Rune casting is a divination practice that originated from the ancient Germanic peoples. Runes are ancient Scandinavian alphabets that are believed to possess magical properties. Each rune symbol carries a specific meaning and can be interpreted to gain insight into the past, present, and future. In rune casting, a set of runes, typically made of wood, stone, or metal, is used. The set usually consists of 24 runes, known as the Elder Futhark, although there are other variations with additional or fewer runes. During a rune casting session, the practitioner holds the runes in their hand and poses a question or focuses on a particular issue.
Runes
The Vikings used letters called runes. They are imitations of the Latin letters used in most of Europe during the Viking era. The Latin letters are the ones we use today.
What are runes?
During the first centuries AD, the Romans influenced most of Europe. Runes developed in areas populated by Germanic tribes, probably inspired by the Latin alphabet of the Romans. The earliest runic inscriptions, dating from ca 150 AD, are particularly common in what is now Denmark, Northern Germany and Southern Sweden.
The oldest runes are often found on items such as coins, suit buckles, weapons and implements, and are often the names of the owner of the item or the name of the person who made it.
Runes - an ancient alphabet
The runic alphabet is named after its first six letters:
f – u – þ – a – r – k
The strange þ-rune is pronounced 'th', a sound we find today especially in English words like 'the', 'think' and 'throne'.
Elder Futhark had 24 letters while Younger Futhark, developed at the beginning of the Viking Age, had only 16 letters.
Elder Futhark inscriptions etched by craftsmen and owners have been found on coins, garment brooches, weapons and implements dating primarily from the era of the Iron Age princes.
The runic stones of the Viking Age were erected in commemoration of powerful leaders and their heroic achievements. Short runic inscriptions are also found on everyday artefacts from Viking towns and marketplaces.
Runes were used alongside our present-day alphabet up until the 14th century.
The Vikings did not write on paper, but carved them into stone, wood or iron. The hard materials made it difficult to make round edges, so the runes are more angular than our letters.
At the excavation of the Roskilde 6 long ship, which was found beneath the Museum Island at the Viking Ship Museum, the archaeologists found a runic-stick. Some of the text was lost, but the rest can be read as "Saxe carved these runes, . man".
Runes are phonetic symbols, just like the letters we use today. The names of individual runes begin with the sound the rune describes, e.g. the m-rune is called maðr, meaning 'man' or 'human being', and the s-rune is called sól, meaning 'sun'.
Runes in the Viking Age
In the Viking Age, runes were used only by the people living in the Nordic area. The Vikings who traveled the world brought the runes with them. There are runic inscriptions written by Vikings in England and as far away as Greece, Turkey, Russia and Greenland.
The runic alphabet of the Viking Age lacks some runes to express all sounds in the language. There are no longer runes for o, d, e and g. The Vikings instead used the runes closest to the sound they were supposed to use.
They could use the u-run for the o-sound, the t-run for the d-sound, the i-run for the e-sound and the k-run for the g-sound.
Write your name with runes
Even though there are fewer letters in the runic alphabeth of the Viking Age (Younger Futhark) it is the easiest of the two Futharks to use today, because the runes here can be easily rewritten to the letters we have today.
You write words and names as they sound. Christoffer is written 'kristofer', and if you are called Chanel, you have to write it, as you pronounce it: 'sjanel'.
You should not use the same rune twice in succession and there is no difference between big and small runes. So if you are called Marianna or Emma, just write 'mariana' or 'ema'.
The runes have names
All runes have their own name, which dates back to the earliest runes. The names of the runes have probably helped to remember what sound the runes stand for.
It is only the rune names of the Viking Age that we know for sure. The eight runes from the Elder Futhark that are not used in the Viking Age have been recreated from the Anglo-Saxon runes. When a * is in front of the rune's name, it means the name has been reconstructed based on the Viking Age language.
On the right side you will find a document with both the older and younger futhark.
Read more
- Written sources for the Viking Age
What Is Rune Casting? Origins and Techniques
Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
Updated on January 31, 2020In some modern Pagan traditions, divination is done by casting runes. Much like reading Tarot cards, rune casting isn't fortune-telling or predicting the future. Instead, it's a guidance tool that works with your subconscious to help solve problems by looking at potential outcomes.
Although their meanings are occasionally obscure—at least for modern readers—most people who cast runes find that the best way to incorporate them into divination is to ask specific questions based upon the current situation.
Key Takeaways: Rune Casting
- Rune casting as divination was documented by the Roman historian Tacitus, and appears later in the Norse Eddas and Sagas.
- Although you can purchase pre-made runes, many people opt to make their own.
- Rune casting isn't fortune telling or predicting the future, but it does serve as a valuable guidance tool.
During a rune casting session, the practitioner holds the runes in their hand and poses a question or focuses on a particular issue. The runes are then cast onto a cloth or a dedicated surface, creating a random pattern. The positioning and orientation of the runes are taken into account during the interpretation process.
What Is Rune Casting?
Rune casting is simply an oracular divination method in which runes are laid out, or cast, either in a specific pattern or randomly, as a form of guidance through problems or situations in which you need help making a decision.
Runes won't give exact answers, like what day you'll die or the name of the person you're going to marry. They don't offer advice, like whether you should quit your job or dump your cheating spouse. But what they can do is suggest different variables and possible outcomes based on the issue as it presently sits. In other words, runes will give you hints that will force you to use some critical thinking skills and basic intuition.
As with other forms of divination, such as Tarot, nothing is fixed or finalized. If you don't like what the rune casting is telling you, change what you're doing, and alter your prospective path.
The practitioner may choose to only interpret the upright positions of the runes or consider their reversed positions as well, adding further nuance to the reading. Interpreting the runes requires an understanding of their individual meanings as well as their relationships to each other. Each rune represents a concept or situation, such as strength, protection, or guidance. The combination of runes that appear in a casting provides clues and guidance to the question or issue at hand. Some practitioners may also use additional tools, such as bindrunes or rune spreads, to enhance the depth of the reading. Bindrunes combine multiple runes to create a new symbol with its own unique meaning. Rune spreads involve placing the runes in a predetermined pattern, allowing for a more structured interpretation. Rune casting can be used for various purposes, such as gaining insight into personal matters, making decisions, or seeking guidance. It is often considered a means of connecting with ancient wisdom and tapping into the subconscious mind. The practice requires intuition, knowledge, and an open mind to fully grasp the messages provided by the runes. While rune casting can be a powerful tool for personal reflection, it is important to approach it with respect and caution. It is not a definitive prediction of the future but rather a tool for self-discovery and guidance. The interpretation of the runes is subjective and relies on the practitioner's understanding and intuition. Overall, rune casting is an ancient divination practice that offers a unique and insightful way to explore the mysteries of life. By tapping into the energies of the runes, individuals can gain valuable insights and guidance to navigate their journey..
Reviews for "The Language of the Runes: How to Interpret Their Symbols and Meanings"
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