What is The Gift of Runes elective?
This separate year-long elective by Alexander Zharkov explores symbols and the author’s interpretations. It covers Futhark (24 runes), Alatyr (120 runes) and Karunas (144 signs): 288 symbols in total.
Study the meanings and shapes of signs, try layouts, develop symbolic compositions and prepare a personal final runescript. A runescript combines selected signs around one intention.
How the elective relates to the school
The Gift of Runes complements any of the four School of Healers levels. The school offers a progressive path of personal practice; this elective focuses on symbols, patterns and compositions. It is a separate programme with a separate fee.
- For personal study — if you want to explore symbolic systems in sequence and develop a personal practice.
- For school students — to complement your current level with a separate set of practices.
- For practitioners — to learn how to explain symbol choices and distinguish observation, interpretation and personal conclusions.
Discuss prior preparation and whether you can join without completing a school level before enrolling.
Format and tuition
- Duration: 12 months, 52 online sessions.
- Learning format: webinars, workshops and a private group.
- Practice: exploring signs and layouts, drawing patterns, choosing a material and creating a personal composition.
- Tuition: €100 per month, paid monthly.
- Before joining: confirm the next intake, timetable, teaching language, feedback arrangements and recording access.
Seven modules · all 52 sessions
Below is a concise editorial summary of the curriculum. Open a module to see the topic of every session.
Module 1. Foundations of runes and geometry1–2
Learn the course’s language: how a symbol is formed and how to discuss its meaning.
- Runes and the author’s concept of an energy-information field
- Symbol geometry: point, line, wave and circle
Module 2. Futhark: 24 runes and symbolic objects3–7
Three groups of eight runes, choosing a material and creating a symbolic composition on an object.
- Futhark 1–8: Yav imagery and everyday experience
- Futhark 9–16: Nav imagery, memory and experience
- Futhark 17–24: Prav imagery, intention and the future
- Creating an amulet: material, form and intention
- Practice with the finished object in the Zhiva tradition
Module 3. Alatyr: 120 runes8–22
Study 120 symbols in sequence, eight per session. Each group explores a theme in the author’s model.
- Alatyr 1–8: beginnings and structure
- Alatyr 9–16: clearing space as a practice theme
- Alatyr 17–24: memory and past experience
- Alatyr 25–32: intention and possible directions
- Alatyr 33–40: personal boundaries and sovereignty
- Alatyr 41–48: health as a symbolic theme
- Alatyr 49–56: resources and abundance as themes
- Alatyr 57–64: relationships and interaction
- Alatyr 65–72: attention and intuition
- Alatyr 73–80: time and recurring cycles
- Alatyr 81–88: family-tree imagery
- Alatyr 89–96: collective spiritual imagery
- Alatyr 97–104: spiritual reference points
- Alatyr 105–112: imagery of transition and change
- Alatyr 113–120: bringing the learning together
Module 4. Alatyr practice: layouts and symbolic sequences23–26
In the course, a symbolic sequence is a composition built around a chosen question. Explore interpretations and explain your choices.
- Framing a question and interpreting a layout
- Future scenarios in the author’s symbolic model
- A symbolic sequence: choosing symbols for a question
- A symbolic sequence: reviewing and refining a composition
Module 5. Karunas: the first 72 signs27–35
The first nine groups of eight signs: graphic patterns and the author’s interpretations.
- Karunas 1–8: basic patterns
- Karunas 9–16: initial energy imagery
- Karunas 17–24: Light and Shadow imagery
- Karunas 25–32: family memory through imagery
- Karunas 33–40: natural elements
- Karunas 41–48: subtle bodies in the course’s language
- Karunas 49–56: bodily imagery in practice
- Karunas 57–64: imagery of family-line support
- Karunas 65–72: abundance as a theme
Module 6. Karunas: signs 73–14436–44
The second half of the system: nine more groups of eight signs and reading more complex patterns.
- Karunas 73–80: causality and responsibility
- Karunas 81–88: stellar imagery in the author’s cosmology
- Karunas 89–96: power, status and personal roles
- Karunas 97–104: words and spiritual hymns
- Karunas 105–112: transition imagery
- Karunas 113–120: reconsidering familiar beliefs
- Karunas 121–128: collective imagery
- Karunas 129–136: spirit and concepts of immortality
- Karunas 137–144: completing the system
Module 7. Three systems and a final project45–52
Combine the learning in a personal runescript: your own composition of symbols, explained and presented in a final assessment.
- Comparing Futhark, Alatyr and Karunas
- From an idea to a symbolic composition
- Complex compositions on a physical medium
- Interpretation boundaries: observation and personal conclusions
- A teaching example: exploring a question, part one
- A teaching example: exploring a question, part two
- Presenting a personal runescript
- Reviewing the year and completing the course
The final project
In the final module, you combine the three systems in a personal runic composition. In the assessment, explain the chosen question, signs, sequence and limits of your interpretation. Confirm project requirements and the type of completion document before enrolling.
This is an author’s spiritual practice. The course does not confer medical qualifications or replace treatment.
Questions before enrolling
Is this a school level or a separate elective?
It is a separate elective that can complement any of the four school levels. Participation terms are agreed separately.
How does it differ from The Healer’s Gift?
The Healer’s Gift is the first school level: 104 lessons on the author’s approach and personal practice. The Gift of Runes has 52 sessions focused on three symbolic systems and a final composition.
What does tuition cost?
€100 per month. The course lasts 12 months, with monthly payments. Agree payment arrangements and a start date by message.
When does the course start and when are classes?
Confirm the next intake and timetable by message before enrolling.
Discuss joining
Say which system interests you and whether you have studied at the school. Discuss your preparation, the next intake and timetable by message.