Runes are distinctive angular markings, based on early rock symbols, that represent the concerns of humankind in age, home, family, travel, love, prosperity, change, health, and destiny fulfillment. Whether we believe our future is imposed by fate the deities, comes from within ourselves, or is a mixture of both, runes can be used to interpret our lives.
For rune sets used in divination, or future-predicting, each symbol is painted, carved, or etched into round stones, bones, wooden discs, or wooden staves. Modern runes are painted or etched symbols on crystals.
Runes form a set of sixteen to thirty-six different symbols, depending on the region and time in which they were used. The Elder Futhark runes, used by the Vikings, are the most usual, popular, and straightforward form to use. This version has twenty-four symbols, plus an optional blank stone.
Runes functioned as letters but they were much more than just letters as we understand today. Runes make up an alphabet called the ‘Futhark”. Each rune symbol was an ideographic or pictographic symbol of some cosmological principle or power. To write or engrave runic symbol was to invoke and direct the force it stood for.
The first runic symbols were often sacred signs associated with Nerthus, the original Mother Goddess of fertility, and have been discovered in ancient rock carvings in Sweden, dating from the Bronze age(2300-1200BCE). The runic systems that are used today date from the second or third century BCE.
Rune casting is simply an oracular divination method in which runes are laid out, or cast, either in a specific pattern or randomly, as a form of guidance through problems or situations in which you need help making decision.
To read runes based on a 3 stone draw, interpret the rune all the away on the right as representing your current situation. Then, look to the rune in the centre as a representation of your challenge. After that, read the rune on the left as being an action you can take to address your challenge.
Crystal runes sets are available at all our retail stores and online shop now! Books also available.