Rune divination is the usage of rune symbols, usually inscribed into pieces of wood, stone, bone or other materials, to get an answer to a question.
Rune divination looks like this – a person asks a question and pulls out a rune, or several, out of their rune bag.
The runes that came out are interpreted in the context of the question.
Historical evidence of runic divination
Tacitus, Germania (98 CE)
Almost 2000 years ago Tacitus, a Roman historian and politician, in his book Germania described a divination ritual among the Germanic tribes.
He notes that they cut a branch, sliced it into strips, and marked these with runes.
A priest would then pray to the gods, casting the runes onto a white cloth, then pick up the runes and interpret the signs.
Snorri Sturluson (Ynglinga Saga, 13th Century)
In the Ynglinga Saga (Chapter 38), part of his Heimskringla, Snorri recounts a divinatory act during a Norse ritual.
King Granmar of Södermanland attends a blót (sacrifice) at Uppsala, where “the runes fell in a way that said he would not live long.”
This brief mention ties the practice to a sacrificial context, implying that casting runes was used to interpret the will of the gods or foresee fate.
Example of runic divination
I have asked the runes: “What awaits Laura in her love life in the coming year?” and pulled out 3 runes:
The runes came out from left to right: Ansuz Kenaz Teiwaz.
Ansuz is the “past” in this spread. Ansuz in the context of this question could mean communication, thoughts. I interpret it like this – in the past Laura has had a lot of positive communications in her love life.
Kenaz is the “present” and Kenaz in love related spreads usually means passion. So we can assume that currently there is passion in Laura’s love life.
Teiwaz is the “future” in this spread and the rune Teiwaz represents the male energy, discipline and strength. This suggests that in future Laura will have such a man with her.
Try Rune Divination Right Now!
You can try rune divination right now. If you don’t have a set of runes, you can make paper runes.
Just cut paper or cardboard into 24 small pieces about the size of a big coin and draw the rune symbols onto the pieces.
Use this image as reference to drawing the rune symbols.
Now put the runes into some bag or box, ask your question, put your hand into the bag, stir the runes and pull out one rune.
Then check the rune meaning and try to understand how this relates to your question.
You can find the rune meanings and several spreads in the freebie PDF file.
If you need help with interpretation of your spreads, you are welcome to create a post on my forums Seidrgard, the home of magick.