The runes were an important symbol of understanding, strength and mastery of destiny. For nine days Odin hung himself from Yggdrasil, the World Tree, while being pierced by his spear so that he could learn the secret of the runes, which he later passed on to all mankind. As well as being an alphabet and a way to describe the world, the runes would be used to shape the future through the magic of Seidr. The Old form of Norse Shamanism.