Symbols of Power

Almost every magical tradition worldwide has a physical element to their magical practices.  The practice of using physical representation of the magic to be cast and the desired result is generally called sympathetic magic.  Runes and effigies and other symbols of power are a product of such practices.  Effigies are actually physical representations of people, places, or things that are the focus of spells.  Two examples of this would be a vodoun sorcerer making a doll out of cloth and using the hair and semblance of the recipient of the blessing or the curse.  Another would be an Egyptian sorcerer making wax boats, putting them in a bowl of water and shaking the bowl, causing an invading fleet to sink beneath unusually large waves.
Runes are similar.  They are symbols and patterns that allow the caster to focus on a certain element of reality.  This flexibility of symbolic representation is the reason why there are so many rune systems throughout the world.  This is the reason that I say each mage, while keeping the others in mind, should always search for other symbols and patterns that channel the energy of creation.  It is like language, the more words known the more versatile and specific sentences can be formed.  One can also “discover” or “invent” previously unused runes and symbols.  One merely has to become attuned and aware enough to notice them as they come along.