The Art of Rune Casting: Futhark Runes

Welcome everyone to my newest article, Rune Casting with Elder Futhark runes! In this segment, I'll be giving a simple and straightforward list of the runes & their meanings. There are several different ways of interpretting these, so we'll go over something basic. I've compiled a short list of some common readings for each of the twenty-five Elder Futhark runestones. In the future, I would love to make an article about the history behind these, as I find that to be quite interesting.

Below I have provided a list of runes for referencing in your own Divination work. This is from The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum, which is a fantastic read. I will not be covering everything about runestones, so if you're interested in studying more about them I would highly suggest getting a copy of this book. I will of course be writing another article which goes into more detail on Rune Casting later down the road too. With that out of the way, let us get started!

A list of each different Elder Futhark rune. Taken from The Book of Runes, by Ralph H. Blum.

Each rune has a normal reading and a reversed reading, but only if you choose to read a runestone reversed. Doing so is an optional step, and can be completely ignored if that is how you choose to perform your own readings. Reading a reversed meaning in any form of Divination can be a tricky thing, some will say it stands for the complete opposite of what the normal reading would say. I prefer to read my runes with the idea that a reversed reading simply means the aspect of that particular rune plays a significant role in my question. Casting a rune in the reversed position would mean the rune displayed on the chart above would be facing the opposite direction of what is displayed in the picture above. We'll begin from Right to Left, top to bottom on the list. Beginning with Mannaz:

The Runes & Their Meaning

• Mannaz: The rune of Self, connection to others, cooperation, meditation

Increases understanding and awareness of others.

• Gebo: Partnership & generosity, gifts, skills, relationships, fertility, prosperity, luck

Favors connections or freedom from a relationship.

• Ansuz: Messenger Rune, insight, wisdom, leadership, truth, communications

Brings a message of insight, inspiration, and blessings.

• Othila: Seperation, retreat, inheritance, birthrights, possessions, group prosperity

Creates a sense of belonging, the embodiment of family.

• Uruz: Strength, manhood, womanhood, sexuality, vitality, passion, instinct, courage

A time of great energy and health, as well as strong individualism.

• Perth: Initiation, something hidden, secret matters, fertility, guidance, new beginnings

Helps to see the future, and develops feminine intuition.

• Nauthiz: Constraint, necessity, pain, obstacle, frustration, change of direction

Develops resistance, innovation, and determination.

• Inguz: Fertility, new beginnings, Ing the Hero God, inner strength, grounding, security

Brings a sense of calm, serenity, and human warmth.

• Eihwaz: Defense, turning point, confrontation, profound changes, death

Lends strength and provides a sense of purpose.

• Algiz: Protection, The Elk, success, support, shield, shelter, sedge or rushes

Denotes resolution of problems; shields from danger.

• Fehu: Possessions, nourishment, cattle, wealth, prosperity, opulence, cowardice

Gives power over one's environment.

• Wunjo: Joy, light, glory, achievment, romance, happiness

Brings a fellowship, harmony, comfort, success, recognition.

• Jera: Harvest, fertile season, one year, sequence, cycle end, outcome

Benefit from your earned success; change is coming.

• Kano: Opening, fire, torch, wisdom, insight, revelations, knowledge, transition

Dispells ignorance, fears; Gives vision, regeneration

• Teiwaz: Spiritual Warrior, bravery, energy, faith, victory, self sacrifice, duty

Brings leadership, protection, and rationality.

• Berkana: Growth, rebirth, new beginnings, prosperity, beauty, conception

Indicates regenerative powers and personal growth.

• Ehwaz: Movement, progress, The Horse, transportation, motion, duality, change

Directs towards something new; a Spiritual Journey.

• Laguz: Flow, water, renewal, dreams, flow of emotions, unconscious mind

Time to trust your intuition and honor your receptive side.

• Hagalz: Disruption, elemental power, involuntary suffering, affliction, sudden loss

Destructive forces, clears old patterns and unwanted energy.

• Raido: Journey, communication, union, reunion, travel, change, destiny, relocation

Seek into the unknown; see new perspectives.

• Thurisa: Gateway, place of non-action, The God Thor, adversity, rigor, harm, conflicts

Protection or self-discipline is needed to avoid chaos.

• Dagaz: Breakthrough, transformation, day, satisfaction, positive outcome, awareness

Breakthroughs; a new dawn.

• Isa: Standstill, withdrawal, ice, inactivity, stagnation, reflection

Favors a time to turn inward and seek clarity.

• Sowelu: Wholeness, life force, the Sun's energy, success, happiness, creativity

Achieving goals; support, protection is coming.

• Odin: The Unknowable, Divine Odin, the All-Father, Space for free will

Create your own destiny; the unknown.