Rune Reading for Beginners: How to Cast and Interpret the Elder Futhark
# Rune Reading for Beginners: How to Cast and Interpret the Elder Futhark
Runes are among the oldest divination systems in the Western world. The Elder Futhark, the most commonly used runic alphabet, contains 24 symbols that were used by Germanic and Norse peoples for writing, magic, and seeking guidance.
Unlike tarot, which uses complex imagery, runes are elemental. Each symbol carries a single core meaning that branches into nuance depending on the question and surrounding runes.
The Elder Futhark: 24 Runes
The 24 runes are divided into three groups of eight called aettir (families):
### First Aett (Freya's Eight)
### Second Aett (Heimdall's Eight)
### Third Aett (Tyr's Eight)
How to Do a Rune Reading
### The One-Rune Draw
The simplest method. Draw a single rune for daily guidance or a quick answer to a question. Hold your question in mind, reach into your rune bag, and draw one stone.
This works best for questions like: "What energy should I focus on today?" or "What do I need to know about this situation?"
### The Three-Rune Spread
Draw three runes and lay them left to right:
1. Situation: The current state of affairs
2. Challenge: What you need to overcome or understand
3. Outcome: Where things are heading if you heed the guidance
### The Five-Rune Cross
A more detailed spread:
1. Center: The core of the matter
2. Left: The past influence
3. Right: The future direction
4. Above: The conscious goal
5. Below: The unconscious influence
Reading Reversed Runes
When a rune falls upside down, its meaning shifts. A reversed rune is not necessarily negative. It often indicates that the energy of that rune is blocked, delayed, internalized, or working in a subtle way.
For example, Fehu upright means wealth flowing toward you. Fehu reversed might mean financial loss, but it can also mean wealth that is internal rather than external, or a need to examine your relationship with material security.
Note that some runes (Gebo, Isa, Jera, Eihwaz, Ingwaz, Dagaz) look the same upside down and are not read reversed.
Tips for Beginners
Start with one rune per day. Draw a morning rune, contemplate its meaning, and notice how the theme shows up throughout your day. This is the fastest way to learn the runes by heart.
Do not rely solely on memorized meanings. The rune symbols are elemental. Let the shape of the symbol speak to you. Kenaz looks like an opening or a torch. Isa looks like a single line, frozen and still. The visual carries meaning.
Ask open questions. Like tarot, runes respond best to "What do I need to know?" rather than "Will this happen?"
Record your readings. Keep a rune journal. Over time, you will notice patterns in which runes appear frequently for you. These are your teachers.
Try a Rune Reading
Ready to cast your own runes? The [Celesian rune reader](/runes) offers three spreads with the full Elder Futhark, including reversed interpretations and detailed meanings for each rune. You can also explore individual rune pages in the [rune guide](/runes/guide) for deeper study.