Rune symbols have been used for thousands of years and have deep meanings and significance. The runic alphabet, also known as the Futhark, consists of 24 symbols, each representing a different sound. These symbols were primarily used by the ancient Germanic peoples, such as the Vikings, to write their language and communicate. Each rune symbol not only represents a sound but also has its own specific meaning. For example, the first rune in the Futhark is called Fehu and represents wealth and abundance. It symbolizes material prosperity and the acquisition of possessions.
The easiest is the yes/no method. Simply ask a yes or no question, take a bone, and drop it on a table or other hard surface. If it lies more horizontal, the answer is yes. If it is more vertical, the answer is no.
Throughout the Old Testament, a number of colorful Biblical characters used bone divination as a means to predict the future and advise patrons on matters ranging from the ordinary to issues of communal or tribal importance. The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection.
It symbolizes material prosperity and the acquisition of possessions. On the other hand, the last rune, called Othala, represents heritage and ancestral roots. It signifies the importance of one's inheritance, both physical and spiritual.
Bone Reading Sets
I have four different bone sets, soon to be five. The first one I acquired is a set called “Witchdoctor Bones: The Art of African Fortune Telling.” I bought this so long ago that the bones have dried out and one has cracked in two places. It is a simple set that comes with six bones, four stones and two nuts of some sort. There is a small pamphlet of instructions that was originally yellow, but now is turning brown with age. The instructions are brief and not very enlightening. I couldn’t make much sense of them so I put them away.
I acquired my next set on my first visit to the Lucky Mojo Shop over ten years ago. It was a set of Shagai and it came in a small embroidered pouch, with a one page sheet of instructions. It consisted of four sheep astragali. The bones have four faces and you take the number from each face and determine the meaning of the toss from the numbers. You can find the instructions in cat yronwode’s Throwing the Bones (page 50), and in the book Riding Windhorses. This set was very easy to understand. The most difficult thing was learning to tell which side of each bone was showing so that you could determine its number and refer to the answer sheet. It was fun, but not very challenging. As a tarot reader, I had what I thought was a better means of divination available to me, so the Shagai were also put away after a brief while.
I got my third set from Lucky Mojo also. It is a Bone Reading Set, item number DIV_BON_SET1. It consists of fifteen items, a muslin bag with an item list, and a double-sided page of instructions. You can see one that is very similar to it here. I was in the San Francisco Bay area visiting friends when I purchased it. On the first night of my visit one of my hosts did a bone reading for me. I didn’t have a question at the time so I just made something up off the top of my head. The reading was so good that it even indicated that my question was BS. The next day we were off to Lucky Mojo with the bone set being number one on my list of things to purchase.
I got a set of my own and I got to visit with cat and nagasiva for a little while. Cat demonstrated some things about the bone set and made some recommendations on things to go with the basic set, which I bought. I also purchased a bunch of small items to go with it of the type that you really have to be in the shop to appreciate, and I purchased cat’s new book Throwing the Bones. It was like being a small child in a candy shop. I had to pass on the silver-lined kapala though, as it was a bit out of my price range.
I started reading the book and playing with my bones immediately. I played with them every evening of my visit and I have continued to work with them almost every day since.
My enjoyment and interest in the bones and all things bone related led to my purchasing The Oracle of the Bones, by Claire O’Neil. It is interesting in its own right, but it is a fixed system, with four resin bones, a reading cloth and a book with meanings of different thrown configurations. It is out of print now, but it is still readily available used and in some cases new.
My original Lucky Mojo set of fifteen items has changed quite a bit. I have added and removed pieces such that it is now a truly unique and personal tool. It has many more pieces for one thing. I also made a couple of reading cloths and I bought a goat skin to use a reading surface. It makes an aesthetically pleasing backdrop for the bones. You can see a bit of it in the header above.
Bone reading systems have been around almost as long as mankind, yet I have found that there is a dearth of written material on how to read the bones. Cat yronwode’s book is a good starting place, and every time I have had a reading done by another reader I have learned something new and interesting about bone reading, even if it is only how many different ways there are to do it. There are still some people who learned to read the bones in a family or other traditional manner. Some are even on the Internet. I suspect that as bone sets become more available, and as more people try them, they will become increasingly popular. The method I use is not based on any tradition, but it works for me. Judging from the number of people now offering bone readings I suspect that I am not the only one who has found this to be so. I have spent more hours on the bones than I care to think about, when I should be doing other things. Yet my enthusiasm hasn’t waned – it has increased. This blog is a way for me to express and share my enthusiasm.
By admin | 2012-12-20T21:39:41-08:00 December 20th, 2012 | Divination Sets, Show and Tell | Comments Off on Bone Reading Sets
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Other rune symbols have meanings such as protection, love, strength, and creativity. These symbols were often used in divination and magical practices by the ancient Norse people. They believed that by using these symbols and their associated meanings, they could tap into the power and wisdom of the gods and ancestors. In addition to their individual meanings, rune symbols can also be combined to create bindrunes. Bindrunes are unique symbols that are formed by merging two or more runes together. The combination of these symbols amplifies their meanings and creates a powerful talisman or magical symbol. Today, rune symbols are still used by some people for various purposes. Some use them as a form of meditation or spiritual practice, while others incorporate them into their artwork or jewelry. However, it is essential to respect the historical and cultural context of these symbols and not appropriate or misuse them. Overall, rune symbols have a rich history and meaningful significance. Each symbol represents a specific concept or idea and can be used to connect with ancient wisdom and spiritual energy. Whether for personal exploration or artistic expression, rune symbols continue to fascinate and inspire people around the world..
Reviews for "Understanding the Different Types of Rune Symbols and Their Meanings"
1. Samantha - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Rune symbols and meanings chart." The information provided was scarce and lacked depth. Moreover, the symbols included in the chart were poorly drawn and difficult to interpret. I expected a comprehensive guide that would help me understand the meanings behind each rune symbol, but this book fell short of my expectations. The lack of explanations and poor quality of illustrations made it nearly impossible for me to grasp the intended message of each symbol. Overall, I do not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of rune symbols and their meanings.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - "Rune symbols and meanings chart" was a letdown for me. The book promised to provide a comprehensive guide to rune symbols, but in reality, it only scratched the surface. The explanations given for each symbol were minimal and left me wanting more detailed information. Additionally, the images of the symbols were unclear and poorly formatted. I struggled to make out the details and understand the intricacies of each rune. While the initial concept of the book seemed promising, the execution fell short. I would advise those interested in rune symbols to look for other resources that offer a more comprehensive and well-presented guide.
3. Jonathan - 2/5 stars - As an individual interested in studying rune symbols, I was very disappointed with "Rune symbols and meanings chart." The book lacked cohesiveness and failed to explain the significance of each symbol in a comprehensive manner. The descriptions provided were often oversimplified, and the illustrations accompanying the symbols were of low quality. Furthermore, the organization of the information was haphazard, making it difficult to locate specific symbols or find related information. Overall, this book did not meet my expectations, and I would advise anyone looking for a detailed and well-structured guide on rune symbols to search for alternative sources.
4. Emma - 1/5 stars - "Rune symbols and meanings chart" was a waste of my time and money. The book provided shallow explanations of the symbols and lacked depth in its analysis. It seemed like the author simply copied information from other sources without adding any original insights. Additionally, the illustrations were poorly executed, making it hard to identify specific details of the rune symbols. It felt like a rushed and amateurish attempt at creating a guide. I would recommend avoiding this book if you are genuinely interested in understanding rune symbols and their meanings.