Decoding rune stones is a fascinating practice that involves interpreting the ancient symbols engraved on these stones. Rune stones are an ancient form of divination, which were used by the ancient Norse peoples and other Germanic tribes. Each rune stone is inscribed with a unique symbol representing a specific concept or energy. To decode rune stones, one must first understand the meaning and symbolism of each rune. There are 24 runes in the Elder Futhark, which is the most commonly used runic alphabet. Each rune has its own name and represents a different aspect of life, nature, or the human experience.
In runes found at Byrggen in Bergen, Sweden, the base staves have become more than linear. The staves of the runic inscriptions take on shapes like the head of a man and the body of a fish. There is little difference in which shapes symbolize the character set and the characters from the Early Age to the Middle Ages.
To write in old futhark, to associate with each letter or sound of a message in English, his correspondence or what is nearest in old futhark according to the table A ᚨ B ᛒ C K Q ᚲ D ᛞ E ᛖ F ᚠ G ᚷ H ᚺ I ᛁ J Y ᛃ L ᛚ M ᛗ N ᚾ NG ᛝ O ᛟ P ᛈ R ᚱ S ᛋ T ᛏ TH ᚦ U ᚢ V W ᚹ Y ᛃ Z ᛉ. For example, in Tree runes, the sign or twigs on one side the left or right never have a number higher than 3 these signs or twigs represent the aettir.
Each rune has its own name and represents a different aspect of life, nature, or the human experience. For example, the rune Fehu represents wealth and abundance, while the rune Uruz symbolizes strength and vitality. In addition to the individual meanings of each rune, the placement and orientation of the stones can also affect their interpretation.
Stone Circles
For deciphering or writing secret runes, the basics are found in the “families” of runes.
The upper row in the Elder Futhark, Freyr’s aett is often counted as the 3rd aettir, the middle row, Hagall’s aett is counted as the 2nd aettir, and the lower row, Tyr’s aett, is counted as the 1st aett.
Some secret rune inscriptions place the aettirs in their normal ranking, i.e, count futharkgw as the 1st aett.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3. aett | |||||||
| 2. aett | |||||||
| 1. aett |
Images in table link to a short description of the rune.
Secret runes are often written 2/3 or 23, which would mean the 3rd rune in the 2nd aettir = Isa, the i-rune. In this number system “Raven” would read: 35 34 38 13 22
Interpreting inscriptions
To interpret inscriptions, the first rule is to find the styles of the runic form: In “Boustphedon” the first sentence proceeds from right to left and the second sentence, below the first, proceeds from left to right.
Venderuner are reversed pattern runes – mirror images.
Stupruner were written upside-down.
Tree runes
For example, in Tree runes, the sign or twigs on one side (the left or right) never have a number higher than 3 – these signs or twigs represent the aettir. The number of twigs on the left side of the staves below indicate the aett to which the rune belongs. The number of twigs on the right side of the stave indicates which rune it is in this aett.
The inscriptions from the Norum Church and the Rök stone, are methodologically similar. Carvings from the Rotbrunna and Vålsta stones seem also based on comparable structural rules.
Rotbrunna stone
The following inscription is from the Rotbrunna stone:
It was written with the younger runes and futhark is counted as the 3. aett. The long lines state the aettir. The thus coded runes say airikr, which is the name “Eirik”. The 4 following runes on the stone say hiuk, which mean “trace, scratch, chop, hew (in stone with chisel)”. The runic text can be translated “Eric wrote (these runes)”.
Be aware though! In some inscriptions the short lines are the aettir and the long lines represent the runes ranking in the aettir.
“Raven” would look like:
Vålsta stone
The Vålsta stone’s inscription has secret runes using a summation of both methods:
The inscription is written with younger runes and futhark is counted as the 3. aettir.
Signs to indicate the rune and aettir can also be used. The number of left-turned signs gives the aett and the following number of right-turned signs gives the ranking of the rune in the aett. Futharkgw is counted as the 3. aett, not the first.
Rök stone
An inscription found on the Rök stone reads thu on the upper line, and r in the lower line:
Norum baptismal font
The inscription from the Norum baptismal font in Norum Church in Sweden uses similar secret runes:
The order of aettir is reversed. The 3. aett is Tyr’s: B.
Bryggen
In runes found at Byrggen in Bergen, Sweden, the base staves have become more than linear. The staves of the runic inscriptions take on shapes like the head of a man and the body of a fish. There is little difference in which shapes symbolize the character set and the characters from the Early Age to the Middle Ages.
Found among several runic inscriptions from the Middle Age at Bryggen was a secret rune inscription using a man’s head as the stave:
The system of counting the aettir and the ranking of the runes is in this case equal to all other above described ways of writing secret runes. The fourth from the right is a “S-rune”, i.e. the 5. rune in the 2. aett.
Also found at Bryggen was a secret runic inscription using a fish as the stave. It is likely that staves in the shape of fish expresses the influence of Christianity. But the system is the same as in all other above described ways of writing secret runes.
This inscription reads 6. rune in 3. aett (k) + 2. rune in 3. aett (u) + 3. rune in 3. aett (th) + 6. rune in 3. aett (k) + 3. rune in 2 aett (i) + 1. rune in 3. aett (f) + 3. rune in 2. aett (i) -> kuthkifi, for whatever that means. Anybody know?
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The Vikings used these runes to write down messages and sometimes even to cast magic spells. Cool, right?
When decoding rune stones, the reader may draw a single stone or a set of stones and arrange them in a specific pattern such as a spread. The pattern chosen often depends on the question or situation at hand. Once the stones are arranged, the reader interprets the runes based on their individual meanings and their position within the spread. This can involve considering the relationship between the runes, any patterns or connections that emerge, and the overall energy or message conveyed by the stones. Decoding rune stones requires a combination of knowledge, intuition, and practice. It is important for the reader to connect with their own intuition and inner wisdom while also being familiar with the general meanings of the runes. This allows for a more personal and accurate interpretation of the stones. People seek rune stone readings for various reasons, including gaining insight into their life path, receiving guidance on specific issues or decisions, or simply exploring their own spiritual journey. Rune stones can provide a unique perspective and offer guidance and clarity in times of uncertainty or confusion. In conclusion, decoding rune stones is an ancient divination practice that involves interpreting the symbols and meanings engraved on these ancient stones. It requires knowledge of the individual meanings of each rune, as well as the ability to interpret their placement and patterns within a spread. Rune stone readings can provide guidance and insight into various aspects of life and can be a valuable tool for personal growth and self-discovery..
Reviews for "The Art of Casting Rune Stones"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Decoding Rune Stones" to be quite disappointing. The book promises to provide an in-depth understanding of the ancient art of rune reading, but it fails to deliver on that promise. The author provides brief descriptions of each rune and their meanings, but doesn't go into enough detail to truly help the reader interpret them accurately. Additionally, the book lacks real-life examples or case studies, which would have made the concepts easier to grasp. Overall, I felt that "Decoding Rune Stones" was too shallow and didn't provide the comprehensive knowledge I was hoping for.
2. Emily - 1 star
I regret purchasing "Decoding Rune Stones" as it turned out to be a complete waste of money. The book is poorly organized and lacks a coherent structure, making it difficult to follow. The author jumps from one topic to another without providing any clear explanations. Furthermore, the information provided is very basic and can easily be found for free online. There is nothing new or insightful in this book. I would not recommend it to anyone interested in learning about rune stones as there are better resources available.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was excited to dive into the world of rune stones with "Decoding Rune Stones", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacks depth and fails to provide any substantial information beyond the surface level meanings of the runes. I was hoping for a practical guide on how to use rune stones for divination, but the book barely touches on that aspect. The lack of examples or illustrations also made it difficult to fully understand and relate to the concepts being presented. Overall, I would advise looking for a more comprehensive resource on the subject.