Guide of the oracle of the runes, ancestral wisdom that will help you to know what you are capable of and what steps you can take to act in the best way in the present moment.
Oracle of the Runes – Beginner’s Guide
Runes are an ancient form of oracle used by those seeking guidance. They have a long history, dating back to the antiquity of the Germanic and Scandinavian tribes and are still widely used today.
Anyone can read runes and it would be nice if you didn’t have to rely on people who don’t always want to get it right to guide you. The best thing is that you learn to connect with that which transcends you and teach yourself how to use it.
Guide to start using runes
Runes
The word rune means mystery, whisper or secret and is a form of divination used to help understand situations or questions.
Runes can be made of a variety of materials, but are usually made of stone or wood and bear runic alphabet symbols.
There are several different types of runic alphabets used in runes and one of the oldest in the Old Germanic runic alphabet is called “Elder Futhark”, which contains 24 runes, the first 6 of which spell the word Futhark.
Over time, the script was adapted for use in Anglo-Saxon or Old English script and several other runes were added to the alphabet, bringing it to 33. The script was called “Futhorc” Anglo-Saxon.
Elder Futhark
Another adaptation is the younger, or Nordic, Futhark, which is said to have been used in Scandinavia until the 17th century. All of these variations highlight the changes that occurred as people moved and migrated to different countries.
Besides the fact that each runic symbol is a letter of the alphabet, they also have a symbolic meaning. As well as the fact that each runic symbol is a letter of the alphabet, they also have symbolic meanings.
Although many of them revert to traditional meanings, which can mean a lot to users of the runic alphabet, the purpose behind the symbols is still relevant today.
Example meanings in Elder Futhark:
- Fehu, F: domestic cattle or wealth.
- Uruz, U: wild ox.
- Thurisaz, T: a thorn or giant.
- Hagalaz, H: hail.
- Ansuz, A: ancestral god.
- Raidho, R: chariot.
- Kenaz, K: beacon or torch.
Origin of the runes
Runes are derived from an ancient form of the Germanic alphabet, used by the Germanic and Norse tribes of Northern Europe, Scandinavia and England for writing, divination and magic.
Runic inscriptions have been found on stones, jewelry, weapons and artifacts dating back to the 3rd century AD, but probably existed much earlier.
What can runes be used for?
Runes can be used to guide you through problems or doubts, as they show what might be happening for the query you make.
They are not exactly a form of divination and do not give exact answers or advice, but they do give different variables and suggest what might happen if the event were to occur.
It is known that runes provide clues to answers, but they allow you to work out or refine details, which is where intuition is most useful.
Rune readers know and realize that the future is not written in stone and that we, as individuals, have the right to make choices, go our way and make our own decisions.
In case you like the answer of a rune reading, you can change direction and follow a completely different path.
You can use the runes in many different situations. One of the most common situations in which they are used is when you find yourself in a situation where you have limited information or can only see an incomplete picture.
How runes work
You need to know that when you use runes, it is not for guessing. The idea behind how runes work is that when you ask a question or think about a topic, your conscious and unconscious mind will be the focus.
When they cast the runes in front of you, they will give you the answer you need, your choices are not purely random, but have been made by your subconscious mind, related to the issue or problem at hand.
What can I ask the runes?
Some people have the opinion that you should only ask the runes about specific topics, while others think you can ask any kind of question. It is best to go with your intuition.
Whichever method you decide to use, the question, problem, or subject of reference should be very clear in your mind as you use the runes. Remember that reading runes is not seeing the future or giving definitive answers. It is looking for possible causes and effects and seeing possible outcomes.
What runes do I need?
Runes can be made of different materials, such as wood, stone, pebbles, glass, bone, or even metal. When you first start and find out if you enjoy casting runes, a simple set should be sufficient.
However, once you’ve been practicing for a while and have developed a passion for runes, it’s great to be able to pick and choose and buy, or better yet, build a special set of custom runes for your personal use.
If you are attracted to a certain type of crystal, such as rose quartz or amethyst, you should invest in a set of crystal runes. Or maybe you like earthy texture because it connects you to the earth and you can create a nice set of runes with chalk or clay.
You can also find small flat stones and paint them with runes, or engrave runes on pieces of wood by carving or painting them. Either way, the material the runes are made of is a very personal choice and what you do with it is important.
When you buy a set of runes, they usually come with an instruction booklet that explains what each rune is, what its symbol represents and how to interpret it.
Storing your runes
Runes are usually carried in a small drawstring bag, to keep them neat and together; you don’t want to accidentally lose any.
Using a rune cloth
A rune cloth is a cloth used to place runes in a reading. It should be a small white cloth, there are some specially designed ones, they are available in the right size.
If you are new to runes, don’t worry too much about investing in a special cloth, but it may be something you need to learn as you develop your love of runes. The cloth keeps the runes from getting dirty or damaged and acts as a boundary mode as you cast the runes.
How easy is it to interpret runes?
Like any form of divination, the art of reading runes can take time to master.
There are books and online tutorials available to help you understand the meaning of runic words and their importance in life, depending on the questions and problems you are exploring. With practice, everything becomes easier.
Be sure, to find an easy-to-understand guide on the meaning of the symbols when you buy a set of runes. In any case, in this article, we leave a list of meanings to get you started.
However, if the subject interests you, there is a lot of information freely available on the Internet. It helps a lot if you have an open mind and are willing to use your intuition to judge what the runes reveal.
Don’t worry if you are not sure what you are interpreting at first, just try to be persistent, write down the details of any runes you are unsure of and see if the meaning comes to you over time.
When a rune appears upside down in the spread, there are other definitions reversed (like tarot cards appearing upside down during a reading). Observe and complete the meaning you find for each rune. It’s a fun pastime and it’s a legacy you can leave to someone you love.
Even experienced rune readers, for example, say that some of the meanings they are unsure of at the moment or are stuck on, may suddenly emerge at a later date and it would be ideal if you could continue to collate them over time.
Empty Runes
Some rune sets have an empty rune. However, opinions on the validity of these runes remain mixed, with traditionalists arguing that there is no historical evidence that the rune blanks were ever used.
It is entirely up to you how you want to proceed if an empty or blank rune comes up at the time of reading. If you wish to include it in your oracle reading, that’s fine. But if not, you can always remove the empty runes if they come included in the set you buy.
Starting to use runes
Find a quiet place to read and begin with a short meditation where you can clear your mind and concentrate on the reading you are about to do.
Think about the topic or question you have in mind and, if you wish, you can pray or call upon higher spirits (guides, angels, etc.) to accompany you and guide you in your reading.
Your runic cloth should be spread out on the table in front of you, ready to receive the runes.
You can make a few rune casts that are similar to what is done with tarot cards, but on your first attempt, you may want to start by choosing from a rune and analyzing its meaning.
This is a very useful method that you should use if you feel insecure: choosing a single rune can help you concentrate better on something. Once you feel good progress, try some sketches and cast the runes again…
