The ancient Egyptians developed heiroglyphics thousands of years ago as a means of communication, which then became an art form as can be seen on the walls of the temples and pyramids to this day. Similarly the Rune alphabet was developed by our Scandinavian and Germanic ancestors and can be traced back to the 2nd century B.C. Runic symbols look similar to the ancient carvings from the Stone Age and may have evolved from these shapes.

According to Norse mythology, the god Odin, in an effort to learn the secrets of life and death, hung himself upside down from the world-ash tree (Yggdrasil) impaled by his own spear. During this ordeal, tormented by pain, hunger and thirst, he spied some Runes below him and seized them. Afterward he passed on the secrets of the Runes to mankind.

In ancient times, lieracy was not taken for granted as it is now. Runemasters - those adept at carving and reading Runic inscriptions - became highly respected members of society and were looked upon with awe and reverence. Because the northern tribes were nomadic, the Runemasters transferred the symbols to small stones, wooden, bone and clay slabs to make them easier to carry.

Each Rune is a pictorial representation of a particular natural mood or condition. The name of each Rune has been chosen with care, because it has to begin with a particular sound. The angularity of the Rune symbols is probably due to the limitations of the available tools placed upon the carver. Straight lines were easier to carve.

Some comparisons can be made with the Roman alphabet because the shapes are similar in some ways. Each Rune has a keyword, a meaning, a deity, a colour, a tree, a herb, a poularity, and a specific element attributed to it. Some Runes also have an associated bird or animal.

The Runes pinpoint your hidden fears and the unseen influences that affect your future. The interpretation of a Rune cast will in no way absolve you from the responsibility of choice. It will, however, point out the altrernatives to a course of action. The Runes are a constructive medium. They describe the positive forces that are working on your behalf - for your own good. Runes point out bad influences too, but they will always suggest positive actions that will help reverse the adverse forces. Let the strength of the Runes become your strength.


The five most popular methods of Rune casting are as follows and are laid out on a Runic cloth or board:

• The single Rune reading - This is particularly useful if you seek guidance on a specific problem.
  
  
• The three Rune Reading - This is best if you're seeking an 'overview' of the day ahead or if you have a specific question.
  
  
• The five Rune cross - This is for seeking advice about a complex situation.
  
  
• The six Rune cross - Similar to a five Rune reading, this has an extra Rune at the base of the cross which represents fresh influences which could affect you.
  
  
• The Runic Wheel - Starting with one at just below the nine O'clock position, going backwards, twelve runes are placed in the shape of a clock face with the thirteenth Rune in the centre. This represents the next twelve days or the next twelve months, you choose which you want before shuffling the Runes. Each of the positions is called a 'house' and has a different meaning.

Runes are divided into groups of eight (Aett) the names of each group are 'Freyr's Aett', 'Hagal's Aett' and 'Tyr's Aett'. Each Rune has a keyword and an elment attached to it (except for the Rune WYRD) and depending on which way up the Rune is, upright or upside down, a different meaning is attached to it. Below are the keywords and elements of each Rune:

1. FEHU : Keyword - Aquisition, Element - Fire
   
   
2. URUZ : Keyword - Power, Element - Earth
   
   
3. THURISAZ : Keyword - Challenge, Element - Fire
   
   
4. ANSUZ : Keyword - Knowledge, Element - Air
   
   
5. RAIDO : Keyword - Travel, Element - Air
   
   
6. KENAZ : Keyword - Enlightenment, Element - Fire
   
   
7. GEBO : Keyword - Partnership, Element - Air
   
   
8. WUNJO : Keyword - Bliss, Element - Earth
   
   
9. HAGALAZ : Keyword - Chaos, Element - Water
   
   
10. NAUTHIZ : Keyword - Needs, Element - Fire
    
    
11. ISA : Keyword - Standstill, Element - Water
    
    
12. JERA : Keyword - Fruitfulness, Element - Earth
    
    
13. EIHWAZ : Keyword - Togetherness, Element - Earth
    
    
14. PERTHO : Keyword - Mystery, Element - Water
    
    
15. ALGIZ : Keyword - Defense, Element - Air
    
    
16. SOWULO : Keyword - Enthusiasm, Element - Air
    
    
17. TEIWAZ : Keyword - Zest, Element - Air
    
    
18. BERKANA : Keyword - New Beginnings, Element - Earth
    
    
19. EHWAZ : Keyword - Adventure, Element - Earth
    
    
20. MANNAZ : Keyword - Humanity, Element - Air
    
    
21. LAGUZ : Keyword - Intuition, Element - Water
    
    
22. INGUZ : Keyword - Achievement, Element - Earth
    
    
23. OTHILA : Keyword - Security, Element - Earth
    
    
24. DAGAZ : Keyword - Life, Element - Fire
    
    
25. WYRD : "In the lap of the gods"