Nordic - Blog Posts
Divination | Runes
Runes | Note: This is research purposes and my findings from online. Runes isn't something I would use do do proper research, It may be Nordic/Pagan/Germanic in nature so be careful.
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But how are Runes used in Divination?
Used as a divination tool, rune stones are an ancient tool that features Germanic writing, and they can answer some of the questions that have been burning in your heart lately. They are a set of small pieces of stone, wood, or other materials that utilize 24 ancient alphabetic symbols, each with its own unique meaning.
The history of rune stones is a mysterious one, which only adds to the magical nature of this popular divination tool. It is known that rune stones date back to well before the Iron Age.
In fact, the English word for rune stems from the Norse word, runa, which means “secret.” Perhaps it is the secretive or mysterious nature of rune stones that allows them to open up our minds and hearts to hidden information.
Rune stones are powerful and enlightening, and like the Tarot, working with your set of runes on a regular basis will create a special bond between yourself and the all-knowing stones. Enigmatic and magical, runes will help you connect more deeply to the energy of the Universe.
While runes have been used since as far back as 150 AD, they have not always been used as tools of divination.
How to use Rune Stones:
To use your rune stones, you simply cast them: Ask your question in your mind, toss your runes onto a cloth of your choosing from either East to West or towards the Sun, and pay attention to the runes that land face-up.
Research the meaning or message behind any of the runes that have landed face-up to find the answers to your question.
The question you ask the runes is important; however, after you spend time with your runes, you’ll be able to use them without having to focus on your question. Your rune stones will begin to pick up on your energy the more you work with them. Sooner than later, you’ll be able to simply reach for your set and perform a quick reading for fast and easy guidance.
When you do feel like asking questions, it’s important to be specific about your inquiry. Vague questions – such as “Does he love me?” – will typically result in vague answers. Similar to the Tarot, asking open-ended questions will always yield better, more meaningful results from a rune casting.
Yes or no questions should be avoided to get more explanatory answers. Act like your rune set is a close friend, someone with whom you wish to share a deep conversation full of respect and understanding.
Single Stone Question:
While you can use each and every stone in a set for a reading, you may choose a single stone reading when you’re short on time or need quick guidance.
Try asking a question, reaching into your bag of runes, and picking the one that seems to be giving off the most energy. Whatever your hand is attracted to, grab that stone. Interpret the meaning of the stone to answer your question.
For less specific advice, you can also use this technique for daily guidance.
Ask yourself what energy you need to focus on for the day or what lessons you need to learn. Then, using the same technique, feel for the stone that seems to be calling your name and draw it out. Interpret that stone and try to take that wisdom or message with you throughout the day.
Three Stone Question:
A three-stone reading is more involved and takes a bit longer to interpret, but it can also give you a more insightful answer to your questions.
You can again ask your stones any question you want to know the answer to, as long as it is specific. Now, randomly gather the first three stones in your bag of runes that you’re drawn to.
Since the runic alphabet moves backwards, the first stone will go on the right-hand side, the second stone in the middle, and the third stone will be on the far left.
Rune #1: Represents the basics or the core of the situation.
Rune #2: Symbolizes the challenges associated with this situation.
Rune #3: Represents the course of action to take or the final outcome.
Five-Stone Reading:
For this rune reading, the goal is to select one rune at a time until you have five before you. The first rune is placed in the middle, and the remaining four are placed to create across the first.
The second rune should go to the left or the West of the first stone. The third stone is placed above, or North, of the center stone. The fourth stone lies to the right, or the East, of the center stone, and the fifth stone is placed at the bottom of the cross.
The three horizontal stones (2, 1, and 5) represent past, present, and future. The southern stone, rune 4, shows a challenge or a problem in the situation. And finally, rune 3 represents the help you may receive to combat those challenges.
How to read:
The runes that land in the center, face-up are symbolic of your current situation.
If runes land face-down, they may represent unseen possibilities or the future.
Runes that land on the edges of a casting likely represent people or situations that are just out of reach or may be out of your control.
Your intuition is crucial when casting – follow your heart for the most effective reading.
Rune Stone #1
The first stone symbolizes the main theme of the situation that you are currently facing. It may also indicate your current thoughts about this issue, allowing you to gain more understanding of your own experience.
If the message of this stone appears vague, don’t panic or become flustered, as the rest of the reading can help you understand more about the message of this stone. A vague answer may also represent your own lack of clarity regarding your feelings about this situation.
Rune Stone #2
This rune represents your strengths or assets when it comes to this situation. Even if you get a challenging rune stone in this position, it may lead to a favourable outcome. The rune that appears in the position tells you about fate, karma, or the highest good of the matter at hand.
It will tell you how to create the most positive karma on your journey.
Rune Stone #3
The third stone symbolizes the karma that already exists within the situation. For instance, if your question surrounds a certain relationship, the stone in this position may illuminate the karmic nature of this relationship.
It also takes a look at the situation and allows you to understand more about how you got to this point. This rune gives you more insight regarding the vibrations that accompany this situation or relationship.
Rune Stone #4
This stone is connected to the outcome. However, your interpretation of this rune is crucial in its answer. It’s important that you keep your mind open when looking into the meaning of this stone and its position.
This rune is not showing you what will happen, but rather it is trying to show you what could happen. This rune may also show you outcomes that you hadn’t previously considered in this situation. While the third stone tells you about the karma surrounding this situation, the fourth rune shows you what you can do about it.
You can also play around with this spread and the meaning of each rune’s position. You could try letting the four runes represent four days, weeks, months, or years. The stones could represent four people, four relationships, four seasons, or even four choices.
The choice is yours, as the casting of the runes is deeply connected to your spirit.
Once you’ve started your rune-casting process, it’s important that you don’t become distracted or insecure. Consistency is key for an illuminating reading. And try to remind yourself that the process will become easier and clearer the longer you work with your set of runes.
Media Notes: Neil gaimans [??? This is like the fifth time is he a witch?] Stardust the prince hired a man to find the star who threw a ton of runes into the air and when they fell for yes/no unsure answers. [Illustration of runes]
But I guess Rune work is different than the movie. If only it were so simple to have them blank means no and symbol up means yes. [Sigh]
Baldr, the norse god of light, depicted with the magic ring Draupnir on his arm.
This is actually one of my non-digital paintings, the original painting is acrylic on canvas board ^_^
(click on the image for a better image quality)
(click on the image for a better image quality)
(click on the image for a better image quality)
Nøkken Among the Lilies
Thought I'd post a pic of my summer acrylic painting.
The Nøkken (also known as Näcken, Nøkk, Nixie, or Nix) is a water spirit from Scandinavian Folklore. He is known to reside in still bodies of water, hiding in the lily pads and fern. Nøkken was said to play the violin, fiddle, or harp so beautifully it lured people to the bodies of water where they drowned.
In May I worked on touching up my acrylic paintings. Here's my first attempt at the Nøkken sitting in a still body of water playing his fiddle.
Phoenix Gravel Photo of a sizable gravel garden path in the front yard that can withstand drought and gets plenty of sun.
Sigur Ros | Gobbledigook
I often feel overwhelmed by Late Medieval - Early Modern finds in Irish and Scandinavian museums, much more so than by known human sacrifices, etc. All those knitted caps, mittens, warm cloaks - just regular garments of some person who was walking somewhere from somewhere and reasonably hoped to get there. Just can't shake the thought of some part of them still out there; still walking.
Imagine. . .
. . . being a nordic god and helping Ivar claim the throne
An Atlas of the Worlds of Valhöll
(For better quality, please click the image to zoom in)
Pronunciation Guide:
Drakabloð Sögur: DRAK-ah-BLODTH SOH-gur
Valhöll: VAL-holl
Alfheimr: ALV-hey-MUR
Ljósalfar: LYOS-al-VAR
Dökkalfar: DOCK-al-VAR
Svartalfheimr: SVART-alv-hey-MUR
Svartalfar: SVART-al-VAR
Íssalfar: EES-al-VAR
Jötúnheimr: YOET-oon-hey-MUR
Hýrralfar: HYEER-al-VAR
Múspellheimr: MOOS-pell-hey-MUR
Skögralfar: SKO-gur-al-VAR
Grœnnfell: GROEN-vell
Vanír: VAN-eer
Vanaheimr: VAN-a-hey-MUR
Þokalfar: THOK-al-VAR
Nídavellír: NEE-da-VELL-eer
Nærnin: NAYR-nin
Seiðberendr: SAYDTH-ba-REN-dur
Seiðragaldr: SAYDTH-ra-GAL-dur
Fafnir: FOV-neer
Vaeryn Téhlladen: VAY-rin TAY-la-DEN
Zephysus: ZEH-fi-SUS
Höddgardr: HOD-gar-DUR
Kuningaz Xekaara: KOO-ning-GAHZ za-KAR-ah
Raameshaz: rah-MEH-shaz
Hemaara: HEY-mar-AH
Zou’maal: zoo-MAHL
Ne’daag: NAY-dahg
Tal’mar: tal-MAR
Friðrs: fridth-THURS
Iilr: EEL-urs
Bilfjord Beast: bil-FYORD beest
Skjelkii: SKYEL-key
Fjorlagforað: fyor-LAG-vor-ADTHS
Nornadäg: NORN-uh-DAHG
Súnadäg: SOON-uh-DAHG
Múnadäg: MOON-uh-DAHG
Týrsadäg: TEERS-uh-DAHG
Wodensdäg: WO-dens-DAHG
Thorsadäg: THORS-uh-DAHG
Friggsadäg: FREEGS-uh-DAHG
Niflheimr: NIFL-hey-MUR
Hvergelmír: HVER-gel-MEER
Elivagar: EL-iv-AH-gar
Svöll: SVOL
Gúnnthra: GOON-thra
Fjörm: FYORM
Fimbulthúl: fim-BUL-thool
Slíd: SLEED
Hríd: HREED
Sylg: SILG
Ylg: ILG
Vid: VEED
Leipt: LAYPT
Gjöll: GYOLL
Ginnúngagap: GI-noon-GA-gahp
Ymir: EE-meer
Aurgelmír: ARE-gel-MEER
Audhumla: ODD-hum-LAH
Buri: BUR-ee
Börr: BOR
Bergelmir: BER-gel-MEER
Ask: OSK
Embla: em-BLAH
Sol: SOL
Mani: MAHN-ee
Bil: BEEL
Hjuki: HYOO-kee
Hati: HAH-tee
Sköll: SKOLL
Yggdrasíl: IGG-dra-SEEL
Hraesvelg: HRAYS-velg
Nídhöggr: NEED-hog-UR
Ratatösk: RAT-at-OSK
Modsognir: MOD-sog-NIR
Durin: DUR-in
Æsír: AY-seer
Frey: FRAY
Valfreyja: VAL-frey-YAH
Heimdallr: HEYM-dall-UR
Bïfröst: BIE-frost
Baldr: BAL-dur
Nänna: NAHN-nah
Ragnarök: RAG-nah-ROHK
Fimbulvetr: FIM-bul-VEYTR
Fenrisúlfr: FEN-ris-OOL-fur
Jörmúngandr: YORE-moon-GAHN-dar
Naglfar: NAHGL-var
Vígrid: VEE-grid
Gjállarhorn: GYAE-lar-HORN
Einherjar/Einherjerii: AIN-her-YAR/AIN-her-YAER-ee
Valhalla: VAL-hall-AH
Surtr: SUR-tur
Líf: LEEF
Lífthrasir: LEEF-thray-SEER
Gimlé: gim-LAY
Brimir: BREE-meer
Okolnír: oh-KOL-neer
Sindri: SIN-dree
Nidafjöll: NEED-ah-FYOL
Nastrond: nas-TROND
Drekivörðr: DREK-ee-VOR-dthur
Vandr: VAHN-dur
Rígurd: REE-gurd
Dögúl: DOH-gool
Bïfröstblaða: BIE-frost-BLADTH-ah
Sígarsholm: SEE-gars-HOLM
Galdyrbrynja: GAL-dur-BRIN-ya
Gleipnír: GLEYP-neer
Ellída: el-LEE-da
Vaettrhaerr: VAY-tur-HAYR
Izana: AYE-zan-AH
Fjörr: FYOR
Byardölf: BYARD-olv
Jarnir: YAR-neer
Alfhildr: ALV-hil-DUR
Rúnhildr: ROON-hil-DUR
Hildegardr: HIL-de-GAR-dur
Jarl: YARL
Skídbladnír: SKEED-blahd-NEER
Hneflagi: HNE-flah-GEE
Myennr: MYEH-nur
Keifdel Drekínalen: CAVE-dell drek-EE-nah-LEN
Vedthrelta: VED-thur-EL-tah
Lydia: lid-AYE-ah
Feldûrröst: fel-DOO-rost
Fjoðrbrandr: FYO-dthur-BRAN-dur
Asbjorn: AZ-bjorn
Zazyr: ZAZ-ur
Hráfnfär: HRAE-vin-VAR
Valdyrbjalla: VAL-dyur-BYAL-ah
Dàlr: DAH-lur
Múfnir: MOOV-neer
Ylette: YIL-ett
Reiyr: RAI-ur
Denris: DEN-ris
Laefden: LAYF-den
Alyr: AH-lyur
W’ei: wuh-AY
Aallviinaax: ALL-vee-NAX
Norðrljós: NOR-dthur-LYOS
Bleiðarak: BLIE-tha-RAK
Ornúsüm: OR-noo-ZOOM
Iirvaedín: ur-VAY-deen
Araelys: uh-RAY-lis
Ómakligr: OO-mok-LEE-gur
Eljúðnir: ael-YOODTH-neer