Runes are thought to have been a writing system and a form of

alphabet used by Germanic and Scandinavian peoples during the

first millennium. The symbols are made up from straight lines, possibly

owing to the ease of carving them into wood and stone.

        Rune mythology tells us that they were used to predict future events,

but the knowledge was lost many years ago when the last Rune Master

died taking the art with him. It is only in recent years that people like

Ralph Blum and Nigel Pennick have revived the ancient art of

Rune Casting.

        A Rune set consists of 24 tiles, each with a runic symbol carved

into it. The tiles  can be wood, stone or nowadays made from

ceramics or synthetic resins.

My set is made of pebbles I collected from a beach in

Cornwall.
        The 24 Runic symbols, known as the Elder Futhark, are divided

into three families (aetts) of eight runes, each named after

a Norse God.

Freyr's aett:  Feoh, Ur, Thorn, As, Rad, Ken, Gyfu, Wyn.

Haegl's aett:  Hagal, Nyd, Is, Jera, Eoh, Peorth, Eolh, Sigel.

Tyr's aett:     Tyr, Beorc, Eh, Man, Lagu, Ing, Odal, Daeg.

***************************

        Rune Casting is a divining art, similar to the Tarot or I Ching.

The Querant (questioner) ponders a specific question whilst

the Rune Reader casts the rune tiles, interprets their lie.

They can be read upright (dignified) and, in some cases,

reversed  (ill-dignified).

This web site is owned by Karen Smith April 2000

All rights reserved.

Graphics by http://www.boogiejack.com