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The word "rune" comes from the Indo-European root "ru", which means "secret." Runes are magickal symbols which are inscribed onto pieces of clay, wood or stone. The runes are used in divination and other magickal practices. Today there are many runic systems, the most common of which is the Elder Futhark. The futhark runes are a magickal alphabet developed by Nordic and Germanic tribes, and used heavily between 200 B.C.E. and the 17^th century, for both religious and secular purposes. In 1639, a church edict banned the use of the runes. Yet, the use of runes as a divination and magickal tool has seen a revival in modern day.

The name "futhark" is derived from the first six runes of the alphabet. There are 25 rune symbols, the twenty-fifth being a blank rune (also known as "Wyrd" or "Odin’s rune"). Each rune is not only a letter within the magickal alphabet, but a symbolic representation of natural forces.  Each of the runes carries its own unique meaning and letter association. The twenty four runes which have inscriptions are subdivided into three categories: Freya’s eight, Hagall’s eight, and Tir’s eight.

The runes were very much a part of the Indo-European culture in the past. The runes were used to infuse objects with power, to bring people closer to the gods, to control the natural world, and to bring luck and protection. There are over 3000 stone monuments in Europe which are claimed to have been inscribed with runic symbols. The most famous of these stones is the rock of Kylver, found in Sweden, which is said to contain one of the oldest runic inscriptions.  Modernly, Tudor-style homes are based upon the Germanic "fachwerk" (half-timbered) architecture, which placed the timbers at angles to create runic designs. It was believed that the runic patterns would infuse the home, and its occupants, with power and magickal significance. 

There is a myth surrounding the creation of the runes, which is detailed in the Havamal, a poetic edda of the Norse. According to the Havamal, the Norse god Odin hung on the world tree (Yggdrasil) with a spear in his side, in order to receive wisdom. After nine days and nights, he conceived of the runes. The Havamal states:

"I know I hung on that windy tree nine long nights

Wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself,

On that tree of which no man knows, from where its roots run.

No bread did they give me, nor a drink from a horn,

Downwards I peered; I took up the runes, screaming I took them,

Then I fell back from there."

The poem goes on to outline what are believed to be eighteen spells or charms Odin learned from the runes.  Some believe these are spells for runic magick, while others believe the purpose of the spells is to unlock the power of the runes.

The runes can be used as a system of divination, by casting (tossing) them upon a cloth and reading their meanings within the context of their formation. The meaning of the runes is determined not only by their individual meanings, but also by their position, their placement within the runecast, and their relationship to other runes in the cast. As with any other system of divination, the runes merely allow the caster to tap into hidden knowledge of what might happen, if things remain constant.  The results of the runecast are by no means set in stone.  Many of the runic symbols represent mundane things, which represent a larger concept. For example, to the Northern Europeans, fehu meant cattle. Because cattle used to be the measure of one’s wealth, fehu has come to represent wealth or income earned from work.

As mentioned earlier, the placement of a rune within a set can also determine the greater message of the cast. For example, if fehu were drawn with other prosperity-based runes, it might signify material gain. If, however, fehu were drawn with runes representing love, the message of the cast might be a romantic gain, such as a declaration of one’s romantic feelings. Additionally, if fehu were drawn with runes containing negative connotations, the reading might suggest that the seeker should postpone any investments or new projects. Runes also have different connotations when they are cast in the reversed position. Thus, in divination, it is important to understand the symbolism of the runes on many levels in order to gain an accurate interpretation.

There are many practices utilized to make a connection with runic symbolism, thereby enhancing any divinatory practices. Many people call upon Odin and Freya, the Nordic god and goddess said to be protectors of the runes. Some people call upon the wisdom of the Norns to assist them in making a connection with the runes. The Norns are three mythological Nordic sisters: Urdhr, Verthandi, and Skuld. They represented past, present, and future, and consequently, all knowledge. The Norns were collectively known as the Wyrd, which is the name of the blank twenty-fifth rune of the Elder Futhark. One of the most common means of making a connection with the energies of the runes is to make your own set, from natural materials. By working for such an extended period of time with the runes, they become imbued with one’s energies, and optimally, vice versa.

Runes can also be used for divination in other ways. Some believe there is an entire system of numerology based upon the runes. The numbers corresponding to the rune’s placement within the alphabet is assigned to each rune cast, and a message is thereby interpreted from all runes selected.  There are many other magickal practices associated with runes. Runes can be used as charms, magickal inscriptions, or can be interwoven to form Bind Runes. Bind runes are two or more rune symbols, positioned around each other, to form one single symbol. Bind runes are often utilized in talismanic magick, as inscriptions or charms. Bind runes can be used to draw particular energies to a person, or for protection. Further, some believe that each of the runes is assigned to an individual mantra, or word of power, which can be used to manifest the symbol of each rune, to heal, or to balance the chakras. Many people practice Runic Yoga in order to draw the energies of specific runes. This involves using hand and body positions to re-create the runic symbol.

Runes are a magickal and powerful tool, which can be used in many ways. Like any magickal tool, those who work with it should understand its history and its symbolism.

For great information on Runes, check out "A Practical Guide to the Runes" by Lisa Peschel, or "The Book of Runes" by Ralph Blum.  To order these books or others, go to the Magickal Bookstore page.

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