Book of Shadows

Rune Casting

Casting lots is an extremely old form of divination, possibly the most basic form, and the most popular modern form of casting lots is using rune stones. These are polished stones inscribed with Elder Futhark runes. They're pretty easy to get, but you can also make them. I made some rune stones just by taking little wooden craft circles and writing each rune on them. To read them, you can throw them on the ground and interpret the ones that are upright, draw them blindly from a bag, use spreads like in Tarot, or roll them like dice. Here are their meanings (arranged in the order of the English alphabet, from A to Z; see previous page):

A: Name: Ansuz, "a god". Element: Air. English Letter: A. Upright: Odin's rune; messanger rune. Wisdom, knowledge, communication, creativity. Reversed: Loki's rune; lack of communication and clarity, secrets; a trick.

B: Name: Berkanan, "Birch Twig". Element: Earth. English Letter: B. Upright: Growth, fertility, rebirth, beauty. Reversed: Lack of growth; loss of profit. Converse: Profit is being hidden or dishonestly withheld. Theft

C: Name: Kauno, "torch". Element: Fire. English Letter: C. Upright: Heat, light, enlightenment, release. Reversed: Cold, darkness, lack of insight. Converse: Hidden danger

D: Name: Dagaz, "day". Element: Fire and Air. English Letter: D. Upright: Daylight, dawn, breakthrough, change for the better. Reversed: No reverse Converse: False dawn; not the time for change.

E: Name: Ehwaz, "horse" Element: Earth. English Letter: E. Upright: Momentum, speed, horses, confidence, partnership. Reversed: Regression, reluctance. Converse: Someone willing or confident is up to no good.

F: Name: Fehu, "wealth". Element: Fire and Earth. English Letter: F. Upright: Wealth, rewards, health. Reversed:Failed ambition, bad health, bad luck, poverty. Converse: Hidden reward. Undiscovered wealth.

G: Name: Gebo, "gift" Element: Air. English Letter: G. Upright: Love, forgiveness, compassion, gifts, skill, luck. Reversed: No reverse. Converse: Hidden talent needs uncovering. Think about romance.

H: Name: Hagalaz, "Hail". Element: Ice (Water). English Letter: H Upright: Disruption, weather, suffering, illness, interference. Reversed: No reverse Converse: Unexpected dangers. A lover or partner is hiding something.

I: Name: Isa, "Ice". Element: Ice (Water). English Letter: I. Upright: Ice, cold, freezing, lack of change and emotion, delay. Reversed: No reverse Converse: Coolness hides emotion. Smiles mask evil intentions.

J: Name: Jera, "harvest". Element: Earth. English Letter: J. Upright: Success, good spirits, justice. Reversed:No reverse. Converse: Talents must be discovered. Rewards must be rooted out.

L: Name: Laguz, "Water". Element: Water English Letter: L. Upright: Cleansing, tidal movement, aquatic activities, fluidity, lack of control, sexuality, unconscious, intuitive and psychic abilities. Reversed: Storm, flood, sinking or drowning. Converse: Beware of people associated with water trying to trick you.

M: Name: Mannaz, "mankind, human". Element: Air. English Letter: M. Upright: Self, soul, ego, friends, kindness, charity. Reversed: Same portents to a person of the opposite sex. Converse: The person is being covert or dishonest.

N: Name: Naudiz, "Need". Element: Fire. English Letter: N. Upright: Necessity, craving, desire. Control yourself. Endurance, patience. Reversed: No reverse. Converse: Your desires have hidden dangers. A secret admirer.

O: Name: Othila, "heredity land, possession". Element: Earth. English Letter: O. Upright: Inheritance, home, family, honesty. Reversed: Immaturity, valueless inheritance. Converse: A "worthless" inheritance may have hidden treasures.

P: Name: Perth. Element: Water. English Letter: P. Upright: A gamble, a mystery, change. Reversed: Chance of failure. Converse: Trust only loved ones and take nothing for granted.

R: Name: Raido, "riding, vehicle". Element: Air. English Letter: R. Upright: Traveling, departure, union. Reversed: Lack of movement, isolation. Converse: A secret mission, enemies disguised as friends.

S: Name: Sowilo, "the sun". Element: Air. English Letter: S. Upright: Energy, revelation, wholeness, victory, spiritual awareness, strength of character. Reversed: No reverse. Converse: Eclipse of light or energy. Hidden information.

T: Name: Tiwaz, "Tyr (the god)". Element: Air. English Letter: T. Upright: Courage, bravery, daring, male sexuality. Reversed: Naiveté, shyness, cowardice. Beware of left-handed people. Converse: Uncover your hidden talent of leadership

U: Name: Uruz, "Aurochs (a giant wild ox)". Element: Earth. English Letter: U. Upright: Physical or mental strength, power. Freedom, male sexuality, health, major life change. Manhood/womanhood. Reversed: Weakness, failure to think clearly, illness. Converse: Hidden strengths must be realized.

V: Name: Wunjo, "Joy". Element: Ice (Water) English Letter: W, V. Upright: Joy, happiness, understanding, reward. Happy partnerships. Reversed: Misunderstanding, romantic/partnership problems. Converse: Truth is hidden. Success is elusive. Love is false.

Y: Name: Ihwaz, "yew tree". Element: All. English Letter: Y. Upright: Magick, protection, wisdom. Reversed: No reverse. Converse: Awaken defensive abilities and counter threats.

Z: Name: Algiz, "pine woods, sedge grass". Element: Air. English Letter: Z. Upright: Protection, success. Reversed: Unprotected, decline. Converse: Growth and development opportunities are disguised.

TH: Name: Thurisaz, "monster, devil". Element: Fire. English Letter: TH. Upright: Chaos, evil, temptation, thorns, anger, lust. Reversed: Evil can be overcome, good omen. Converse: Evil will be disguised as good.

NG: Name: Ingwaz, "Angel". Element: Earth and Water. English Letter: NG. Upright: Harmony, love, peace, sex. Undying love between romantic partners. Reversed: No reverse. Converse: Love, harmony, and peace will be hard to achieve, but preserve.

(Source: http://www.therunesite.com/elder-futhark-rune-meanings/%C2%A0  https://whisperingworlds.com/runic/runes.php)