Runes appeared as alphabetic inscriptions around AD 150 by the ancient peoples of northern Europe.. In the Germanic language, “runa” means “secrets” or “mysteries”. These peoples, like the Germans and the Vikings, carved them in bones, metals or wood and used them in guessing games, to write poems and even as protective amulets.
Runes were the only alphabet of Nordic peoples – however, they never evolved into something like ideogrammatic writing (whose signs represent concepts, ideas – such as the kanji Japanese).
According to Norse mythology, runes were a gift from the god Odin. He would have conquered them while seeking enlightenment hanging from Yggdrasil, the tree of life. After nine days and nine nights, the heavens would have heeded their pleas and opened, letting the runes fall into their hands.
With the popularization of Christianity around the 6th century, the game of runes became associated with witchcraft and was replaced by the Latin alphabet. In the Middle Ages, runes were banned by the Inquisition, but with the Renaissance, they became popular among gypsies and astrologers.
THE RUNES
The first runic (runemal) alphabet invented was the Futhark, with 24 pieces divided into three groups of eight symbols, each with a meaning (some with two).
1st group – Physical achievements
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1. Fehu – The cattle
It symbolizes material riches, success and victory. Inverted – Impasses and defeats
2. Uruz – The angry bull
Luck, growth, perseverance and progress. Inverted – losses and negativism
3. Thurisaz – The Thorns
Divine protection and enthusiasm. Inverted – Hasty decisions, caution
4. Ansuz – Words of Odin
Wisdom, inspiration and listening to good advice. Inverted – Miscommunication, futility, and useless effort
5. Raidho – The chariot
Travel, progress towards goals. Inverted – Breakups, failures and unpleasant paths
6. Kenaz – The Torch
Renewal, new beginnings and enlightenment. Inverted – Loss of social prestige or possessions, end of cycles
7. Gebo
The gift. Union, balance and good business. No inverted position
8. Wunjo – The joy
Well-being and positive evolution. Inverted – Unhappiness, crises and losses
2nd group – Emotional achievements
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9. Hagalaz – The hail
Symbolizes precautions, obstacles and postponing plans. No inverted position
10. Naudhiz – The need
Limitations and caution with plans. Inverted – self-control and serenity
11. Isa – The ice
Concentration, patience and balance. No inverted position
12. Jera – The harvest of the year
Rewards, joy and satisfaction. No inverted position
13. Eihwaz – The yew tree
Protection, end of a cycle and beginning again. No inverted position
14. Perdhro – Something hidden
Unexpected earnings, occult and spiritual knowledge. Inverted – Disappointments, delays and betrayals
15. Sowelo – The Sun
Self-knowledge, regeneration, success and victory. Inverted – No inverted position
16. Algiz – The protection of the moose
Travel, new paths, joy and progress. Inverted – Restlessness, vulnerability and dangers
3rd group – Spiritual realizations
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17. Tiwaz – The god Tyr
It symbolizes victories, honor and justice. Inverted – Spiritual problems and waste of vital energy
18. Berkana – The birch
Renovation. Inverted – Confusion, disbelief, breakups and lacks
19. Ehwaz – The horse
Changes, progress and loyalty. Inverted – Trust and avoid acting
20. Mannaz – The man
Integrity, faith and spiritual clarity. Inverted – Lack of faith, blocks and hidden enemies
21. Laguz – The water
Intuition and psychic powers. Inverted – Confused thoughts, mistakes and failures
22. Inguz – Fertility
Achievements, births, love and sexuality. No inverted position
23. Dagaz – The day
Prosperity, positive transformations. No inverted position
24. Othila – The inheritance
Ancestral wisdom, dominion, distant news. Inverted – Lack of clarity and certainty
How to play at home
one rune game
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Shuffle one of three groups of eight runes into a bag, according to some aspect of your life that deserves clarification. Think or say out loud what you want to know and then randomly pick just one tile. But attention: always pull in the vertical direction!
Three rune set
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1. With a question in mind for each aett, shuffle one of the three groups of eight runes into the bag and choose three pieces, one at a time, then order them from right to left, in order of withdrawal, with the side from inscription down
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two. Untap one by one from the right. The first rune will give clues to your current situation or the past, the second a path to take in the present and the third will show what the future has in store for you if you follow the guidance given
Reader Question – Eliel Pereira da Silva, Vicencia, PE
SOURCES Books The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Mythsby Padraic Colum, The Magic of the Runesby Ruth and Beatriz Adler, and Gods and Myths of Northern Europeby Hilda R. and Ellis Davidson