I know this one has been a long time coming, but if you have noticed I am starting to get back into the swing of things with the blog.
How Do Runes Work?
The word “rune” simply means “mystery,” “whisper,” or “secret.” It is a system of divination or oracle reading that is used to help answer questions or figure out what’s going on. Stone is the most common material used to make runes, which carry a symbol from the runic alphabet on them.
One of the oldest runic alphabets used on runes is the Germanic alphabet known as “Elder Futhark.” There are many different runic alphabets. The first six of the 24 runes in The Elder Futhark spell out the word “futhark.”
This was modified over time, and the number of runes in the alphabet was increased to 33 so that it could be used to write Anglo-Saxon or Old English. The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc is the name given to this. The Younger, or Scandinavian, Futhark is another adaptation that was used in Scandinavia until the 17th century. These variations emphasize the shifts that occurred as individuals emigrated to various nations.
Each rune symbol not only represents a letter of the alphabet, but they also have symbolic meanings. Even though many of these have traditional meanings that would have been very important to people who used the runic alphabet, the purpose of the symbols still holds true today.
In the Elder Futhark, for instance:
Fehu, F, refers to wealth or domestic cattle.
A wild ox is Uruz, U.
Thurisaz, short for “thorn,” means “giant.”
Hagalaz, pronounced “Hail,”
Ansuz, A, refers to a god of the past.
Raidho, R, refers to a wagon or chariot.
Kenaz, K, refers to a torch or beacon.
Rune stones, also known as cards, are used for divination, or predicting one’s future. A set of 24 ancient alphabetic symbols is included with Rune Stones. They are typically kept in a pouch or box and can be made of a variety of materials, the most common and appealing being glass or wood. Typically, a book of instructions that explain the symbols is included.
Ruins should be built so that they face the sun or on an east-west axis.
The direction of the casting is determined by placing a white cloth on the ground. The pressing question ought to be the primary focus from this point on. After casting the stones onto the cloth, the ones that fell right side up are read. The meaning of the rune and the reading as a whole will be affected by whether or not the rune is reversed.
Pick a random rune stone for a day’s reading as an alternative to casting the rune stones; Additionally, you can perform a spread known as a “3 rune” The day rune, according to some, is a good way to find an answer to a single question. The single rune can be drawn every day, whereas the three-rune spread is used for more general inquiries. The meanings and equivalences of each rune stone are provided below.
Abundance through effort, inheritance of self and self value, material gain, earned income. Success, happiness and wealth. Reversed: Abandonment of plans, loss, disappointment, frustration.
Please note there are more interpretations of the runes that are out there and their meanings, so this is just a basic simple guide to help you in your journey to understanding them better.
URUZ – U: Brute Strength
Strength, home love on all sides, health, changes, a forceful masculine archetype.
Reversed: Missed abilities, weak will power, lack of motivation
THURISAZ – TH: The seeing of the future
Opening the door or gate to see the future, luck reflection for action, protection. You will see the truth.
Reversed: Not willing to heed information given, having a stubborn mind-set
ANSUZ – A: references the ancestral god, Odin.
Message from within (listen to your ‘little voice’), advice from others, chance encounter, careful thought so you will know what to do from this point in time
Reversed: Watch out for trickery, the dark side of yourself when others interfering with your plans, or there is failed communication
RAIDHO – R: Journey
You’re about to embark on a journey – either in the physical world or a journey of your soul to heal something that needs healing.
Reversed: Unexpected, unpleasant journey, transit problems, upsetting plans, lost tickets, communication
KENAZ – K: Beacon or torch.
When you feel in the dark – this rune will bring an opening, to help you open to who you are and your highest possibilities. From the darkness – light will come.
Reversed: withdrawal, anxiety, closing, loss
GEBO – G: Gift of Harmonic Relationships
Unity with self and all others – especially with our higher selves, nature and all things around us. Cannot be reversed.
WUNJO – W or V: Bliss and Glory
You do not Need anybody. Peace, pleasure, self-worth, joy and serenity, happy results, harmony, prosperity
Reversed: Sorrow, dissatisfaction, disappointment, friction, delay, possession by higher forces
HAGALAZ – H: Destructive forces
This refers to the destructive forces of nature, and things that are out of our control. Cannot be reversed.
NAUTHIZ – N: The Negatives of Human Needs
Caution, hold, coming in touch with a side of you that you may not like, resistance, distress, delay, constraint or restraint. Reflect on how bad things can and appreciate what you have.
Reversed: Improper course of action, think twice before acting, don’t make hasty judgments!!
ISA – I: Ice
Frozen in time, calm, non-action, everything on hold, letting go of ego and seeking your inner truths, you are blocked by your emotions. Cannot be reversed.
JERA – J or Y: The Cycle of One Year
Reaping of a reward when your world seems stagnant, harvest the seeds you have planted, gain, fruition, things happening in their own time and space when they are supposed to! Cannot be reversed.
EIHWAZ – EI: Yew Tree
Stability, doing the right things, patience, perseverance, endurance. Decided what is the right way to get the things accomplished in your life. Cannot be reversed.
PERTHRO – P: Initiation, Things Unexplained, Something Hidden
A hieratic or mystery rune pointing to that which is beyond our frail manipulative powers.
Perth is associated with the Phoenix, the mystical bird which consumes itself in the fire then rises from its own ashes. Its ways are secret and hidden. Powerful forces of change are at work here. Yet what is achieved is not easily or readily shared. After all becoming whole – the means of it – is a profound secret. On the side of the Earthly or mundane, there may well be surprises, gains or rewards that you did not anticipate. On the side of human nature this Rune is symbolized by the flight of the eagle. Soaring flight, free from entanglement, lifting yourself above the endless ebb and flow of ordinary life to acquire broader vision – all this is indicated here.
Perth stands for the heart of Initiation – Nothing external matters here, except as it shows you in its inner reflection. This Rune is concerned with the deepest stratum of our being, the bedrock on which our destiny is founded. For some Perth means experiencing some form of death – or transition. It is a letting go of everything, no exceptions, no exclusions. Nothing less than renewal of the Spirit is at stake.
Hidden information and truths, mysteries, esoteric, that which is unknown on a conscious level, it could come into the light and you would understand the ‘higher meaning’ of things.
Reversed: Events stalled, you need to clear out something – unpleasant surprise – the old way has to come to an end, do not focus on outcomes, nor bind yourself with memories of past achievements or you will orb yourself of the true present. When your inner being is shifting and reforming, on a deep level, patience, constancy, and perseverance are called for.
Do no repeat the old – let it go!
The initiation – the veils of the illusion are being lifted – let the old ways go!
Stay centered, see the humor and keep your faith firm.
ALGIZ: Z
Spirit guides – (How interesting as my guide is Zoroaster and I call him Z!) – protection, fortunate new influence, making the connection with spirit and working through your issues.
SOWILO – S: The Sun
The circle is completion – wholeness, the sun, the path to awareness and self knowledge. See you ‘dark side’ – that which makes you destructive to yourself and others. Seek change to heal and be complete with yourself. Cannot be reversed
TEIWAZ – T: Tyr, the sky god.
To be successful in competition, very motivated, finding the spiritual or transcendental self.
Reversed: Low energy and lack of enthusiasm
BERKANA – B: Birch-goddess
To be prepared, cautious in what you do. Also references your family and home.
Reversed: An unfortunate domestic situation – so use caution.
EHWAZ – E: The Sacred Horse
The balance of things in the universe, stability, move forward carefully focusing on the tools that will help you get there
Reversed: Sudden unexpected change that is not wanted
MANNAZ – M: The nature of Humanity
The self and its place in the collective conscience of humanity. We are all part of the collective unconscious – we are all One. Your attitude towards and their attitudes towards you. Take this time for personal reflection. Cannot be reversed.
LAGUZ – L: Water – Emotions
The moon, the flow of emotions and all things into the collective unconscious – all bodies of water – Aquarius – feminine energies – higher mind, spirituality, health and healing – a time of cleansing.
Reversed: Not listening to your inner voice, tackling something you know you should not do – or are not capable of doing.
INGWAZ – NG: Fertility
Fertility of the joining of human beings, usually for a new life – a pregnancy. Finish what you are doing, tie up lose ends and start something new. Cannot be reversed.
DAGAZ – D: Daylight or Dawn.
A new day begins and go to work. You become more insightful, breaking through your new ideas. Light is around you. Cannot be reversed.
OTHALA – O: Ancestral property – Inheritance
Freedom and independence through releasing ideas and things that keep you ‘stuck’. You will feel ‘free’. You will inherit from someone.
Reversed: Not letting go of outmoded ideas and concepts. You will feel ‘stuck’.
BLANK RUNE: Sometimes called “Odin’s Rune”:
Anything is possible and can happen. The sum total of who you are, what you have done, and what you have become. Choose a direction and go for it. The blank Rune was added to the others in the 1980’s. It shows that as humanity has grown – the possibilities are beyond what was conceived by the original Runes. Some people include the blank Rune in a reading – while others leave it out! I prefer to leave it in as the Universe has limitless possibilities!! If you get this Rune – and you believe in yourself – you can manifest anything.
How are runes used?
Casting the runes is not a form of fortune-telling. The idea behind how runes work is that when you ask a question or think about something, both your conscious and unconscious minds focus. Your subconscious has made choices when the runes are thrown at you, so they are not completely random.
What Can I Discuss With The Runes?
Some people who use runes think it’s fine to ask questions, while others think you should only ask about issues. When casting your runes, it’s important to keep your question or problem in mind at all times. Keep in mind that reading runes is not about getting definitive answers or seeing the future. It’s about figuring out what might happen and looking for possible causes and effects.
Which kind of runes do I require?
Wood, stone, pebbles, crystals, bone, and even metal are all possible materials for making runes. A straightforward set will suffice when you are just getting started and figuring out if rune casting is something you enjoy. However, it is wonderful to be able to select and purchase a unique set once you have practiced for some time and developed a passion for runes. An investment in a crystal rune set might be wise if you are drawn to a particular crystal, such as rose quartz or amethyst. Alternately, you can purchase a set carved from simple stones or pebbles.
Whatever the case may be, what you do with the runes is more important than the material from which they are made. An instruction booklet that explains what each rune is, what its symbol means, and how it can be interpreted is typically included when you purchase a set of runes.
How to Store Your Runes: Runes are frequently kept in a small pouch with a drawstring because you don’t want to lose one or two runes by accident. You can store your runes in rune pouches, which are widely available, or in a small box.
Using a Rune Cloth A piece of fabric called a “rune cloth” is what is used to read the runes. It should ideally be a small white cloth, and rune cloths made specifically for this purpose come in the appropriate size. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a special cloth to try runes for the first time; however, once you’ve found that you like them, you might want to look into it. The cloth acts as a kind of boundary for the rune casting and keeps the runes from getting dirty or damaged.
How Simple Is It to Read Runes?
Mastering the art of reading the runes can take time, just like any other form of divination or oracle reading. You can find books and guides that will help you comprehend the runic meanings and the significance they hold in your life, as well as answers to the questions and concerns you are pondering. With practice, it will become easier. When you buy a set of runes, it would be ideal if they came with a clear explanation of the symbols’ meanings.
When evaluating what the stones are revealing, it does help if you are willing to use your intuition and are open to it. It’s perfectly normal to be unsure at first, so don’t worry about it. Try to preserve any runes you don’t understand by writing down specifics and seeing if the meanings emerge over time.
There are alternative definitions for a rune that appears upside-down on your rune cloth or on a table; This will be explained in detail in your rune guide.
For instance, even seasoned rune readers assert that meanings or significances they are unsure of or stuck on can suddenly surface at a later time.
Blank Runes Some sets of runes include a blank rune.
However, there is a wide range of opinion regarding the validity of blank runes, with traditionalists asserting that there is no historical evidence for their use. With blank runes, you decide how you want to proceed. That’s fine if you want to include them in your oracle reading. However, if this is not the case, you always have the option of removing any empty runes from your set.
How to Get Started With Runes Choose a quiet location for your reading, and begin by spending some time alone to clear your mind and concentrate on the task at hand. Think about the problem or question you want answers to, and if you want, you can pray or ask higher powers to help you with your reading. The runes should be laid out on your rune cloth, which should be spread out on the table in front of you.
You can perform a variety of rune castings, which are similar to tarot layouts in concept, but if this is your first time, you might prefer to begin by selecting one rune and analyzing its significance.
Picking out a single rune can give you something to focus on, which is a useful tool to have on hand in times of uncertainty or uncertainty.
Try out some of the rune layouts and casts once you’re ready to move on.
The Three Rune Layout A straightforward cast, the three rune layout is ideal for novices. You should use this cast to randomly place three runes on the table in front of you from your rune bag.
The first rune should be on the right, the second should be in the middle, and the third should be on the left (in the order 3, 2, 1).
Rune 1 stands for the overview, your situation, or your question.
The middle rune, Rune 2, is a challenge.
Rune 3 is an illustration of a possible course of action.
The Five Rune Layout The objective of the five rune cast, also known as the five rune layout, is to select five runes one at a time and lay them down on the cloth in particular locations.
The subsequent runes should form a cross around the first rune, which should be in the middle. Rune two ought to be to the west, rune three ought to be at the top (north), rune four ought to be at the bottom (south), and rune five ought to be to the right (east).You can either lay them flat and flip them over while reading them, or you can put them straight up.
This layout is based on the idea that your past, present, and future are represented by three horizontal runes (rune 2, 1, and 5).The runes below the central rune (4) indicate which aspects of the problem or issue need to be accepted, and the runes to the right of the central rune (3) indicate the potential sources of assistance with your issue or problem.
The Nine Rune Cast Since nine is a magical number in Norse mythology, a nine rune cast is fitting. You can really use your intuition to your advantage with this cast if you’re trying to figure out where you are on your spiritual journey and what the next steps or opportunities might be.
When attempting this casting method, you must consider your spiritual aspirations, select nine runes at random from your rune bag, and hold them for a few seconds. After that, disperse them over your rune cloth.
Most people think that the runes closer to the center are more relevant to the current situation, while the runes closer to the edges are less important. Runes that are on opposite sides of the cloth represent opposing influences, whereas runes that are close together or touching each other may represent influences that complement one another.
The runes that have landed face up should get your attention first. It might be helpful to write these down so you can refer to them and study them in detail later. The ones that landed upside down should then be turned around and read while remaining in their original positions. The latter runes are thought to represent influences from the outside or from the future and may highlight new possibilities.
Make good use of your intuition when interpreting the runes and what they might mean. This is one rune casting where there are no set rules and your own interpretation is all that matters.
I hope this helps ❤
Much love and Many Blessings!
Mrs. B
PS — If you want a custom made set of runes, I do make them for people, just send me a message on our Facebook page, an email or even comment here.
tellyourstory@luna-owl.com / http://www.facebook.com/LunaOwlCraft
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