Let us begin with an overview of the history of ancient runes. Runes can be dated back to 200 ac. The Futhark is the oldest rune alphabet and was used between 200 and 800 ac. From the beginning, every alphabet represent a sound and a number. u=1, th=2, a=3, and so on. �F� was considered a sound of richness and held the number 24. In ancient times, magical numbers and holy signs controlled the language and laws of the land.
What is the use of runes? Generally, people use them to seek advice. They work the best when a specific question is posed in concordance to current situations. Runes won�t directly tell you what you seek to know, rather they point you in the right direction. Consider runes a form of soul searching. They open channels and windows that you never knew existed.
The Runic Alphabet is twenty-four characters long. What follows is a listing of all these characters, along with their personality attributes. It is important to observe that the alphabet is separated into three families, Frey�s Aett, Hagal�s Aett, and Tyr Aett.
Freyr�s Aett
Fehu: (fay-who) Represents wealth; money; possessions; energy; hard work; spiritual richness; fertility.
Uruz: (ooo-rooz) Represents physical/emotional/spiritual strength; fortitude; bravery; freedom; health; virility; challenge; change.
Thurisaz: (thoor-ee-saws) Represents the subconscious mind; energy; ire; desire; order vs. chaos; masculinity.
Ansuz: (awn-sooze) Represents creativity; divinity; spiritual power; prophecy; revelation; wisdom; knowledge; reason; teaching; test.
Raidho: (rye-though) Represents travel; movement; direction; quest; spiritual journey; wheel of life.
Kenaz: (kane-awze) Represents knowing; understanding; illumination; companionship; health; light; truth; dispelling.
Gebo: (gae-boe or yee-boe) Represents bond; relationship; partnership; union; mutual affection.
Wunjo: (woon-yo) Represents rewards; goodness; satisfaction; achievement; accord; spirituality; teamwork; companionship; sharing; joy; youth.
Hagal's Aett
Hagalaz: (haw-gaw-laws) Represents disruption; unexpected event; limitation; interruption; delay; change; suffering; hardship; illness; injury.
Nauthiz: (now-these) Represents being in need; adversity; adversity; willpower; endurance; patience; setback.
Isa: (ee-saw) Represents delay; protection; ice; frigidity; preserving; freezing; obstacle.
Jera: (yare-awe) Represents harvest; fruitfulness; the seasons; progress; change; growth; justice.
Eihwaz: (eye-wawz) Represents death; rebirth; continuity; endurance; courage; strength.
Perthro: (perth-row) Represents skill; possibility; fate; disclosure of the hidden or secret; birth; moderation; good sense.
Algiz: (all-yeese) Represents protection; banishment; success.
Sowilo: (soe-wee-low) Represents victory; the sun; light; good; triumph of good over evil.
Tyr's Aett
Tiwaz: (tea-wawz) Represents war; fairness; law; regulation; sacrifice; resolve.
Berkano: (bear-kawn-oh) Represents renewal; regeneration; purification; healing; recovery; family; home; fertility; birth; new beginnings.
Ehwaz: (ay-wawz) Represents controlled change; progress; advancement; journey; partnership; trust; loyalty; faith.
Mannaz: (mawn-nawz) Represents intellect; planning; cooperation; the common good; humanity.
Laguz: (lay-gooze) Represents fluidity; changeability; lack of control; passion; subconscious; intuition; psychic ability; femininity.
Ingwaz: (eeeng-wawz) Represents completion; health; strength; family; safety; security; protection.
Dagaz: (thaw-gawz) Represents day; light; inspiration; growth; progress; development; change.
Othala: (oath-awe-law) Represents home; fixation; inherited characteristics; family bond; strength; accomplishments; talents; experience.
Now that you have a grasp on the alphabet, you can begin learning how to cast runes. First, draw the number of runes desired out of your runebag and arrange them according to the rules of the reading. Do not look at the runes until they are arranged. There are many different ways to perform a rune reading. The following are those possibilities.
The Three Rune Reading:
1 Here/now
2 Path
3 There/future
The Six Rune Reading:
1 & 2 Here/now
3 & 4 Path
5 & 6 There/future
The Seven Rune Reading:
7 Outcome
5 & 6 Best course of action
3 & 4 Outside influences
1 & 2 Problem
The Cross Reading:
4 Helps
3 - Past 1 - Present 5 � Future
2 Hindrances
A rune script is a set of runes that has been transferred to items such as paper, wood, etc. Rune scripts are made for the individual purpose and are therefore often unique. An example of a rune script would be a script of protection. The most successful rune scripts are charged with the creator�s energy. Thus, the script is truly your own, and will guide and protect you.
Several runes have very useful purposes with respect to rune scripts. With study of the Alphabet, they should be apparent to you. Here are two examples to guide you on the right path. The rune Is refers to preservation, and is usually placed at the end of script to preserve its effect. The rune Feoh at the end of a script, can strengthen and increase the power of that script.
Runes can be used in talismans and messages of luck. What follows is a listing of those runes and what they mean.
Fehu: Used to wish luck in education and wisdom
Uruz: Used to clear impediments and create prospects
Thurisaz: Used to achieve the proper and correct decision
Ansuz: Used to send positive feelings
Raido: Used to wish a safe voyage
Kano: Used to create vigor, self-confidence, and a positive attitude
Gebo: Used to draw and/or sustain romantic ventures
Wunjo: Used to promote pleasure through harmony and accord
Hagalaz: Used to promote substantial changes
Nauthiz: Used to wish success with future goals
Iso: Used to defuse potentially threatening situations
Jera: Used to wish success in a new project
Eiwaz: Used to wish success in resolving problems
Perth: Used to find lost possessions and make a financial gain
Algiz: Used for protection and security
Sowelo: Used for wellbeing, peace of mind, and sexual prowess
Tiewazo: Used to triumph over adversity
Berkana: Used to promote positive changes in relation to family
Ehwaz: Used to provide the grit to do the right thing
Mannaz: Used to obtain positive reinforcement from others
Laguz: Used to obtain inner guidance or to increase stamina
Inguz: Used to conclude a cycle of events or a project
Dagaz: Used to promote providential new beginnings
Othila: Used to achieve personal glory or team glory
What you have just completed is simply a beginners study of runes. There are many other rune alphabets that can be used. There are more layouts associated with these other alphabets. Also, rune positions can be viewed differently. Runes is an art of divination. They don�t show the future. Rather, they show the possibilities the future has to offer.
