What Are Runes?

Runes are ancient alphabetic characters used by Germanic and Norse peoples from roughly the 2nd century CE onward. Beyond their use as a writing system, runes held deep magical and divinatory significance. Each symbol carries a phonetic value alongside a rich tapestry of mythological, cosmological, and philosophical meaning. Today, rune casting — drawing or throwing runes to gain insight — remains one of the most respected forms of divination in the Western esoteric tradition.

The Elder Futhark: The Foundation

The most widely used runic alphabet for divination is the Elder Futhark, consisting of 24 runes divided into three groups of eight, called ættir (families). Each group is named after a Norse deity or concept:

  • Freyr's Ætt (Runes 1–8): Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kenaz, Gebo, Wunjo — themes of prosperity, strength, communication, and joy.
  • Heimdall's Ætt (Runes 9–16): Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perthro, Algiz, Sowilo — themes of disruption, necessity, stillness, and fate.
  • Tyr's Ætt (Runes 17–24): Tiwaz, Berkano, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, Ingwaz, Dagaz, Othala — themes of justice, growth, partnership, and legacy.

Preparing to Cast

Before you begin, create a calm and intentional space:

  1. Cleanse your runes — some practitioners use moonlight, smoke, or simply a moment of focused intention.
  2. Hold the runes in your hands and breathe deeply, focusing on your question or the area of life you want insight into.
  3. Decide on your casting method in advance.

Simple Casting Methods for Beginners

The Single Rune Draw

The simplest method: reach into your bag of runes without looking and draw one. This rune offers a focus, message, or theme for the day or situation. Excellent for daily practice and building familiarity with each symbol.

The Three-Rune Spread

Draw three runes and place them left to right:

  • Rune 1 (Past): The background or foundation of the situation.
  • Rune 2 (Present): The current energy or challenge at play.
  • Rune 3 (Future): The likely outcome or the energy emerging.

This spread is versatile and powerful for almost any question.

The Cast Method

Hold all runes in cupped hands, ask your question, and gently cast them onto a cloth or surface. Runes that land face-up are read; face-down runes are ignored. Proximity to the center carries more immediate relevance. This method requires more interpretive experience but delivers a vivid, organic reading.

Reversed Runes (Merkstave)

Not all runes are symmetrical, so some can appear upside-down — this is called merkstave (dark stick). Reversed runes traditionally suggest a blocked, delayed, or challenging expression of that rune's energy. However, not every practitioner reads reversals; it is a personal choice. If you're starting out, you may prefer to read all runes upright until you're comfortable with their core meanings.

A Few Key Runes to Learn First

  • Fehu (ᚠ): Cattle, wealth, abundance — the energy of prosperity and new beginnings.
  • Isa (ᛁ): Ice, stillness, standstill — a pause that cannot be forced through.
  • Sowilo (ᛊ): Sun, success, wholeness — a deeply positive rune of vitality and achievement.
  • Hagalaz (ᚺ): Hail, disruption, uncontrolled forces — challenging but ultimately transformative.
  • Ansuz (ᚨ): The god Odin, communication, divine messages — wisdom and inspired speech.

Building Your Practice

The best way to learn runes is through daily immersion. Draw one rune each morning, journal about its meaning, and observe how its themes play out in your day. Over weeks and months, the runes will begin to speak to you in an increasingly personal and intuitive language. Invest in a dedicated rune journal — your own notes will become your most valuable reference over time.