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Runecasting is the use of Norse rune symbols to predict fortune. The common setup is a collection of twenty-four stones, each carved with a Norse letter. Stones are drawn from the bag, and laid out in a spread, often in a method similar to Tarot cards.
The current practice is loosely based on a practice described by the Roman historian Tacitus, who in chapter 10 of his Germania wrote that:
Auspicia sortesque ut qui maxime observant. Sortium consuetudo simplex: virgam frugiferae arbori decisam in surculos amputant eosque notis quibusdam discretos super candidam vestem temere ac fortuito spargunt; mox, si publice consultetur, sacerdos civitat is, sin privatim, ipse pater familiae precatus deos caelumque suspiciens ter singulos tollit, sublatos secundum impressam ante notam interpretatur.
They pay great attention to omens and divination. The method is simple: they cut a branch of a fruit tree, and cut it into twigs; these they mark with certain characters, which they scatter by chance on a white cloth. Then, the priest of the community, if the question regards a public matter, or else the head of the household, looks to the sky, calls upon the gods, and takes up three twigs in order, and interprets them according to the characters carved on them.
It is impossible to determine from Tacitus whether the runes were the characters used; however, it is likely that some form of the alphabet was already in use among the Germanic tribes in the first century when Tacitus wrote this passage, and the rune names preserved in Germanic cultures suggest that they may have had divinatory meanings.
The runes used are Old Norse, Old English, or Germanic letters, with the exception of the blank (or Fate) rune, which is a modern addition first found in the works of Ralph Blum that were published in the 20th century.
Fehu
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Uruz
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Thurisaz
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Ansuz
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Raidho
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Kenaz
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Gebo
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Wunjo
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Hagalaz
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Nauthiz
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Isa
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Jera
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Eihwaz
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Perthro
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Elhaz
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Sowilo
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Tiwaz
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Berkano
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Ehwaz
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Mannaz
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Laguz
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Ingwaz
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Dagaz
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Othala
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Fehu
Fay-hoo
Possessions
Nourishment
The Common Wealth
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This is the Rune of realization: an ambition satisfied, a love
conquered, a reward received. It often signals the presence of
abundant nourishment of all kinds, physical as well as spiritual.
Nevertheless, it reminds you that in moments of good fortune we
run the risk of getting carried away by success, thus behaving
imprudently. Fehu advises you to be aware of this so as to not let
it happen.
Enjoy your good fortune and don't forget to share it: the good
will of feeding others is a sign of a well-fed being.
*
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Uruz
Oor-ooze
Strength
Masculine and Feminine Principles
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This is the Rune of endings and new beginnings. It is a Rune of
transition indicating that the life you have lived until now must
change to make room for a new form. You might suffer the loss of
something or someone with whom you hold strong emotional links.
However, Uruz reminds you that it is an entirely natural process:
death, fertilization, gestation and rebirth. The ashes fertilize
the ground for future crops. Learn to adapt to the moment, using
the strength of your masculinity or femininity as support, and
look for the opportunity that hides behind the loss.
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Thurisaz
Thoo-ree-sahz
The Gate
The God Thor
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Thurisaz indicates the presence of new options opening before you.
However, it is advised to stop in front of the gate before
crossing it, to look at the road that led you up to here. This
Rune points toward the need of not acting yet, but to examine past
experiences and circumstances before continuing towards success.
It is not a moment to make decisions, but rather to strengthen
your ability to wait. Review your past closely. Observe it, bless
it, and let go of everything you need to let go of. Then cross the
door.
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Ansuz
Ahn-zoo
Signals
The Messanger Rune
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This Rune advises you to expect the unexpected. It is a message
that calls you towards change and renovation, maybe even towards a
new life. There will be new relations, new links, new contacts
created, and therefore it is recommended that you keep your eyes
and ears open during meetings or casual encounters. On the other
hand, Ansuz reminds you that you must first love and nourish
yourself before trying to love and nourish others: it is
impossible to give what one does not have. This Rune reminds you
to remind yourself.
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Raidho
Rye-though
Voyage
Communication
Union/Reunion
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This Rune is related to communication and harmony of something
made up of two elements. It often signals the possibility of a
journey, be it in the physical world or to the depths of your
being. Such journey could well be towards self-healing or
self-change. Raido advises you to moderate any excess in your
life. Maybe an unexpected union will occur in your life, or maybe
you will reunite with someone close that you haven't seen in a
long time. Or maybe the reunion predicted by Raido refers to
certain internal aspects in you that have been in conflict for
some time.
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Kenaz
Ken-ahz
Fire
An Opening
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Fire often symbolizes intense emotions and passion. However, you
are reminded that passion, like everything else, has two sides.
Excessive passion could lead to destructive obsession, but on its
positive side it can lead to creativity. A clarity of intent in
your attitude is required in order to avoid falling into its
negative side. In the area of relationships, Kano announces a
mutual opening. The torch of understanding is lit again for both,
and the creative power of such fire could lead to great
breakthroughs.
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Gebo
Gay-boe
Partnership
Gifts
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Fortune smiles, and nice surprises will arrive unexpectedly.
Something positive is on its way, something that is totally
deserved. You will probably receive awards, maybe a promotion, an
acknowledgement or a gift. There is hope and joy. There are
fulfilled promises and dreams come true. There is grace and
forgiveness. Maybe some type of partnership is about to be born.
If this is the case, Gebo reminds you to keep your individuality:
remember that true partnership occurs when two beings form a team,
each one retaining their own singularity.
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Wunjo
Whun-yoe
Joy/Light
Comfort
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This Rune announces a state of security and relaxation, a sense of
well-being. Light is finally peeking through the clouds, fruits
hang heavy on the branches, and bad times are finally staying
behind. You may see yourself surrounded by joy, pleasure and
comfort both at home and outside. There is clarity and a new
energy that will allow you to understand, to balance, to renew
yourself and your personal relations. Necessary changes have
already been carried out, and now you may rejoice and receive
Wunjo's blessings freely.
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Hagalaz
Hah-gall-ahz
Destruction
Elemental Powers
Hail
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Maybe you find yourself surrounded by negative events apparently
beyond your control. Drawing this Rune indicates the possibility
of havoc or jolts in your reality, security, work, relations or
beliefs. It is necessary to realize that you are not at the mercy
of external circumstances. I create my own reality. In other
words, your own nature is creating what is happening, and
therefore you are not helpless. Carefully examine the situations
surrounding you and your own beliefs and attitudes towards them.
Hagalaz informs you that you hold the solutions in your own hands.
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Nauthiz
Naw-thiz
Restriction
Pain/Need
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Drawing this Rune indicates that there might be delays and changes
in the direction of your actions. There are strong reasons to
review your plans carefully. Restriction is necessary. Nauthiz
suggests to identify your Shadow, the dark side of your nature which
reflects to the outside in the form of weakness. Try to discover
what is it within you that attracts misfortune to your life.
Difficulties and failures, however, can teach us plenty about
ourselves. If necessary, rectify your direction and restore your
internal balance. Look for the positive side of adversity.
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Isa
Ee-sah
Pause
Ice
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Positive achievements are not probable at this moment. Activities
are frozen and maybe all your plans are halted. Nevertheless, do
not despair: this is the moment of gestation that precedes birth.
This pause is probably due more to external circumstances rather
than internal. However, try to find what internal aspects keep you
in this position and let them go. Clean, discard, let go of the
past. This will help accelerate the thawing process. Remember that
the seed sleeps under the ground during winter. Trust your own
process and wait for the signs of Spring.
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Jera
Yeh-rah
Harvest
One Year
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This Rune often announces a fertile season, a happy coming to
term. Jera is the Rune of beneficial results relating to any
activity or interest that concerns you at this moment of your
life. You have prepared the ground and planted the seed, and now
you must cultivate it. Jera offers an incentive towards success.
Don't expect fast results, however. As with a harvest, a
cultivation cycle or maturing process is needed to finally be able
to recollect the fruits of your labour. You have done a good job,
and now Jera advises you to persevere and to be patient.
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Eihwaz
Eye-wahz
Defense
Avertive Powers
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This Rune is related to the difficulties that arise at the
beginning of a new life and the defenses that we build around us
when facing the unknown. It often announces a time of waiting, and
thus its main advice is patience. It is recommended to foresee
consequences before acting. Once your decision is totally clear,
then you will be able to carry out the action with ease. Take
advantage of this moment to put your house in order and to tend to
your personal affairs.
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Perthro
Per-throw
Initiation
Secret Affairs
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This Rune is associated with the Phoenix, the mystical bird that
consumes itself in the fire to later rise from its own ashes.
Powerful forces of change and renovation are in movement. On the
side of the mundane, there will probably be surprises such as
sudden gains or the start of an unexpected relationship. On the
spiritual side, it is time to rise above yourself, above ordinary
living, in order to acquire a wider vision. Perth reminds you that
the external is unimportant, except when it is a reflection of the
internal.
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Elhaz
Ell-hahz
Protection
Creative Powers
The Bulrush
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Opportunities and new challenges are characteristic of this Rune.
With them, however, unwanted influences may arrive, and thus it
becomes necessary to protect yourself. Here, your maximum
protection is the right action at the right moment. If you are
experiencing pain, don't deny it or try to hide from what is
happening. Observe it and learn from it, feel it and let it go:
the more you allow yourself to feel it, the faster you will be
able to release it. Algiz reminds you that you will grow, and
being aware of this may be your best protection in moments of
doubt.
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Sowilo
Soe-will-ow
Totality
Vital Forces
The Sun
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This is a Rune of great power that indicates a moment of profound
regeneration, a search for totality. It signals the need to become
aware of your essence in order to express it in a creative manner,
thus increasing your vital force. It also points to the need of
admitting something that you have long denied, something that has
remained under the shadows: now it is time to bring it out unto
the light. It might be prudent to stay away from a pressing
situation, remembering that withdrawing at the right time is a
sign of force and not of weakness.
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Tiwaz
Tee-wahz
The Warrior
A Guiding Star
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Masculine energy and the active principle are characteristic of
this Rune, bringing as a result an anxiety to conquer. Teiwaz is
the Rune of courage, dedication and absolute trust in one's own
resources. In situations on interpersonal relations or devotion to
a cause, Teiwaz advises perseverance, at the same time reminding
you that patience can sometimes be a kind of perseverance. Look
within yourself and deeply analize the foundations of your life.
By doing this, you may get to know and harness your deepest and
most powerful resources.
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Berkano
Behr-kan-noe
Growth/Rebirth
The Birch Tree
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This Rune indicates flowering and maturation, and is related to
new forms. Growth can occur in everyday, family or interpersonal
situations. The process of self-change is in movement and will be
benefited. For growth to occur freely, however, Berkana advises
you to eliminate all resistances through a deep cleansing process.
If necessary, ask for expert help to carry it out. Once resistance
is cleared out through constancy and a proper attitude, then
flowering can occur.
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Ehwaz
Eh-waz
Movement/Progress
The Horse
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This Rune signals a time of transition and transformation. It
indicates changes of all kinds: of house, attitude, life, business
directions or personal relations. Ehwaz informs you that you are
required to face any necessary transition and to carry it out
diligently. There is a sense of continuous progress, a notion of
growth that could well be related to a business venture or the
development of an idea or project. There is much movement at hand.
Now is the time to allow the old to die in order to make room for
the new.
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Mannaz
Man-naz
The Self
The Human Race
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The starting point should always be the self, and a proper
relationship with yourself is essential: on this depends that all
other relationships may flow properly, including your relationship
with the Great Mystery. This is not a moment to look for praise
about your achievements, nor is it the time to put all your
attention in possible results. Do not judge and don't be
intolerant. Remember the past and think about the future, but
focus on the present. Try to live your ordinary life in an
extraordinary manner.
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Laguz
Lah-ghuz
Flowing Water
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The characteristics of this Rune are water, intuition and the ebb
and flow of emotions, relations and vocations. Particularly, it
announces the satisfaction of emotional needs. In spite of the
fact that everything flows appropriately at this moment, it often
signals the need to cleanse, revalue, reorganize, recenter. It
indicates that the intuitive aspect of your nature is awake, and
therefore Laguz advises you to harness it.
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Ingwaz
Ing-wahz
Fertility
New Beginnings
The God Ing
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This Rune represents the need to share, to be wanted, the search
for similarities and an impulse towards harmony in personal
relationships. It could well signal a new way, a new relationship,
even a new life. Inguz symbolizes the end of a time of lethargy, a
liberation from tension and uncertainty. However, it is necessary
to fertilize the ground for such liberation. Keep your feet on the
ground and stay away from any undesirable influences. This is a
good moment to complete any project pending in your life.
*
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Dagaz
Dah-gahz
Transformation
Breakthroughs
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Dagaz denotes important breakthroughs in relation to whatever
concerns you. The moment is right and therefore success is
assured. This is the Rune of radical trust, even if circumstances
require you to jump to the void with apparently empty hands. It
often introduces an important time of prosperity and great
results. However, you are reminded to pay attention and not allow
yourself to be carried away or to behave carelessly in your new
situation. Humility and generosity are advised.
*
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Othala
Oh-tha-lah
Separation/Retreat
Inheritance
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This is the Rune of beneficial gain. It indicates a moment in
which tangible preparation will yield tangible results. It is an
excellent opportunity to learn, to become better, to expand. New
acquisitions will be favored. It also introduces a time of
blessings in which actions taken will very probably be successful
and bring new and better opportunities for growth. This is a
moment that, if recognized, will reward you with all kinds of
important benefits for your development.
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