Today I want to share with you some insights on the methods and means of rune divination in the Northumbrian tradition. If you’re not familiar with it, the Northumbrian tradition is a branch of Anglo-Saxon runic lore that developed in the 9th and 10th centuries in the region of Northumbria, which is now part of northern England and southern Scotland. The Northumbrian tradition is unique in that it adds four extra runes to the standard 24-rune Elder Futhark, making a total of 28 runes. These four runes are Cweorth, Calc, Stan and Gar, and they represent fire, chalk, stone and spear respectively. They are also associated with four archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.
The Northumbrian tradition uses a variety of methods and means for rune divination, depending on the purpose and the context of the reading. Some of the most common ones are:
- Casting: This is the simplest and most popular method, where you draw a number of runes (usually between one and nine) from a bag or a pouch and cast them on a cloth or a board. You then interpret the runes based on their positions, orientations, relationships and meanings. You can use different layouts or spreads for different questions or situations, such as past-present-future, yes-no-maybe, or Celtic cross.
- Staves: This is a method where you use wooden sticks or rods with runes carved or painted on them. You can either draw one or more staves from a bundle and read them as you would with casting, or you can arrange them in a specific pattern or order and read them sequentially. For example, you can use nine staves to represent the nine worlds of Norse cosmology, or you can use 28 staves to represent the lunar cycle.
- Lots: This is a method where you use small objects or tokens with runes inscribed or attached to them. You can either draw one or more lots from a container and read them as you would with casting, or you can toss them on a surface and read them based on how they land. For example, you can use dice, coins, stones, shells, bones, or nuts as lots.
- Cards: This is a method where you use cards with runes printed or drawn on them. You can either draw one or more cards from a deck and read them as you would with casting, or you can shuffle and spread them on a table and pick one or more cards intuitively. You can also use different layouts or spreads for different questions or situations, such as three-card spread, horseshoe spread, or rune wheel.
- Meditation: This is a method where you use your intuition and inner vision to connect with the runes and receive their guidance. You can either focus on a specific rune or a group of runes that relate to your question or situation, or you can let your mind wander and see what runes come to you spontaneously. You can also use different tools or aids to enhance your meditation, such as candles, incense, music, crystals, or images.
These are just some of the methods and means of rune divination in the Northumbrian tradition. There are many more variations and possibilities that you can explore and experiment with. The key is to find what works best for you and your personal style. Remember that rune divination is not only a way of predicting the future, but also a way of understanding yourself and your relationship with the universe. So have fun and enjoy the journey!
“Runic Lore and Legend: Wyrdstaves of Old Northumbria” by Nigel Pennick is a practical guide to the Anglo-Saxon Futhark and how runes were used in Old England. It examines the 33 Northumbrian runes of the Anglo-Saxon Futhark, providing the meanings, historical uses, symbolism, and related tree and plant spirits for each. The book explores geomancy divination practices, the role of sacred numbers, and the power of the eight airts, or directions.
The author describes the Northumbrian use of runes in magic and encryption and explores the relationship between the Northumbrian runes and Ogam, the tree alphabet of the ancient Celts¹². The book provides a magical history of Northumbria, as well as a look at the otherworldly beings who call these lands home, including boggarts, brownies, and dragons.
The book has received positive reviews, with a rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon and 4.13 out of 5 on Goodreads. One reviewer praised Pennick’s ability to weave the narrative into the use of the Northumbrian Runes and reveal their modern relevance. Another review highlighted how reading Pennick’s magical history and geography of Northumbria is akin to holding a map over a candle and watching the sections in invisible ink reappear.
If you’re interested in runes, Anglo-Saxon history, or the magical traditions of Northumbria, this book could be a great choice for you. However, as with any book, I’d recommend checking out a few more reviews or perhaps a sample chapter before making a decision.
Happy reading! 📚