Runes: Complete Guide to Norse Divination & Elder Futhark Meanings
By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst
Runes are ancient Norse symbols used for divination, magic, and spiritual guidance. The Elder Futhark—the oldest runic alphabet consisting of 24 symbols—carries the wisdom of the Vikings and Germanic tribes. Each rune is a powerful symbol representing cosmic forces, natural energies, and spiritual truths.
Rune casting is a profound divination practice that reveals hidden knowledge, provides guidance, and connects you to ancient Norse wisdom. Unlike tarot, runes offer direct, straightforward messages from the universe.
This is your complete guide to runes—the Elder Futhark meanings, how to cast runes, and how to read them for guidance.
What Are Runes?
Runes are ancient Germanic and Norse symbols that served as both an alphabet and a divination system. Each rune carries specific meanings, energies, and magical properties.
History of Runes
- Used by Vikings and Germanic tribes
- Carved into stone, wood, and metal
- Used for writing, magic, and divination
- Connected to Norse god Odin
- Over 1,500 years old
The Elder Futhark (24 Runes)
Fehu ᚠ (Cattle/Wealth)
Meaning: Abundance, prosperity, material wealth
Message: Financial gain, success, new income
Reversed: Financial loss, greed, poverty
Uruz ᚢ (Aurochs/Strength)
Meaning: Physical strength, vitality, primal power
Message: Health, endurance, raw energy
Reversed: Weakness, missed opportunity
Thurisaz ᚦ (Giant/Thorn)
Meaning: Protection, defense, conflict
Message: Breakthrough, catalyst, protection needed
Reversed: Danger, betrayal, weakness
Ansuz ᚨ (God/Odin)
Meaning: Communication, wisdom, divine messages
Message: Receive guidance, speak truth, learn
Reversed: Miscommunication, deception
Raidho ᚱ (Journey/Wagon)
Meaning: Travel, journey, movement
Message: Progress, travel, life path
Reversed: Delays, unexpected journey
Kenaz ᚲ (Torch/Fire)
Meaning: Knowledge, creativity, illumination
Message: Inspiration, clarity, transformation
Reversed: Darkness, ignorance, creative block
Gebo ᚷ (Gift)
Meaning: Partnership, generosity, balance
Message: Gifts, relationships, exchange
No reverse: Symmetrical rune
Wunjo ᚹ (Joy)
Meaning: Happiness, harmony, success
Message: Joy, fulfillment, wishes granted
Reversed: Sorrow, alienation, crisis
Hagalaz ᚺ (Hail)
Meaning: Disruption, natural forces, change
Message: Unexpected change, destruction before creation
No reverse: Single-sided meaning
Nauthiz ᚾ (Need)
Meaning: Necessity, constraint, resistance
Message: Patience needed, lessons, endurance
Reversed: Deprivation, poverty
Isa ᛁ (Ice)
Meaning: Standstill, stasis, patience
Message: Wait, freeze, pause before action
No reverse: Symmetrical
Jera ᛃ (Year/Harvest)
Meaning: Cycles, harvest, reward
Message: Reap what you sow, patience rewarded
No reverse: Natural cycles
Eihwaz ᛇ (Yew Tree)
Meaning: Endurance, protection, transformation
Message: Strength through challenge, death/rebirth
No reverse: Vertical symmetry
Perthro ᛈ (Dice Cup/Mystery)
Meaning: Fate, secrets, hidden things
Message: Mystery, occult knowledge, fate
Reversed: Secrets revealed, addiction
Algiz ᛉ (Elk/Protection)
Meaning: Divine protection, higher self
Message: You are protected, spiritual connection
Reversed: Vulnerability, warning
Sowilo ᛊ (Sun)
Meaning: Success, vitality, life force
Message: Victory, clarity, wholeness
No reverse: Pure positive energy
Tiwaz ᛏ (Tyr/Warrior)
Meaning: Justice, honor, victory
Message: Courage, sacrifice, righteousness
Reversed: Injustice, defeat
Berkano ᛒ (Birch/Birth)
Meaning: New beginnings, fertility, growth
Message: Birth, renewal, nurturing
Reversed: Family problems, stagnation
Ehwaz ᛖ (Horse)
Meaning: Movement, partnership, progress
Message: Teamwork, trust, gradual change
Reversed: Restlessness, betrayal
Mannaz ᛗ (Man/Humanity)
Meaning: Self, humanity, social order
Message: Self-awareness, cooperation
Reversed: Isolation, self-delusion
Laguz ᛚ (Water/Lake)
Meaning: Flow, intuition, emotions
Message: Trust intuition, go with flow
Reversed: Confusion, poor judgment
Ingwaz ᛜ (Fertility God)
Meaning: Fertility, completion, new phase
Message: Gestation, internal growth
No reverse: Completion symbol
Dagaz ᛞ (Day/Dawn)
Meaning: Breakthrough, awakening, transformation
Message: Major shift, clarity, new day
No reverse: Symmetrical
Othala ᛟ (Ancestral Property)
Meaning: Heritage, home, inheritance
Message: Ancestral wisdom, roots, legacy
Reversed: Homelessness, lack of roots
How to Cast Runes
What You Need
- Rune set (24 stones or wood pieces)
- Rune cloth (optional)
- Quiet space
- Clear question
One-Rune Draw
- Focus on question
- Draw one rune from bag
- Read its message
- Simple daily guidance
Three-Rune Spread
- Draw three runes
- Rune 1: Past/situation
- Rune 2: Present/challenge
- Rune 3: Future/outcome
Rune Casting
- Hold all runes in hands
- Focus on question
- Cast runes onto cloth
- Read runes that land face-up
- Position matters (near/far, clusters)
Your Rune Practice
Start today:
- Get a rune set
- Learn the 24 Elder Futhark meanings
- Do daily one-rune draws
- Keep rune journal
- Trust your intuition
Final Thoughts
Runes are a powerful ancient divination system that connects you to Norse wisdom and cosmic truth. Each rune carries profound meaning and guidance. When you work with runes, you tap into the same wisdom that guided Vikings through life's challenges.
Welcome to runes. The ancient wisdom speaks.
Do you use runes? What's your favorite rune? I'd love to hear!