Runes Information - Mystical Curiosity Shop
Web site copyright: Runes and Readings 2005.
Introduction - What are Runes?
Runic symbols were used by the Vikings. To each rune meanings and significances were attributed. Meanings associated with certain runes are very worldly ones, for example relating to contracts, relationships, wealth or health. Other meanings associated with runic symbols refer to spiritual awareness, personal approach or mood. The use of runes is often associated with witchcraft, fortune telling and other occult practices.
Why are they used?
Runes have traditionally been used as a means of prediction. A person who 'reads' runes might undertake a reading for themselves or for others. People have used the runes in seeking answers to questions, issues and situations that affect them, as they do with astrology. Runes can be part of a reflective, contemplative process. More like a mirror than a crystal ball, doing a reading can bring phychic knowledge into focus and put it 'on the stage' for consideration. The runes' attributed meanings and significances are provided in the 'Runes and Readings' book, but the way we relate them to questions or to our own lives is something we are ultimately constructing for ourselves at a deeper personal level, which is the most interesting bit! The runes might be used as a game, or as a means of casting light upon our own personal saga, there are many possible motives for using the runes.
How are they used?
There is more than one way to do a reading. A cloth marked with rune circles and quadrants (water, air, earth and fire) can be used to read or interpret the runes. Runes are picked out of a bag 'lucky-dip' style and cast upon on the cloth. The meanings attributed to the runes are then considered, also the positioning of the runes, and their situation in relation to others. The number of posssible positions and configurations using this method allows for considerable breadth and detail when undertaking a reading. Other methods involve drawing and placing runes in set patterns, for example in a row of three to represent past, present and future. 'Runes and Readings' provides an easy to follow quide to using different methods and interpretation. It is considered helpful to spend some time in meditation, prayer or contemplation prior to throwing the runes.
Runic symbols were used by the Vikings. To each rune meanings and significances were attributed. Meanings associated with certain runes are very worldly ones, for example relating to contracts, relationships, wealth or health. Other meanings associated with runic symbols refer to spiritual awareness, personal approach or mood. The use of runes is often associated with witchcraft, fortune telling and other occult practices.
Why are they used?
Runes have traditionally been used as a means of prediction. A person who 'reads' runes might undertake a reading for themselves or for others. People have used the runes in seeking answers to questions, issues and situations that affect them, as they do with astrology. Runes can be part of a reflective, contemplative process. More like a mirror than a crystal ball, doing a reading can bring phychic knowledge into focus and put it 'on the stage' for consideration. The runes' attributed meanings and significances are provided in the 'Runes and Readings' book, but the way we relate them to questions or to our own lives is something we are ultimately constructing for ourselves at a deeper personal level, which is the most interesting bit! The runes might be used as a game, or as a means of casting light upon our own personal saga, there are many possible motives for using the runes.
How are they used?
There is more than one way to do a reading. A cloth marked with rune circles and quadrants (water, air, earth and fire) can be used to read or interpret the runes. Runes are picked out of a bag 'lucky-dip' style and cast upon on the cloth. The meanings attributed to the runes are then considered, also the positioning of the runes, and their situation in relation to others. The number of posssible positions and configurations using this method allows for considerable breadth and detail when undertaking a reading. Other methods involve drawing and placing runes in set patterns, for example in a row of three to represent past, present and future. 'Runes and Readings' provides an easy to follow quide to using different methods and interpretation. It is considered helpful to spend some time in meditation, prayer or contemplation prior to throwing the runes.
Welcome to the Mystical Curiosity Shop Runes Introduction Page, which we hope will answer some of your questions about runes. Information about runic symbols and interpretations can be found on our Runes Feature page.