Long before tarot cards existed, the Norse and Germanic peoples were casting runes — small stones or pieces of wood carved with symbols from the Elder Futhark alphabet. Each rune carries a name, a sound, and a meaning that connects to the mythological and practical world of the people who created them. They are blunt instruments. Runes don't do gentle. They tell you what you need to hear, and they don't wrap it in silk.
The Elder Futhark
The most common rune set is the Elder Futhark — 24 runes divided into three groups of eight (called aettir). The name comes from the first six runes: F-U-TH-A-R-K. Each rune has a literal meaning (wealth, journey, gift) and a symbolic layer that deepens with study and practice.
Key runes to know: Fehu (wealth and abundance), Uruz (strength and vitality), Ansuz (divine communication and wisdom), Raidho (journey and rhythm), Kenaz (creativity and illumination), and Wunjo (joy and harmony). These form the backbone of the first aett and appear frequently in readings.
How to Cast Runes
Traditional casting involves placing the runes in a bag, focusing on your question, and drawing them one at a time. A simple three-rune draw — past, present, future — is a good starting point. Some readers cast all the runes onto a cloth and read the patterns they form, including which ones land face-down (reversed). The method matters less than the intention behind it.
Runes vs. Tarot
Tarot is narrative — it tells a story with characters, settings, and plot twists. Runes are oracular — they deliver individual insights that you assemble into understanding. Think of tarot as a novel and runes as a series of koans. Both can be profound. The right tool depends on the question and, frankly, on your temperament. Some people resonate with the cards. Others connect more deeply with the stones.
Runes are the oldest form of written divination in Northern Europe. They've survived for two thousand years because they work — not because they're gentle, but because they're honest.