Runes are ancient symbols that were used by the Germanic peoples of Northern Europe. They were likely first used as a form of writing, but over time they came to be used for divination and other spiritual practices. Each rune has a specific meaning and can represent different concepts, such as a letter of the alphabet, a deity, an animal, or an element of nature.
The most common set of runes used today is the Elder Futhark, which contains 24 runes and is believed to have originated around the 2nd or 3rd century AD. Each rune in the Elder Futhark is associated with a letter of the Germanic alphabet, and each has a name and a meaning. For example, the first rune is "Fehu," which means "cattle" and can represent wealth, abundance, and the ability to take action.
Runes are traditionally made out of materials such as wood, stone, and metal. Each Rune is unique, and a practitioner or a runic reader may choose to carve their own set of runes, inscribing them with the symbol and its meaning on it.
Runes were not only used by Germanic people, they were also used by Celts and other cultures in Northern Europe. Today, people use runes for many reasons, including personal growth, spiritual development, and decision-making. Some people also use runes as a form of divination, casting them and interpreting the meanings of the runes that are drawn to gain insight into the future or to answer specific questions.
It is important to point out that Runes are not something universally agreed upon or with historical evidence, their meaning and use can vary depending on the practitioner or the cultural background.
There are many different methods for casting and interpreting runes, but some common techniques include:
Drawing one or more runes from a bag, and interpreting their meanings based on the context of the question being asked.
Laying out a specific number of runes in a particular pattern, such as a spread, and interpreting the meanings of each rune in relation to its position in the spread.
Throwing a handful of runes on a surface and interpreting the meanings based on which runes landed face up and which landed face down, as well as the positions they landed in.
Rune readings can provide insight into a wide range of topics, including love, career, health, and spiritual development. They can also be used to gain a deeper understanding of one's self and the forces that shape one's life.
What happens during a Rune Reading?
A rune reading session can take many forms, depending on the reader and the person receiving the reading. However, some common elements of a rune reading session might include:
Setting the intention: Before beginning the reading, the person receiving the reading will typically be asked to state the question or topic that they would like to focus on during the session. This could be something specific, such as a career change or a relationship issue, or it could be more general, such as a desire for guidance and insight into one's life path.
Casting the runes: The reader will then proceed to cast the runes, which can be done in various ways. Some common techniques include drawing one or more runes from a bag, laying out a specific number of runes in a particular pattern, or throwing a handful of runes onto a surface.
Interpreting the runes: Once the runes have been cast, the reader will begin to interpret their meanings. This can be done by looking at the individual meanings of each rune, as well as how they relate to one another in the spread. The reader may also look at factors such as the runes that landed face up or face down and the positions in which they landed, to gain a deeper understanding of their meanings.
Delivering the reading: With the interpretation of the runes, the reader will provide the person receiving the reading with guidance and insight into their question or topic. The reader may also give advice and recommendations for how to move forward in the future based on the reading.
Follow-up: At the end of the session, the reader may give the person receiving the reading some time to reflect on the reading. They may also schedule a follow-up session to discuss any further insights or developments.
It's important to note that, as I mentioned before, the interpretation of runes can be a highly personal practice, different readers may have different techniques, spreads and different approach to interpreting the runes.
To learn more about the history of Runes, please view the video below.