Would you like to learn more about runes and how to read them?

In this article, I’m showing you how you can easily make your own rune set and start learning the basics.

One of the tasks of the 30 day divination picture challenge I recently participated in was to write my name in runes.

That challenge reminded me of a fun workshop I enjoyed at a TABI conference many years ago, in which we created our own rune set on paper cards, and it also reminded me that I always wanted to learn more about runes.

If you feel the same and are curious about runes, you can make your own card set before you spend money on crystal runes or rune decks.

Materials you will need:

• 200gsm heavy cardstock
• ruler
• ballpoint pen
• colour pens
• scissors (or guillotine paper cutter)

Instructions:

Cut the cardstock into 24 card squares measuring 55 x 55 mm. You can use ruler and scissors or a guillotine paper cutter.

Then fill out each card as per image on the left:

• rune in the centre with a colour pen
• name of the rune underneath
• corresponding alphabet letter in the bottom left-hand corner
• its symbolic meaning in the bottom right-hand corner
• divinatory meaning at the top

Scroll down for full list of runes and their meanings.

If you feel adventurous, you can choose more expensive card stock, glitter pens and stickers to make your rune set more special.

If you want to use coloured or patterned card stock, make sure it is white on one side, so you can write on it.

You can increase the size of each rune card (perhaps to the size of a standard Tarot card), if you want to add more information or illustration.

Once you have completed your rune set, you can start getting to know the runes by spreading out your set face down and picking one each day as a special message.

For more information about runes, try the following resources:

Books

1. A Practical Guide To The Runes: Their Uses in Divination and Magick

2. Futhark: Handbook of Rune Magic

3. The Runes Workbook: A Step-by-step Guide to Learning the Wisdom of the Staves

Websites

1. Divination using Runes

2. Elder Futhark – Rune Meanings

Divinatory Meanings:

Fehu Frey – Cattle – Wealth, Energy, Mother Rune

Uruz Power – Wild Ox – Power, Creative Force, Health, Strength

Thurisaz Thor – Thorn, Giant – Protection, Irritation, Polarity, Regeneration

Ansuz Odin – God – Ancestors, Inspiration, Wisdom

Raido – Wheel – Journey, Growth, Rhythm, Solar Chariot

Kenaz – Torch, Fire – Clarity, Illumination, Knowledge

Gebo – Gift – Love, Sharing, Divine Interaction

Wunjo – Joy – Harmony, Contentment, Kinship, Heritage

Hagalaz – Hail, Air – Change, Transformation, Crisis, Egg of Life

Nauthiz (Nied) – Need – Necessity, Friction, Shadow, Distress, Recognition, Self-Reliance

Isa – Ice – Stasis, Blockage, Cosmic Coherence

Jera – Year, Earth – Harvest, Reward, Good Timing, Cycles, Right Action

Eihwaz – Yew, Horse – Protection, Endurance, Relationships, Twin Gods

Perthro – Hearth, Lot Cup – Risk, Gamble, Fun, Divination, Primal Law

Algiz (Elhaz) – Elk – Protection, Sanctuary, Awakening, Connection to Spirit

Sowulo – Sun – Hope, Warmth, Success, Wheel of Power, Thunderbolt

Teiwaz (Tir) Tyr – Victory – Justice, Analysis, Masculine Gods, Warrior Rune

Berkana (Beorc) – Birth – Fertility, Liberation, Earth Mother

Ehwaz – Two Horses – Harmony, Trust, Journey

Mannaz – Man – Community, Awareness, Order, Divine Union, Manifestation

Laguz – Lake, Water – Flow, Life, Vitality, Unconscious, Fertility, Renewal

Inguz (Ingwaz) – Fertility – True Love, Passion, Gestation, Growth, Music, Harmony

Othila (Othel) – Property – Home, Economy, Ancestral, Inheritance

Dagaz – Dawn, Day – Coming into Light, Intuition, Light Within

This is all the information you need to make a start. Please do let me know, how you get on. I’d love to hear from you.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane