The art of the runes can be fun for all. A friend of mine, was especially nice and sent me a book on how to read the runes. I am a strong believer in the magick from within. MYSELF will make my spells, rituals, and all witchie stuff more energetic if done on my own with yes, crutches from those that have gone before me as some will come after. Thank you, my friend, for the help in understanding the use of the runes.

I have started with wooden runes. Each of the 24 (plus one blank) are about an inch in size. Sandpapered down to smooth the edges and round them off. I then penciled in the glyphics of each rune. I used the ancient futhark. I then incorporated the use of a kid's woodburner and burned the signs into the wooden pieces. Next, a mixture of red ochre powder, small amount of linseed oil and (optional) a small amount of my own blood. This ocre red is a symbol of the blood of life which dates back to the neolithic times. The book given to me and used in reference here is The Book of Runes by Ralph H.Blum. First, a brief description of each:

lMannaz/mankind

significator, self, family, friends,community

2Gebo//gift

gift, favor, relationship, reward, joy

3Anguz/Odin

father,leader, mind and body balance, justice

4Othilia/property

property, inheritance, home, enviroment

5Uniz/aurochs

energy, passion, virility, instinct, wildness

6Perth/dice-cup/vulva

re-birth, sexuality, fertility, magic

7Nauthiz/need

poverty,hardship,responsibility,discontent

8Inguz/Ing

fertility,creativity, stability, labor

9.Eihwas/yew

power,change, rite of passage,initiation

10Algiz/elk

protection, help, defience, warning, support

11Fehu/cattle

Luck, good fortune, wealth.promotion, self-esteem

12Wanjo/glory

success, recognition,retirement,reward, joy

13. Jera/year/harvest

gentle change, cycle, time ,motion

14Kano/torch

wisdom,understand,insight, creativity

15Tiewaz/Try

justice,dedication and bravery,duty, self-sacrifice

16Berkana/birch

fertility, health, new begininigs, growth

17Eiwaz/horse

power, speed, recklessness, transport, will

18Laguz/water

emotion,love,sadness,turmoil,fertility,fears

19Hagalaz/hall

destruction,trials, failure, clearance, karma

20Raido/riding/journey

defense,take control, journey, decisions,take control ,destiny

21Thurisaz/giant/thorn

hardship, self-descipline, knowledge, karma

22Dagaz

rendered invisible, catalyst, between the worlds

23Isa/ice

potential, patience, inactivity, blockage

24Sowulo/sun

success, positive energy, prosperity, activitymankind

25blank

The runes are kept in a pouch. Here they are shuffled and this is usually of a red coloring. Red denotes fortuitious and positive energy.

Reading the runes can be done in many ways and with a variety of rune stones. One method that I like as a beginner, is the drawing of nine squares from the pouch. Scatter them on the ground or a cloth....the ones which land face up are read first and relate to the current situation while those which land face down are turned up later and indicate outside influences or future developments.

Another easy method is picking only 3 runes and reading them from the right to left. In Blum's book these are described as background, challenge and outcome. In Silver Ravenwolf's "To Ride A Silver Broomstick" the meanings are simplier...past, present and future.

The Runic Cross(five or six stones)

Go through the normal method and then pick five or six runes and lay them all face down. Lay the first 3 out from left to right. The fourth goes above the center. The fifth below and the sixth below five.The runes are read as follows: The center rune represents the present or present situation. Turning to its left represents the past. This tells you what past events are effecting the present. The top rune is next, this shows what outside help will be brought to help. The bottom stone is next. This indicates what changed will and can be made. The sixth rune if used and is the bottom rune. It represents what new, fresh influences can effect the problem. Last to be turned over is the right hand rune-the future. This is the final outcome. Generally a reading of this is good for 3 months.


Start by reading the runes at the one o'clock position. This can be done as the 12 months of the year or the next 12 days. The Rune in the center represents the overall state of the questioner.

Again starting at the one o'clock position and placing the runes they are read two at a time. This represents the coming month from the date of the reading. The center rune represents the feel of the coming year.

Click on the crystal ball

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