Unlock Ancient Wisdom: A Comprehensive Guide to Reading Runes

Runes, those enigmatic symbols etched into wood and stone, have captivated the human imagination for centuries. Far from being mere alphabets, they are believed to hold profound spiritual significance, offering insights into the past, present, and future. Learning to read runes is a journey into the heart of ancient wisdom, a practice that can enrich your life with self-discovery, guidance, and a deeper connection to the world around you. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, from understanding the history and meaning of each rune to performing your own readings.

A Brief History of Runes

The runes we primarily work with today stem from the Elder Futhark, the oldest known runic alphabet, which emerged in Germanic regions around the 1st century AD. These were not simply letters used for writing; they were powerful symbols associated with deities, natural forces, and fundamental concepts of the universe. Each rune held a unique name, sound, and a wealth of symbolic meaning. Over time, the Elder Futhark evolved into Younger Futharks, and later, Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, reflecting the changing languages and cultures of the peoples who used them. While we will focus primarily on the Elder Futhark in this guide, understanding this history provides crucial context for your rune practice.

The Runes of the Elder Futhark: A Detailed Exploration

The Elder Futhark consists of 24 runes, each with its own distinct shape, name, meaning, and divinatory interpretation. Let’s explore them one by one:

1. Fehu (ᚠ)

Sound: F
Meaning: Cattle, wealth, prosperity, abundance, possessions.
Divinatory Meaning: Fehu often indicates financial security, material success, and the fulfillment of goals. It can also suggest the need to be mindful of how you handle your resources and not hoard them. Upright it means prosperity, success, growth and well being, and reversed it suggests loss of possessions, disappointment and greed.

2. Uruz (ᚢ)

Sound: U
Meaning: Aurochs (wild ox), strength, untamed power, vitality, primal force.
Divinatory Meaning: Uruz signifies raw power, physical strength, and the ability to overcome challenges. It can represent a time of significant change or a surge of energy that needs to be channeled effectively. Upright it indicates physical strength, courage, life force and reversed means weakness, lack of motivation and control.

3. Thurisaz (ᚦ)

Sound: Th (as in ‘thorn’)
Meaning: Giant, thorn, protection, defense, a doorway.
Divinatory Meaning: Thurisaz represents a threshold, a point of transformation or a necessary challenge. It can also signify the need for protection and the potential for both destruction and new beginnings. Upright it symbolizes change, opportunity, a gateway to something new, reversed means vulnerability, danger, feeling threatened.

4. Ansuz (ᚨ)

Sound: A
Meaning: God, communication, wisdom, divine inspiration, intellect.
Divinatory Meaning: Ansuz relates to communication, knowledge, and the importance of listening to your intuition and the wisdom of others. It encourages seeking deeper understanding and using your voice effectively. Upright it means communication, inspiration, a sign or message, and reversed means misunderstandings, deception, blocked communication.

5. Raido (ᚱ)

Sound: R
Meaning: Wheel, journey, rhythm, order, the right path.
Divinatory Meaning: Raido signifies movement, both physical and metaphorical, and finding your path. It highlights the importance of balance and aligning yourself with the natural flow of life. Upright it indicates journeys, travel, new paths, and reversed means delays, set back and a feeling of being lost.

6. Kenaz (ᚲ)

Sound: K or C
Meaning: Torch, knowledge, clarity, skill, creativity.
Divinatory Meaning: Kenaz represents the ability to see things clearly and illuminate a situation. It symbolizes creativity, passion, and the skill to manifest your goals. Upright it symbolizes knowledge, enlightenment, skills, and reversed means confusion, lack of focus and an inability to progress.

7. Gebo (ᚷ)

Sound: G
Meaning: Gift, partnership, balance, generosity, exchange.
Divinatory Meaning: Gebo signifies partnerships, agreements, and the giving and receiving of energy. It emphasizes the importance of balance and mutual respect in relationships. This rune has no reversed meaning. It only indicates gifts, balance, partnerships, generosity and unity.

8. Wunjo (ᚹ)

Sound: W or V
Meaning: Joy, happiness, harmony, success, contentment.
Divinatory Meaning: Wunjo represents joy, satisfaction, and the fulfillment of desires. It suggests a time of harmony and positive outcomes. Upright it means joy, success, happiness, and reversed it symbolizes sadness, disharmony, and lack of fulfillment.

9. Hagalaz (ᚺ)

Sound: H
Meaning: Hail, disruption, natural forces, destruction, change.
Divinatory Meaning: Hagalaz represents unpredictable events, sudden challenges, and the need to accept change. It often signals a period of disruption that ultimately leads to growth. This rune has no reversed meaning. It indicates disruption, change, sudden events, the need for acceptance, and transformation.

10. Naudhiz (ᚾ)

Sound: N
Meaning: Need, necessity, constraint, patience, endurance.
Divinatory Meaning: Naudhiz signifies challenges, limitations, and the need to persevere. It suggests that difficult times can lead to inner strength and resourcefulness. Upright it indicates hardship, the need for patience, obstacles, and reversed it means relief from pain, positive outcome after hardship, and finding strength.

11. Isa (ᛁ)

Sound: I
Meaning: Ice, stagnation, stillness, inner reflection, blockage.
Divinatory Meaning: Isa signifies a period of inactivity, contemplation, and the need to slow down. It can represent stagnation but also the opportunity for introspection. This rune has no reversed meaning. It means stillness, reflection, patience, and blockage.

12. Jera (ᛃ)

Sound: J or Y
Meaning: Year, harvest, cycles, rewards, gradual change.
Divinatory Meaning: Jera signifies cycles of life, the reaping of what you have sown, and the natural flow of time. It suggests patience and the gradual progress of things. This rune has no reversed meaning. It means patience, slow growth, positive outcome, the cycle of life.

13. Eihwaz (ᛇ)

Sound: Ei (as in ‘eight’)
Meaning: Yew tree, resilience, endurance, transformation, death.
Divinatory Meaning: Eihwaz represents overcoming challenges, inner strength, and the transition from one stage to another. It symbolizes resilience and the potential for transformation through adversity. This rune has no reversed meaning. It indicates resilience, endurance, change, facing the hard things in life.

14. Perthro (ᛈ)

Sound: P
Meaning: Lot cup, mystery, fate, the unknown, initiation.
Divinatory Meaning: Perthro is about the mysteries of life, the unexpected, and the unfolding of destiny. It represents hidden talents, potential, and the possibility of uncovering secrets. Upright it means new beginnings, mysteries, potential, and reversed it represents stagnation, disappointment, lack of luck.

15. Algiz (ᛉ)

Sound: Z or R
Meaning: Elk, protection, defense, support, higher guidance.
Divinatory Meaning: Algiz signifies divine protection, guidance, and the need to be open to receiving support from higher sources. It suggests being mindful of your vulnerabilities and seeking safety. Upright it means protection, safety, positive influence and reversed it indicates vulnerability, danger, being cut off from protection.

16. Sowilo (ᛋ)

Sound: S
Meaning: Sun, success, victory, power, wholeness.
Divinatory Meaning: Sowilo represents success, victory, and the energy of the sun. It signifies clarity, positive energy, and the potential for achieving your goals. This rune has no reversed meaning. It means success, victory, positive energy, wholeness.

17. Tiwaz (ᛏ)

Sound: T
Meaning: Tyr (god of justice), justice, fairness, courage, leadership.
Divinatory Meaning: Tiwaz signifies justice, fairness, and the importance of standing up for what is right. It embodies courage, strength, and the qualities of a true leader. Upright it means justice, fairness, courage, and reversed it indicates unfairness, lack of courage, injustice.

18. Berkana (ᛒ)

Sound: B
Meaning: Birch tree, growth, fertility, nurturing, new beginnings.
Divinatory Meaning: Berkana represents growth, fertility, and the nurturing aspects of life. It signifies new beginnings, healing, and the potential for personal development. Upright it means growth, healing, nurturing, and reversed it suggests family troubles, lack of support, and obstacles to personal growth.

19. Ehwaz (ᛖ)

Sound: E
Meaning: Horse, partnership, teamwork, loyalty, trust.
Divinatory Meaning: Ehwaz signifies teamwork, partnership, and the importance of collaboration. It emphasizes the need for trust, loyalty, and a shared vision. Upright it means partnership, teamwork, loyalty, and reversed it suggests conflict, separation, lack of harmony.

20. Mannaz (ᛗ)

Sound: M
Meaning: Mankind, self, humanity, relationships, community.
Divinatory Meaning: Mannaz represents the self, your relationships with others, and the importance of community. It encourages introspection, self-awareness, and the recognition of your place in the world. Upright it means self awareness, personal growth, and reversed it indicates depression, lack of self awareness, isolation.

21. Laguz (ᛚ)

Sound: L
Meaning: Water, flow, intuition, emotions, the unconscious.
Divinatory Meaning: Laguz signifies flow, intuition, and the power of the unconscious mind. It encourages going with the flow, trusting your inner voice, and being attuned to your emotions. Upright it means flow, intuition, dreams, and reversed it suggests being overwhelmed, lack of direction, emotional chaos.

22. Ingwaz (ᛝ)

Sound: Ng (as in ‘sing’)
Meaning: Ing (Norse god), fertility, potential, new beginnings, completion.
Divinatory Meaning: Ingwaz represents potential, new beginnings, and the culmination of efforts. It signifies a period of rest before starting a new cycle and achieving a state of completion. This rune has no reversed meaning. It indicates completion, new beginnings, rest, and potential.

23. Dagaz (ᛞ)

Sound: D
Meaning: Day, breakthrough, clarity, transformation, enlightenment.
Divinatory Meaning: Dagaz represents breakthroughs, enlightenment, and the possibility for significant change. It symbolizes a shift in perspective and a new day dawning. This rune has no reversed meaning. It indicates clarity, transformation, breakthroughs and enlightenment.

24. Othala (ᛟ)

Sound: O
Meaning: Ancestral property, heritage, legacy, home, tradition.
Divinatory Meaning: Othala signifies ancestral roots, heritage, and the importance of family. It represents a sense of belonging, traditions, and the inheritance of wisdom and values. Upright it means heritage, home, family, and reversed it suggests being homeless, lack of tradition, being out of sync with family or cultural roots.

Preparing for Your Rune Reading

Before diving into a rune reading, it’s essential to prepare your space and yourself. This process creates a sacred atmosphere and allows you to connect more deeply with the runes.

1. Gather Your Materials

Runes: You can purchase a pre-made rune set or craft your own. Traditionally, runes are made of wood, stone, or bone. Choose a material that resonates with you.
A Cloth or Casting Surface: Select a cloth or mat that you’ll use to cast your runes. This should be a clean and clear space.
A Journal: Keep a journal to record your readings, interpretations, and any insights you gain. This will help you track your progress and understand the nuances of your own rune practice.
Optional: Incense, Candles, or Crystals: You can incorporate these elements to enhance the atmosphere and create a more focused reading space. Choose items that resonate with you and your intentions.

2. Cleanse Your Runes

Before your first reading and periodically afterward, cleanse your runes to clear them of any previous energies. Here are a few cleansing methods:

Smudging: Pass your runes through the smoke of sage, palo santo, or other cleansing herbs.
Salt Bath: Place your runes in a bowl of sea salt for a few hours.
Sun or Moonlight: Leave your runes in direct sunlight or moonlight for a few hours to absorb their energy.
Visualization: Hold each rune individually, visualize pure white light surrounding it, and intend for any negative energies to be released.

3. Create a Sacred Space

Find a quiet space where you can focus without distractions. This could be a special corner in your home or any area where you feel calm and grounded. Light a candle, play soft music, or use any other elements that help you create a peaceful atmosphere.

4. Connect With Your Runes

Before each reading, take a moment to connect with your runes. Hold them in your hands, feel their energy, and silently or aloud state your intention for the reading. A simple affirmation like, “I seek clarity and understanding from these runes,” can help align your focus.

Casting and Reading the Runes

There are various methods for casting and reading runes, each offering unique insights and perspectives. Here are a few popular spreads to get you started:

1. The One-Rune Draw

This is the simplest and most straightforward method. It’s ideal for quick questions or daily guidance.

Step 1: Shuffle your runes while focusing on your question or intention.
Step 2: Draw one rune from the bag or pouch.
Step 3: Refer to the meaning of the rune to gain insight into your situation.

2. The Three-Rune Spread

This spread is useful for exploring a situation in more detail, providing past, present, and future insights.

Step 1: Shuffle your runes while focusing on your question or intention.
Step 2: Draw three runes. Place them from left to right.
Step 3: Interpret the runes:
- Rune 1 (Left): Represents the past influences or the root of the situation.
- Rune 2 (Middle): Represents the present situation or the current challenges and opportunities.
- Rune 3 (Right): Represents the potential future outcome or the direction you’re heading.

3. The Five-Rune Spread (Cross Spread)

This spread provides a deeper understanding of a situation, exploring the obstacles and influences surrounding it.

Step 1: Shuffle your runes while focusing on your question or intention.
Step 2: Draw five runes and lay them out as follows: Rune 1 is at the center, Rune 2 is on the left, Rune 3 is on the right, Rune 4 above and rune 5 below the center rune.
Step 3: Interpret the runes:

Rune 1 (Center): Represents the core of the situation or the main issue.
Rune 2 (Left): Represents the past influences or factors leading up to the current situation.
Rune 3 (Right): Represents the future outcome or the potential course of action.
Rune 4 (Above): Represents the challenges or obstacles you are facing.
Rune 5 (Below): Represents the hidden influences or the underlying support.

4. The Nine-Rune Spread

This more advanced reading offers a very in-depth look at any situation and may be useful for those seeking detailed guidance on their overall path. It is laid out like a box, with the central rune at the very center of the square and each corner filled one after the other.

Step 1: Shuffle your runes while focusing on your question or intention.
Step 2: Draw nine runes and lay them out as follows: runes 1-8 are around the center rune and the central rune is rune 9
Step 3: Interpret the runes:
- Rune 1: The immediate past
- Rune 2: Immediate challenges
- Rune 3: The influences in the situation
- Rune 4: Hidden factors in the situation
- Rune 5: What you have control of
- Rune 6: What is out of your control
- Rune 7: The immediate future
- Rune 8: What needs to be done about the situation
- Rune 9 (Center): Overall message or likely outcome.

Interpreting Your Rune Readings

Interpreting rune readings is a subjective process that blends knowledge with intuition. Here are some tips to enhance your understanding:

1. Know the Runes

Familiarize yourself with the individual meanings of each rune. The more you study and contemplate their symbolism, the more accurately you’ll be able to interpret them.

2. Consider Context

Pay attention to the position of each rune in the spread, as well as the runes surrounding it. This provides crucial context for their meaning. For instance, a rune that represents challenges might have a different interpretation if it’s next to one that symbolizes positive support versus one that symbolizes obstacles.

3. Trust Your Intuition

Don’t solely rely on textbook meanings. Allow your intuition to guide you, and trust the messages that resonate with you. Runes can be very symbolic and the meaning you see might be different to what someone else sees. Both are correct as the meaning will be for the person who did the reading.

4. Journal Your Readings

Record each reading in your journal, including the runes that appeared, their positions, and your interpretations. This will help you track your progress, identify patterns, and deepen your understanding of the runes.

5. Practice Regularly

Like any skill, rune reading improves with practice. The more you use your runes, the more familiar you’ll become with their nuances and your own intuitive abilities.

Reversed Runes and Their Interpretations

Some rune readers choose to consider reversed runes, where the rune falls upside down. Reversed runes often signify a challenge, blockage, or a distorted expression of the rune’s upright meaning. For example, a reversed Fehu might indicate a financial loss or a struggle with resources. It’s important to note that some runes don’t have reverse meanings and their meaning remains the same, regardless of what way up they are. Remember not to force a reverse meaning if you do not see it.

However, not all readers use reversals, some choose to interpret a rune in its specific position and the meaning it brings based on the overall reading, regardless of whether it looks reversed. This is another personal choice and there is not a right or wrong way, but for the purpose of this guide we have included them.

Ethical Considerations in Rune Reading

As with any divinatory practice, it’s important to approach rune reading with ethical considerations:

Respect the Runes: Treat the runes with respect, recognizing their historical and spiritual significance.
Avoid Doom and Gloom: Refrain from interpreting the runes in a way that creates fear or anxiety. Focus on positive guidance and possibilities.
Empower Others: Use rune readings to empower others, helping them to understand their situations and make their own choices.
Maintain Confidentiality: Keep readings and personal information private and confidential.
Know Your Limits: If you feel unqualified to interpret a reading, refer the querent to a more experienced practitioner.

The Path of a Rune Reader

Learning to read runes is a journey, not a destination. It requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to explore the depths of your own intuition. As you delve deeper into the world of runes, you’ll discover not only a powerful tool for divination but also a path to self-discovery and spiritual growth. Embrace the mysteries, trust your intuition, and let the wisdom of the runes illuminate your way. Embrace the magic, the wisdom, and the endless possibilities that await you on your rune-reading journey. The journey with the runes is personal and only you can choose where it takes you.