The Runic Alphabet. The picture is the Runic alphabet I use!
Runes are written symbols which represent sounds or ideas. Basically, they are letters that are named for objects. Specifically, they are letters in the ancient Germanic alphabets. The word rune comes from the Old Norse rúna which described the letters of Germanic alphabets used before Rome imposed its alphabet on Europe.
In modern usage, the word rune is often used to describe a letter in any alphabet used for divination or other magical purposes.
What are some of the different types of Runes?
Runes are written symbols which represent sounds or ideas. Basically, they are letters that are named for objects. Specifically, they are letters in the ancient Germanic alphabets. The word rune comes from the Old Norse rúna which described the letters of Germanic alphabets used before Rome imposed its alphabet on Europe.
In modern usage, the word rune is often used to describe a letter in any alphabet used for divination or other magical purposes.
In addition to these, there are the elvish runes of “Lord of the Rings” fame; witches runes, also known as Theban runes; Ogham runes; letters from the Enochian alphabet and so on.
The Witches Rune is not related at all to any ancient or magical alphabet but is a chant used during spellwork.
How can I use Runes for magick?
A rune is a multilevel device used for various purposes.
A rune may be used as a talisman and engraved on wood or a piece of metal or fashioned in some such fashion as a device for protection to ward off evil or to draw love or wealth towards the wearer.
Runes are often inscribed on candles to increase the power of a spell. They are inscribed or etched into the various magical tools such as the chalice or athame.
How can I use Runes for divination?
Runes are often used for divination among members of the magickal community. They are most notably used by Heathens, but are also quite popular with Druids and Witches and many other groups. When used as a divination tool, runes are usually inscribed into small stones or pieces of wood that are uniformly shaped and sized. These are sometimes referred to as rune stones or tiles, but often simply called runes. Runes may also be drawn onto sticks, these are called rune tines. Sometimes the runes are written on cards.
Rune stones are usually kept in a small bag or pouch and the caster reaches into the bag while meditating upon a specific question. She may then draw a specified number of runes and lay them out in a specified pattern, or she may gather several runes at random and scatter them in front of her, letting the pattern that they form inform part of the reading. Once the runes are laid out, she examines them and gives a reading based on the meaning of the individual runes, their relationship to each other and their position in the layout. If using cards, they may be drawn at random from a deck in similar fashion.
What else can I use the Runic alphabet for?
Your Book of Shadows or Grimoire
You can use Runes like sigils, by learning the meaning of a runestone and then drawing it on you, paper, other materials, and etc
Somethings you should know when learning to write the Runic Alphabet
There are lots of different variations of the Runic alphabet, so someone else might know a different one to you.
Some people write third alphabet left-right.
Some letters do not have their own rune, and so they will have a repeated rune.
Some common word beginnings and endings like “Th” and “Ng” have their own runes.
