runes cover
How to read the Runes
Odin leading the gods into battle with his raven on his shoulder and spear in his hand

THE RUNES

A guide to using the Runes

(always read from right to left.)

A Single Rune Draw

This is a simple Rune spread where you ask the Runes a yes or no question and then draw one Rune from the bag. If the Rune is right side up, the answer is yes.
If the Rune is upside-down, the answer is no. If the rune you picked makes no sense as a response to your question, ask another question or try again later.
Three Rune Cast
Draw a Rune from the bag (without looking) and set it down. If the rune is face down then turn it over HORIZONTALLY not vertically (turning the Rune over vertically may reverse it). Repeat the process twice more, you should have 3 Runes to look like this:
3 2 1
Rune 1 ~ overview of the situation or question that you presented
Rune 2 ~ challenge of the situation /question.
Rune 3 ~ course of action, some wisdom or a direction to point you in.
This method is helpful in getting an overall view of a given situation and providing some idea about a future outcome.

Five Rune Cast

This spread is done in much the same way as the 3 Runes Spread but set out differently.
1 Overview of the Situation 2 Challenge 3 Course of Action Called for 4 Sacrifice 5 New Situation Evolving

After you draw a Rune from the bag for this spread write the Rune down and put it back. This way you will be drawing from all 25 Runes.

 

Sowelu Wholeness (cannot be reversed)

 REPRESENTS: success, energy, power, activity, fertility, health

INTERPRETATION: energy, strength, success, healing, fertility

Isa Standstill (cannot be reversed)

REPRESENTS: inactivity, blockage, stagnation, potential, patience, reflection, withdrawal, rest.

INTERPRETATION: to stop a process; to represent primal form, to calm volatile situations.

Mannaz Self

REPRESENTS: attract goodwill, family, community, relationships, social contacts.

INTERPRETATION: to represent a specific person or group of people; to establish social relationships.

 Dagaz Breakthrough (cannot be reversed)

 REPRESENTS: happiness, success, activity, a fulfilling lifestyle, satisfaction.

INTERPRETATION: to bring a positive outcome, create new opportunities.

Thurisa Gateway

REPRESENTS: hardship, painful event, discipline, knowledge, introspection, focus.

INTERPRETATION: aid in study and meditation, self-discipline, clearing out a bad situation , protection and defence.

Gebo Partnership

REPRESENTS: gift, offering, relationship, love, marriage, partnership, generosity, unexpected good fortune.

INTERPRETATION: to find or strengthen a relationship, for fertility, to mark a gift or offering, to bring luck ,promote harmony. 

 Ansuz Signals

REPRESENTS: authority figure, leader, truth and wisdom, mind & body balance, justice, shaman, clairvoyant

INTERPRETATION: for wise decisions, success, leadership; to help pass exams and gain wisdom.

Raido Journey

 REPRESENTS: journey, pilgrimage, change, destiny, quest, progress, life lessons.

INTERPRETATION: protection for travellers, to bring about change, to reconnect.

Hagalz Disruption (cannot be reversed)

REPRESENTS: sudden loss, ordeal, destruction, disaster, clearance, testing, drastic change.

INTERPRETATION: removing unwanted influences, breaking destructive patterns.

Othila Separation

REPRESENTS: property, land, inheritance, home, permanence, legacy, synthesis, sense of belonging .

INTERPRETATION: for acquiring land or property, to complete a project, to strengthen family ties.

Uruz Strength

REPRESENTS: passion, vitality, instinct, wildness, sexuality, fertility, the unconscious, primitive mind, irrationality.

INTERPRETATION: to strengthen the will, increase sexual potency and energy.

Laguz Flow

REPRESENTS: emotions, fears, revelation, intuition, counselling .

INTERPRETATION: enhancing psychic abilities, confronting fears, stabilising mental or emotional disorders.

Nauthiz Constraint

REPRESENTS: poverty, hardship, responsibility, discontent, obstacle, frustration.

INTERPRETATION: represents a need to be filled  

Berkana Growth

 REPRESENTS: fertility, health, new beginnings, growth, conception, plenty, clearance.

INTERPRETATION: healing (especially infections), achieving conception, making a fresh start.

Ehwaz Movement

REPRESENTS: motion, assistance, energy, power, will, recklessness.

INTERPRETATION: power, aiding in communication, transportation.

Perth Initiation

 REPRESENTS: rebirth, mystery, magic, divination, fertility, sexuality, prophecy, luck in action, or gambling.

INTERPRETATION: fertility, easing childbirth, enhancing psychic abilities.

Fehu Possessions

REPRESENTS: prosperity, money, wealth, concern with physical and financial needs, goals, promotion, self-esteem.

INTERPRETATION: for money, business, promotion, finding a job, achieving a goal, starting new enterprises.

Wunjo Joy

REPRESENTS: success, recognition of achievements, reward, joy, bliss, achievement of goals, contentment.

INTERPRETATION: for success in any endeavour, to motivate, to complete a task.

Teiwaz Warrior

REPRESENTS: duty, discipline, responsibility, self-sacrifice, conflict, strength, a wound, physicality, the warrior path.

INTERPRETATION: protection, victory, strength, healing a wound.

Inguz Fertility (cannot be reversed)

REPRESENTS: work, productivity, bounty, balance.

INTERPRETATION: fertility, farming, growth, general health, balance.

Eihwaz Defence (cannot be reversed )

REPRESENTS: change, initiation, confrontation of fears, turning point, death, transformation.

INTERPRETATION: to bring about profound change, to ease a life transition it can be a rune of wisdom. It provides protection, and can help increase personal power and defence.

Kano Opening

REPRESENTS: wisdom, insight, solution to a problem, creativity, inspiration, enlightenment.

INTERPRETATION: for creative inspiration, aid in study, dispelling anxiety and fear.

Jera Harvest (cannot be reversed)

REPRESENTS: change, cycle turning, reward, motion.

INTERPRETATION: to bring change; for fertility and growth.

Algiz Protection

REPRESENTS: protection, assistance, defence, warning, support, a mentor, manipulation, enthusiasm, transformation, encouragement,

INTERPRETATION: for protection against negative forces, it increases the active powers and inspires speech, writing and poetry. It can be used for inspiration, and understanding.