The RUNES are a method of reading the conditions or elements in the present. Somewhat akin to using a mirror, through the RUNES we see the reflection of ourselves and those around us, in a way we cannot see with our eyes. They help us to use our intuition in evaluating the probable future. Although I prefer the use of the Tarot (even though I'm still learning Runes), it is simply up to the Witch to decide what form of divination she/he will use.
The word RUNE means "Tree". Trees are to Druids, what the crucifix is to Christians. It's the symbol of where they come from (above/branches) who we are (physical/trunk) and where we are going (below/roots)

The original RUNES were either river stones or wood chips ... any material that naturally contained the symbol(s) through the 'course of it's life'. A Druid would spend most of his/her life collecting RUNES, because they were born of the Earth Mother, never made or carved by hand. RUNE symbols were often painted and incorporated into buildings and ceremonial circles for the purpose of calling the energy or protection of that particular tree. The teachings of the RUNES and their true power was born of the Earth Mother and came through the tree of life.

Today runes are available in a variety of colors, natural materials, and markings. Take time in choosing what set is right for you, as no two sets are alike no matter what they are made from. But please don't go out and kill a tree to represent a tree. :)

Each RUNE is associated with a tree. The properties of the trees are:

• knowledge - roots into the "other world"
• healing - roots, fruits, and the bark of the tree
• life force - food, provided either from the tree such as fruit, or the birds, squirrels, etc., that may live in the tree
• spiritual guidance - the arms or branches of the tree raise to the heavens
• personage - a unique and physical attribute of the tree. Some trees are for love, some are for building because of their strength, some are for magic, etc.

Sacred Trees

** The thirteen trees defined for magical and ceremonial use are associated with the circle of the first 13 RUNES. There are a total of 33 RUNES, in the Druid traditions. The RUNES used as oracles are always to be used in two sets of 13, for a total of 26. The remaining 6 RUNES are kept separate and should NOT be shown to or handled by anyone other than the keeper of the RUNES. What happened to the 33rd RUNE? Read on.

This is very different from what I have read in other methods, most commonly referred to as the Nordic or Viking RUNES. You will begin to see and understand the basic difference as you continue through this dialogue. To start with, here's a short reference to the standard Nordic RUNES. (For those of you who are not familiar with them)

1. F Fehu (feoh) Material Wealth Prosperity -- Green
2. R Uruz (ur) Strength, For personal Strength & Courage -- Green or Brown
3. E Thurisaz (thorn, thurs) Protection from Evil -- Black
4. Y Loki (Ansuz, Asa) Odin. Ancestor. To Gain Ancient Wisdom -- Indigo or Purple
5. A Raidho (Radio, rit) Travel Quest To find that which you seek -- Blue or Violet
6. ' Kano (Kenaz,Kaon) Transforming Fire As an offering or for skill -- white or gold
7. S Gebo (Gifu) Union.Partnerships or sex. Magic -- pink, red or purple
8. 8 Wunjo (Wunna) Joy For happiness or harmony -- pink or yellow
9. H Hagalaz (Hagal) The Unexpected Not really one to be used --
10. A Nied (naut) Constraint. For self-control or Protection -- white or blue
11. H Isa (Is) immobility. for rest or to top slander -- white or silver
12. A Jera Year or Harvest for Justice or Agriculture White or Green
13. L Eihwaz A Channel For communication with other realms Indigo or Purple
14. ' Perdhro (Perth) Karma, Hidden Forces For unexpected luck/opportunity -- blue or green
15. S Eolh (Algiz) Protection. as in Going Unnoticed -- white
16. 8 Sigel (Sowelu) Sun Wheel. For healing or vital energy -- orange, red or gold
17. T Tir Victory For Victory or Success White or Gold
18. I Beorc (Berkana) The Goddess. New Beginnings -- Green or White
19. U Ehwaz Horse & Rider. For safe Journey, perfect for besom -- blue
20. ' Mannaz perfected man. self-improvement, meditation -- indigo or violet
21. S Lagaz fluidity to gain intuition -- blue or violet
22. Inguz A God of Fertility. Completion, to invoke the gods -- indigo
23. 8 Daeg (Dagaz) Daybreak for working where two worlds meet -- pale violet
24. Othel Nobility to know one's place in the established order White or gold
25. Wyrd (Odin)

THE ABOVE IS THE STANDARD GERMANIC DEFINITIONS OF THESE SYSMBOLS.

Which RUNES are defined as the first 13? Well, it's not that simple. It depends greatly upon the time of your birth, and the cycle in which the initiation is begun.

The year is divided into two parts; the dark half and the light half. Each of the 13 RUNES designated for the dark half of the year would be the first 13, if you are beginning the initiation of these RUNES during the dark half of the year. Likewise, the first 13 would be of the light cycle when starting during the light half of the year. See "Initiating the RUNES" for more detailed information.

Once the first 13 RUNES are identified, they have more influence on any reading or divination than the other RUNES. For example, if I began the initiation of a set a RUNES in March, that would be in the dark half of the annual cycle. The first 13 RUNES would be from the dark cycle.

When one of these RUNE stones is in the first circle of the ground (self/center) then it indicates this person is private about that particular aspect. They keep it dark or difficult to see from others. If this same RUNE is in the second circle of the ground, then information is not available to them ... someone is keeping a secret - or - they are not seeing what is in front of them. Being in the third (elemental) circle, would indicate a great strength or weakness, depending upon the position of the RUNE itself. If in the dark half of the circle, it is over developed and very strong. When in the light half of the circle, it is underdeveloped and will need much work.

The influence of the dark would be read every bit as much as the RUNE symbols.

Conversely, if this same RUNE is turned down or inverted, or even covered by another RUNE, then the dark influence is doubled. This may be translated as intuitive ability, the need to trust your instincts over physical evidence ... in other words, a double negative is a positive.

Sacred Trees

Festival	Tree	New Moon	Full Moon	Animal
Samhaine	Oak	Nov 3	-	raven
New Year	Oak	Nov 4	-	-
-	Birch	Dec 3	Dec 21	sow or badger
Solstice	Yule Log	-	Dec 21	-
Unhewn Dolman	none	-	-	-
-	Rowan	Dec 29	Jan 12	unicorn or bear
-	Alder	Jan 27	Feb 11	red fox or ram
Imbolc	Ash	Jan 30	-	ewe or sheep
-	Willow	Feb 26	Mar 20	hare or cat
Vernal Equinox	-	-	-	-	Misc.
-	Hawthorn	Mar 27	Apr 26	goat or dragon
Beltain	Yew	-	-	-
-	Holly	May 25	June 9	horse
Summer Solstice	-	June 21	-	-	Misc.
-	Hazel	June 23	Jul 9	salmon
-	Bramble	Jul 23	Aug 7	lizard
Lughnased	-	Aug 7	-	-
-	Ivy	Aug 19	Sep 6	red boar
-	Reed	Sep 20	Oct 5	dog or stag
Autum Equinox	-	Sept 22	-	-
Michlemas	-	Sept 25	-	-
-	Yew	Oct 20	Nov 3	owl
-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-	-

This is where and how they become very personal and completely yours. After selecting 26 RUNES stones, there will be 6 remaining. I know, it doesn't make sense does it? Where does the 7th come from? It's magic! ... of a sort.

The six remaining RUNES are yours. Do not show them to any one and do not put them in the bag with the other RUNES. Only those RUNES grounded to the cloth will be used for readings and divination. These six RUNES are yours. They become your talisman and your teachers. They may be used in ceremony, for dreams, in healing, and in magic. They may become your guide to other planes and realities. They may be buried separately in the Earth, or they may be kept together in a special place known only to you. Whether you choose to continue to carry them or not, they are part of you and you are part of them. In certain ceremonies and when doing work with my cauldron I will put the 6 personal runes into the cauldron, or use them to scribe a candle with. These are tools. When used properly, they can instill their energy or vibration onto another object, such as a candle, water, or a piece of paper used for writing...the list is endless.

After spending time with these stones, you will know them. It is then possible to return them to the earth for safe keeping. When the time and place is right, you will know. When in doubt ... do nothing.

If you don't take care to wear the same RUNE stone for the entire cycle (13 consecutive lunar months), you cannot possibly know it completely. They change, just like the seasons. It is less obvious when I'm always changing stones.

Here is the first basic exercise or lesson with the six personal Rune Stones.

Note: this exercise is based on stones containing more than one symbol and symbols on top, bottom and side(s). A single symbol on a stone does not work for this exercise.

Place the six RUNE Stones in a line across the center of the ground. The first time you do this the order does not matter. This exercise will help you to determine their order. After doing this exercise once, place them in order from beginning dark half to ending light half.

If any stone has symbols on both sides, be sure to look at the uderside of the stone to know what symbols are there. It may be easier in the beginning, to write these symbols on a separate piece of paper and put that above the ground for easy reference.

Now, find three stones that contain all of the Rune symbols. These are the light half. The remaining three stones, which may or may not contain all rune symbols, are the dark half. If you do not have three stones that contain all symbols you may do one of two things:

1. Add a fourth stone, which will complete the Rune symbols. Do this only if this fourth stone does, in fact, contain all of the missing Rune symbols. Make sure you remember which Rune stone this is and the symbols that it contains to complete the full set.
2. Note which symbols are not present. Write them down.

If you are going to do this exercise, please try not to read the rest of this until you have made one of the two choices above. It matters in how you proceed from this point. Knowing the process may somehow effect your decision. Try to be willing to let the RUNES lead you.

If you found three stones with all symbols, or you chose option 1 (selecting a fourth Rune stone), follow the Option 1 Guidelines. If you elected to go without all the sybmols, follow Option 2 Guidelines. If you are undecided, STOP here.

Please read only your part at first. Feel free to come back look at the "other" option when you've completed your exercise. It does effect how you look at things. The Illustration "Foundation of Stones" and comments immediately folllowing applies to both options and can be found in between option one and option two guidelines. Look for the shamrocks ...

Option 1 Guidelines

• If you found three Rune stones that contain all the symbols, it is a rare gift! I could not put all six of my personal stones together to complete this task. You have great balance and seek to bring harmony and well being to everything you do. You are a natural healer and tend to be a bit understated about yourself and your abilities.
• If you found four Rune stones that contain all the symbols, it, too is a gift, although not quite as rare. You are a person who requires rules and order in life. Not comfortable with the "empty space" of unknowing or not having, you strive to fill it. You bring to the table whatever is needed, no matter what the personal sacrifice. You are generous, almost to a fault, and you depend on no one. You, too, are a natural healer ... always looking for what is missing ... needing the answers and willing to go out on the ledge to try and get them. Although you know your limitations, you are usually willing to strive past them; when the purpose and timing is right.
• For both of you, you will find it easier to work with the light half of the Runes. Therefore, the most important ones for you are the dark half. You may have just two stones for the dark half, which leave a great deal to the unknown and undiscovered. The fourth stone being placed in the light half, leave a huge gap in the dark cycle. You have some work to do if you ever decide to develop your inituitive skills.
• Do not, at this point, decide to put the fourth light stone into the dark circle. It really does not belong there. Do, however, study it to see what is missing, or better yet, unperceived, in the dark cycle.
• It is very important to read between the lines and to see what is not present.
• When there is no sacred space, there is no room for additional gifts from the elements.
• It is your task, for the next 13 lunar months, to create an opening for what you do not know and/or have. To allow for the unknown.
• Select the smallest (in size or in number of symbols) of the dark runes. This is your primary Rune Stone. Your talisman for the next 13 lunar months. From this stone you should learn a great deal about yourself, if ... and only if ... you are willing to see what is there as well as what is not there.
• Next, select from the dark stones, the one which contains at least one or more of the symbols on the primary stone. This is stone number two. Obiously, if you've chosen four stones for the light, then your selection of dark stone two is made quite simple. If both remaining dark stones (assuming there are three dark stones) each contain more than one of the symbols of the primary stone, then compare front, back and sides. In some way, you must determine one of them to be closer to the primary stone than the other. If there or absolutely no like symbols, then evaluate the overall message of the stone.
• Once you have determined the order of the dark stones, place them at the bottom of the ground in their proper order from right to left
  3, 2, 1
  
• To achieve balance, you will always use the dark stones in the light half and the light stones in the dark half. The RUNE symbols drawn on the bottom half of the ground will take on the influence of the two stones nearest those symbols (i.e., stone 3 to the left and stone 1 to the right). This will definately be true for any reading you do for yourself. It is always an undercurrent for others who throw the stones on the ground for your to read.
• Now that your dark half is identified, it is time to move to the light cycle. If there are three stones for the light, your task is fairly simple. Find the opposite stone for each dark stone. Place them in the top half of the ground in the opposite order, or
  4,5,6

  Your circle is read counter-clockwise

  
  
• Stones five and two will represent the most balance and familiarity to you. Stone four and three will be the lessons you have most likely already learned. Stones six and one are what you avoid or find difficult.
• Pay close attention to any symbols on the side(s) of this primary stone. (see the sample illustration below). These are your foundation issues. You are either planted firmly on the ground (balanced) or so entrenched in one or more of these aspects (unbalanced) that you cannot see the forrest for the trees. We all usually spend a little time on either side of this fence. No one gets it right all the time (at least I don't!)
• For those of you who have 4/2
  2, 1
  
• To achieve balance, you will always use the dark stones in the outter portion of the light half and three (3,4,5) light stones spaced evenly in the (upper) dark half. The sixth stone should be placed in the center and will be read in conjuction with the three light stones in the upper (dark) half of the circle. None of the RUNE symbols drawn on the ground will take on the influence of the stones nearest those symbols. Therefore, your cloth and RUNES are easiest to read.
  3
  4,5,6

  Your circle is read counter-clockwise on the top half (dark) to the center and then continuing counterclockwise to the bottom (light)

  
  
• Even though your ground does not take on the influences of your personal Rune stones, you must keep in mind their effect and read it into whatever is there. See the unseen. Depending on the RUNES, this may be easy and it might be quite a challenge. Practice makes perfect, as they say.

• The sides of the stones will determine the true top and bottom of the stone. This is sometimes difficult to discern, because the symbols do not always take a perpendicular position.
• The first stone is blank. This does not mean that there is nothing to be read here. On any natural stone, light conditions, moisture, dirt, etc., will change the texture and color of the stone over time. Always look at blank spaces to see if there are any faint outlines of rune symbols there. What you see today, may be different tomorrow.
• The second stone has one symbol that easily determines the stone's top and bottom. It is the second symbol on the stone. It's position is one which can hold or release energy of all types. This symbol is very similar to the cauldron.
• On the third stone, the second symbol is containing or keeping to the earth any energy. Since energy is drawn from the earth, it is not full circle/full cycle and therefore reversed.
• As you can see in both stones, it is not exactly upright or reversed ... but in the general direction. This indicates a tendancy or predeliction to the use of energy in this way. Being somewhat in the middle, it is balanced. This person has the ability to discern the proper place and time for use of energy and does not drain others or themself in the process. This particular symbol is never seen as positive if it is straight up or straigt down. It is balanced, when slightly askew in one direction or the other.
• The depth and thickness of the lines indicates the strength (or weakness) of the energy of that symbol. Not all lines should be the same. In the graphic above, please note that symbol three is considerably lighter and thinner than the others. This, too, has meaning and should be read accordingly.
• In this particular instance, lacking all other information which may effect the reading, I would interpret this Rune Stone as follows:

  Upright (center) Having just passed through a transitional period, energy is low and the body must rest and recharge. OR what you are currently working on is draining energy. In either case, the recommended course of action is to do something else ... at least for recreational purposes. Balance is required and it will take effort to obtain. Effort, at this time, is costly because physical energy is low. Therefore, it is vital to choose wisely and balance your schedule, if nothing else.

  Reversed (far right) You are holding on to the illusion of balance or continuity and refusing to see an opportunity in front of you. Fear of not having what you cherish is limiting new treasures and opportunities from entering into your life, simply because you will not let go! LET GO!!

  Of course the top, bottom, other sides and surrounding stones would tell you much more about the opportunity being presented and exactly what it is this person is holding on to so desperately.

Option 2 Guidelines