Rune stone readings
Rune Guide - An Introduction to using the Runes
Runes are an ancient form of divination used by those seeking advice. Nowadays they are less popular and it is harder to find someone who is good at doing a reading with them. Runes have a long history, dating back to ancient use by Germanic and Nordic tribes. Here’s a guide to all you need to get started with using runes.
What Are Runes?
The word ‘rune’ means whisper, mystery, hidden or secret and it’s a form of divination or oracle reading system that’s used to help gain insight into situations or questions. Runes are small, about an inch square and squarish in shape, light, comfortable and very easy to pick up and hold. Runes can be made of various materials, but most runes are made of stone or from wood, each tablet features a different symbol from the runic alphabet.
There are different writings, one of the oldest is the old Germanic runic alphabet known as ‘Elder Futhark’ which contains 24 runes, the first six of which spell out the word ‘futhark’. Over time this was adapted to use it to write in Anglo-Saxon or Old English, a number of other runes were added to the alphabet, bringing the total amount now up to 33. Known as the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. Another adaptation is the Younger, or Scandinavian, Futhark, which is believed to have been used in Scandinavia until the 17th century. These variations highlight changes that were made as people moved and emigrated to different countries.
As well as each rune symbol representing a letter of the alphabet, they have symbolic meanings. Although many date back to traditional meanings, which would have meant a lot to the people using the runic alphabet, the intention behind the symbols still has relevance today.
For example, in the Elder Futhark:
Fehu, F, means wealth or cattle (cattle used to be the equivalent of wealth).
Uruz, U, a wild ox.
Thurisaz, T, a thorn or a giant.
Hagalaz, H, hail.
Ansuz, A, an ancestral god.
Raidho, R, wagon or chariot.
Kenaz, K, a beacon or torch.
The Origin of Runes
The runes stem from an ancient form of Germanic alphabet, which was used by the Germanic and Nordic tribes of northern Europe, Scandinavia and Britain for writing, divination and magical purposes. Years ago lots of people regularly used rune stones for divination now we are in the 21st century it is rare. It could take you a long time to find someone who is able to do a reading for you with them. Runic inscriptions have been found on stones, jewellery, weapons and objects dating back to the 3rd century AD, experts say they probably existed way before this.
What Can Runes Be Used For?
The purpose of the rune stones is similar to that of the tarot cards or oracle cards - to guide you through issues and show you what is likely to happen. Runes hint towards answers, leaving you to work out the details, which is where intuition is helpful. This is where they are unlike angel cards, oracle cards and tarot cards, where you may get an idea of what you should avoid doing or what you should do, or where you went wrong or how you should look at things. The tarot cards, angel cards and oracle cards may also evaluate how you should deal with a certain person and be more specific about the whole thing than the rune stones. But you will generally find that the tarot cards give more information and look at a fuller picture.
Many people prefer to have a tarot card reading but this is usually because tarot cards are spoken of, written about, photographed, shown online far more than others methods and many ofthe people seeking a reading have not heard of rune stones, i ching and some of the more obscure and less popular methods.
Runic readers believe the future isn’t fixed and that individuals have the power to follow their own path and make their own decisions. If you don’t like the guidance that a rune reading provides, you’ve got the power to change your direction, or your path, and follow a different route. For example, if you are considering having a new relationship with a person you have just met they may warn you against it or they may encourage it, they may then leave you to work out for yourself which you will go ahead with, bearing in mind that you may regret those actions or be delighted by them.
How Do Runes Work?
Rune stones have no connection with divination and fortune-telling. You ask a question or think about an issue. When the runes are cast they’re not totally random, but are choices that have been made by your subconscious.
What Can I Ask The Runes About?
Some people using runes believe you should only ask about issues, i.e. should I leave X? should I move in with x? should I marry x? should I have a baby with x? should i buy this house? should I go away on holiday with x? should I spend my savings on such and such investments? should I move on from the past? there are a thousand and one questions you could ask that you can get insight It’s about looking for possible causes and effects and seeing potential outcomes.
What Sort of Runes Do I Need?
Runes can be made of different materials, including pebbles, wood, stone, crystals, bone or metal.
When you buy a set of runes, they will often come with an instruction booklet that explains what each rune is, what its symbol represents and how it can be interpreted.
Storing Your Runes
Runes are often stored in a little drawstring pouch, often made of velvet or silk, to keep them clean and hold them together – you don’t want to accidentally lose a rune! Rune pouches to store your runes in are widely available, or you could find a small box to keep them in.
How Easy Is It To Interpret Runes?
Like any form of divination or oracle reading, it can take time to master the art of reading the runes. There are books and guides available to help you understand the runic meanings and their significance in your life, and to the questions and issues you’re exploring, and with practice it does get easier. Ideally, you should receive an easy-to-understand guide to the meanings of the symbols when you purchase a set of rune stones.
You must be open and willing to use your intuition to assess what the rune stones are revealing. Don’t worry if you’re not sure at first. It takes time and patience. Just try and persevere, be determined and focused, write down details of any runes you’re unsure of and see if the meanings present themselves to you over time.
When a rune appears upside down on your rune cloth, or on a table, then there alternative reverse definitions; your rune guide will provide details of this.
Even experienced rune readers, for example, say that meanings or significances they’re unsure about or stuck on can suddenly come to them at a later date.
Blank Runes
Some rune sets come with a blank rune. However, opinions over the validity of blank runes are mixed, with the traditionalists saying that there’s no historical evidence that blank runes were ever used.
It’s up to you how you want to proceed with blank runes. If you want to include them in your oracle reading, then that’s fine. But if not, you can always remove any blank runes that are included in your set.
Get Started With Using Runes
Find a quiet place to do your reading and start by having a period of quiet, where you clear your mind and focus on the reading you’re about to do. Think about the issue or question you have in mind and, if you so desire, you can say a prayer or call upon higher spirits to guide you with your reading.
Your rune cloth should be spread on the table in front of you, ready for the runes to lay upon it. The rune cloth will give the room an air of mystery and make your spiritual working surroundings seem more in keeping with this.
There are different forms of rune castings - which are similar in idea to tarot layouts – but on your very first attempt, you might just like to start by picking out between one rune and analysing its significance.
This is also quite a useful method to use if you’re feeling unsure or uncertain – picking out one single rune can give you something to focus on.
Once you feel happy to progress, then have a go at some of the rune layouts and casts.
The Three Rune Layout
The three rune layout is a simple and ideal for beginners. Randomly select three runes from your rune bag and place them on the table in front of you.
Rune one should be on the right, rune two in the middle and rune three on the left hand side (so they should be in the order 3, 2, 1).
Rune 1 represents the overview, or your situation or query.
Rune 2, in the middle, represents a challenge.
Rune 3 represents a possible course of action that could be taken.
The Five Rune Layout
With the five rune cast, or five rune layout, the aim is to select five runes, one at a time, and lay them down on the cloth in specific places.
The first rune goes in the centre, with the subsequent rune stones forming a cross shape around it. Rune two should go to the left, rune three on the top and above, rune four at the bottom, underneath and rune five to the right . You can lay them face down and turn them over as you read them, or put them face up straightway.
The three runes in a horizontal position (rune 2, 1 and 5) represent the past, present and future. The rune below the central rune (4) shows what elements of the problem or issue need to be accepted, whilst the rune to the right of the centre (3) shows what help you could receive in relation to your problem or issue. This should give you a quick, but interesting and full reading, it is ideal for those who are limited in time but curious.
Do remember that as with tarot, angel and oracle cards the spreads are a guide, you can think of your own.
The Nine Rune Cast
In Norse mythology, nine is a magical number. This cast is best used if you’re trying to determine where you are in your spiritual path and what the next stages or opportunities could be. When trying this rune method, think about your spiritual inclinations and feelings, randomly pick nine runes out of your rune bag and hold them for a moment or two. Then scatter the runes onto your velvet or silk rune cloth.
The runes nearer the centre relate most to the current situation, those that are on the edges are less important. Runes that are close together or touching each other, they may be complementing and positive influences, whereas runes that are on opposite sides of the cloth represent opposing and negative influences.
Make a note of the runes that have landed face up so you can refer to theses rune stones and study them in fuller detail later. Make sure your notes about these rune stones are detailed and full as you may forget something important otherwise. Then turn around the ones that landed upside down and read them, keeping the rune stones in their same position. These latter runes represent outside or future influences and could highlight potential new possibilities. Things which you do not know about yet but need to or would wish to know about in advance.
When you’re interpreting the runes and what they might mean, make good use of your intuition. This is one rune casting where there aren’t hard and fast rules and it’s very much down to your own interpretation.