RUNES The runic alphabet (the symbols seen on today’s rune stones) was used in ancient times for everyday communication. There were several styles that developed at the same time, and more that followed. The earliest known stone inscription of runes dates to around 300 AD. The most popular runes used today for divination are said to have originated in northern Europe, and each stone represents an aspect of one of the Norse gods. Each rune symbol has a general meaning and subtler nuances, and experienced readers look at the order of the symbols in the “cast” to read the aspects of each. Upside down stones have additional meanings. Runes are not meant to be used as tools for fortune telling. They are meant to give a picture of the current circumstances and the possible outcomes, leaving the person who asks them for insight with a wider vision upon which to choose a path. Runes don’t always give clear advice: the best readings are done by experienced casters who understand the subtle combinations of stones and their hidden meanings. Go to this site for a full fun reading with great graphics. Pick your own stones from the online bag: http://www.wyrdenweave.co.uk/cgi-bin/cast_runes.cgi .
