Ancient Runes I - Hogwarts Standard Textbook
written by +Bertrand Macnair+
Welcome to Ancient Runes! This book will guide you through basic and helps you as supplementary readings for ACR201 and ACR301. This book is unofficial and used for self-study and references only.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
8
Reads
11,371
The Rune Divination
Chapter 7
The Rune Divination
“…..They, more than anyone, attend to omens and divination. Their custom with regards to divination is simple: They cut down a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and chop it into twigs; they mark these with certain signs and sprinkle them randomly upon a white cloth. Thereupon, the priest of the community, if it is a public matter, or the head of the household, if it is a private one, having called upon the gods, looks up to the sky and takes up three of the twigs, one after another and interprets them according to the signs previously carved on them”
Germania, chapter 10 by Tacitus, AD 98
Runes do not predict the future in the “fortune telling” sense, but it is an Oracle which gives counsel to the reader, offering an analysis to the problem, as well as possible outcomes and solutions on one’s spiritual path. As each Rune can have several meanings, which can easily appear cryptic and too broad, it is best to be specific in asking questions, using your intuition to let the Runes speak to you.
Having a basic understanding of each Rune is imperative (not memorization, but perhaps reading a little about each Rune each day), and of course, the more one uses them, the more one is likely to have better understanding from the readings.
Keeping a “Rune Journal” to record your readings can also be a huge help, as this will encourage you to listen to your instincts more, which as mentioned before is the key to reading the Runes. To make things easier, simply note down the following at every reading:
1. The date, time and method of casting
2. The question/ questions you had
3. The order and position of the runes that came up (face up, face down or neither – see Yes / No cast)
4. The meanings you got from them (or what you think it meant!)
5. Your general impressions and feelings from the reading
Don’t worry if you are not sure of your interpretations. There is no right and wrong here, and even the most accomplished Rune casters sometimes have doubts themselves. Sometimes the Runes speak out to you with astonishing clarity, other times it takes a little more effort on your part to pick up on the clues and the underlying meaning. There are also times when the Runes seem to say nothing pertinent to your questions at all, and there is nothing to do but do try again another time. Anyway you look at it, it is a highly personal exercise, which requires a fair amount of instinctive work and understanding.
Here are some simple methods used by Rune casters. These are to be used with the traditional 24 Runes, or Elder Futhark. Experiment to see what method works best for you, feeling free to creating your own technique or incorporating your individual style to the methods below.
Before you begin, find a suitable place where you will not be disturbed. Centering yourself and your thoughts for a few minutes, perhaps by some breathing exercises or a simple meditation will help for a good reading. Some Rune casters also advise facing the North, the direction of the gods in Norse Mythology.
The Yes / No Cast
Used For: Questions that require a simple Yes or No answer.
Method: Take a moment to concentrate and ask your question as your left hand mixes the Runes inside (if you are left-handed, use your right). Pick a Rune out of the bag, turn it over immediately (so that it does not read inverted). If it is upright, the answer is a “Yes”, and reversed, means “No”.
Note: There are 8 Runes that read the same, whichever way they are turned. In this case, you may repeat the process up to three times to draw another rune which may be reversed. If you still keep on drawing one of these 8, it is simply not the time to receive the answer you seek. Let it be, and ask the question again at a different time.
Odin’s Rune or the One Rune Cast
Used for: This is a quick and easy way to get an answer to a specific question or a general picture of the situation. Some Rune casters also use this is as a daily meditation and inspiration, before beginning their day or at bedtime.
Method: Concentrate for a minute and ask the question. Then take a Rune out of the bag and place it on your cloth, any surface or in your hand.
The Three Rune Cast or “Norns” Cast
Used For: Seeking advice and understanding of a current problem or situation from three angles: You, The Challenge and the Best Outcome. This is also called the “Norns” method.
Method: Concentrate on the question or situation at hand for a moment, and draw out three Runes, one at a time forming a horizontal line. Read the Runes from left to right, using the interpretation as follows:
You: The first rune represents you and past decisions and feelings that have lead up to the situation.
The Challenge: This rune refers to what you are facing now, usually in terms of the choice or decisions there are to be made.
The Possible Outcome: This rune signifies the outcome of the situation, but the interpretation could be of many probable results, from the best possible (should you make wise choices), to what would be if the situation remains unchanged or one of other possible outcomes. Like we said before, intuition is the key here, and what you derive out of the meaning here depends on how well you understand the runes and your hunches.
The Roman Method Cast
Use: This is the earliest known method of Rune casting as described by the Roman Tacitus in “Germania”, A.D. 98. It is similar to the “Norns” casting mentioned above, except for a few ritualistic details, which you can use for true authenticity. These are a white cloth on which to cast the Runes, and the use of runes from a fruit- bearing tree, carved fresh for the particular reading. Invoking the gods, such as Odin, is also incorporated in the ritual, done before scattering the runes for the reading.
Method: Lay out the white cloth and say a little prayer, invoking the gods. Take the runes into your hands, and scatter them unto the cloth. Pick three randomly without looking at the runes, setting these aside. You may now interpret these as a group or in the same way as the Three Rune Method illustrated above.
The Nine Rune Cast
Use: Nine is a magical number in Norse Mythology, and this method gives more of a detailed analysis of the situation or problems facing the reader, and clarity in understanding the options open to them, as well as possible outcomes. However, this technique is better suited to those who have a sizeable understanding of the Runes as this method is highly flexible in nature, meaning the way you read the positions is entirely up to you in terms of relevance. It would help to create some of your own rules for this type of reading (nothing too rigid though, as Rune readings are innately variable), which you can stick to every time you use this casting technique, for simplicity’s sake. Consistency is paramount.
Method: Concentrate on the situation or question you face, and feel the runes in the bag, choosing the nine Runes that feel right to you. Now, scatter the nine runes on a cloth, table, or whatever casting ground you are using. The Runes that appear “face up” are to be read first, as these signify the present circumstances and the dynamics that lead up to it. Generally, the runes that are in the center are of primary importance, while the ones in the edges could be influencing factors. But like we said, this is a personal technique, and rune casters have their own varying interpretations of this, which can change with every reading. This is a good time to get your journal out and note the first runes that came up, to avoid confusion. Next, start turning the rest of the Runes around, also taking note of each as they are read. These could signify the outside influences, the choices one has and the possible outcomes. Again, the pattern and order in which to interpret these Runes is up to you, but keep in mind that runes that are close together are usually associated with each other or connected in meaning.
The Runic Cross Cast
Use: Using six runes for this method, it utilizes a pattern to follow in which to read the Runes, similar to the cross technique in tarot card divination. The analysis is constituted of: You in the present, the Past, the Future, the present situation’s foundation, the challenge you face and the possible outcome.
Method: After concentrating on the situation or problem you face, draw 6 runes from the bag, placing them down in the following order:
The first Rune – Placed at the center, this rune represents You, and your underlying feelings in the present.
The Second Rune – Placed to the left of the first rune. This represents your past, and the factors that contributed to your current situation.
The Third Rune – Placed to the right of the first rune. This reveals your future or destiny, of what could be ahead when the present situation has passed.
The Fourth Rune – Placed beneath the first rune. This rune explains the source of the situation or problem, and the underlying dynamics that created it.
The Fifth Rune – Placed above the first rune. This represents the challenge you are faced with, and the choices available that could affect the outcome.
The Sixth Rune – Placed above the fifth rune. This rune brings to light the best outcome possible. Sometimes, this position may reveal a rune which may not seem like an ideal situation, but it is often blessing in disguise, something that will bring greater satisfaction in the larger sense.
The Three Incarnations Cast
Use: In the Runic belief that all things are interconnected, the relevance of past and future incarnations provide an insight in learning how and why our present circumstances came in to being. Finding the wisdom there is to gain from the understanding of this can greatly help us in following our spiritual path.
This technique involving 5 Runes, allows insight into the following areas which are relevant to the advice you seek on the present situation or problem:
Birth and early childhood, the Present, your Destiny or Future in this incarnation, your Past Life, and your Future incarnation.
Method: Concentrate on your query or situation, then pick 5 Runes, placing them down in the following order, and interpreting them accordingly:
The First Rune: Place this on the right side of your casting ground. This represents the circumstances in early childhood and birth.
The Second Rune: Place this on the left of the first rune. This signifies your present situation.
The Third Rune: Place this on the left of the second rune. This rune reveals the possible outcome or future in your present life.
The Fourth Rune: Place this under the second rune. This represents a past life, one which is significant to the present situation you face today
The Fifth Rune: Place this above the second rune. This signifies a future incarnation, one that has relevance to your present situation.
“…..They, more than anyone, attend to omens and divination. Their custom with regards to divination is simple: They cut down a branch from a fruit-bearing tree and chop it into twigs; they mark these with certain signs and sprinkle them randomly upon a white cloth. Thereupon, the priest of the community, if it is a public matter, or the head of the household, if it is a private one, having called upon the gods, looks up to the sky and takes up three of the twigs, one after another and interprets them according to the signs previously carved on them”
Germania, chapter 10 by Tacitus, AD 98
Runes do not predict the future in the “fortune telling” sense, but it is an Oracle which gives counsel to the reader, offering an analysis to the problem, as well as possible outcomes and solutions on one’s spiritual path. As each Rune can have several meanings, which can easily appear cryptic and too broad, it is best to be specific in asking questions, using your intuition to let the Runes speak to you.
Having a basic understanding of each Rune is imperative (not memorization, but perhaps reading a little about each Rune each day), and of course, the more one uses them, the more one is likely to have better understanding from the readings.
Keeping a “Rune Journal” to record your readings can also be a huge help, as this will encourage you to listen to your instincts more, which as mentioned before is the key to reading the Runes. To make things easier, simply note down the following at every reading:
1. The date, time and method of casting
2. The question/ questions you had
3. The order and position of the runes that came up (face up, face down or neither – see Yes / No cast)
4. The meanings you got from them (or what you think it meant!)
5. Your general impressions and feelings from the reading
Don’t worry if you are not sure of your interpretations. There is no right and wrong here, and even the most accomplished Rune casters sometimes have doubts themselves. Sometimes the Runes speak out to you with astonishing clarity, other times it takes a little more effort on your part to pick up on the clues and the underlying meaning. There are also times when the Runes seem to say nothing pertinent to your questions at all, and there is nothing to do but do try again another time. Anyway you look at it, it is a highly personal exercise, which requires a fair amount of instinctive work and understanding.
Here are some simple methods used by Rune casters. These are to be used with the traditional 24 Runes, or Elder Futhark. Experiment to see what method works best for you, feeling free to creating your own technique or incorporating your individual style to the methods below.
Before you begin, find a suitable place where you will not be disturbed. Centering yourself and your thoughts for a few minutes, perhaps by some breathing exercises or a simple meditation will help for a good reading. Some Rune casters also advise facing the North, the direction of the gods in Norse Mythology.
The Yes / No Cast
Used For: Questions that require a simple Yes or No answer.
Method: Take a moment to concentrate and ask your question as your left hand mixes the Runes inside (if you are left-handed, use your right). Pick a Rune out of the bag, turn it over immediately (so that it does not read inverted). If it is upright, the answer is a “Yes”, and reversed, means “No”.
Note: There are 8 Runes that read the same, whichever way they are turned. In this case, you may repeat the process up to three times to draw another rune which may be reversed. If you still keep on drawing one of these 8, it is simply not the time to receive the answer you seek. Let it be, and ask the question again at a different time.
Odin’s Rune or the One Rune Cast
Used for: This is a quick and easy way to get an answer to a specific question or a general picture of the situation. Some Rune casters also use this is as a daily meditation and inspiration, before beginning their day or at bedtime.
Method: Concentrate for a minute and ask the question. Then take a Rune out of the bag and place it on your cloth, any surface or in your hand.
The Three Rune Cast or “Norns” Cast
Used For: Seeking advice and understanding of a current problem or situation from three angles: You, The Challenge and the Best Outcome. This is also called the “Norns” method.
Method: Concentrate on the question or situation at hand for a moment, and draw out three Runes, one at a time forming a horizontal line. Read the Runes from left to right, using the interpretation as follows:
You: The first rune represents you and past decisions and feelings that have lead up to the situation.
The Challenge: This rune refers to what you are facing now, usually in terms of the choice or decisions there are to be made.
The Possible Outcome: This rune signifies the outcome of the situation, but the interpretation could be of many probable results, from the best possible (should you make wise choices), to what would be if the situation remains unchanged or one of other possible outcomes. Like we said before, intuition is the key here, and what you derive out of the meaning here depends on how well you understand the runes and your hunches.
The Roman Method Cast
Use: This is the earliest known method of Rune casting as described by the Roman Tacitus in “Germania”, A.D. 98. It is similar to the “Norns” casting mentioned above, except for a few ritualistic details, which you can use for true authenticity. These are a white cloth on which to cast the Runes, and the use of runes from a fruit- bearing tree, carved fresh for the particular reading. Invoking the gods, such as Odin, is also incorporated in the ritual, done before scattering the runes for the reading.
Method: Lay out the white cloth and say a little prayer, invoking the gods. Take the runes into your hands, and scatter them unto the cloth. Pick three randomly without looking at the runes, setting these aside. You may now interpret these as a group or in the same way as the Three Rune Method illustrated above.
The Nine Rune Cast
Use: Nine is a magical number in Norse Mythology, and this method gives more of a detailed analysis of the situation or problems facing the reader, and clarity in understanding the options open to them, as well as possible outcomes. However, this technique is better suited to those who have a sizeable understanding of the Runes as this method is highly flexible in nature, meaning the way you read the positions is entirely up to you in terms of relevance. It would help to create some of your own rules for this type of reading (nothing too rigid though, as Rune readings are innately variable), which you can stick to every time you use this casting technique, for simplicity’s sake. Consistency is paramount.
Method: Concentrate on the situation or question you face, and feel the runes in the bag, choosing the nine Runes that feel right to you. Now, scatter the nine runes on a cloth, table, or whatever casting ground you are using. The Runes that appear “face up” are to be read first, as these signify the present circumstances and the dynamics that lead up to it. Generally, the runes that are in the center are of primary importance, while the ones in the edges could be influencing factors. But like we said, this is a personal technique, and rune casters have their own varying interpretations of this, which can change with every reading. This is a good time to get your journal out and note the first runes that came up, to avoid confusion. Next, start turning the rest of the Runes around, also taking note of each as they are read. These could signify the outside influences, the choices one has and the possible outcomes. Again, the pattern and order in which to interpret these Runes is up to you, but keep in mind that runes that are close together are usually associated with each other or connected in meaning.
The Runic Cross Cast
Use: Using six runes for this method, it utilizes a pattern to follow in which to read the Runes, similar to the cross technique in tarot card divination. The analysis is constituted of: You in the present, the Past, the Future, the present situation’s foundation, the challenge you face and the possible outcome.
Method: After concentrating on the situation or problem you face, draw 6 runes from the bag, placing them down in the following order:
The first Rune – Placed at the center, this rune represents You, and your underlying feelings in the present.
The Second Rune – Placed to the left of the first rune. This represents your past, and the factors that contributed to your current situation.
The Third Rune – Placed to the right of the first rune. This reveals your future or destiny, of what could be ahead when the present situation has passed.
The Fourth Rune – Placed beneath the first rune. This rune explains the source of the situation or problem, and the underlying dynamics that created it.
The Fifth Rune – Placed above the first rune. This represents the challenge you are faced with, and the choices available that could affect the outcome.
The Sixth Rune – Placed above the fifth rune. This rune brings to light the best outcome possible. Sometimes, this position may reveal a rune which may not seem like an ideal situation, but it is often blessing in disguise, something that will bring greater satisfaction in the larger sense.
The Three Incarnations Cast
Use: In the Runic belief that all things are interconnected, the relevance of past and future incarnations provide an insight in learning how and why our present circumstances came in to being. Finding the wisdom there is to gain from the understanding of this can greatly help us in following our spiritual path.
This technique involving 5 Runes, allows insight into the following areas which are relevant to the advice you seek on the present situation or problem:
Birth and early childhood, the Present, your Destiny or Future in this incarnation, your Past Life, and your Future incarnation.
Method: Concentrate on your query or situation, then pick 5 Runes, placing them down in the following order, and interpreting them accordingly:
The First Rune: Place this on the right side of your casting ground. This represents the circumstances in early childhood and birth.
The Second Rune: Place this on the left of the first rune. This signifies your present situation.
The Third Rune: Place this on the left of the second rune. This rune reveals the possible outcome or future in your present life.
The Fourth Rune: Place this under the second rune. This represents a past life, one which is significant to the present situation you face today
The Fifth Rune: Place this above the second rune. This signifies a future incarnation, one that has relevance to your present situation.
