Rune Magic

A 64-page instruction book. The book walks through the history of the Elder Futhark, the meaning of each rune, and casting methods, including layouts the book calls the Celtic Cross and the Nordic Oracle.

Twenty-five rune tiles. The 24 runes of the Elder Futhark plus one blank tile, ready to draw from the bag or cast onto a cloth.

A velvet bag. The bag keeps the tiles together, doubles as the drawing pouch during a reading, and travels easily.

• Book: 64-page instruction book (history, rune meanings, casting layouts)
• Runes: 25 tiles representing the Elder Futhark (24 runes plus one blank)
• Bag: velvet storage and drawing bag
• Dimensions: about 6.1 x 8.1 inches
• Weight: about 14.4 oz

Runes are used for divination, talismanic work, and meditation in modern Heathen, Norse Pagan, and eclectic witchcraft practice. The Elder Futhark is the oldest runic alphabet, 24 characters used by Germanic peoples from roughly the second to the eighth century for inscriptions on stone, wood, and metal; the practice of drawing or casting runes for guidance as taught in most modern books is a twentieth-century reconstruction rather than an unbroken ancient tradition, and the blank rune is a modern addition too. Knowing that keeps the practice honest.

You can use this set to learn one rune a day, tracing its shape, saying its name, and reading its meaning in the book. You can draw a single rune each morning as a focus, or cast a handful onto a cloth and read how they fall. A word about history: the Anti-Defamation League's Hate on Display database documents that several runes, including Othala (Odal), Algiz (the so-called Life rune), and Tiwaz (Tyr), have been adopted by neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, and that the SS bolts were derived from Sowilo. The runes belong to everyone who studies them with respect; naming the misuse is part of that respect.

1. Read the book's history section first, then take the tiles out one at a time and match each to its entry. Say the rune's name aloud as you go.
2. Cleanse the tiles by passing them through incense smoke or leaving them in moonlight overnight, then keep them in the velvet bag between readings.
3. Draw one rune each morning without looking, and read its meaning as the day's focus.
4. For a fuller reading, lay a cloth and cast three to five runes, or use one of the layouts in the book. Read the runes that land face up.
5. Keep a small journal of your draws. The runes that return teach you the alphabet faster than any chart.

The book gives you the letters. Patience gives you the language. Our guide to the Elder Futhark protection runes covers how to draw, carve, and wear them once you know them.

• Taking Up The Runes: A Complete Guide To Using Runes In Spells, Rituals, Divination, And Magic by Diana L. Paxson: Diana Paxson's complete guide, the next book when the 64-page introduction runs out.
• Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic, New Edition (Weiser Classics Series) by Edred Thorsson, Christopher McIntosh: Edred Thorsson's handbook of rune magic, the classic on working the runes beyond divination.
• Black Tourmaline Rune Set, Set of 25 Stones: a second set in stone, for readers who want a heavier hand-feel when casting.
• Rune Mother altar cloth or scarf 36" x 36": a rune-patterned cloth to cast onto and to wrap the set in.
• Runes for Beginners by Alexandra Chauran: a gentle beginner's companion that covers the same 24 runes with more exercises.

Do some runes have Nazi or hate-group associations?

Yes, some runes have documented Nazi and hate-group use. The Anti-Defamation League's Hate on Display database lists the Othala (Odal) rune, the Algiz “Life rune,” and the Tiwaz (Tyr) rune as symbols appropriated by neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, and notes the SS bolts derive from Sowilo. Studying the Elder Futhark respectfully includes knowing this history.

How many runes are in the Elder Futhark?

There are 24 runes in the Elder Futhark, traditionally arranged in three groups of eight called aettir. This set includes 25 tiles: the 24 runes plus one blank tile, a modern addition some readers use to mean the unknowable and others simply set aside. The 64-page book covers each rune.

How do I read runes if I am a beginner?

Start by drawing a single rune each morning and reading its entry in the book; that alone teaches the alphabet within a month. Then try a three-rune cast for past, present, and future. The included book's layouts give you spreads to grow into once the single draw feels natural.

How do I cleanse a rune set?

Cleanse a rune set by passing the tiles through incense smoke, leaving them in moonlight overnight, or holding the bag in your hands while you state your intention. Many rune readers also cleanse the velvet bag itself now and then. Repeat after reading for others or whenever the runes feel heavy.

Is rune reading an ancient practice?

Rune reading as practiced today is a modern reconstruction. The Elder Futhark itself is ancient, used for inscriptions from roughly the second to the eighth century, and there are hints of lot-casting in early sources, but the specific meanings and spreads in most rune books date from the twentieth century. This book follows that modern tradition.

What is in the Rune Magic set?

The Rune Magic set includes a 64-page instruction book, 25 rune tiles representing the Elder Futhark plus one blank, and a velvet bag for storage and drawing. Tile material and dimensions are not listed on this page; ask us if you need them for a rune cloth or box.