Rune Guide – An Introductory guide to the use of Runes
The practise of runes as an oracle dates back thousands of years. Runes are still widely used in modern life today and have a long history stretching back to their use by Germanic and Nordic tribes in antiquity. Although anyone can get a rune reading, it’s also interesting to learn how to use them on your own. The information you need to use runes is provided in this article.
Definition of Runes
Rune is a type of divination or oracle reading technique that is intended to assist bring light to situations or concerns. Simple definitions of “rune” are mystery, whisper, and secret. Although runes can be created of many different materials, they are most frequently formed of stone and have a runic alphabet symbol on them.
The old Germanic runic alphabet known as “Elder Futhark” is one of the oldest runic alphabets still in use nowadays. There are many different kinds of runic alphabets that are used on runes. The first six runes of the Elder Futhark’s 24 runes spell out the word “futhark.”
As it was modified over time, more runes were introduced to the alphabet, bringing the total to 33, enabling it to be used to write in Anglo-Saxon or Old English. The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc is the name for this.
The Younger, or Scandinavian, Futhark, which is thought to have been used in Scandinavia up to the 17th century, is another adaptation. All of these variances show how people’s migration and movement across borders brought about changes.
Each rune symbol is an alphabetic letter, but they also have symbolic meanings. The goal behind the symbols is still relevant today, even if many of these have ancient meanings that would have meant a lot to the people utilising the runic alphabet.
For instance, the Elder Futhark says:
- Fehu, F, means wealth.
- Uruz, U, means conquering doubts and worries.
- Thurisaz, T means inspires you to continue to move forward.
- Hagalaz, H, means a good sign is coming your way.
- Ansuz, A, means an ancestral god.
- Kenaz, K, means a torch or beacon
- Raidho, R, means chariot or waggon
The History of Runes
The runes originated from an old Germanic alphabet that was used for writing, divination, and magic by Germanic and Nordic tribes in northern Europe, Scandinavia, and Britain. Although runic writings have been discovered on artefacts and stones as early as the third century AD, it’s possible that they predated that time.
What Purposes Do Runes Serve?
You can use the runes to assist you in overcoming difficulties or issues and to help predict what is going to happen. They are not really a sort of fortune-telling and don’t give you specific answers or guidance; instead, they offer several possibilities and make suggestions about how you might act in the event that it does happen. Intuition is useful because runes are notable for pointing in the direction of solutions while leaving you to figure out the details.
The future isn’t fixed, and people have the freedom to choose their own route and their own course of action, according to runic readers. Therefore, if you don’t agree with the recommendations a rune reading offers, you have the option to change your course and take a different path.
Runes can be used in a wide range of circumstances. For instance, if you find yourself in a position where you have little insight or can only see a limited image, consulting the runes may be advantageous.
How Do Runes Operate?
It is not a form of fortune-telling when the runes are set. The idea behind how runes operate is that your conscious and unconscious thoughts are concentrated as you ask a question or consider a problem. Your subconscious has made decisions when the runes are cast in front of you; they are not entirely random.
What Questions Can I Ask The Runes?
Some rune users think you should just ask about concerns, whereas others think it’s OK to do so. Regardless of the approach you use, remember your query or problem before casting your runes.
Keep in mind that a rune reading is not intended to provide solid answers or a glimpse into the future. It includes researching potential causes, consequences, and results.
What Kind Of Runes Do I Need?
There are different materials that can be used to create runes, including wood, stone, pebbles, crystals, bone, and even metal. A basic set will do while you’re just getting started and trying to figure out if rune casting is something you love.
But, it’s nice to be able to pick and purchase a specific set once you’ve practised for a long and discovered a passion for runes. Buying a set of crystal runes might be wise if you are drawn to a particular crystal, such as rose quartz or amethyst. Or you might purchase a set made out of little pieces of stone or plain pebbles.
It doesn’t really matter what the runes are made of because that is a very personal choice; what matters is what you do with them
When you purchase a set of runes, they frequently come with a user manual that describes each rune’s meaning, symbol, and interpretation.
Where Do You Keep Your Runes
Runes are frequently kept clean and united in a little elastic pouch since you don’t want to accidentally misplace one or two of them. You can buy rune pouches to keep your runes in or you can purchase a little box to keep them inside.
Using a Cloth for Runes
When reading runes, a piece of cloth known as a “rune cloth” is used. It should preferably be a tiny white cloth, and appropriately sized rune cloths are easily accessible.
You don’t need to worry too much about buying a specific cloth when you first start using runes, but you might want to look into it after you’ve decided you love runes. The cloth serves as a kind of barrier for the rune casting and keeps the runes from becoming dirty or destroyed.
How Simple Is It to Understand Runes?
Reading runes takes a lot of practise, just like any other type of divination or oracle reading. You can find books and guides to help you interpret the meanings of the runes and their application to the questions and problems you’re studying, and with experience, it does get simpler. A set of runes should ideally come with an explanation of what each symbol means that is simple to understand.
It does help if you’re open and prepared to rely on your intuition when determining what the stones are trying to tell you. If at first, you’re confused, don’t worry; this is totally normal. Just make an effort to keep any runes you’re uncertain of and note their details; over time, you might be surprised to learn what they represent.
Your rune guide will provide alternative reverse explanations for when a rune shows upside down on your rune fabric or on a table.
For instance, even veteran rune readers claim that interpretations or importance they’re unsure of or stuck on can unexpectedly come to them in the future.
Blank Runes
A blank rune is part of some rune sets. There are differing views on the legitimacy of blank runes, with traditionalists claiming that there is no historical proof that blank runes have ever been used.
With blank runes, you can choose how to continue. It’s okay if you want to integrate them into your oracle reading. But if you don’t, you can always take out any blank runes from your set.
How To Start Using Runes
Choose an area where you can read quietly, and then take a moment to yourself to clear your head and concentrate on the reading you’re about to accomplish. Consider the subject or issue you have in mind, and if you’d like, you can pray or invite higher spirits to help you with your reading.
In order for the runes to be placed upon your rune cloth, it should be stretched out on the table in front of you.
There are many other kinds of rune castings you may execute, which are conceptually similar to tarot layouts. However, on your first effort, you might only want to choose one rune and study its meaning.
Picking out a single rune might provide you with something to concentrate on, which is another really helpful application of this technique if you’re feeling unsure or confused.
When you are ready to go forward, try out some of the rune castings and patterns.
The Three Rune Layout
The three-rune cast is an easy cast that is perfect for newbies. You should choose three runes at random from your rune bag for this casting, then set them on the table right in front of you.
Rune three should be on the left, rune one on the right, and rune two in the centre so they should be in the order 3, 2, 1.
Rune 1 Provides a comprehensive view of your circumstance or enquiry.
Rune 2 The middle one represents hardship
Rune 3 Signifies a possible move that could be performed.
The layout of the Five Runes
The goal of the five-rune cast, also known as the five-rune layout, is to choose five runes, one at a time, and place them on the cloth in specific areas.
The first rune should be in the centre, and the remaining runes should form a cross shape around it. Rune two should be placed to the left of the centre (west), rune three to the top (north), rune four to the bottom (south), and rune five to the right (east). You could either place them face and flip them over as you read them, or you can immediately turn them face up.
The concept behind this layout is that the runes 2, 1, and 5—which are horizontally arranged—represent your history, present, and future, respectively. The rune to the right of the centre (3) indicates what support you might get in connection to your problem or issue, while the rune below the central rune (4) indicates what components of the issue or problem need to be embraced.
The Nine Rune Cast
Nine is a mystical number in Norse mythology, therefore casting a rune of nine sounds logical. The greatest time to use this cast is when you’re trying to figure out where you are on your spiritual path and what the potential next steps or opportunities are. This is a cast that allows you to truly use your intuition.
When using this casting technique, you must consider your spiritual objectives, choose nine runes at random from your rune bag, and hold them in your hands for a little while. Spread them out on your rune cloth after that.
The runes closer to the centre are often considered to have the greatest relevance to the current circumstances, whereas those on the edges are considered to be less significant. Runes on different sides of the cloth indicate opposed effects, although runes close to or touching each other may be complementary effects.
First, focus on the runes that have dropped face-up. It can be helpful to write these down so you can later look at them and study them in further detail. Then, read the ones that were upside-down while turning them around and keeping them in place. These last runes are said to symbolise outside or future impacts and may reveal new opportunities.
Make good use of your instincts while interpreting the runes and what they may represent. There aren’t any set rules for this type of rune casting; it all depends on your personal interpretation.