constant, this star can usually be seen even in the foggiest of nights. Its associations with navigation, standing as a protective guard over all of Atalav, has given it the resonance of a beacon in the night. Lighthouses and inns often use the North Star’s associated symbol to signify safety.
Meaning: Protection, light. Inversion represents blindness.
Metals and matter
There are seven metals that hold particular significance in Atalav, each with their own symbology and associations attached.
Additionally, certain forms of matter hold particular significance, particularly Salt and Sulfur.
Lead
Associations: Transformation, The Healer [Saturn].
Tin
Associations: Growth, Firefly [Jupiter].
Silver
Associations: Transition, the Moon.
Gold
Associations: Stability, the Sun.
Copper
Associations: harmony, balance, The Lightbearer [Venus].
Quicksilver
Associations: swiftness, malleability, change, The Fawn [Mercury].
Sulfur
Associations: inversion of Herne, often seen within Fenris’ influence.
Salt
Associations: nourishment, physical realm.
passage of time
The symbols used for the Moon and for what are colloquially called Hernic Horns can be used to symbolize time.
Linked crescents as well as well as completed circles represent one entire Moon cycle.
Dots are generally used to indicate small increments of time; roughly one week.
One Month
1.5 Months
1 Month + 1 Week
1.5 Months
2 Months
The same principle applies to the "Hernic Horns."
These tend to take less of a linear progression of lunar time, but rather represent the seasonal progression of time.
other symbols
Dawn
Day
Examples of uses
Good year's harvest
Invocation for good year's harvest; combining symbols for Grain, Moon, Sun, and invoking Herne's presence
Safe travels
Invocation for safe travels; combining the North Star, Salt, Mercury, and the Sun. A focused and stable protection rune.
Fenris Child invocation
Spell; combining Sulfur, Moon, Salt, Blood, invokes transformation and corruption.
Travel Protection
Protection of Travel Invocation; Quicksilver/Sun/North Star. Commonly seen on signposts for all general travels; less used for individual adventures.
Personal growth
Classic Manifestation Sigil; Moon, Healer, Hernic Horns. A faun may decorate personal belongings with this rune as personal invocations.
repulsion
A runic warning to others to stay away; Inverse Follower, Firefly, Lead. Can be seen on signposts in dangerous areas.
Weapon protection
Weapon protection sigil; Copper, Tin, Quicksilver. Swords and knives are commonly decorated with this collection of runes.
Fertility
Simple Fertility Invocation; Salt/Blood/Venus/Gold. Typically painted onto breeding animals or onto oneself if trying to procreate.
