The simple answer to the latter question in my view is no, but the real answer is more complex than that and has to do with historical facts, which I can explain by addressing the other two questions.
Is the blank Rune a thing? Yes and no. Yes the blank Rune is a thing, but only since the 1970s at the earliest. Is the blank Rune a thing in the Elder Futhark or any of the other furtharks? No. There is no evidence in the eddas, sagas or any other relative historical documents that even suggest that such a thing existed.
The first mention of a blank Rune comes in Ralph Blume's 1982, "The Book of Runes". This is where the controversy around the blank Rune begins. So, let's talk about Blum's take on it.
Blum refers to the blank Rune as "the unknowable", "the Divine, Odin, the Allfather". Both of these descriptions are entirely inaccurate.
The unknowable. The whole point of Odin sacrificing himself to himself was to gain the knowledge of the Runes. So, the idea that there would be a Rune that represents the unknowable goes against Odin's actions.
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| Old Icelandic Rune Poem for Óss |
I won't even venture into his detailed explanation of the meaning of the blank Rune, where he gives no less than eight different things that it represents. It further demonstrates his lack of understanding of the cultural history in which the original use of Runes formed.
For those of you who aren't so concerned about the blank Rune's complete disregard for the historical and mythological contexts, consider this simple point. The Runes are an alphabet. The term "Futhark" is literally the word formed by the first six letters:
So, yes the blank Rune is a thing, a very recent thing. Should it be used when seeking guidance from the Runes as an oracle? No.
Even though I was first introduced to Runes via Blum's deck and book, I can't help but share your thoughts of the legitimacy of most of Blums definition of the blank rune. A LOT of UPG. That being said, I question if all things are known, or even can be known. Lets say Odin knows everything. What is the opposite of knowing everything? Why would Odin share it all? Is it possible to share all the information of enlightenment with those who are merely on the path? How do we know that we know all that we don't know? Gnosis is an evolving thing. I submit Runes (and potentially other ancient systems of knowledge) are a solid starting point and that there may be more to know or understand now or in the future, compared to when Odin obtained the knowledge of the Runes. I am interested in hearing other points of view on this.
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