What Is Runes? The Complete Guide to Elder Futhark Meanings, Divination, and Norse Rune Practice

What is runes? The word itself holds the answer: run in Old Norse means "secret," "mystery," or "whisper." Runes are an ancient system of 24 symbols that served simultaneously as a writing alphabet, a divination oracle, and a magical toolkit for the Germanic and Norse peoples of Northern Europe.

Unlike modern alphabets that represent only sounds, each rune carries a name, a phonetic value, a symbolic meaning, and an associated mythological narrative. Fehu is not just the "F" sound; it represents cattle, wealth, abundance, and the primal creative fire. Thurisaz is not just "Th"; it represents the giant's force, defensive power, and the thorn that protects the rose.

This dual nature, practical writing system and spiritual tool, makes runes unique among divination systems. Understanding what is runes means appreciating both dimensions and recognizing how they reinforce each other. For more on the deeper symbolic meanings, see our detailed guide to rune meanings.

History of the Runes

The Elder Futhark (named after its first six letters: F-U-Th-A-R-K) emerged around the 2nd century CE among the Germanic tribes of Northern Europe. The earliest runic inscriptions appear on weapons, jewelry, and memorial stones across Scandinavia, Germany, and Britain.

According to Norse mythology, the god Odin discovered the runes through a profound act of self-sacrifice. The Havamal (a poem in the Poetic Edda) describes Odin hanging on the World Tree (Yggdrasil) for nine days and nine nights, wounded by his own spear, without food or water, until the runes revealed themselves to him. This origin story establishes runes as gifts of divine wisdom earned through sacrifice and ordeal.

The Elder Futhark was used from roughly 150-800 CE. It was later simplified into the Younger Futhark (16 runes, used during the Viking Age, 800-1100 CE) and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc (expanded to 33 runes in Britain). Most modern divination practice uses the Elder Futhark because of its completeness and the depth of its symbolic system.

The 24 Elder Futhark Runes

First Aett: Freya's Aett (Creation and Worldly Life)

Second Aett: Heimdall's Aett (Transformation and Challenge)

Third Aett: Tyr's Aett (Spiritual Development and Society)

Rune Reading Methods

Single Rune Draw (Daily Guidance)

The simplest method: focus on your question, draw one rune from the bag, and interpret its meaning in relation to your situation. Many practitioners draw a single rune each morning as a theme for the day. This practice builds familiarity with the runes and sharpens interpretive intuition over time.

Three-Rune Spread

Draw three runes and place them left to right. Position 1 (left) represents past influences or the foundation of the situation. Position 2 (center) represents the present situation or the challenge at hand. Position 3 (right) represents the likely outcome or recommended action. This spread provides a narrative arc that contextualizes guidance within a timeline.

Five-Rune Cross

Draw five runes. Place one in the center (the core issue), one above (best possible outcome), one below (the foundation or root cause), one to the left (past influence), and one to the right (future direction). This spread offers a more comprehensive view of complex situations.

Casting (Traditional Method)

The oldest method involves casting all or a handful of runes onto a cloth. Runes that land face-up are read; face-down runes are returned to the bag. Interpretation considers which runes appear, their proximity to each other (close runes interact), and their position on the cloth (center versus periphery). Casting requires more intuitive skill but provides the most organic readings.

Working with Runes Beyond Divination

Rune Meditation

Select a single rune and meditate on its form, name, and meaning. Visualize the rune symbol. Chant its name. Contemplate its associated mythology. This practice, called "rune sitting," was traditionally used to internalize the wisdom of each symbol. Spending one day with each rune over 24 days provides a complete immersion in the Elder Futhark.

Bindrunes

Bindrunes combine two or more runes into a single symbol for specific magical purposes. For example, combining Fehu (abundance) with Wunjo (joy) creates a bindrune for joyful prosperity. Bindrunes are carved, drawn, or visualized as unified symbols. The art of creating effective bindrunes requires understanding how runic energies interact and reinforce each other.

Rune Journaling

Keeping a rune journal tracks your daily draws, readings, and personal associations. Over time, patterns emerge: certain runes may appear frequently during specific life phases, or your personal interpretation of a rune may deepen beyond its textbook meaning. The journal becomes a personalized rune reference unique to your practice.

Runes and Norse Mythology

Each rune connects to Norse mythological themes and stories. Understanding these connections enriches interpretation. Ansuz connects to Odin, the All-Father, making it the rune of divine wisdom and communication. Tiwaz connects to Tyr, the god who sacrificed his hand to bind the wolf Fenrir, representing honor through sacrifice. Berkano connects to the goddess Berchta, representing feminine power, fertility, and nurturing. Hagalaz connects to the forces of chaos and transformation, the necessary destruction that precedes new creation.

For those interested in connecting rune practice with other divination traditions, our guides on tarot and I Ching divination and numerology offer complementary perspectives on symbolic interpretation and spiritual guidance.