Casting of the Runes

Not long ago I purchased a set of "Fairy Runes" from the Sacred Mists online shoppe. They are a beautiful set of colored quartz stones enscribed with Elder Futhark Runes in gold.

For those of you not familiar with the Futhark Runes, you might be surprised to know you have actually seen them before. They are also known as Germanic Runes.

If you have ever read Lord of the Rings, or played almost any Fantasy based RPG game, you have probably seen these rune symbols. They are the Dwarven writing in most fantasy (especially Lord of the Rings).

You may also recognize some of the symbols. There are quite a few that look like our own letters. In fact, if you were to see a page written in runes, it probably wouldn't be too difficult to get the jist of what is being said. Most people who write with runes, write in English, but use the runes to represent the letters. Many Witches write their Book of Shadows in a runic alphabet, either Futhark or what is known as Witch's Runes. My own is in Futhark.

What is the purpose of runes?
They can be a divination tool, like Tarot Cards. Basically anything that is based on chance can be a divination tool. You could assign meaning to a simple 6-sided die you find in any board game, ask a question, and give it a roll. You certainly don't need fancy tarot cards or runestones.

However, some people, myself included, simply enjoy the excentricity of runes or tarot cards. And the stones are so very pretty. :) And some people believe that the runes hold power that can aid in the divination. I am a firm believer in the mind... I believe that if you strongly believe something is powerful, like a stack of cards, or a set of runes, you yourself give them power.

It is the same way with the Self. If you believe you are powerful, if you have strong belief in yourself, strong self-esteem, and courage - then your spells and workings will be all the stronger for it.

How do you read rune stones?
There are many ways to read the stones, and many ways still to interpret them. I myself am a big fan of the book by Ralf Blum. He is Christian (or some derivitive there of) and talks of God, and of the Spiritual Warrior in his book, but it is the best and most thorough description of the rune meanings I have come across. (Though feel free to correct me if you know a better!).

A book of some sort, or even an internet website if one can be found, will have the meanings of the stones. I would take the time to write out my own personal meanings, but each person is different. The meanings I have for the runes have grown with me and my skill of reading them. Over time, you will begin to put meaning to the runes yourself, something slightly different then the book you learned from might say.

To read the runes, simply place them into some kind of bag or box. You can read for yourself, or for another person. If you are reading for another person, I often like to have that person pick out the runes themselves. It is a matter of your own personal feelings. Some people feel very strongly that they do not want other people touching their runes, because they may transmit negative energy to them. I don't disagree - it happens. But that is what cleansing rituals are for. :) I believe that if the person being read for picks the runes themselves, it more firmly ensures that the reading is for them.

Reading runes is very similar to reading tarot cards. The most basic "spread" in tarot cards is the three card spread - past, present, and future. Runes also have a three rune spread. Runes, however, or more meant to be question answerers, then fortune tellers.

The first rune in the spread is The Obstacle. This is a rune meant to be the problems you will face. For example, the first casting I did on myself I asked a question about my relationship with my boyfriend, Joe. The rune reading I did told me that I would face hardships centered around Myself, and the need to re-evaluate myself. Actually, it was far more harsh then that... my rune reading told me I basically had to tear myself apart and rebuild myself anew. Like a pheonix rising from the ashes.

The second Rune is the Outcome - what may or may not happen should you succeed in overcoming the obstacles before you. In my rune reading, the outcome was a pleasant one, it spoke of inner peace, harmony, and tranquility of the spirit.

You can actually cut the reading there, and not pick a third rune. You have your answer. But some people pull a third rune, an Overview rune. this can either summorize the entire endevour, or be something to keep in mind. For me, it was a rune reminding me that the journey I had to take was a journey of the soul, the mind, and the spiritual self. A mental journey, not a physical one.

That is the three rune spread. Rune reading is a living artform, it can change from person to person as each brings their own flavor. For me, I almost always do the three-rune spread, as it is simple, and easy to understand for those I give readings to. However, I often draw "explanitory runes" as I go along. For instance, if I, or the person I am reading for, does not understand the meaning of the rune I pulled for the Obstacles, I may draw another rune in relation to the Obstacle rune, to perhaps help bring it into perspective.

Sometimes, I also simple ask a direct question, and draw a single rune to answer it.

Are the Runes always right?
This is a hard question to answer. As time goes on you will better understand the meaning of the runes, and you will notice a higher accuracy rate to your readings as you begin to better understand what the stones are telling you. When you start out, you will just be using the meaning the books give to you, and as the meanings are slightly different for each person, your rune readings in the beginning may not make sense, or may be way off the mark.

Over time, you will begin to see patters, and get gut feelings and instincts as to the meanings of the runes. Don't ignore these gut feelings! Embrace them, and you will find your readings becoming more accurate.

But, as with any divination tool - they don't always work. Why? Well, some believe that runes or tarot cards Always give the right answer, but that sometimes we in our limited knowledge of the spirits and the gods cannot understand the messages being sent to us. Some believe that whether the runes are right or wrong depends on the energy of those using them. So if a skeptic goes for a rune reading, their negativity and disbelief may cause the runes to rebel against the reader, and give wrong answers.

For me - I think that if the runes are wrong, it is either because their meaning is not yet fully understood, or that it is not the right time for answers from runes. Perhaps the gods believe your problem is one you must face on your own.

So... reading runes isn't a game?
Yes and no. Reading runes can be fun. I often offer to do rune readings from friends at parties, just for some laughs. And I have no problem pulling out my runes for a friend who has a question. So rune readings can be light, and happy, and fun.

They can also be very serious and important. I seek council from the runes before doing spellwork. It is always a good idea to use tarot cards, or runes, or a pendulum before doing a spell, to ask advice from the heavens if it is the right time to cast a spell, or if you should hold off.

For example, those of you who read my blog regularly may know of some troubles in the relationship department with me and Joe. I am generally against love spells, but had contemplated doing one to help Joe and I come closer together. (Note: I NEVER cast spells that go against free will. I was not going to cast a spell to force Joe to love me, or stay with me, or anything of the like. I was going to cast a spell that would open our hearts, and help us communicate).

I did a rune reading that basically told me I should tackle the problems between us on my own, and not with any magick, and so I did not cast the spell. Joe and I are still having problems, but I do not regret following the advice of the runes, because I have learned a great deal on my own, lessons I may not have learned if magick had smoothed the bumps out of the road.

Can anyone use runes, or do you have to be a Witch?
Remember Ralph Blum? He is Christian, but he literally wrote the book on runes. There is such a thing as a Christian Witch, and Blum is probably pretty close to that destinction - but to answer the question - no, you do not need to be a witch. Tarot Cards and Runestones are tools of divination. Though most Witches use them, they are not Wiccan tools, and certainly not strictly Wiccan. Anyone can use them.

Some people who are not Wiccan believe that divination is communing with demons. And often lump all of the divination, magick, witchcraft, occult, all together in one big pot. This is not the case. The point is - it doesn't matter what religious or spiritual beliefs you hold - anyone can use rune stones.