DIVINATION
WITH RUNES
By CinnamonMoon
The Runes are a symbolic
alphabet, much like Chinese writing, the Rune itself
says much more than a letter of the alphabet. It depicts
in its design the encompassing of a spiritual lesson.
There are several different
runic alphabets out there. For example: The Hieratic
Alphabet of Egypt, Ogham Alphabet of the Celts, the
Enochian Alphabet, the Fupark Alphabet of Germany, the
Tree Alphabet of the Druids, and the Norse Runes come
to mind.
While I don't have the means
to post what these alphabets look like, a web search
should give you an idea. The origin of the Runes themselves
is speculative as is their meaning. It is a language
oracle lost to time now resurfacing and we are re-learning
them, perhaps in ways that are more appropriate to this
age but there seems to be carry-over in my mind from
the old to the new with a jiggle to it. I personally
feel they are timeless.
I work with the Norse/Viking
Runes and the interpretations of David Blume. I have
found that over the past 12 years or more that the interpretations
are very accurate and insightful. I've been a Tarot
Reader for decades now and if I did not feel it was
a good source of oracular insight I would not be working
with it or recommending it to anyone as a viable source
of enlightenment.
Runes can be used for healing,
shielding, conveying messages, protection, charms, amulets,
crests, and more. For divination purposes they lend
insight into the path of destiny and the spiritual lessons
we are undertaking at this time.
The word "rune"
comes from the Norse "runar" or "magic
sign", and the Old German "runa" meaning
to "whisper" or "a secret". The
term to "rown", "roon" or "round"
in the ear was a common usage in the Anglo-Saxon English
language and meant to whisper a secret. They are composed
of word symbols believed to possess occult powers in
the hands of a person skilled in their use and knowledge
of their inner meanings.
A decent book on magical
alphabets is: The Runes: and other magical alphabets;
by Michael A. Howard.
There are many ways to cast
the Runes. Some put them in a bowl or bag and draw them
out after running them through their fingers for a bit.
In this way the "right" Rune seems to hop
into your hand and want to stay there. It's subtle but
you get a feel for it very quickly.
Another method is to lay
them all out face down on a flat surface and mix them
up like you do with dominos. When you feel they are
well mixed draw the number of Runes you will be working
with and lay them out in a row.
I tend to work with 3-5 at
a time depending on the depth of insight I'm looking
for. I see them at 3 drawn as: past, present, and future.
If I draw 5 it is: distant past, recent past, present,
near future, distant future...both patterned spreads
are take-offs from my Tarot reading experience.
Before going further, I want
to note that there are decks of Rune Cards available
too and I have both the stones and the cards. I've done
readings with both finding the same accuracy and interestingly
enough, when using both at the same time I will more
often than not draw the exact same symbols. It's fascinating
for me to see that, and affirming in its own way.
Some like to scatter the
Runes from the bag as another method of divination.
In this case they take counsel from those that land
face up.
Another method is to draw
a single Rune daily to meditate on it or to work with
that lesson for the day....an excellent way to get to
know them better too.
The Book of Runes by Ralph
Blume is where I began my serious study of this form
of divination. I read the book, worked with his interpretations
and began formulating my own insights into their meanings
that were complimentary to what he presented.
I do not read with them professionally.
Their meanings and the work is slower than the Tarot
are for me or my Destiny Deck, so I use the Runes as
a backup if I'm looking for more depth into personal
issues. There are others here who do use them more frequently
and hopefully they will contribute some of their knowledge
to this thread.
There is a small distinction
between the Runes and other methods of divination and
that is the formulation of questions. We do not "question"
the Runes as in "should I look for a new job?",
we raise the "issue" as in "the issue
is my job" and the Runes address it from that perspective
for greater insight.
You can address them for
another person as well as yourself. If you need to know
something then you can ask for a yes or no reply. In
this case if the Rune is upright when turned it means
yes. If it is reversed it means no. If it is one of
the Runes with no reverse to them then you need to redraw
another one.
What if the Rune does not
address your issue but something else? Then it is considered
more important than the issue you asked about and the
message should be taken in very seriously. It is generally
something you are refusing to see or in denial about,
or it can be something to which you are totally unaware.
Many people prefer to purchase
a set of Runes while others want to make their own.
I have a set handmade and gifted to me, another I purchased,
and I have a set I made too. They are all accurate.
When making your own you should gather your own material.
In my case I gathered stones out on a walk in nature
that felt right to me. In the case of those gifted to
me, the stones came from the shores of Israel. During
construction (which is either etching or painting the
symbols on the surface of your stone or the clay tile
you are making) you should be in a meditative state.
That just means that you are focused on the work you
are doing, not distracted by other issues or thoughts.
Keep it simple and you'll do just fine. If you make
your own Runes you will want to make a bag to keep them
in (a pouch). It does not need to be ornate. Simple
is just as good. Whatever speaks to you is right for
you.
Some Sample Spreads:
Three Rune Spread Rune
1/Situation, 2/Action to be taken, 3/New situation resulting
from the action taken.
Five Rune Spread 1/Overview
of the situation, 2/Challenge to be faced, 3/Course
of action called for, 4/Sacrifice needed, 5/Evolution
of the situation.
The Runic Cross Spread
Pattern: 1/to the right, 3/to the left. From top
to bottom in the center along a vertical line: Rune
6, 5, 2, 4.
Interpretation: Rune 1 addresses the past, 2
is you now, 3 is the future. Rune 4 is the foundation,
5 is the challenge, 6 is the new situation that evolves.
Three Lifetimes Spread
Pattern: 1/to the right, 3/to the left. From top
to bottom in the center along a vertical line: Rune
5, 2, 4.
Interpretation: Rune 1 addresses birth and childhood,
2 is the present, 3 is the future in this life. Rune
4 is the past incarnation and 5 is the future incarnation.
Note: We are
initiated into cycles throughout our life and spiritual
growth. There are Runes that address the initiations.
13 out of the 25 Runes address self-change. They are
the energy framework within the body of the Runes themselves
and sustain that process.
That
process is as follows:
| 3/ Ansuz is about
signs, the Messenger, being put on notice. |
| 4/ Othila, is
about Separation, the need to retreat so you can
receive the proper guidance. |
| 5/ Uruz, is strength
in Manhood/Womanhood, coming into one's own. |
| 6/ Perth, is
initiation into hidden teachings. |
| 7/ Nauthiz, is
Constraint, what is necessary to be honed, sometimes
the pain of suffering what we must sacrifice. |
| 8/ Inguz, is
Fertility, being full with enlightenment that leads
to new beginnings. |
| 14/ Kano, is
Opening, the fire within or burning passion we feel
for our pathwork and spiritual growth. |
| 16/ Berkana,
is Growth and Rebirth. |
| 17/ Ehwaz, is
Movement and progress. |
| 19/ Hagalaz,
is Disruptive Natural Forces and elemental power.
|
| 21/ Thurisaz,
is the Gateway, the place of non-action. |
| 22/ Dagaz, is
Breakthrough and transformation. |
Just as the Major Arcana
of the Tarot depict the stages of growth we must pass
through to achieve full enlightenment and understanding
of the lessons we learn, so do these Runes I have just
singled out. It is interesting to work with them in
this light as teaching tools.
I'm afraid that's all I have
for you. The two books I've recommended were my source
of introduction to the Runes. My knowledge and trust
in their accuracy comes from experience and they have
never ceased to amaze me at what unfolds after I've
done a reading with them.
I tend to use the Runes personally,
sometimes for friends who are struggling with their
spiritual direction, but that's as far as I've gone.
I like them as a personal guidance tool and feel they
are indeed very sacred. I hope this has helped you to
get a feel for them but the truth of the matter is you
do need to work with them and see what they bring your
way. I wish you well!
