The Elder Futhark, or Norse Runes, as they are also known, have been around and in use for centuries. It is said that the runes are both an alphabet as well as divination system, but according to archaeological and anthropological findings, the runes that many have come to know and use actually existed first as a divination system. Using the runes as an alphabet came later.
What’s So Special About the Runes?
The runic system most are familiar with is thought of as being primarily Norwegian in origin, but in fact, the system is overall Teutonic, with the Anglo-Saxon (Germanic) tribes bringing their influence into the mix, which might be why you see variations of rune name spellings.
But what’s special about the runes, you ask? One could easily say that the runes’ specialness comes from the unique culture they come from, and others might say that the specialness is rooted in the style of glyphs, or pictographs, used to symbolize types of energies that exist, life happenings that occur, warnings of danger, etc. But you can easily say this about the Celtic Ogham (Oh-ham).
What makes the Elder Futhark runes special, is that it’s the one divination system that has long had poetry already associated with each rune. This set of poems (and it could be said there is more than one poem per rune, depending on how far you dig into the research) are known as The Poetic Eddas. The runes are therefore so closely tied with Scandinavian and Teutonic mythology (Odin/Woden, Thor, Freya/Frigga, Loki, and others) that while you can use the runes without subscribing to that Pagan path, it’s difficult not to be influenced, however subtly, by the ancestral power these symbols have—especially if you are in any way energy-sensitive.
The runes can be inscribed on wood, metal or stone, which are three very appropriate energies to use, and you can take your pick as to which medium resonates with you the most. A popular medium, however, is crystals or stones, and zenspiritual.com has three rune sets to choose from: clear quartz, amethyst, and tree agate. They can be found in the Divination and Tarot section of the store.
Properties of Each Set
The reason that crystals and stones are a popular medium for rune inscription is that the energies of the stones mix with the energies of the runes. Clear quartz itself connects you to Spirit, and amplifies all other energies, and brings clarity. Amethyst is the colour most associated with the third-eye chakra, and as amethyst is a coloured variety of quartz, you get the amplification power plus the emphasis on third-eye activity.
Then there is tree agate. If this stone seems a bit unfamiliar to you as a medium on which to inscribe runes, then this is the time to get acquainted. Not only is the green colour calming, but there is something about tree agate that brings an essence of grounding and centering, especially as you use the runes to bring clarity to a troubling situation that has you otherwise quite agitated.
Indeed, according to Zenspiritual.com’s description, tree agate is known for bringing strength and confidence in difficult times, and this can often be quite an important aspect of doing readings for ourselves. It is difficult to do a reading and listen to answers from Spirit if we are not calm and centered. Tree Agate can help us attain that sense of calm and grounding. Of course, if you are feeling too emotionally off-balance in a difficult situation, it might be best to seek out someone else for a reading.
In any case, whichever set of runes you choose, be it the clear quartz, the amethyst or the tree agate—or maybe all three—you can be assured that with a calm, meditative mind, you can touch on the higher wisdom within the runes and receive the answers you seek.