Runes

The power of the Runes

The Runes were the Viking alphabet and came out of more ancient writing systems. Like many cultures, the Vikings attributed magical powers to writing and letters, and they used the Runes to spiritually protect their property and to keep evil spirits at bay.

To the priests and seers (often wise women) of the Vikings, each Runic letter represented a power and had a spiritual vibration all of its own. As a divination tool, the Runes were used by the Vikings to look into the future, and divine what was in store for them in battle, at harvest, at sea or in love.

Historically, there were different Runic alphabets, used throughout the times of the Vikings. The Runic alphabet is called the “Futhark” because of the sounds made by the first six Rune letters f-u-th-a/o-r-c/k. The eldest Runic futhark is known as the Elder Futhark. The later Viking period produced a more streamlined futhark today called the Viking Futhark and finally there was an Anglo-Saxon Futhark found in present day Britain. It is the Elder Futhark Runes that most commonly used in Rune readings.

How the Runes are read

In the same way that Tarot readings begin with the reader asking a question, a Rune reading or Rune casting will also begin with a question. In a sense you as the questioner are asking the Runes to answer as you concentrate on your question.

The Rune reader pulls Runes from a Rune bag and places them either singly or into a layout or casting spread. The type of Rune casting used will depend on the nature of the type of reading and the reader themselves. The number of Runes used in casting also changes depending how much depth is needed in the Rune reading.

The Rune symbolism and also its placement in the casting will guide the Rune reader toward the meaning that will ultimately help you to answer your question.

Enjoy the power and simplicity of a Rune reading by selecting one of our talented British Rune readers above.