Ancient Symbols, Modern Guidance: An Introduction to Runes 🪨✨
Some tools for wisdom have been around for nearly two thousand years. Runes are one of them.
You may have seen them in our shop, small stones etched with mysterious symbols, each one carrying a name, a sound, and a meaning that has survived almost two millennia.
They are runes. And they are one of the most fascinating divination tools in the world.
A Brief History
The earliest runic inscriptions date back to around 150 CE, emerging among the Germanic and Nordic tribes of Northern Europe. These ancient symbols were carved into weapons, jewelry, memorial stones, and everyday objects, used simultaneously as a written alphabet and as a spiritual tool for magic and divination.
The word rune itself comes from the Old Norse word rún, meaning "secret" or "mystery," suggesting from the very beginning that these symbols held meaning beyond the ordinary.
The most widely known system is called the Elder Futhark, named after its first six letters, F, U, Th, A, R, K. It consists of 24 characters, each representing both a sound and a deeper symbolic meaning, organized into three groups of eight called aettir, meaning "families."
In Norse mythology, the origin of runes is attributed to Odin himself. According to the Hávamál, Odin hung from the World Tree, Yggdrasil, for nine days and nights, pierced by his own spear and without food or water, until the runes revealed themselves to him. Wisdom earned through sacrifice and ordeal. He then shared that knowledge with humanity.
Whether you receive this as mythology or metaphor, the message is the same. The runes were never considered ordinary letters. They were considered gifts of divine wisdom.
How Rune Casting Works
Rune casting is one of the oldest forms of divination still practiced today.
Runes are drawn from a bag or cast onto a cloth and interpreted based on their position and the symbols that appear, offering energetic guidance rather than predicting specific events. They serve as a mirror for self-reflection and decision-making.
Traditionally, runes were carved into wood, stone, and bone. Female seers known as Volvas were known to cast runestones onto water or earth and read the messages from the gods. It was common practice to consult the runes before battles and voyages.
Today the practice is accessible to anyone. You can draw a single rune each morning for daily guidance, a simple and grounding practice that takes just a moment. You can cast a handful of runes onto a cloth and read the patterns they form. Or you can use a traditional spread, much like a tarot layout, pulling runes for the past, present, and future.
The symbols do much of the work. Each one carries its own distinct energy and meaning, and over time, working with runes becomes an intuitive and deeply personal practice.
💎 Crystal Rune Sets at Soulful Abundance
Here's where crystals and runes come together beautifully.
We carry crystal rune sets in the shop, each set featuring all 24 Elder Futhark symbols carved into hand-selected crystal pieces. Working with crystal runes combines the ancient wisdom of the runic symbols with the metaphysical energy of the stone itself. It adds a layer of intention and resonance that plain wooden or ceramic runes simply don't carry.
Our current sets include:
🐯 Tiger's Eye — grounding, courageous, and deeply connected to personal power and clarity
💜 Amethyst — intuitive, calming, and ideal for spiritual guidance and inner wisdom
🌿 Amazonite — soothing and truth-telling, perfect for honest self-reflection
☀️ Sunstone — bright, optimistic, and aligned with personal empowerment and joy
We carry several other varieties as well. Come in and see what calls to you. The right set has a way of making itself known.
Each set comes with a helpful meaning card so you always have a reference for each symbol as you learn. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned reader, that card is a beautiful companion for your practice.
You Can Cast With More Than Rune Sets🐚
One of the things we love about rune work is how flexible and personal it can be.
You don't have to limit yourself to a traditional rune set. Many practitioners cast with crystals, simply assigning a runic meaning to each stone in your collection and working with them intuitively. Others use shells, bones, or natural objects gathered on walks.
What matters most is the symbols and the intention you bring to the practice. The runes are the wisdom. The medium is yours to choose.
That said, a dedicated rune set with the symbols clearly carved is the most accessible place to start, especially when you're learning. Having the symbol right there in your hand as you read its meaning card builds a connection quickly and naturally.
Where to Begin
Start simple.
Each morning, reach into your bag without looking. Pull one rune. Read its meaning. Sit with it for a moment and ask, where does this show up in my life right now?
That single daily practice, done consistently, will teach you more about the runes than any course or book could do alone.
Come in and explore our rune sets. We would love to help you find the one that feels right in your hands. 🪨✨
With love,
Jenn 🌙