Rune Reading Basics: Ancient Norse Divination

Long before tarot cards and oracle decks, the ancient Norse and Germanic peoples carved mysterious symbols into stone, wood, and bone to divine the future and seek guidance from the gods. These symbols—called runes—were believed to hold magical power and cosmic wisdom. Today, rune reading continues as a profound divination practice that connects us with ancient Norse spirituality and the primal forces of nature.

If you're drawn to the raw, earthy energy of Norse mythology, the wisdom of the Vikings, or the power of ancient symbols, rune reading offers a direct connection to this ancestral knowledge. This complete beginner's guide will introduce you to the Elder Futhark runes and teach you how to use them for divination and spiritual guidance.

What Are Runes?

Runes are the letters of ancient Germanic alphabets used by Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and other Germanic peoples from around 150-1600 CE. But runes were far more than just a writing system—they were considered magical symbols imbued with power and meaning.

The Word "Rune"

The word "rune" comes from the Old Norse word "rún," meaning "secret," "mystery," or "whisper." This reflects the belief that runes held hidden knowledge and magical properties.

Runes in History

• Practical use: Writing, marking ownership, memorials
• Magical use: Protection, healing, cursing, divination
• Religious use: Invoking gods, sacred rituals, offerings
• Divination: Seeking guidance from the Norns (Norse fates) and the gods

Odin and the Runes

According to Norse mythology, Odin, the All-Father, discovered the runes through a shamanic ordeal. He hung himself from Yggdrasil (the World Tree) for nine days and nights, pierced by his own spear, sacrificing himself to himself. Through this suffering, he gained the wisdom of the runes and brought them to humanity.

The Elder Futhark: 24 Runes

The most commonly used runic alphabet for divination is the Elder Futhark, consisting of 24 runes divided into three groups of eight called "aetts" (families). Each rune has a name, a sound, and multiple layers of meaning.

Freya's Aett (First Eight)

1. Fehu (ᚠ) - Cattle, Wealth

Keywords: Abundance, prosperity, material wealth, new beginnings, mobile wealth
Meaning: Fehu represents movable wealth and abundance. It's the energy of prosperity flowing into your life, new financial opportunities, or the fruits of your labor. It can also represent the responsibility that comes with wealth.

2. Uruz (ᚢ) - Aurochs, Strength

Keywords: Strength, vitality, primal power, health, endurance, wild energy
Meaning: Uruz is raw, untamed strength—like the wild aurochs (extinct wild ox). It represents physical health, vitality, courage, and the power to overcome obstacles through sheer force of will.

3. Thurisaz (ᚦ) - Giant, Thorn

Keywords: Protection, conflict, breakthrough, defense, chaos, transformation
Meaning: Thurisaz is the thorn that protects and the giant that challenges. It represents both protection and conflict, the destructive force that clears the way for new growth, and the challenges that make us stronger.

4. Ansuz (ᚨ) - God, Odin

Keywords: Communication, wisdom, divine inspiration, messages, knowledge, breath
Meaning: Ansuz is the rune of Odin and divine communication. It represents wisdom, inspiration, messages from the divine, clear communication, and the breath of life that carries words and meaning.

5. Raidho (ᚱ) - Wagon, Journey

Keywords: Journey, travel, movement, rhythm, right action, quest
Meaning: Raidho represents physical and spiritual journeys. It's about being on the right path, moving forward with purpose, and the rhythm of life's cycles. It can indicate literal travel or metaphorical life journeys.

6. Kenaz (ᚲ) - Torch, Fire

Keywords: Knowledge, creativity, illumination, transformation, passion, craft
Meaning: Kenaz is the controlled fire of the torch—knowledge, creativity, and transformation. It represents the light that dispels darkness, creative inspiration, and the fire of passion and skill.

7. Gebo (ᚷ) - Gift

Keywords: Gift, exchange, partnership, balance, generosity, sacrifice
Meaning: Gebo represents the sacred exchange of gifts and the balance of giving and receiving. It's about partnerships, contracts, relationships, and the understanding that all gifts require reciprocity.

8. Wunjo (ᚹ) - Joy

Keywords: Joy, harmony, fellowship, well-being, success, belonging
Meaning: Wunjo is pure joy and harmony. It represents happiness, success, fellowship with others, and the feeling of being in alignment with your true path. It's the joy that comes from living authentically.

Heimdall's Aett (Second Eight)

9. Hagalaz (ᚺ) - Hail

Keywords: Disruption, crisis, natural forces, destruction, transformation, cleansing
Meaning: Hagalaz is the destructive force of hail—sudden disruption that clears the way for new growth. It represents crises, challenges, and the destructive-creative force of nature.

10. Nauthiz (ᚾ) - Need

Keywords: Need, necessity, constraint, resistance, endurance, self-reliance
Meaning: Nauthiz represents need and the friction that creates fire. It's about constraints that force growth, the necessity that breeds innovation, and learning self-reliance through hardship.

11. Isa (ᛁ) - Ice

Keywords: Stillness, stasis, patience, preservation, waiting, clarity
Meaning: Isa is ice—frozen, still, waiting. It represents periods of stasis, the need for patience, things being put on hold, and the clarity that comes from stillness. Sometimes you must wait for the thaw.

12. Jera (ᛃ) - Year, Harvest

Keywords: Harvest, cycles, reward, patience, natural timing, fruition
Meaning: Jera represents the harvest and the turning of the year. It's about reaping what you've sown, natural cycles and timing, and the understanding that everything has its season.

13. Eihwaz (ᛇ) - Yew Tree

Keywords: Endurance, death and rebirth, transformation, protection, resilience
Meaning: Eihwaz is the yew tree—associated with death and immortality. It represents endurance, the death-rebirth cycle, transformation through difficulty, and the strength to withstand any storm.

14. Perthro (ᛈ) - Dice Cup, Mystery

Keywords: Mystery, fate, secrets, divination, hidden knowledge, chance
Meaning: Perthro is the most mysterious rune, often associated with fate, secrets, and the unknown. It represents hidden knowledge, the mysteries of wyrd (fate), and things yet to be revealed.

15. Algiz (ᛉ) - Elk, Protection

Keywords: Protection, defense, connection to divine, sanctuary, awakening
Meaning: Algiz is the rune of protection and divine connection. It represents spiritual protection, the connection between human and divine, sanctuary, and the awakening of higher consciousness.

16. Sowilo (ᛋ) - Sun

Keywords: Success, vitality, wholeness, victory, life force, clarity
Meaning: Sowilo is the sun—life force, success, and victory. It represents vitality, wholeness, clarity, and the power of the life-giving sun. It's one of the most positive runes.

Tyr's Aett (Third Eight)

17. Tiwaz (ᛏ) - Tyr, Warrior

Keywords: Justice, honor, sacrifice, victory, leadership, courage
Meaning: Tiwaz is the rune of Tyr, god of justice and war. It represents honor, justice, self-sacrifice for the greater good, victory through right action, and warrior courage.

18. Berkano (ᛒ) - Birch, Birth

Keywords: Birth, growth, fertility, new beginnings, nurturing, renewal
Meaning: Berkano is the birch tree and the rune of birth and new beginnings. It represents fertility, growth, nurturing energy, and the gentle power of new life emerging.

19. Ehwaz (ᛖ) - Horse

Keywords: Movement, partnership, trust, progress, harmony, teamwork
Meaning: Ehwaz represents the horse and the partnership between horse and rider. It's about trust, teamwork, harmonious movement, and progress through cooperation.

20. Mannaz (ᛗ) - Human

Keywords: Humanity, self, community, intelligence, cooperation, mortality
Meaning: Mannaz represents humanity and the self. It's about human nature, community, cooperation, intelligence, and our place in the web of existence.

21. Laguz (ᛚ) - Water, Lake

Keywords: Flow, intuition, emotions, dreams, the unconscious, adaptability
Meaning: Laguz is water—flowing, deep, and mysterious. It represents intuition, emotions, the unconscious mind, dreams, and the ability to flow and adapt like water.

22. Ingwaz (ᛜ) - Ing, Fertility

Keywords: Fertility, gestation, potential, completion, new phase, internal growth
Meaning: Ingwaz represents the god Ing and the energy of gestation. It's about potential waiting to be born, internal growth, and the completion of one phase before beginning another.

23. Dagaz (ᛞ) - Day

Keywords: Breakthrough, awakening, clarity, transformation, balance, new day
Meaning: Dagaz is the dawn—the breakthrough moment when darkness becomes light. It represents awakening, transformation, clarity, and the balance point between opposites.

24. Othala (ᛟ) - Ancestral Property

Keywords: Heritage, inheritance, home, ancestors, tradition, legacy
Meaning: Othala represents ancestral property and heritage. It's about inheritance (material and spiritual), home, family, tradition, and the legacy we receive and pass on.

The Blank Rune (Wyrd)

Some modern rune sets include a 25th blank rune called Wyrd or Odin's Rune, representing fate, the unknowable, or divine will. This is a modern addition not found in historical rune sets. Some practitioners use it, others don't.

Choosing Your Rune Set

Materials

• Stone: Traditional, grounding, durable. Each stone is unique.
• Wood: Natural, warm, connected to trees and nature
• Bone or Antler: Traditional, powerful, connected to animals
• Clay or Ceramic: Handmade, personal, earthy
• Crystal: Combines rune energy with crystal properties
• Metal: Durable, traditional for some runes

Making Your Own Runes

Many practitioners prefer to make their own runes:

1. Collect 24 similar stones, wood slices, or clay pieces
2. Carve or paint the rune symbols on each piece
3. Consecrate them with your intention
4. This creates a deep personal connection with your runes

How to Read Runes

Preparing for a Reading

1. Cleanse your runes: Smoke, moonlight, or intention
2. Create sacred space: Quiet, undisturbed area
3. Ground and center: Deep breathing, meditation
4. Set intention: State your question or purpose
5. Invoke if desired: Call on Odin, the Norns, or your guides

Casting Methods

Single Rune Draw

Pull one rune for quick guidance or a daily message. Simple and direct.

Three Rune Spread

Draw three runes representing:

• Past - Present - Future
• Situation - Action - Outcome
• Body - Mind - Spirit

Rune Cast

Traditional method: Hold all runes, focus on your question, then cast them onto a cloth. Read the runes that land face-up, noting their positions and relationships.

Nine Rune Spread

Draw nine runes in a grid for a comprehensive reading covering multiple life areas.

Reading the Runes

• Face-up runes: Active energies, conscious influences
• Face-down runes: Hidden influences, unconscious factors (some readers ignore these)
• Reversed runes: Some readers interpret reversed runes as blocked or opposite energy; others don't use reversals
• Proximity: Runes near each other influence each other's meanings
• Patterns: Notice if multiple runes from the same aett appear

Tips for Beginners

Learn One Rune at a Time

Don't try to memorize all 24 at once. Learn one rune per day or week, meditating on its meaning and energy.

Keep a Rune Journal

Record your daily rune draws, readings, and insights. Track which runes appear frequently and what they mean for you.

Meditate with Runes

Hold a rune while meditating to connect with its energy. Visualize the symbol and let it speak to you.

Trust Your Intuition

While traditional meanings are important, your personal connection to each rune matters most. Trust your intuitive interpretations.

Study Norse Mythology

Understanding the myths, gods, and worldview of the Norse people deepens your rune practice.

Rune Magic Beyond Divination

Runes can be used for more than divination:

• Protection: Carve or draw protective runes (Algiz, Thurisaz)
• Manifestation: Create rune bindrunes (combined runes) for specific goals
• Meditation: Focus on a rune's energy for personal growth
• Talismans: Carry specific runes for their energy
• Galdr: Chanting rune names or sounds for magical purposes

Ethics and Respect

Cultural Respect

Runes come from Norse and Germanic cultures. Approach them with respect for their origins and avoid cultural appropriation. Learn about the history and context.

Avoid Hate Symbols

Unfortunately, some runes have been co-opted by hate groups. Be aware of this and clearly distance your practice from such misuse.

Honor the Tradition

While you can adapt rune reading to your practice, maintain respect for the ancient tradition and the cultures that created it.

Final Thoughts

Rune reading connects you with the wisdom of the ancient Norse people and the primal forces of nature. These powerful symbols carry the weight of centuries and the magic of the old gods. Whether you're drawn to Norse spirituality, attracted to the earthy simplicity of runes, or seeking a divination method with deep historical roots, rune reading offers profound guidance and spiritual connection.

Start simply. Learn the runes one at a time. Practice daily draws. Build a relationship with these ancient symbols. Over time, the runes will become trusted allies on your spiritual journey, offering wisdom, guidance, and connection to the ancestral past.

The runes are calling. Will you answer?