Rune Stones: Ancient Symbols for Modern Guidance

What Are Rune Stones

The word rune comes from an Old Norse term meaning mystery, whisper, or secret. Rune stones are ancient symbols used for divination, guidance, and connecting with inner wisdom. These symbols were originally part of alphabets used for writing in Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe, but they have transcended their historical roots to become powerful tools for spiritual insight.

Rune stones are typically a set of 24 small pieces made from stone, wood, bone, or crystals, each marked with a symbol from the runic alphabet. When used for divination, they work similarly to tarot cards, helping you tap into your subconscious mind and intuition to gain clarity about situations, questions, or life paths.

The Elder Futhark: The Most Common Runic System

The Elder Futhark is the oldest and most widely used runic alphabet for divination. It consists of 24 symbols and was used from approximately 200 to 800 AD. The word Futhark comes from the first six runes: Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, and Kennaz, similar to how we say QWERTY keyboard.

The 24 runes of the Elder Futhark are divided into three groups of eight, called Aetts, each associated with different Norse deities and themes.

Other runic systems include the Younger Futhark with 16 runes used during the Viking Age, and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc with 26 to 33 runes used in England. For beginners, the Elder Futhark is recommended as it is the most established system with the most resources available for learning.

The Blank Rune

Some modern rune sets include a 25th blank rune, sometimes called Wyrd or Odin's Rune. This is not part of the traditional Elder Futhark and was introduced in the 20th century. The blank rune is interpreted as the unknowable, fate, or limitless possibility. Whether you choose to use it is a personal preference, as some practitioners consider it a modern addition without historical basis.

Understanding Rune Meanings

Each rune has multiple layers of meaning. A single rune symbol represents a phonetic sound, a literal meaning or object, and an esoteric spiritual meaning used in divination. For example, Fehu represents the letter F, literally translates as cattle or wealth, and symbolically represents abundance, prosperity, new beginnings, and financial energy.

The runes draw heavily from Norse mythology, natural elements, and human experiences. Some examples include Thurisaz representing a thorn or giant and symbolizing strength, protection, and challenges to overcome. Ansuz represents a god or message and symbolizes communication, wisdom, and divine guidance. Raidho represents a journey or road and symbolizes movement, progress, and life's path.

Learning all 24 rune meanings takes time and practice. As you work with your runes regularly, you'll develop an intuitive understanding of each symbol and how it relates to your life.

Reversed or Merkstave Meanings

When runes land face down or in a reversed position during a reading, they can have alternative meanings. This reversed position is called merkstave, meaning dark stick. Reversed runes often indicate blocked energy, challenges, delays, or the shadow aspect of the rune's meaning. Not all practitioners use reversed meanings, so this is a personal choice in your practice.

Choosing Your Rune Set

Rune stones come in many different materials, each carrying its own energy. Common materials include stone and crystal such as amethyst, rose quartz, clear quartz, tiger's eye, or simple river stones. Wood is traditional and connects to nature and the ancient Norse use of runes. Bone or antler connects to ancestral and shamanic traditions. Clay or ceramic offers handmade, earthy energy.

For beginners, a simple stone set from a crystal shop is perfectly fine to start with. As you develop your practice, you may want to invest in a special set made from a crystal that resonates with you, or even create your own set by carving or painting symbols onto stones or wood pieces.

When choosing a rune set, trust your intuition. If you feel drawn to a particular set, that's often the right choice for you.

How to Use Rune Stones

Preparing for a Reading

Before casting runes, create a calm and focused environment. You might light a candle, burn incense, or simply take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Clear your mind and focus on your question or the guidance you seek. Runes work best when you approach them with respect and an open mind.

Basic Rune Casting Methods

Single Rune Draw

The simplest method is to focus on your question, place your runes in their pouch, mix them well, and draw a single rune. This rune provides direct guidance or insight into your situation. This method is excellent for daily guidance or yes/no questions.

Three Rune Spread

Draw three runes and place them in a row from left to right. This spread can be interpreted in several ways. Past, Present, Future uses the first rune for past influences, the second for the current situation, and the third for the likely outcome or future direction. Situation, Action, Outcome uses the first rune for the current situation, the second for the recommended action, and the third for the potential result.

Traditional Rune Casting

The most traditional method involves holding your runes in a pouch, focusing on your question, reaching in without looking, pulling out a handful of runes, and casting them onto a cloth. Runes that land face up are read and interpreted. Runes closest to the center of the cloth are most significant. Runes at the edges represent peripheral or future influences. Face down runes are either ignored or read as reversed meanings.

Five Rune Spread

This cross-shaped spread offers detailed guidance. The center rune represents the present situation or core issue. The rune above represents challenges or what opposes you. The rune below represents your foundation or what supports you. The rune to the left represents the past or what is passing away. The rune to the right represents the future or what is approaching.

Nine Rune Grid

This more advanced spread uses nine runes laid out in a 3x3 grid. Each position represents different aspects of your situation, from inner desires to external influences to potential outcomes. This spread requires more experience to interpret effectively.

Reading the Runes

When interpreting runes, consider the individual rune meaning, how runes relate to each other in the reading, your intuitive response to the symbols, the position of each rune in the spread, and whether runes appear upright or reversed.

Rune reading is about combining knowledge of rune meanings with your intuition. The runes don't predict a fixed future but rather show you possibilities, energies at play, and guidance for making choices. They reveal what you're doing now and what options you have to create a different future.

Trust your first impressions when looking at the runes. Your subconscious mind often knows the answer before your conscious mind catches up.

Caring for Your Rune Stones

Cleansing Your Runes

Cleansing removes negative or stagnant energy from your runes and keeps your readings clear and accurate. You should cleanse your runes when you first get them, after intense or emotional readings, when readings feel unclear or muddled, regularly, such as monthly or during moon phases, and after other people have handled them.

Methods for Cleansing Runes

Smoke Cleansing

Pass each rune through the smoke of burning sage, palo santo, juniper, pine, rosemary, or lavender. Hold each stone in the smoke for a few moments while focusing on clearing away old energy. This traditional method connects to ancient Norse practices of using sacred smoke for purification.

Water Cleansing

Hold each rune under cool running water, visualizing negative energy washing away. Natural water sources like rivers, streams, or rainwater are especially powerful. Be careful with this method as some stones like selenite and malachite can be damaged by water. If your runes are made from wood, avoid prolonged water exposure.

Salt Cleansing

Bury your runes in a bowl of sea salt or Himalayan salt and leave them for several hours or overnight. Salt is known for absorbing negative energy. After cleansing, gently wipe any remaining salt from the runes with a soft cloth. For wooden runes, place them on top of salt rather than burying them to avoid moisture damage.

Moonlight Bath

Place your runes under the light of a full moon overnight to cleanse and recharge them. The full moon is particularly powerful for releasing old energy and welcoming fresh clarity. This practice connects to the cyclical rhythms honored by Norse and Viking traditions. You can place them on a windowsill or outside in moonlight.

Sunlight Bath

Leave your runes in sunlight for several hours or a full 24-hour cycle. Sunlight brings vibrant, active energy to your runes. Be cautious with certain crystals like amethyst and rose quartz that may fade in direct sunlight.

Earth Burial

Bury your runes in soil for a week to ground and reset their energy. You can bury them directly in earth or place them in a bag or container first. This method connects your runes to earth's natural cleansing and stabilizing energy.

Sound Cleansing

Use a singing bowl, bell, or tuning fork to create vibrations that cleanse your runes. Sound waves clear stagnant energy and refresh the stones. This method works well for all types of rune materials.

Crystal Cleansing

Place your runes on a selenite plate or near clear quartz clusters. These crystals naturally cleanse and charge other stones. Leave your runes with these cleansing crystals overnight or for several hours.

Visualization and Intention

Hold your runes in your hands, close your eyes, and visualize white or golden light surrounding them, clearing away any unwanted energy. Set a clear intention for cleansing and renewal. This method works through the power of focused thought and energy.

Charging Your Runes

After cleansing, charging your runes fills them with fresh, positive energy and aligns them with your personal vibration and intentions.

Set Clear Intention

Decide how you want to work with your runes. What guidance do you seek? What energy do you want them to carry? Hold this intention clearly in your mind.

Meditate with Each Rune

Hold each rune individually and spend time connecting with its energy and meaning. Visualize your energy merging with the rune's energy.

Nature Charging

Place runes on natural earth, near a tree, beside flowing water, or in fresh air. Natural elements amplify the runes' connection to ancient Norse energy and earth wisdom.

Personal Energy

Keep newly cleansed runes with you for several days, such as in your pocket or under your pillow. This allows them to absorb your personal energy and attune to your vibration.

Moon or Sun Charging

After cleansing in moonlight or sunlight, leave runes there with the intention of charging them with lunar or solar energy.

Storing Your Runes

Proper storage protects your runes physically and energetically. Most rune sets come with a drawstring pouch, often made from fabric like cotton, linen, velvet, or leather. This keeps runes together and creates a sacred container for them.

You can also use a wooden box or special container dedicated to your runes. Some practitioners wrap their runes in natural fabric like silk or linen before placing them in a box. Keep your runes in a special place such as on an altar, in a dedicated drawer, or somewhere you access them regularly. Storing a cleansing crystal like clear quartz or selenite with your runes helps maintain their energy between uses.

Runes are personal tools, and many practitioners prefer to keep them private rather than on display. This helps maintain their sacred nature and prevents others' energy from affecting them.

Physical Care

Handle runes gently to avoid chips or cracks, especially if made from softer stones or crystals. Keep runes dry, as moisture can damage some materials, particularly wood. Avoid extreme temperatures that might crack or damage stones. Store runes separately from other divination tools to keep their energy distinct and clear.

Connecting with Your Runes

When you first get a new rune set, spend time bonding with it. Look at each rune individually and study its shape and meaning. Hold each rune and feel its weight and texture. Sleep with your rune pouch under your pillow for a few nights to create an energetic connection. Draw a single rune daily and journal about how its energy appears in your day. Ask your runes questions about how to work with them and what wisdom they offer.

The more you work with your runes, the stronger your connection becomes. Many practitioners report that their runes develop distinct personalities and communication styles over time.

Respecting the Tradition

Runes come from Germanic and Norse cultural traditions. While anyone can work with runes, it's important to approach them with respect for their origins. Learn about Norse mythology and culture to deepen your understanding. Avoid using runes as mere fashion or trivializing their sacred nature. Acknowledge that you're working with symbols that held deep meaning for ancient peoples.

Some practitioners from Norse or Germanic backgrounds feel a particular connection to runes as part of their heritage. Others are drawn to runes through spiritual calling. Whatever your background, approaching runes with reverence and genuine interest honors the tradition.

Reading Runes for Others

If you cast runes for other people, cleanse your runes more frequently to remove their energy. Set clear boundaries about what you will and won't read about. Protect your own energy through grounding practices before and after readings. Remain neutral and avoid inserting your personal opinions or biases. Remember you are interpreting symbols, not predicting absolute futures.

Some rune readers prefer to have the querent (person asking the question) draw or cast the runes themselves, as this creates a stronger energetic connection to the reading.

Final Thoughts

Rune stones are powerful tools for accessing ancient wisdom and your own inner knowing. They don't predict a fixed future but rather illuminate possibilities, energies, and paths available to you. The act of casting runes is a form of meditation, bringing your conscious and unconscious minds into alignment around a question or situation.

Whether you're drawn to runes for their connection to Norse mythology, their simple elegance, or their effectiveness as divination tools, working with them can become a deeply meaningful spiritual practice. Trust your intuition, respect the symbols, care for your runes properly, and allow them to guide you toward clarity and wisdom.

As you develop your relationship with your runes, you may find they become trusted companions on your spiritual journey, offering insight when you need it most and connecting you to timeless wisdom that has guided seekers for thousands of years.