Your Step-by-Step Guide to Reading Runes
The Runes are an ancient modality of language and divination used by the Nordic peoples.
“Divination” does not necessarily mean to see your future or fate- it is better utilized to help gain clarity on what’s currently happening in your life/situation and can give insight on steps to take depending on what direction you’d like to go. It’s a great way to commune with The Divine, giving a physical tool for them to connect to and offer advice, comfort, and guidance.
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It is important to recognize and speak to certain historical contexts with the Runes. During Hitler’s regime during WWII, several of the Runes were twisted and utilized in the Nazi’s rhetoric of white supremacy. Unfortunately some Runic imagery is still utilized today within white supremacist groups.
The attempt of those with hate in their hearts to use them in such a dishonest and harmful way goes against the true Spirit of the Runes and Nordic culture.
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Mystic Misfits stands for freedom, unity, love, honesty, integrity, and acceptance.
We claim only the teachings and magics of the true Spirits of the Runes.
Suggested Practice
- Start by intentionally setting your space. Find a quiet, safe space to go to with yourself. Light a candle, incense, and/or smoke cleanse the space. Allow yourself to arrive and be present in the moment, inviting for the busy thoughts of the day to wait outside.
- Take some breaths, inviting self energy, Earth, Source, Allied Ancestors, Angels, whatever energies or sources feel good and resonate for you.
- As you open the space, ask for protection, guidance, clarity, and wisdom. Take a moment to intentionally disinvite all energies that are not honest, kind, or helpful for you in this moment.
- Think on any specific intentions that you have for this reading- what areas of your life are you needing or hoping for some advice, comfort, and direction?
- Use our suggested spread or do one of your own.
- Once your reading feels complete, take a moment to express thanks to the spirits for their help and guidance.
- Close the space by blowing out a candle or even just state that the reading is at an end.
Tip!
It can be helpful in processing, to journal throughout and/or after your reading!
Suggested Spread
THE NORNS
Urdr, Verdandi, and Skuld are wise beings in Norse mythology known as The Norns. They weave and tend to the Threads of Fate at the roots of the great world tree Yggdrasil. They are ancient wisdom keepers, older than anything in the cosmos. They are often simplified to represent “Past, Present, Future,” but in the Nordic language and traditions, they are so much more than that…
RUNE 1 - Urdr is not simply the “past.” It is what has taken hold. It is the choosing of the threads you wish to use in your loom. It is the choices we make and how they shape the path we walk.
- What insights does Urdr offer about your past decisions in this situation?
- Which past seeds do you wish to continue to nurture so they may come to fruition?
- Which past seeds/plants ready for pruning, digging up, or burning in order to have space for more seeds of your choice?
RUNE 2- Verdandi is not simply the “present.” She is the hot iron being struck and the breath between yes and no. She is the becoming that cannot be stopped any more than a birthing person’s labor can be stopped. She is divine in her unrest.
- What aspects of your present feel like you chose them? What aspects of your present feel like they were chosen by others?
- Where do you see the divinity of Verdandi in what is currently happening? Where do you see the opportunity to pivot or change course to something more choiceful?
- It is in the moment of the here and now that we can intentionally plant the seeds of our choice. This is the space where we play and active role in our fate. Will circumstance decide your fate? Or will you?
RUNE 3- Skuld could never be simplified to mean the “future.” She is the debt that is owed, the harvest ready for reaping. This is not what might be, but what must be answered. She is the woven pattern of the tapestry coming together. Skuld is the whisper you ignore when you compromise your truth. She is the owed and she does not forget.
- Where do you see your current potential for future influenced by things that are not choiceful or true for you?
- What do you wish the tapestry of your potential future to look like? Feel like?
- Does this rune feel like affirmation to continue along your chosen path, or does it feel like an opportunity to choose a different path?
- What work are you willing to do to see the outcome you most wish for? What work are you not willing to do?
Though Skuld can be intense and direct, she is not heartless or cruel. If your potential future space is feeling muddled or confusing, you can reach out to her and ask for her help and wisdom.
Need/want clarification on something?
Pick your printed runes back up, shuffle them, think and feel into what you are needing clarification with. Choose one card.
OR if you have other tools at home, (tarot cards, pendulum, etc) feel free to incorporate them.
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