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What Are Runes? Listening to the Echoes of the North
In the quiet spaces of our modern lives, ancient whispers still echo for those who choose to listen. Among the most potent of these are the runes. The very word “rune” stems from an Old Norse term meaning “a secret, a mystery, a whisper.” This tells us everything: runes are more than just an alphabet. They are a gateway to a hidden world of meaning.
At their most basic, runes are the characters used by Germanic and Norse peoples across Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and the British Isles from roughly 100 BCE to 1600 CE. While the Elder Futhark is the oldest and most foundational system we study today, it gave birth to other variants like the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc and Younger Futhark. But to see them only as letters is to see a star and miss the entire constellation.
Each rune is a sacred symbol, an icon representing a fundamental force of nature or a core facet of the human journey. They are a bridge between the world we can see and the subtle energies we can feel. To engage with the runes is to enter into a dialogue not with an external power, but with the deepest, wisest parts of yourself.
The Gift of Odin: A Sacrifice for Cosmic Wisdom
The wisdom of the runes was not given freely. According to Norse mythology, it was seized through an ultimate act of self-sacrifice by Odin, the All-Father. Legend tells us he hung himself from a branch of Yggdrasil, the great World Tree, for nine agonizing days and nights. Pierced by his own spear, without bread or mead, he hovered in the sacred space between life and death.
“Wounded I hung on a wind-swept gallows
For nine long nights,
Pierced by a spear, pledged to Odin,
Offered, myself to myself…
With a loud cry I took up runes;
From that tree I fell.”
– Hávamál (Words of the High One)
In this profound ordeal, Odin also sacrificed an eye to the Well of Mimir for a drink of its cosmic knowledge. This origin story is a powerful teaching: true wisdom—the kind the runes offer—is not a passive gift. It requires introspection, sacrifice, and the courage to face our own inner shadows to find the light of understanding.
Reading the Weave of Fate: Runes vs. Tarot
Many who are drawn to divination wonder how runes differ from Tarot. The distinction is as beautiful as it is profound. Tarot often paints a detailed narrative, showing the complex interplay of people, events, and energies in your life. It is like a rich, vibrant painting of your situation.
Runes, however, are more elemental. They do not “tell the future” as a fixed destination. Instead, they act as signposts. They reveal the most probable outcome based on the path you are currently walking, and they empower you with the knowledge to change that path. To understand this, we must look to the Norns—the weavers of fate in Norse lore.
- Urd (What Once Was)
- Verðandi (What Is Coming into Being)
- Skuld (What Shall Be)
These three figures are not a simple “past, present, future.” They represent the flowing, interconnected nature of time. Urd is the wellspring from which everything flows; Verðandi is the active, unfolding present; and Skuld is the potential, the debt, the *necessity* that must unfold. Rune readings tap into this flow, reminding us that while the past has shaped us and the present is here, “What Shall Be” is not yet set in stone. We always have a choice.
The Elder Futhark: A Journey Through the Three Aetts
The Elder Futhark’s 24 runes are organized into three families of eight, called Aetts. Each Aett is overseen by a Norse deity and marks a distinct stage of life’s spiritual journey. Knowing their structure helps deepen your understanding.
Freya’s Aett: The Spark of Creation
Ruled by Freya, goddess of love and abundance, this Aett governs the material world and our primal needs. It is the foundation of our physical existence, beginning with Fehu (wealth, cattle) and culminating in Wunjo (joy, harmony). The eight runes in this family are: Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kenaz, Gebo, and Wunjo.
Heimdall’s Aett: The Trials of Being
Guarded by Heimdall, the ever-watchful keeper of the Bifrost bridge, this Aett represents the disruptive forces that forge character. It begins with Hagalaz (hail, sudden change) and leads to Sowilo (the sun, victory). This is the stage of learning and overcoming. The eight runes are: Hagalaz, Nauthiz, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Perthro, Algiz, and Sowilo.
Tyr’s Aett: The Ascent of Spirit
Overseen by Tyr, the god of justice and noble sacrifice, this final Aett signifies our spiritual evolution. It starts with Tiwaz (justice, the god Tyr himself) and completes the cycle with Othala (heritage, legacy). This is the culmination of the soul’s journey. The eight runes are: Tiwaz, Berkano, Ehwaz, Mannaz, Laguz, Ingwaz, Dagaz, and Othala.
More Than Divination: Runes as Tools of Intent
Beyond divination, runes have historically been used for “magic”—a practice we can better understand today as focusing intention. By using a rune’s energy, one can align their personal will with a universal principle for protection, healing, or manifestation. The most common form of this today is the Bindrune.
A bindrune is a symbol created by combining two or more runes into a single, elegant glyph. It is a visual prayer, a powerful sigil designed for a specific purpose, such as attracting wealth, ensuring safe travels, or protecting a home. Creating a bindrune is a deeply personal act of magic, weaving together intentions and ancient energies.
A word of wisdom, however, is echoed in the ancient texts: use these symbols with respect. The runes hold immense power. To use them carelessly or with ill intent is to invite imbalance into your own life. As Odin taught, it is “Better not to ask than to over-pledge.”
Whispers Answered: Frequently Asked Questions About Runes
As you begin your journey, questions will naturally arise. Here are answers to some of the most common queries from seekers of runic wisdom.
What’s the difference between Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, and Anglo-Saxon runes?
Think of them as dialects of the same root language. The Elder Futhark (24 runes) is the oldest system and the ancestor of the others. As Norse culture spread and languages evolved, the runic alphabet adapted. The Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (up to 33 runes) was used in England, while the Younger Futhark (16 runes) became the standard in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. For divination and spiritual work today, most people return to the Elder Futhark for its primal and complete symbolism.
What about the blank rune (Wyrd)?
You may see modern rune sets that include a 25th, blank stone. This is a modern invention, introduced by author Ralph Blum in the 1980s. It is not part of the historical Elder Futhark. Historically, the concept of “fate” or “the unknown” was not represented by a blank space, but was woven into the meanings of all 24 runes themselves. While some find it useful, it’s important to know it is a recent addition.
What are the Armanen runes?
The Armanen runes are a set of 18 runes created in 1908 by an Austrian mystic named Guido von List. He claimed to have rediscovered them from the poem Hávamál. It is crucial to understand that this is a modern esoteric system, not a historically ancient one. It is separate from the Elder Futhark and became associated with problematic ideologies in the 20th century. For those beginning their journey, it is wisest to focus on the authentic, historical Elder Futhark to build a clean and strong foundation.
The Unending Path: Your Journey Begins
The runes are not a destination; they are a path. They are a timeless technology for self-discovery, offered to us from the deep well of the past. They invite us to be more present, to understand the forces that shape our lives, and to walk our path with greater wisdom and purpose.
Now that you understand what runes are and their profound significance, you’re ready to begin your practical journey. Learn how to consult these ancient symbols and unlock their guidance in our Complete Guide to Rune Reading: From Beginner to Master.
The whispering stones have been waiting. It is you who must give them voice. Begin.
