Guest Author - Kim DeLeary
Historically, runes have been used for occult purposes in different ways. Understanding the runes and their meanings is important to using runes. There are some basic rune layouts that can be used for divination purposes.
Magical uses of runes include bindrune, rune spells and rune rows. Bindrune means that runes are formed together either side by side or by their stems to form a circle type of design. This design is considered a magic sigil. It is advised to try not to have conflicting runes in a bindrune although it is understood that this is not always possible.
Rune spells are created by writing the desired outcome with rune symbols. It is believed that the writing is imbued with magical powers derived from the runes. This type of magic is not possible with a regular alphabet. The writer added their name at the end of the spell to ensure a connection is made between the spell and its writer. Rune rows are short form spells that are created with only a couple of runes. Runes were also spoken or sung as magic spells.
There were many purposes for these spells including warding off problems, worry, demon attacks and negative forces, charms for protection against sickness and chains of oppression, to quiet storms, communication with the dead, win love, turn away unwanted love and to blunt enemy weapons. Runes were used to invoke the Gods and were carved onto talismans.
These talismans were used for protection and healing. The talisman could be worn or held. Runes were also placed on objects including jewelry, amulets, cups, weapons, houses, buildings, ships and memorial stones. For an immediate effect from a rune spell, the rune can be carved onto a candle or a piece of wood and then burnt.
When runes were used for divination purposes, they were used to analyse situations and not as much for telling the future. Rune casting is an old form of divination with runes. Runes were cast onto a white cloth, picked up while looking towards heaven in groups of three. Another way was to cast the runes and read the runes that faced upright.
When divining by runes, you can say a prayer first if you like. There are no set rules for using runes for divination. Sitting in a dark room will help you to focus on the task. Lighting a candle is symbolic of enlightenment and many rune readers will light a candle before a reading.
Basic layouts for rune reading are simple. You can just pick one rune each day for meditation purposes, to show insight on the coming day or as a quick answer to a question. If the answer is too obscure, try again later or form the question in a different way. Another straightforward layout is to draw three runes to represent past, present and future.
You can also do a nine-rune layout by choosing nine runes and then casting them onto a white cloth. Interpret the ones that land upright first, then turn over the rest, and read them. It is believed by some people that the runes closest to the center are more relevant to the situation and that the runes that turned over could be possible influences or outcomes. It is a personal choice in how you decide to read the runes in this layout; just be constant in using your own rules. After reading the nine runes, some people will take one more rune out to give a final insight on the situation.
There are many ways to use runes. The most important thing is that the reader understands the runes and their meanings. It is up to the individual as to how they will use their runes.
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