Rune Casting for Beginners

The Ancient Power of Runes

Runes are far more than an ancient alphabet—they're a sacred divination system used by Norse and Germanic peoples for over 2,000 years. Each rune is a symbol of power, carrying deep wisdom, magical properties, and the ability to reveal hidden truths. When you cast runes, you're tapping into an ancient tradition of seeking guidance from the cosmos and your own inner knowing.

Unlike tarot or oracle cards with their detailed imagery, runes are elegantly simple—just symbols carved or painted on stones, wood, or other materials. But this simplicity is deceptive. Each rune contains layers of meaning, connecting you to primal forces, archetypal energies, and timeless wisdom.

This guide will teach you everything you need to begin your rune casting journey, from understanding the Elder Futhark alphabet to interpreting your first rune reading.

Understanding the Elder Futhark

What Is the Elder Futhark?

The Elder Futhark is the oldest runic alphabet, consisting of 24 runes divided into three groups of eight called "aetts" (families). Each rune has:

• A name (Old Norse word)
• A phonetic sound
• A symbolic meaning
• Divinatory interpretations
• Magical properties

The Three Aetts

Freya's Aett (First Eight): Foundation, beginnings, primal forces

• Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kenaz, Gebo, Wunjo

Heimdall's Aett (Second Eight): Challenges, transformation, growth

• Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perthro, Algiz, Sowilo

Tyr's Aett (Third Eight): Spiritual development, completion, mastery

• Tiwaz, Berkano, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, Ingwaz, Dagaz, Othala

The 24 Runes: Basic Meanings

Freya's Aett

1. Fehu (F): Wealth, abundance, cattle, mobile property
Meaning: Material prosperity, financial gain, earned income, new beginnings

2. Uruz (U): Aurochs (wild ox), strength, vitality
Meaning: Physical strength, health, primal power, untamed energy, endurance

3. Thurisaz (TH): Thorn, giant, protection
Meaning: Defense, conflict, breakthrough, reactive force, gateway

4. Ansuz (A): Divine breath, Odin, communication
Meaning: Wisdom, divine messages, communication, inspiration, revelation

5. Raidho (R): Wagon, journey, riding
Meaning: Travel, movement, rhythm, right action, life path

6. Kenaz (K): Torch, fire, knowledge
Meaning: Illumination, creativity, transformation, inner fire, skill

7. Gebo (G): Gift, exchange, partnership
Meaning: Generosity, relationships, balance, sacred exchange, union

8. Wunjo (W): Joy, perfection, harmony
Meaning: Happiness, success, fellowship, well-being, fulfillment

Heimdall's Aett

9. Hagalaz (H): Hail, disruption, natural forces
Meaning: Sudden change, destruction leading to transformation, uncontrolled forces

10. Nauthiz (N): Need, necessity, constraint
Meaning: Resistance, lessons, necessity, friction, delayed gratification

11. Isa (I): Ice, stillness, stasis
Meaning: Standstill, patience, frozen situation, introspection, waiting

12. Jera (J/Y): Year, harvest, cycles
Meaning: Reward for effort, natural cycles, patience, fruition, seasons

13. Eihwaz (EI): Yew tree, endurance, death/rebirth
Meaning: Transformation, initiation, endings and beginnings, resilience

14. Perthro (P): Dice cup, fate, mystery
Meaning: Secrets, hidden things, fate, the unknown, occult knowledge

15. Algiz (Z): Elk, protection, higher self
Meaning: Divine protection, spiritual connection, defense, awakening

16. Sowilo (S): Sun, success, wholeness
Meaning: Victory, success, life force, clarity, achievement

Tyr's Aett

17. Tiwaz (T): Tyr (god of war), justice, honor
Meaning: Victory, justice, sacrifice, leadership, warrior spirit

18. Berkano (B): Birch tree, growth, fertility
Meaning: New beginnings, birth, nurturing, growth, feminine energy

19. Ehwaz (E): Horse, movement, partnership
Meaning: Progress, trust, teamwork, gradual change, loyalty

20. Mannaz (M): Human, self, community
Meaning: The self, humanity, social order, intelligence, cooperation

21. Laguz (L): Water, flow, intuition
Meaning: Emotions, psychic abilities, dreams, the unconscious, flow

22. Ingwaz (NG): Ing (fertility god), potential, gestation
Meaning: Internal growth, potential, fertility, new phase beginning

23. Dagaz (D): Day, dawn, breakthrough
Meaning: Awakening, clarity, transformation, new day, hope

24. Othala (O): Ancestral property, heritage, home
Meaning: Inheritance, tradition, homeland, ancestral wisdom, legacy

Choosing or Making Your Rune Set

Buying Runes

Materials available:

• Stone runes (most common and traditional)
• Wood runes (natural and warm energy)
• Crystal runes (each crystal adds its properties)
• Bone or antler runes (powerful, primal energy)
• Clay runes (handmade, personal)

What to look for:

• Comfortable size (not too small or large)
• Clear, readable symbols
• Pleasant to hold and handle
• Comes with a pouch for storage
• Feels right energetically

Making Your Own Runes

Creating your own runes is a powerful way to connect with them.

Simple method:

1. Gather 24 small, flat stones or wood discs
2. Clean and cleanse them
3. Paint or carve each rune symbol
4. As you create each rune, meditate on its meaning
5. Seal with varnish if desired
6. Consecrate the complete set

Consecrating Your Runes

1. Cleanse with sage, salt, or moonlight
2. Hold the set in your hands
3. State your intention: "These runes are consecrated as tools for divine guidance"
4. Pass through the four elements (incense for air, candle for fire, water, salt for earth)
5. Sleep with them under your pillow for three nights
6. They're now ready to use

Basic Rune Casting Methods

Method 1: Single Rune Draw

Perfect for daily guidance or simple questions.

How to cast:

1. Hold your rune pouch
2. Focus on your question or ask for daily guidance
3. Reach in without looking
4. Draw one rune
5. Interpret its message

Method 2: Three Rune Spread

The most popular rune casting method.

Positions:

• Rune 1: The situation/past
• Rune 2: The challenge/present
• Rune 3: The outcome/future

How to cast:

1. Draw three runes from the pouch
2. Lay them left to right
3. Read each position
4. Look at how they interact

Method 3: Rune Casting (Traditional)

Cast runes onto a cloth and read their positions.

How to cast:

1. Use a white cloth as your casting surface
2. Hold all runes in your hands
3. Focus on your question
4. Gently toss runes onto the cloth
5. Read only the runes that land face-up
6. Runes closer to you = immediate/present
7. Runes farther away = future/distant
8. Runes to the right = external influences
9. Runes to the left = internal influences

Method 4: The Runic Cross

Five-rune spread for deeper insight.

Positions:

1. Center: The present situation
2. Above: Ideal outcome or higher guidance
3. Below: Foundation or root cause
4. Left: Past influences
5. Right: Future direction

Reading Runes: Interpretation Guidelines

Upright vs. Reversed

Some runes look the same upright or reversed. For those that don't:

Upright: Direct, positive, or active expression of the rune's energy

Reversed: Blocked, internalized, or shadow aspect of the rune

Note: Some practitioners don't use reversals. Choose what feels right.

Reading Multiple Runes Together

Look for:

• Which aett dominates? (Freya = beginnings, Heimdall = challenges, Tyr = completion)
• Do runes reinforce or contradict each other?
• What story do they tell together?
• Which rune feels most important?

Trusting Your Intuition

Book meanings are starting points. Your intuitive interpretation matters most.

When reading, notice:

• Your first feeling when you see the rune
• What the symbol makes you think of
• How it relates specifically to your question
• Any sudden insights or knowing

Rune Reading Protocol

Before Casting

1. Ground and center (3 deep breaths)
2. Clear your space (sage or visualization)
3. Set intention ("I seek clear guidance")
4. Formulate your question clearly
5. Hold runes and infuse with question energy

During the Reading

1. Cast or draw using your chosen method
2. First impression (notice immediate feeling)
3. Identify each rune
4. Consider positions (if using a spread)
5. Look up meanings if needed
6. Synthesize the message
7. Trust your intuition over book meanings

After the Reading

1. Record the runes drawn and your interpretation
2. Thank the runes and any guides
3. Return runes to their pouch
4. Ground yourself
5. Take action on the guidance received

Common Beginner Mistakes

Mistake 1: Relying Only on Book Meanings

Runes are symbolic and personal. Your interpretation is valid even if it differs from books.

Mistake 2: Asking the Same Question Repeatedly

If you don't like the answer, asking again won't change it. Trust the first reading.

Mistake 3: Not Cleansing Your Runes

Runes absorb energy. Cleanse them regularly, especially after intense readings.

Mistake 4: Treating Runes as Absolute Fortune-Telling

Runes show possibilities and guidance, not fixed fate. You always have free will.

Mistake 5: Using Runes Frivolously

Runes are sacred tools. Approach them with respect, not as party tricks.

Daily Rune Practice

Morning Rune Draw

1. Each morning, draw one rune
2. Meditate on its meaning
3. Ask: "What energy or lesson does today hold?"
4. Carry that rune's wisdom through your day
5. At night, reflect on how it manifested

Rune Meditation

1. Choose one rune to study
2. Gaze at its symbol
3. Meditate on its meaning
4. Visualize the rune glowing
5. Let it teach you its wisdom
6. Journal your insights

Building Rune Mastery

Week 1-4: Learn one rune per day, meditate on it

Week 5-8: Practice single rune draws daily

Week 9-12: Practice three-rune spreads

Month 4+: Experiment with different casting methods

Your Rune Journey Begins

Runes are more than divination tools—they're keys to ancient wisdom, gateways to your intuition, and allies on your spiritual path. Each rune you cast deepens your connection to this powerful tradition and to your own inner knowing.

Start simple. Draw one rune daily. Learn their meanings gradually. Trust your interpretations. And let these ancient symbols guide you toward clarity, wisdom, and truth.

The runes are calling. Will you answer?