Runes     The word "Rune" comes from Runa, meaning "a whisper" or "a secret". Throughout Northern Europe Shamans existed who evolved a complex and deep spiritual tradition of which the runes were an essential part and Runemasters were held in high esteem. They knew how to practise divination with the runes and how to use them in magickal and healing work. The ancient Celts and Vikings believed that everything in nature has a "spirit", an energy that can be communicated with and learnt from. This included trees, herbs, crystals, stones and runes. Through meditation, they were able to "tune in" to their vibrations and learn from them.   "Runes" is the term for a number of alphabets used by the ancient Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian and Germanic peoples. In Norse mythology the runes were won by the God Odin after he hung upside down on Yggdrassil the Tree of Life. He was there for nine days and nine nights without food and water and was pierced in his side by a spear. Where his drops of blood fell they turned into Runic symbols on the ground below him. As a result of this sacrificial act he obtained the knowledge of the Runes. Runes are sometimes called the Futhark after the first 6 letters of the Runic Alphabets. Most Runic alphabets consist of 24 characters, each character has a wealth of meaning, a vocal sound, a part of daily life, a herb, a colour, a type of magickal being and its own magickal intention. Runes are used for divination, communication and magick, they were carved into monuments, stones and wooden staves. Today they are made from flat pebbles, pieces of wood, gemstones and many other materials. You can also make your own Runes by slicing up a branch to make small discs and then burning on the character, or collecting  smooth pebbles and painting the characters on. By making them, this will make the runes more "yours".   Reading the runes To do a simple one stone reading, put all your Runes into a bag or box and give them a shake to mix them up. Then you must clear your mind and focus on a question, then pick out a stone from your bag or box. Look at the character on the stone and interpret its meaning, the character may be upside down and this will give a reverse meaning. Another reading is the Past, Present and Future spread. Again mix up your stones as before, but this time pick out 3 stones and place them in a line. The first stone represents your past, the 2nd the present and the 3rd the future. There are many more complex spreads that can also be used to divine with the Runes. Remember that when asking the Runes for their help with a problem, question or decision. They will not tell you precisely what to do or how to act, but will help you buy giving you a new perspective from which to view things.   Go to the next page for the Runes and their meanings

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