Runes

Runes are an ancient alphabet used by Germanic and Nordic tribes long before the Latin alphabet we use today. But beyond just writing, these symbols carried deep spiritual and magical significance. In modern times, runes are often used as tools for divination, self-discovery, and personal empowerment. Each rune holds a story, a vibration, and a message, making them a powerful tool for those exploring their spiritual path.

Runes are characters from the runic alphabets, such as the Elder Futhark, which contains 24 symbols. The word "rune" itself means "secret" or "mystery." Each rune has its own name, phonetic sound, and symbolic meaning tied to nature, life experiences, and cosmic forces. While they were originally carved into wood, stone, bone, or metal, today you can find runes on small stones, crystals, or wooden tiles, commonly used for divination or meditation.

Here’s a list of all 24 runes in the Elder Futhark, divided into three groups called aetts.  The first aett starts with Fehu (ᚠ) which means wealth, abundance, and prosperity. Uruz (ᚢ) means strength, vitality, and courage. Thurisaz (ᚦ) is boundaries, protection, breakthroughs, conflict, defense, challenges, and awakenings. Ansuz (ᚨ) is for communication, wisdom, and messages. Raido (ᚱ) is travel, life path, movement. Then the final rune in the first aett is Kenaz (ᚲ) for illumination, creativity, and insight.

The second aett starts with Gebo (ᚷ) which is for gifts, balance, relationships. Wunjo (ᚹ) for joy, harmony, success. Hagalaz (ᚺ) means disruption, sudden change, chaos, and cleansing. Nauthiz (ᚾ) means necessity, restriction, endurance, resistance, and survival.  Isa (ᛁ) means ice, stillness, stagnation, patience, and reflection. Jera (ᛃ) is the last rune in the second aett and means harvest, cycle of time, growth, rewards, and natural cycles.

The third aett starts with Eiwaz (ᛇ) which means tree of life, transformation, spiritual growth, endings, and beginnings. Perthro (ᛈ) means chance, unknown, fate, secrets, intuition, and divine feminine. Algiz (ᛉ) means protection, guardian, shielding, higher self, and divine protection. Sowilo (ᛊ) means sun, light, success, clarity, victory, and vitality. Tiwaz (ᛏ) means Tyr, warrior god, honor, law, leadership, and sacrifice. Berkano (ᛒ) means birth, renewal, fertility, growth, healing, and femininity. Ehwaz (ᛖ) means trust, movement, partnership, change, and progress. Mannaz (ᛗ) means man, self, relationships, identity, and the collective human experience. Laguz (ᛚ) means water, flow, emotion, intuition, dreams, and adaptability. Ingwaz (ᛜ) means seed, fertility, god Ing, potential, inner growth, gestation, and peace. Dagaz (ᛞ) means daylight, breakthrough, transformation, awakening, and hope. Othala (ᛟ) is then the last rune in the third aett and means heritage, ancestral property, legacy, home, inheritance, tradition, and roots. Of course, each rune’s meaning may shift slightly depending on the context of a reading or the energy surrounding it. 

You can easily get started with runes by choosing a pre-made set or by making your own. Wood, stone, or crystal runes are usually the most popular options for choosing a material. It's also good idea to learn the meanings of each symbol while you carve, paint, or draw them on. Flashcards or rune guidebooks can help with this process. In regards to using your runes, you should begin with daily pulls. First, create a quiet, focused space. As with any spiritual tool, make sure to clear your energy and set intentions before working with the runes. Then, draw one rune each day and reflect on how its message relates to your life. It could also be beneficial to keep a rune journal. This is helpful for recording your readings, impressions, and how the runes' meanings show up in your day to day life.

Using runes is more than a method for prediction, they’re tools for connection. They help you tune into your intuition, unlock inner wisdom, and understand the patterns in your life. Runes reflect cycles of growth, challenge, healing, and change, guiding you to align with your higher self. Whether you use runes for insight or spiritual support, they are rich with ancient knowledge and timeless truth. By learning to read their symbols, you open a door to a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.