Deepen or begin a divinatory practice or just have fun in creating a soulful creative ritual in hand-crafting your own Tree Runes.

What are runes?

The word ‘rune’ simply means mystery, whisper or secret. Many ancient cultures have used a form of runes by carving symbols or sigils (sigil is a type of symbol used in magic) into small stones, tree coins or bone. Each symbol is given a name and associated energy that when picked from a bag after asking a question can be used as a form of divination or guidance for how one may move forward through life happenings or seek the best outcome through difficulties.

There are many different types of runic alphabets & symbols. Some of the most well-known are the old Germanic runic alphabet known as ‘Elder Futhark’ and the Scandinavian Norse runic alphabet. However, there are also many modern runic symbols used, for instance Witchcraft Sigils, Elemental symbols, Celtic and Dalecarlian runes (influenced by the Latin alphabet). In this workshop, you may wish to be inspired to use some of the ancient rune symbols or make your own sigils or symbols.

Crafters will be provided with a variety of wood that was sustainably harvested from local forests and river banks to choose to make their runes from. Each artist may wish to take into account each tree’s unique personality and attributes before choosing which to use for their runes. The wood will be precut into circles shapes and sanded to the desired finish before using paint or a wood burner to draw symbols onto each wood coin. Then the runes will be placed in a bag and are ready to be used.

How to use Runes?

Runes are used in a variety of ways. They can be used similar to oracle or tarot cards where you ask a question and pull one rune out of the bag or pick many runes to be placed into a casting or lay-out. You will be offering inspirations on how you might use or “cast” your runes for guidance on questions. It is important to know that runes do not tell the future. It is not about seeing the future or clear, definitive answers. It’s about looking at all the possible and potential outcomes and using your inner guidance & intuition to help lead you towards the path that feels right for you.

There is no right or wrong way in making or casting runes, as always, it is the intention put into the craft and rune reading that matters.

Class Details.

This class will be held on May 20th from 6 – 8:30pm at Equinox Center for Herbal Studies and is open to all genders and aimed for adults. Teens and older children are welcome when accompanied by an adult. $48 per person.