The Spiritual Practice Of Rune Reading

I have recently reintroduced rune reading into my daily spiritual routine. I had briefly dabbled in it a few years ago when I was exploring various methods of divination.

But this time, as my quest has become more personal due to recent events in my life, and I found myself remembering much of what I had learned years ago, the decision to use the runes again has proven to be a deeply enriching experience.

I have since discovered that the runes are a fantastic spiritual tool for deeper introspection, inner guidance, and connection to the universal spiritual principles that underlie these small tablets of ancient wisdom.

The term “rune” itself means “secret” or “mystery” in Old Germanic languages, reflecting their traditional use for various purposes, including writing, divination, and magical practices. Each runic tablet or stone contains a character from the ancient alphabets of early Germanic and Scandinavian cultures, including the Elder Futhark, which is the oldest form of the runic alphabet.

The Elder Futhark dates from the 2nd to 8th centuries and consists of 24 runes, each with its own unique meaning and symbolism. I use the Elder Futhark, which is the most commonly used rune set in divination practices, just as the Rider-Waite Tarot deck is the most commonly used in cartomancy.

Both the Elder Futhark Runes and the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck are among the most popular esoteric tools within their respective traditions for people interested in divination, spiritual growth, and personal reflection.

Divination tools are translators of the universe and gods, and whichever one works for an individual to be a diviner is the correct one ~ Erin Scrogum

The Rider-Waite Tarot is arguably the most famous and widely used tarot deck, known for its rich symbolism and depth of meaning. The Elder Futhark is similarly revered in the realm of runic study and practice, valued for its historical significance and the wide range of insights it offers.

Both are great entry points for beginners, and rich sources of insight and exploration for those more advanced in their spiritual practices. I like to think of them as ancient echoes of wisdom for navigating the challenges of modern life.

Some of my favorite runes from the Elder Futhark are:

Fehu (ᚠ) – Associated with wealth, abundance, and prosperity. It can also signify material possessions and the energy or effort required to achieve success.

Uruz (ᚢ) – Symbolizes strength, health, and vitality. It can represent physical strength, resilience, or a challenge to be overcome.

Thurisaz (ᚦ) – Represents a thorn or giant, suggesting defense, protection, or a potentially dangerous or challenging situation that requires caution.

Ansuz (ᚨ) – Associated with communication, wisdom, and the divine. It may indicate messages, advice, or revelations.

Raidho (ᚱ) – Represents travel, movement, or a journey. This can be a physical journey or a metaphorical journey in life.

Kenaz (ᚲ) – Symbolizes knowledge, enlightenment, and understanding. It can also represent creativity or a solution to a problem.

Gebo (ᚷ) – Represents gifts, hospitality, or generosity. It can signify an exchange, whether material, emotional, or spiritual.

Wunjo (ᚹ) – Associated with joy, pleasure, and harmony. It suggests happiness, well-being, and success in endeavors.

These are just a few examples, of course, and each rune has a rich array of meanings that can vary depending on the context in which it is used. In divination practices, runes have a strong connection to themes of fate and destiny. Each rune symbolizes a different aspect of life, natural forces, or human emotions. Runes are however also powerful tools for meditation, personal reflection, and inner guidance on one’s spiritual path.

When I used to do professional readings, I would use tarot cards for earthly issues and problems…then I would use runes as a tool to help me understand the person’s psychological challenges ~ Anne Reith 

Rune Reading As A Spiritual Practice

I practice rune reading to gain insight into life’s challenges, make decisions, and explore spiritual questions. The meanings and interpretations of the runes can emphasize principles such as courage, strength, perseverance, protection, and wisdom that are essential for navigating life’s challenges.

For me, runes are less predictive in nature than other forms of divination. Instead, I find that runes offer more meaningful insights into the present moment, highlighting underlying dynamics and potential paths forward, rather than predicting future outcomes.

This is what I love about reading runes for spiritual growth. Once the seeker has accepted a baseline of wisdom and understanding, and is less concerned that everything will be all right in the future, runes can be used to enhance and strengthen that journey.

The runes, however, do also emphasize spiritual principles for manifesting results or outcomes For example, Isa, represented by a vertical straight line, informs us that we must take cover or stand still. Thurisaz, on the other hand, is a rune of luck, of being in the right place at the right time. Wunjo is a rune of joy. Raidho contrasts with Isa’s virtues in that we must move or take action.

You can also read the runes backwards, like in Tarot. I like this technique because it gives more intuitive depth and dimension to the reading. Not all runes are reversible, however, as they are in the same position, both upright and reversed. Ten of the 24 runes are the same whether cast upright or reversed.

You can also read runes alongside Tarot, either doing the reading side by side or drawing a Tarot card that corresponds to each rune. I like the former technique because it gives the reading a more intuitive and less structured perspective.

The runes can complement your spiritual practice or routine in several ways, offering a unique blend of introspection, guidance, and connection to ancient wisdom:

Runes are not a form of fortune-telling and don’t offer exact answers or give you advice – rather they offer different variables and suggest how you could behave if the event does occur ~ Rachel Newcombe

SELF-DISCOVERY

Runic readings encourage deep self-reflection. As you interpret the runes, you’re encouraged to look inward, to consider your current situation, your life’s path, and the choices you face. This process can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding, which fosters personal growth.

DECISION-MAKING

Runes serve as a tool for guidance, offering insight into possible outcomes or highlighting aspects of a situation you may not have considered. While they do not focus on predicting the future, they help you reflect on your actions and choices, providing a different perspective that can aid in decision making.

ANCESTRAL WISDOM

Runes are steeped in history and tradition, originating from ancient Germanic and Norse cultures. Using them in your spiritual practice creates a sense of connection to the ancients, their wisdom, and their understanding of the universe, enriching your spiritual experience with a link to the past.

MEDITATIVE FOCUS

The act of casting runes and contemplating their meaning can be a meditative practice in itself. It promotes mindfulness and concentration, drawing your focus away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and toward spiritual contemplation.

Ingwaz is an excellent rune to meditate on at this time of year in the northern hemisphere. Its symbol is a double diagonal crisscross. Representing the germination of seeds planted earlier in the growing season, it represents growth and new opportunities. We’re reminded that sometimes action is in order if we have the patience of its sister rune, Isa, to sit still and wait for the flowers to bloom.

A seemingly counterintuitive lesson is found in the rune Eihwaz, which appears as an up and down arrow, seemingly directing the inquirer back and forth. Eihwaz reminds us all of the biblical passage: “If a man does not work, he will not eat. While we wait, we must go through the daily motions of survival in order to receive our daily bread.

INTUITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Working with runes helps to sharpen your intuition and enhance psychic awareness. As you become more familiar with the symbols and their meanings, you’ll likely find yourself tapping into your inner knowledge and intuition to interpret them, strengthening these abilities.

MANIFESTATION PRACTICE

Rune reading can complement one’s manifestation efforts by providing insights and affirmations that align with one’s intentions and desires. When you use runes as part of the manifestation process, you tap into ancient wisdom that reveals underlying energies, potential obstacles, and beneficial strategies related to your goals. This guidance can help you refine your focus, clarify your intentions, and strengthen your commitment to the manifestation process.

Rune casting fosters a more intuitive and co-creative relationship with the energies that shape our reality. In addition, the act of drawing and meditating on specific runes serves as a powerful ritual that energetically aligns your vibration with your desired outcomes, thereby increasing the effectiveness of your manifesting efforts.

SPIRITUAL ROUTINE

Incorporating rune reading into your spiritual routine adds structure and ritual, creating a sacred time for reflection and connection with the spiritual realm. This regular practice can be grounding and provide a sense of stability and continuity to your spiritual journey.

Runes can be adapted to suit different aspects of spiritual practice. Whether you’re seeking guidance, performing a ritual, or simply meditating on their esoteric meaning, runes offer a flexible tool that can be personalized to meet your spiritual needs. As with any spiritual tool, the key is to approach rune reading with respect, openness, and a willingness to learn from the insights it offers.