 The
beauty of making a Rune set lies not only in its ability to
enable much more accurate readings, but the whole creative
exercise of putting the set together can be an almost spiritual
ritual, enriching your experience with Runes. Obviously, the
energy you put into the creation is what adds a powerful kick
to the set, and like Tarot cards, having a set for your exclusive
use will add dimension and precision to your readings.
The Basics
Now that you’ve decided to undertake the thoroughly
gratifying project of making your own runes, it makes sense
to do a little planning and organization.
Before you start however, have a look at some of the information
below to get a better idea of what kind of set you want to
create, and what you can reasonably handle in terms of skill
and availability.
Traditional Rune Materials:
These are the materials the Vikings used to make their Runes
– authentic yes, but not necessarily the simplest in
these modern times, especially if you have issues about using
animal parts, or don’t know the first thing about carving.
Bone
Stone
Deer Antlers
Ivory
Wood
Other Possible Rune Materials:
Flat stones or rocks of roughly the same size (then painted
with the symbol).
Pieces cut from leftover wood (have your local hardware store
do the cutting if you like) – Even twigs, bits of wood
or even popsicle sticks, painted or carved with the symbols,
then painted with wood stain if desired.
Clay / Ceramic - For those who can pot, this is an ideal option
as you can easily shape the piece and inscribe the symbol
before firing. You can also purchase clay from your local
modeling store or art supply shop or pottery studio, who’ll
also help you out on where to access a kiln for firing.
Things from “Sacred” Places, or from trees which
have a sacred, or mythical meaning that inspires you.
Glass, Semi-Precious Stones or Crystal– Obviously not
the easiest to shape or inscribe the symbols, but one can
use cut pieces, then painting it with special glass paint.
Dough, hardened. Recipe as follows:
Simple Dough Recipe:
3 Cups white flour
3/4 cup salt
1 1/4 cups hot water
1 tsp. Cooking oil
Mix the dry ingredients, slowly adding the water and oil
while stirring. Add more flour if the mixture gets too sticky
or water if too dry. Knead it on a surface and form a ball.
Roll this out and shape as you wish, don’t forget
to carve out the symbols before it hardens.
Let the pieces dry until hardened or better, bake at 200 degrees
for about an hour.
When cooled, you can paint them if you wish, and seal it with
a few brushes or spray of varnish.
Inscription Methods
Painting – the easiest method for novice Rune makers,
simply paint the stone, wood or ceramic surface (in this case,
before second firing), with colors of your choice (this can
also have significant meanings, with red being the choice
of Rune masters in the past) and seal with a suitable glaze
(for stone and wood) or wood stain when the carving or painting
is done. Permanent ink is also an option (in the spirit of
calligraphy), and again don’t forget some kind of coating
to protect it from chipping, fading or peeling off.
Carving - you will need appropriate tools for clay, dough,
wood, stone or bone and considerable expertise if you choose
to use the latter three.
Burning – for a more dramatic effect, you can burn the
symbols with an electric wood burner tool.
Other Materials Needed
The only other things you need for your set, aside from the
Runes themselves, is a drawstring bag to keep them in and
some material for casting. Rune masters also suggest a special
journal for your readings as well as a list of the meanings
of each Rune for those who are just starting out.
A drawstring bag – Make or buy one in any material
you wish, with ample space not just for all the Runes, but
for your hand to get in comfortably. Natural fibers are always
nice, and “mystical” colors and fabrics like red,
purple and velvet are also quite popular with the Rune makers.
Material for casting – Historically, a piece of white
cloth was used to cast the runes on, but by all means, use
anything you wish as a place to read the Runes, from a piece
of cloth, to a slab of wood or marble, to nothing at all.
The use of a cloth helps to serve as a boundary for the reading
as well as a practicality in keeping the Runes clean.
A Journal and Pen – Keeping a special Rune journal
for your readings can be a great help as you get into the
wonderful world of Runes. By keeping track of your readings
and thoughts, you will get a better
Five Steps to Make a Rune Set
Planning
A bit of planning always helps, so after reading the basics
above, decide on the following, keeping in mind that whatever
you choose will be acceptable, as long as you feel it suits
YOU:
* The materials for the Runes, the bag and casting.
Will you be using wood, stone or perhaps bone for your Runes?
Are you going for tradition or something a little more contemporary?
Does color have a lot of meaning to you? If so, what colors
would you like to incorporate into your Runes, as well as
the bag?
* The method of inscription: Are you a proficient carver or
more of a painter? Do you like the look of ink or is the burned-on
look more your style? Is time of concern to you or are you
looking for a project that is laborious but incredibly gratifying?
* A list of supplies needed: Now that you’ve decided
on what kind of Runes you will be making and what kind on
bag you will keep them in, make a final list of all the supplies
you’ll be needing, including any tools, varnish/coating,
wood stain, fabric etc.
Gathering the materials
With your trusty list in hand, do your shopping (or pottering
around the house if you have all the supplies already), and
gather all the materials together in one place, setting a
time when you can complete the project without distractions.
Making the set
Now that you have all your supplies and have an ample place
and time to work on your set without being disturbed, you
are ready to begin. It is recommended, (but not totally necessary)
that you complete this project from beginning to end in one
sitting, as the focus of energy coming from you will be greater,
giving a more potent quality to the set. So if at all possible
(understandably massively difficult for those with small children
in the house), try and arrange a time when you know the kids
will be away or looked after by another adult. If you like,
it is also a good idea to add a ritualistic touch to the exercise,
by playing some soothing music, or working in a quiet place
close to nature. By feeling more relaxed and in harmony with
one’s self and your environment, you increase the flow
of good energy that will penetrate into your Runes.
Energizing or Consecrating the Runes
This last procedure helps personalize your Runes even more,
by adding a special energy that only you can contribute. This
can also be done while inscribing the symbols on the pieces,
where some people say special prayers or meditations as they
work with each Rune. You may also choose to do this when the
runes are made (or just purchased), going through each piece
as you dab it with water or say a prayer or incantaion. The
way you go about this really depends on your purposes for
the set of Runes, if it is for religious or simple divination
use. Either way, it is entirely up to you on how elaborate
the ritual will be, but more or less, the process may involve
the following materials:
Candles
A bowl of water
Music
White or any cloth or fabric that has magical significance
to you.
For more ideas from other Rune-casters, do see our Resources links. |
