The Chi Addict

The ancient art of casting runes is a method of divination dating back to ancient Norse Paganism of the Scandinavian world. However, even with its early Viking origins, rune casting has not only survived, but has spread across the globe. For it currently enjoys popularity among modern Wicca and Pagan practitioners as well as many psychic readers worldwide.

The Purpose of Casting Runes

Moreover, the ancient art of casting runes is similar to Tarot card reading as both are helpful in mining insights into real life situations and their potential outcomes. Also, like Tarot cards, each rune is assigned corresponding meanings to be interpreted by the rune caster within a reading.

Since the future is not carved in stone, rune casting is not a method of foretelling the future. Rather, like Tarot, rune casting is a method of highlighting possible future outcomes, if situations continue on an unchanged course. However, anyone involved in a situation can make a change that changes a rune casted outcome.

Nonetheless, rune casting is still valuable as a heads-up to what may be coming. For as they say, “being forewarned, is being forearmed.” Consequently, with guidance provided by the runes, we can make necessary changes for better future outcomes.

But What are Runes?

Most often, runes are wooden or stone pebbles with the arcane Futhark alphabet letters etched or painted upon one surface. However, less frequently, runes are made from flat wood sticks called ”knaves”. Customarily, either type of runes are kept in a drawstring cloth bag and casted upon an altar cloth (table covering).

Crafting your own Runes

Although, you can purchase pre-made rune sets in New Age shops and on the internet, they can also be hand-crafted. Moreover, it’s said that runes hand-crafted by the user are infused with more sacred meaning than those purchased.

Furthermore, runes can be made by etching, carving, or painting the runic alphabet letters on wood, stone, or a variety of other surfaces. Interestingly, there’s a local longtime rune caster who’s painted the runic letters upon chestnuts and gives accurate readings with them.

The Ancient Art of Casting Runes

There are two methods of rune casting, and each begins with formulating an empowering question regarding a specific life situation. Then, with either method, shuffle the runes within the bag while considering said question. Next, a number of runes will be blindly drawn from the bag.

Casting Runes by Tossing Method:

The Casting Rrunes by Tossing Method is the most traditional, This method can be done by tossing the entire bag of 24 runes or by choosing and tossing a specific number of runes, typically 9.

1. Formulate a question regarding your situation.
2. Shuffle the runes inside its bag while considering your question.
3. Blindly draw a specific number of runes.
4. Toss all the drawn runes into the center of the cloth table covering.
5. Interpret the rune meanings as they relate to your question.

The stones that land closest to the center have the most influence on the situation, while the runes landing further from center have a lessor influence.

Note: Tossing the runes may cause some to land face down or “merkstave”. In this case, there are several ways face down runes can be read:

1. As a negative of their usual face up meaning.
2. As hidden aspects not currently realized.
3. As not affecting the situation at all, thus ignored.

Note: It’s important to choose which of the above systems you wish to use prior to choosing and tossing the runes. This way the Universe can cause the runes to land appropriately for an accurate message.

The Pre-designated Rune Position Method:

The Pre-designated Rune Position Method is like using a Tarot spread of designated positions with a specific meaning assigned to each position. Below are some simple 3 rune pre-designated position examples:

• Past – Present – Future
• Situation – Challenge – Resolution
• Partner’s Contribution – Relationship – Querent’s Contribution

Note: the “Querent” here is the one requesting the rune reading, either yourself or another.

For 3 rune readings, whichever sequence you choose to draw for first, second and third position, make sure you’ve mentally chosen it prior to shuffling and drawing the runes.

Note, that because you’ve chosen specific position meanings, you lay the runes down face up regardless how they come out of the bag.

1. Formulate a question regarding your situation.
2. Pre-designate a meaning for each rune position upon the reading surface.
3. Shuffle the runes within its bag while considering your question.
4. Blindly draw and lay a rune down upon each pre-designated position.
5. Interpret the rune meanings as they relate to your question.

The Elder Futhark Alphabet Meanings Equated to the Latin Alphabet

Of the 3 oldest runic alphabets; the Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark, and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, the Elder Futhark is the oldest and most widely used.

Notably, the Elder Futhark Alphabet consists of 24 letters and its name is derived from the first 6 letters, F, U, R, TH, A, R, K. Customarily, these letters are separated into 3 groups or “aetts”. Within these 3 groups, the letters with fairly similar meanings are grouped together.

Freyr’s Aett – Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kenaz, Gebo, Wunjo

Heimdall’s Aett – Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perthro, Algiz, Sowilo

Tyr’s Aett – Tiwaz, Berkano, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, Ingwaz, Dagaz, Othala

However, rather than showing the runic alphabet letters in aetts, below they are corresponded to and in the order of the Latin alphabet. Note that the below chart has the additional letters Ng and Th added to the Latin alphabet letters, and two Futhark letters correspond to the same Latin letter.

Note: There is also a newer Runic alphabet used by Wiccan rune casters with only 13 letters.

Final Words for the Ancient Art of Casting Runes

Although, rune casting has many similarities with Tarot reading, it feels easier. For instance, where Tarot has 78 card meanings to learn, rune casting has only 24 alphabet meanings. Additionally, rune meanings are more simple and direct than Tarot card meanings.

Moreover, rune casting lends itself better to quick readings in a smaller physical space than Tarot readings. As runes are smaller with less complicated meanings than Tarot cards. For these reasons rune casting can be a fun way to get some quick insights on the go.

Therefore, I hope you will give rune casting a try. For I know you will find it as convenient and helpful for gaining insights into your situations as I have. And as always, thank you for reading.