Celtic runes, also known as magic runes, have a rich history. They have been used in divination since the 17th century, making them hundreds of years old. These small stones have an ancient alphabet carved onto them, which are believed to be magic and cast to answer questions and predict the future.
The best psychics have been using physical aids such as magic runes to support them with gaining answers from the universe for centuries. Other equipment includes crystals, coffee grounds and tea leaves. Additionally, if you were to search for ‘online psychics’ or ‘psychics near me’, you would find that many, if not all of them, will use tools such as tarot cards, playing cards and angel cards for fortune telling. Some of the most popular psychic services include Kasamba, Keen, AskNow, Psychic Source and Oranum.
Runes are seen as the first form of physical equipment used by people for gaining psychic insight and casting protection. Let’s take a look at their history and what the symbols mean.
The word rune is thought to refer to something secret or hidden. Some believe that early runes were used as magical signs. In other words, they featured in magic and divination. Unfortunately, there is no physical evidence to support this theory. It is presumed that the runes came from the Tarot and the Chinese Book of Changes, and that the Vikings used them for the I Ching. In short, the I Ching is a taxonomy which philosophically classifies how people should live an ethical life, how rulers should rule, and also served as an oracle for both a person’s individual future and that of the state. Rune masters and Vikings wore easily recognisable and striking clothes. They were prominent figures in tribal circles, and were simultaneously adored, welcomed and feared. It’s believed that many runes experts were also women. However, when the rune masters passed, so too did their wisdom, and the only remnants were the sagas, assorted fragments of runic history and, of course, the rune itself.
While this era is fairly far back in history, there is also evidence that similar traditions existed in older times, as Roman historian Tacitus reported on similar customs of Germanic tribes in the year 98 AD. A reference here is the traditional Germanic Futhark script, which comprised 24 runes, divided into three groupings of eight. Within these groups, the third and eighth stones were said to have special magic powers. The three groups were named after Nordic gods – Frey, Hagal and Tyr.
The story of the chief Nordic god is commonly believed to explain the origin of rune stones. Odin’s name comes from the terms for ‘wind’ and ‘spirit’, and he is said to have brought the runes to people through his suffering and self-sacrifice. Legend says that he hung for nine nights on the Yggdrasil tree, wounded by his sword and suffering from hunger, thirst and pain. Alone and without help, he was reaching death when he saw the runes. With a final effort, he reached out and grabbed them.
Magic runes have been around in various eras throughout centuries of history. For example, during the Anglo-Saxon era in England, it’s said that tribal leaders and advisors referred to their secret consultations as ‘Runes’. Additionally, when Bishop Wulfila translated the Bible into fourth century Gothic, he said in Markus 4,11: ‘You are given the knowledge about the secret of the kingdom of God’, where secret was used with ‘runa’. They have many functions and apply to many areas of everyday life. There were ritual functions, where the runes could be used for divination and to invoke higher powers, that could influence a tribe’s happiness and lives in general. Additionally, there were rune spells for every sector of life – from holy functions to everyday tasks. Runes and spells could impact the weather, the tides, the harvest, health and love. People would use runes for fertility, birth, death and to abolish curses. It was common to see runic symbols everywhere – carved onto weapons, jewellery, drinking cups, houses and the bow of Viking ships.
Mannaz
The self
Messages from this rune:
Gebo
A partnership and/or gift
Messages from this rune:
Fehu
Property, food and livestock
Messages from this rune:
Othila
Shedding the old and welcoming the new
Messages from this rune:
Uruz
Termination and new beginning
Messages from this rune:
Perth
Concealment and hidden objects
Messages from this rune:
Nauthis
Facing fears and making plans
Messages from this rune:
Ingwuz
Making way for change
Messages from this rune:
Algiz
Managing emotions, practicing moderation
Messages from this rune:
Eihwaz
Patience and strength through hardship
Messages from this rune:
Ansuz
Receiving gifts, thinking of positives
Messages from this rune:
Wunjo
Receive blessings, act honestly
Messages from this rune:
Jera
Work hard to reap rewards
Messages from this rune:
Kena/Kano
Opening; expulsion of darkness
Messages from this rune:
Tyr/Teiwaz
Reflection and perseverance
Messages from this rune:
Berkana
Power and accomplishment; possible distractions
Messages from this rune:
Ehwaz
Steady movement and careful action
Messages from this rune:
Laguz
Temperance and self-reflection
Messages from this rune:
Hagalaz
Identify damage and work on resolution
Messages from this rune:
Thurisaz
Careful development; patience and growth
Messages from this rune:
Dagaz
Big changes and major breakthroughs
Messages from this rune:
Isa
Entrapment and limited choices
Messages from this rune:
Raidho/Raido
Choose actions carefully
Messages from this rune:
Sowilu/Sowelu
Recharge and regenerate; stay humble
Messages from this rune:
Odin
The blank and unknowable
Messages from this rune:
Typically, runes are used during the practice of divination in order to predict the future and guide you to the answers to any questions you may have. These symbols provide insight and can help to predict particular outcomes for situations. Historically, runes have been used for amulets and shields, and also to hide secret messages. The alphabet of runes has also been useful in the past for providing protection and healing, similarly to symbols such as the ankh, eye of horus or tree of life.
Runes are like tarot cards in that they each have a specific meaning, and psychic advisors will interpret them in different ways depending on where they fall or if they are displayed correctly as opposed to upside down. There are multiple rune casting spreads which psychics use to read runes, and the most common are 3, 5 or 9 runes. Alternatively, they can be drawn individually in a reading for specific questions or situations. It can take years to master the art of casting and reading runes.