The Beginners Guide To Divination With Runes

What is a rune?

“A rune is a letter in a set of related alphabets native to the Germanic peoples. Runes were written in Germanic languages before they adopted the Latin language.”

(From Wikipedia)

Probably the most well-known runic language is the scandinavian Futhark which is commonly used in divination today. However, you can find images of some other systems below.

The earliest runic inscriptions date from around AD 150 starting with the most well-known Elder Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Futhark and the Younger Futhark. In some ways they are similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics and were the predominant source of visual communication before writing in the Latin and subsequent English alphabets became popular.

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Codex Runicus circa 1300 on vellum manuscript

(Source - Wikipedia)

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NORTHUMBRIAN RUNES

WITCHES RUNES

HIGH ELF RUNES

BIND RUNES

Elder Futhark Rune Meanings

Runes of the First Aett

Freya’s Aett - The Forces of Creation and the establishing of the Gods

Fehu

CATTLE - RUNE OF WEALTH AND FULFILMENT

Gemstone - Moss Agate
Colour - Light Red
Element - Earth and Fire
Gods - Frey, Freuya
Astrological Association - Aries
Tree - Elder
Plant - Nettle

MEANINGS - Abundance - Success - Luck - Hopes - Property - Food - Possessions - Fertility - Security

Uruz

AUROCHS (WILD BULL OR OX) - Rune of Strength

Gemstone - Almandine
Colour - Dark Green
Element - Earth
God - Thor
Astrological Association - Tarurus
Tree - Birch
Plant - Iceland Moss

MEANINGS - Abundance - Success - Luck - Hopes - Property - Food - Possessions - Fertility - Security

Thurisaz

THORN OR GIANT - Rune of Chaos

Gemstone - Sapphire
Colour - Bright Red
Element - Fire
God - Thor
Astrological Association - Mars
Tree - Blackthorn
Plant - House Leek

MEANINGS - Devil’s Rune - The Gateway - Adversity - Conflict - Chaos - Defence - Turbulent times - Catalyst for change - Suffering

Ansuz

ESTUARY - Messenger or Odin’s rune

Gemstone - Emerald
Colour - Dark Blue
Element - Air
Gods - Odin, Eostre, Loki
Astrology Association - Venus
Tree - Ash

MEANINGS - Communication - Reason - Self expression - Signals - Gifts - Creativity - Divine power - Inspiration - Blessings - Ancestors

Raidho repesents wagon and is the rune of travellers

Raido

WAGON - The Rune of Travellers

Gemstone - Chrysoprase
Colour - Bright Red
Element - Air
Gods - Ing, Nethus
Astrology association - Sagittarius
Tree - Oak
Plant - Mugwort

MEANINGS - Journey - Departure - Arrival - Rhythm - Direction - Responsibility - Communication - Reconciliation - Agreement - Work - Destiny

Kenaz represents torch and is the rune of fire

Kenaz or Kano

TORCH - Rune of Fire

Gemstone - Bloodstone
Colour - Light Red
Element - Fire
Gods - Heimdal Freya, Freuya
Astrology association - Venus
Tree - Pine
Plant - Cowslip

MEANINGS - Enlightenment - Knowledge - Inspiration - Vision - Clarity - Insight - Opening - Revelation - Creativity - Understanding

Gebo

GIFT - Rune of Love and Forgiveness

Gemstone - Opal
Colour - Dark Blue
Element - Air
Gods - Odin, Gefn
Astrology association - Pisces
Tree - Pine
Plant - Elm

MEANINGS - Gift - Partnership - Generosity - Exchange - Balance - Union - Connection - Trading - Love - Marriage - Agreement - Talents

Wunjo

JOY - Rune of Joy

Gemstone - Diamond
Colour - Light Blue
Element - Ice (Water)
Gods - Odin, Frig
Astrology association - Leo
Tree - Ash
Plant - Flax

MEANINGS - Joy, Hope, Fulfilment, Potential, Light, Restoration, Understanding, Pleasure, Comfort, Reward, Success, Peace, Good news, Wishes

Runes of the Second Aett

Heimdall’s Aett - The Norns and Wyrd, development of consciousness and magic, psychological growth and personal development

Hagalaz

HAIL - Rune of Disruption

Gemstone - Onyx
Colour - Light Blue
Element - Ice (Water)
Gods - Urd, Heimdall
Astrology association - Aquarius
Tree - Ash
Plant - Bryony

MEANINGS - Disruption - Delay - Loss - Destructive forces of nature - Sudden change - Out of control -The past - Unresolved matters

Nauthiz

NEED - Rune of Necessity

Gemstone - Lapis Lazuli
Colour - Black
Element - Fire
God - Skuld
Astrology association - Capricorn
Tree - Rowan
Plant - Snakeroot

MEANINGS - Need - Necessity - Friction - Constraint - Compulsion - Pain - Hardship - Sort out priorities

Isa repesents ice and is the rune of ice

Isa

ICE - Rune of Ice

Gemstone - Cat’s Eye
Colour - Black
Element - Ice (Water)
God - Verdandi
Astrology association - Moon
Tree - Alder
Plant - Henbane

MEANINGS - Ice - Standstill - Restrictions - Delay - Challenges - Introspection - Waiting - Blockage - Inactivity

Jera

HARVEST - Rune of Success and Continuity

Gemstone - Carnelian
Colour - Light Blue
Element - Earth
Gods - Frey, Freuya
Astrology association - Sun
Tree - Oak
Plant - Rosemary

MEANINGS - Harvest - Fertility - One year - Cycle - Cause and effect - Reward - Abundance - Earth

Eihwaz

YEW TREE - Rune of Defence

Gemstone - Topaz
Colour - Magenta
Element - Earth, Fire, Air and Water
God - Ullr
Astrology association - Scorpio
Tree - Yew
Plant - Lilac

MEANINGS - World tree - Transition - Balance - Enlightenment - Death - Regeneration - Flexibility - Perseverance - Stability

Perthro

UNKNOWN - Rune of Chance, Mystery and Science

Gemstone - Aquamarine
Colour - Black
Element - Water
God - Frigg
Astrology association- Saturn
Tree - Aspen
Plant - Aconite

MEANINGS - Chance - Fate- Secrets - Gaming - Initiation - Unknown - Destiny - Mystery - Magic - Feminine - Birth rune - Laughter - Cup

Algiz

ELK ANTLERS - Rune of Protection and Opportunity

Gemstone - Aquamarine
Colour - Gold
Element - Air
God - Heimdall
Astrology association - Cancer
Tree - Spruce
Plant - Sedge Grass

MEANINGS - Protection - Shield- Self defence - Power - Spiritual path - Reaching out to the divine

Sowilo

SUN - Rune of Energy and Revelation

Gemstone - Ruby
Colour - White
Element - Air
God - Baldur
Astrology association - Sun
Tree - Juniper
Plant - Mistletoe

MEANINGS - Life force - Clarity - Awakening - Understanding - Wholeness - Vitality - Success - Triumph - Positivity - Health

Runes of the Third Aett

Tyr’s Aett - Human condition, social aspects and spiritual transformation

Teiwaz

GOD TYR - Warrior’s Rune

Gemstone - Coral
Colour - Bright Red
Element - Air
God - Tyr
Astrology association - Libra
Tree - Oak
Plant - Aconite

MEANINGS - Masculinity - Bravery - Leadership - Justice - Dedication - Victory - Competitiveness - Honour - Authority - Morals

Berkana

BIRCH TREE - Rune of Fertility and Growth

Gemstone - Moonstone
Colour - Dark Green
Element - Earth
Gods - Nerthur, Holda
Astrology association - Virgo
Tree - Birch
Plant - Lady’s Mantle
MEANINGS - Femininity - Fertility - Mother Earth - Nurturing - Rebirth - Growth - Healing - Renewal - Home - Family - New beginning

Ehwaz

HORSE - Rune of Momentum

Gemstone - Iceland Spar
Colour - White
Element - Earth
Gods - Frey, Freuya
Astrology association - Gemini
Tree - Ash
Plant - Ragwort

MEANINGS - Movement- Travel - Transportation - Duality - Progress - Horse - Progress - Trust - Change - Loyalty - Partnership

Mannaz

HUMANITY - Rune of Humanity

Gemstone - Garnet
Colour - Deep Red
Element - Air
Gods - Odin, Heimdall, Frigg
Astrology association - Jupiter
Tree - Holly
Plant - Madder

MEANINGS - Humanity - Self - Intelligence - Identity - Friendship - Modesty - Charity - Consideration - Devotion - Kindness

Laguz

WATER - Rune of Water

Gemstone - Pearl
Colour - Deep Green
Element - Water
Gods - Njord, Nerthus
Astrology association - Moon
Tree - Willow
Plant - Leek

MEANINGS - Flow - Healing - Renewal - Intuition - Emotion - Dreams - Hopes and fears - The unknown - Body of water

Inguz

SEED OR FERTILITY - Rune of Peace and Harmony

Gemstone - Amber
Colour - Yellow
Elements - Earth and Water
Gods - Ing, Frey
Astrology associations - Cancer, New Moon
Tree - Apple
Plant - Self Heal

MEANINGS - Goals - Growth - Change - Common sense - Home - Fertility - Gestation stage of projects and relationships

Othala

INHERITANCE - Rune of Home, Family and Acquisition

Gemstone - Spinel
Colour - Deep Yellow
Element - Earth
God - Odin
Astrology association - Full Moon
Tree - Hawthorn
Plant - Clover

MEANINGS - Estate - Property - Inheritance - Family ties - Heritage - Tradition - Home - Possessions

Dagaz

Dawn or Day - Rune of Transformation

Gemstone - Chrysolite
Colour - Light Blue
Elements - Fire and Air
God - Heimdall
Astrology association - Full Moon
Tree - Spruce
Plant - Clary Sage

MEANINGS - Breakthrough - Day - Dawn - Enlightenment - Transformation - Fresh start - Improvement - Awareness - Light - Hope

Odin

Odin represents the unknowable and is the blank rune

MEANINGS - Fate - Empty - Trust the Universe

Northumbrian Rune Meanings

Cweorth

Flames of a fire

MEANINGS - Purification - Destruction - Transformation

Chalc

Dreams

MEANINGS - Desire - Dreams - Inspiration

Stan

Stone

MEANINGS - Keystone of beliefs - Indicator rune -Obstruction

Gar

Spear

MEANINGS - Wait - Watch - Learn

Ac

Oak tree

MEANINGS - Potential - Growth - Perseverance

Yr represents the bow from a yew tree in the Northumbrian runes

Yr

Bow made from a Yew tree

MEANINGS - Focus - Mindfulness - Artistry

Ior

The world serpent

MEANINGS - Boundaries - Protection - Opposites

Ear

Soil or earth

MEANINGS - Death - Change -Transition - Let go -Move on

Witches Rune Meanings

Sun

New beginnings

MEANINGS - Healing - Good health and vitality - Good choices - Good news

Moon

Feminine energy

MEANINGS - Transitions - Changes are imminent - Secrets - Hidden agendas - Imagination

Flight

Communication

MEANINGS - Communication - Movement - Information - Travel

Rings

Connections

MEANINGS - Circumstances connecting people - Combining elements to create something new

Romance

Love and relationships

MEANINGS - Emotional connections - Harmony - Soulmates

Woman

Healer, Nurturer, Carer

MEANINGS - Feminine energy - Creative abilities - Strong associations with the home - Mother

Man represents provider and protector in the witches runes

Man

Provider, Protector

MEANINGS - Masculine energy - Empowerment - Action - Father

Harvest

Rewards

MEANINGS - Providing for oneself - Education - Investment in oneself - Blessings

Crossroads

Decisions

MEANINGS - Major life decisions - Fear of moving forward - Being stuck

Star

Wishes

MEANINGS - Fulfil ambitions - Life purpose - Being accepted by others - Honouring oneself

Waves

Flow

MEANINGS - Movement - Flow in life - Deep connections to the spiritual world - Insecurity - Overwhelm - Out of control

Scythe

Sudden change

MEANINGS - Final decisions - Endings - Completion - Danger - Walking away from a situation

Eye

Seeing the truth

MEANINGS - Lifting the veil - Psychic abilities - Need to focus

High Elf Rune Meanings

Sariour - Moon, Magic, Fortune, Evil deeds

BIND RUNES

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