Rose Ariadne's Chitchcraft Blog

Dear Friends,

In the last post, we discussed a brief history of runes and some simple castings that you can do to help guide your future. If you find yourself intensely drawn to working with runes, you may want to consider making a set of your own. Making and using your own runes will help you connect more with your readings. And on top of that, it’s just a fun “crafty” type project (pun intended).

When you make your own runes, you’ll be imbibing them with your energy and making the interpretations more powerful and personal. Although you can definitely get accurate readings with store bought runes, you’ll be able to go even deeper with ones that you make yourself. When you work with store bought runes for a long time, you’ll eventually imbibe them with your energy. But when you make your own, it’s like working with runes you’ve had for five years.

For this project you’ll need some wood. You can either use a flat piece of wood, or you can purchase a wooden dowel that you can cut into circles. For the flat wood, you’ll be creating square shaped runes. You’ll need 25 to 24 pieces in order to create your runes. Twenty five pieces are necessary if you want to include blank rune. The blank rune is most normally read as an answer that you should not have access to. It represents something that you shouldn’t know at this point. Although ancient runes most definitely did not include a blank rune, a lot of modern rune casters use them. I find that it’s a nice addition to a reading and can definitely act as a sign post that someone has “read too far.”

Either cut your square pieces out of wood or cut your disks out of the dowel. Make sure that your pieces are ½ to ¾ of an inch thick. Make sure to sand the edges of your runes so that you won’t get any splinters. If cutting your own pieces is too much of a hassle, you can also find pre-cut wood pieces at craft stores like Michael’s.

Still another option, if you’re interested in going completely natural is to go for a walk in the woods and approach a tree that you find yourself drawn to. You can connect yourself with the tree and then ask for an appropriate branch. Cut the branch and say a blessing. Make sure to leave an offering of sage or a decorative stone to thank the tree for it’s sacrifice.

You can also do the same process with finding stones for stone runes. Stone runes are fun to use since they produce a wonderful clacking noise as you tumble them together. Walk down a river or creek and look for stones that are approximately the same size. Try to find stones that are flat on one side so you can write the symbols down easily. This may be hard to do in one trip, so you could make it an ongoing project. Just keep looking for stones wherever you go and eventually you’ll collect 24 or 25.

Once you’ve got all of your pieces, wood or stone, you need to inscribe them with the runic symbols. If you are using wood, you’ll need a wood burning tool or paint. It’s easier to write the symbols on wood with paint than using a permanent market. Paint is appropriate for stones as well, but I have seen some nice handmade sets that were created with a set of markers.

After you inscribe your runes, make sure to use some clear coat on top of the symbol. This way your symbols won’t wear off with use. You can choose any color you wish to inscribe the runes. Personally, I’ve always liked the look of red on wood and on dark stones. It’s more traditional and it reflects the way that runes were made with blood in olden times.

Once you’ve given them enough time to dry (normally 24 to 48 hours), it’s time to consecrate them. Just as you would consecrate any other magickal object, you need to consecrate your runes so that they can be used for divination purposes. For this consecration ritual, you’ll need to know each runes name and have a cauldron. Cast a circle as you normally would, and invite Odin to sit within your circle. As the Norse God, he’s appropriate for this consecration ritual. He was the God that first brought the runic symbols to mankind.

Take each rune (in alphabetical order) and hold it to your forehead. Say it’s name out loud, then blow on it (to attune it to your energies) and then place it in your cauldron. Remove them all from the cauldron at the end of the ritual and place them in the bag or box that you will be storing them in for the long term. For the first moon cycle after creating the runes, carry them with you. Have them in your purse, your briefcase or your backpack. Sleep with them under your pillow and meditate with them each day. This will help them become part of you and allow you to divine with them very easily.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm And Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”

Dear Friends,

Of all the divinatory tools available, I have to say that runes are probably the last thing that I expected to be drawn to. When I first started walking this path, I tried them out a bit, but I didn’t really respond to them well. I had chalked it up to runes not being “for me.” I just didn’t understand the interpretations of the tiny symbols. With tarot, or even with scrying, there’s a depth of images to wade through in order to find meaning. How could one draw meaning from a tiny bunch of symbols that looked like sticks?

That was my opinion until I received a fabulous and insightful rune reading from a friend of mine. The reading was so deep and inspiring that it caused me to give runes another look. I encourage you to do the same. You just might find it to be the divinatory tool that works best for you.

Runes are stones, wood pieces or other small (normally natural) pieces that have the alphabet of the ancient European tribes. Each letter has it’s own rune and each rune has a specific meaning. The symbols are derived from the early alphabet of the Vikings and Celts. More often than not, runes are associated with the Vikings but they were used in many ancient European tribes including the Germans.

Modern runes have the Norse version of the alphabet. They have been used as oracles for centuries and there are records of them dating back to pre-Christian times. Runes haven’t always been on stones or wood. Some cultures used branches with the symbols painted on them. The branches were cast down on a white cloth and then read by a priest of Odin (the Norse deity).

Runic symbols could also be used to ward off evil. They are found carved into the sides of tombs and on the walls of ancient buildings. They were a big part of pre-Christian paganism in Europe and posed such a threat to “the church” that they were banned by Catholicism in 1639.

Choosing a rune set is an individual process. You’ll want to find something that speaks to you in it’s design and feel. You can get smooth quartz runes that have the symbols inscribed, or runes made from bits of wood with the rune symbols burned in. It’s up to you. If possible, try to see a few sets in person so that you can get a feel of what appeals to you.

Everyone has a different method of casting runes. While there isn’t really a “right” way to do this, the following is the method that my friend taught me and what I’ve been having the most success with. When you cast the runes, you don’t need to do a full blown ritual. But I do recommend that you clear the space with some incense and ground and center yourself. If you don’t have incense, just spend a few moments “shielding” yourself and filling the space with white light that you draw from the earth. This will help you have a clear reading and allow you to remain protected while you open up your third eye.

Once you’re sufficiently protected, spread out a cloth that you’ll use each time to read the runes. It should be a solid color and something that is in contrast to the color of your runes. If you are using white stone runes, for example, you’ll want to choose a dark colored cloth or vice versa. Lay down the cloth and then arrange the runes in alphabetical order. Most rune sets come with a book that shows you their proper order. After a few sessions, you’ll be able to do this very quickly.

When they are all laid out, ask the God and Goddess to guide your hand as you pick the runes. Turn over the runes and then stir them around while concentrating on your question. Then select the number of runes that you need for your reading and interpret.

The following types of castings are the ones that I’ve found the most effective. First is the one rune draw. This draw, as the name implies, is based on one rune. It’s best for questions where you need a specific answer, like “what’s the best course to take with my business?”

Next is the three rune draw, which shows you an overview of your situation, the course of action and the outcome. The second rune in the draw, the course of action, shows you what you might want to do in the situation in order to receive the desired outcome.

A “yes and no” draw can be very effective when you need to ask a question with a yes or no answer. When you ask your question, draw three runes and notice how many are “positive” or “negative.” You’ll notice that in your interpretation handbook that comes with your runes, certain runes are generally positive and others act as warnings. When you have all three positive, your answer is clear. If two are positive and one is negative, the answer is still yes but there’s some aspect of the event or situation that you will not anticipate. A two negative, one positive draw means that your answer is no but there will be some hidden, unseen benefits.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm And Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”

Dear Friends,

Crystals are another aspect of the magickal life that aren’t specifically magickal but fall under the realm of witchcraft. Lots of people from different paths use crystals. Although they are generally associated with the New Age movement, they are also used by a lot of Pagans like myself. One of the downsides of crystals become so popular is that there is a lot of misinformation about how to use them. You’ll see a lot of people selling crystals in rings, earrings and necklaces. While these pieces are definitely pretty, they don’t serve the magickal practice that a lot of people think they are.

Crystals are more than just decorations or jewelry. They hold energy. That energy can help balance your energy and add to your magickal workings. It isn’t an instant fix though. You can think of crystals as a repository of energy. The more you work with them, the more energy they collect and the more effective they are in your work. Just like with your other magickal tools, you’ll want to treat crystals with the reverence that they deserve. The energy and respect that you give them will help you tremendously in your attempts to work with crystals.

If you want to work with crystals, your first step is to select a crystal. Instead of providing you a lengthy list of what crystals correspond to which properties, I think it’s much better for you to choose a crystal based on intuition. That’s why it is so important that you try to buy a crystal in person instead of online or through a catalog. You really need to choose one that calls to you. If you don’t have a local metaphysical shop, you can always attend a geological show and purchase a crystal there. Sometimes state fairs or county fairs that are held each year. You can sometimes find great deals at these types of events.

Ask if you can handle crystals as you’re shopping for them. It’s important for you to hold the crystal in your receptive hand. Normally this is the hand that you write or draw with. When you hold a crystal that is perfect for you, you’ll feel it. I really can’t describe this feeling in words, and it may be different for you. When you hold a crystal that you need to have for some purpose, you’ll know it immediately. Try not the judge the crystal as you look at it. You need to evaluate it on it’s feeling instead of on it’s appearance. An imperfect crystal with the right feeling is better than one that is flawless yet doesn’t speak to you.

If you feel comfortable doing so, ask the crystal if it’s right for you. You can do this silently. You can also keep your intention in mind while you are looking for your crystal. For example, if you are using a crystal to heal, you should focus your attention on the healing process while searching for your crystal. This will help you draw the right crystal to yourself.

Clear quartz is a good choice for your first crystal if you’re ordering online or just don’t know what to pick. It also has the most applications for use. It is good for purifications, removing negative energy and aligning your spiritual, mental and physical selves. Once you get your crystal home, you need to clear it of all of the energy that it is bringing into your home. You can do this through smudging or using a salt water bath for your crystals.

You can make your crystals part of your regular altar layout, or you can bring them out for special occasions. Depending on their purposes, you could lay your crystals underneath your pillow, on your desk or even in your living room. I have crystals all over my home for different purposes. I have them on my bookshelf, in my bedroom and even a few in my bathroom!

Some of my favorite crystals are amethyst, cat’s eye, jade and opal. Amethyst can eliminate negative influences, increase psychic awareness and improve feelings of wellbeing. Cat’s eye is responsible for increasing awareness, stimulating your intuition and allowing you to communicate with the spirit world. Jade helps inspire ambition and allows you to complete your goals. Opal promotes balance and harmony. You may want to consider adding one or all of these stones to your collection if they call to you in person.

No matter what type of crystals you purchase, make sure to use them. Since you’re walking this path, you know that they are much more than decorative objects. Hold them while you are doing psychic work, make them part of your rituals and treat them with the reverence that they deserve. When you treat your crystals with respect, you’ll get what you are meant to get out of them.

Brightest Blessings,

Rose Ariadne
Your Warm And Caring “Resident Witch In Charge”