Mystic Info - Runes - Runic Divination

Runic Divination

Runes have been used for divination in modern times, based on often symbolic interpretations of these names. If one drew fehu from a bag of runes, for example, it might be interpreted as meaning that one was destined to encounter not a herd of cattle, but rather money (mobile wealth).

Although Norse literature is full of references to runes, it nowhere contains specific instruction on divination or magic. There are two sources on divination which are rather vague descriptions and may not refer to runes. The first one appears in Tacitus' Germania, which describes "signs" chosen in groups of three. The second one appears in Rimbert where he describes how a renegade Swedish king Anund Uppsale first brings a Danish fleet to Birka, but then changes his mind and asks the Danes to draw lots. This drawing of lots was quite informative in telling them that attacking Birka would bring bad luck and that they should attack a Slavic town.

This has not stopped modern authors from extrapolating from what little specifics exist into entire systems of divination. Perhaps the most popular rune author is Ralph Blum, whose Book of Runes comes with a set of runes on ceramic tiles which is loosely based on the runes of the elder futhark. Another author is Edred Thorsson, whose best known books are Futhark, Rune lore and Rune caster's Handbook (The Well of the Wyrd).