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How to Make Your Own Rune Set
Do you want to initiate yourself in divination or are you curious about it? Then rune casting is a great way to start! It can take many years to master them, but you can easily make your own rune set and learn the basics thanks to the many online resources and books available nowadays.
There are many runic alphabets, but the most common one for rune divination is the Elder Futhark, made of 24 letters. Some rune sets include a blank rune called Wyrd rune or Odin’s rune, but this is a more modern addition and there isn’t historical evidence of its existence. In this case, it’s your choice whether to add it to your set or not.
Also, it is important to note that rune reading isn’t used to predict the future, but as a way to access your subconscious mind and get some guidance for a particular issue or question.
Runes can be blunt when giving you answers, so be prepared!
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Should you buy a rune set or should you make it yourself?
If you aren’t familiar with the process of rune casting, you might have some questions: can you make your own runes? or should you buy a ready-made set?
Buying a rune set is convenient and there’s nothing wrong with it, so if you find one that speaks to you, don’t be afraid to purchase it! They usually come in different materials that are more difficult to find, such as crystals, metal or glass.
That being said, making your own rune set will make you feel more connected to it as it will have your energy and personal touch. It’s also a budget-friendly way to start, in case you aren’t sure if this divination method is for you.
On either case, you will need to consecrate your rune set, which we’ll cover at the end of this post.
Choosing your materials
Traditionally, rune sets were made with natural materials and the good thing is that most of them are free and easily available!
Here are some ideas you can use for your DIY rune set, choose the one you feel the more comfortable working with:
Ancient Symbols…
Modern Fit
WOOD
This is my favourite choice, as trees were a very important element in Norse Mythology, especially the ash tree (it is thought that the Yggdrasil was an ash tree), but feel free to use wood from other species.
The best wood to make your own runes would be a branch from a fruit-bearing living tree, but you can always use other species of wood if this is not possible for you. Ask permission before cutting it and leave a small offering of water before leaving. You can either paint, carve or pyrograph the runes for a longer-lasting option.
And if you can’t go to nature or don’t have access to all the tools right now, you can always buy these blank wood slices, which have the perfect size to create your set or this Basic Wooden Rune Set.
STONES OR PEBBLES
Go to a beach or river near you and select some small and flat stones. If you choose this option, be aware that they will be more difficult to carve. You can also paint them, but it will wear off over time.
BONES
This is a more controversial option and it isn’t an easy material to work with. The bones should be from animals that died of natural causes preferably.
CLAY
A very easy material to work with, although it can also chip pretty quickly with use if you don’t bake it properly. Be sure to seal it, so it lasts a bit longer.
The most important thing to consider is that you will need 24 pieces (or 25 if you decide to include the blank rune) of whichever material you prefer and they all must have a similar size and shape. Also, they should be small enough so all of them fit in the palms of your hands. Have a couple extra pieces on the side, in case a mishap occurs.
Once you have the 24 pieces ready, it’s time to carve or paint the Elder Futhark alphabet (for a full list of the runes, click here to see our Elder Futhark cheat-sheet) – the most traditional way would be to use your own blood, but I’ll leave this choice to you.
Play some nice and relaxing music, focus your intentions and your mind on the task and say the name of each rune out loud as your carve or paint them, so you start getting familiar with them.
Consecrating your runes
To consecrate your rune set, it’s crucial for you to be in a good headspace, so don’t rush things if you had a bad day or are feeling sensitive. This process is very important, as you must feel connected to your rune set before using it for the first time.
As with all magical practices, there are many consecration rituals and some people believe it isn’t necessary at all, so in the end, it’s up to you whether to consecrate your set or not and what ritual to follow.
Here is a simple method, but you can find many consecration rituals by doing a quick search, so pick the one you feel the most comfortable with. Once this is done, you are ready to start with rune divination!
THE CANDLE METHOD
Light a candle and place all your runes on the left side, take a moment to meditate and focus your mind on the task ahead.
Then pick one of the runes and say its name, meditate about its meaning for a moment and pass it over the candle flame. Once you are finished, place it on the right side of the candle and do the same with the rest.
If you haven’t memorized the rune names and their meanings yet, have a little cheat sheet in front of you and if you want to dig deeper in the art of rune reading, have a look at these 5 books perfect for beginners!
Learn More about The Elder Futhark Runes
Do you want to learn about the Elder Futhark runes and their meanings? Then be sure to join our Clan for your monthly rune special and start building your Book of Shadows! Click here
I found a rune set that I like , but the lady makes them with rezin an puts glitter in them … will rezin runes have the same energy as wood an crystals or would rezin runes not really carry the magic ?
Well I like making my own things and my idea would be to encase a tumble stone of the crystals you want and that way the energy is still in it but the glitter etc could be done on top
I am of the mind that things are tools, and various ideals can and are realized through their use. If pretty glitter rocks resonate with you, and their meaning feels safe and clear to you, then, by all means use them.
Some seek more “authentic” routes to the same end goal, but this is mostly because they don’t want to upset ideals they themselves have come to accept as truth. Such as, you must paint your runes on bones, in blood, and only cast them at specific times or during certain rites. When it comes to the subconscious and your beliefs – those ideals based on your own personally unique experience – you can’t go too far astray from the truth if you just follow your own intuition.
Blessings Summer Diane ! I use similar Witches’ Runes cast in resin with that added element of ‘sparkle’ (via glitter). They’ve served me well and have given very close readings to the wooden runes I made from rings of fallen ash branch. Resin, bone, wood, glass (even air-dried clay) ; they all work equally well. It’s not the material used but the intention to which we will use them, that matters. I’d never, ever advise anyone to use natural dead fall materials to commune with the departed. Too many lost souls wandering out there, desperate for any contact with the living…
I’ve seen that since resin isn’t a natural material like wood or clay, it cannot connect to the energy from the earth so it probably won’t carry the magic as well. But they are perfect learning tools for knowing the names and images! Use them for education and probably get a wooden or crystal rune set.
It’s all about your energy and intentions natural way was the old way of doing which I prefer things but any magic is all about your energy and if you felt connected to them the more the merrier so go for it
It is mostly about runes , the symbol, not material. Material will not ruin its meaning, unless you don’t like it. For me for example, bones would be a dealbraker.
I would prefer something more natural. But I think it’s up to you. The rune itself is what has the connection, I believe.
Very good day
In my opinion; You’re the source of magic, so with whatever your heart is ready to work, will work
They will still carry as much energy as you put into them. The material although not natural will still hold the energy you might just need to put a bit more time into the nature aspect if that’s what you want to get into.
The short answer is no. A sacrifice is typically necessary hence the fruit bearing tree, bone, or blood. I have seen runes made with clay or resin that are imbibed with the maker’s essence, blood being the most common. I recently made a set from coyote jaw bone.
No not really it is due to not having magic material
Runes made from natural materials tend to work best, such as wood, bone, antler, stone or gemstones (I’m going to make myself wooden runes using the branch of an apple tree I planted as a wee girl, since it would help my connection to the runes I make) but that doesn’t mean resin runes won’t work, you just might get better results from natural materials x
I know there’s significance in the painting and/or carving process. What specific significance is there in asking a friend – one of the only people to actually /know/ you and not only get it but accept it – to complete this process? Not the consecration.
I wish to make my own runes, and I wish to use ash based ink to paint in the carved portions to give them that extra ‘pop’ as I’m not using a burner tool, but rather a dremel.
Which herbs would be best, or would this depend on the rune?
It doesn’t matter what the rine looks like it’s the energy you put into the rune that makes the magic as you say.
I made my own runes out of a collection of pebbles my mum collected and had in the house since I was a child, my mum passed away this year which is how I came to own them. It feels special to have an earthly connection to her for guidance still 🙂
I was wondering I live in a hotel and there are decorative stones used in the landscaping are they natural and would they have the same energy I need in other words I guess I’m asking would they work for now till I can get a proper set of rune stones
I want to make my own ruins but would like to know what the general size they, should be. Am anyone help me out…
I have some pretty aquarium stones I plan on using. I add the symbols with a sharpie 🙂
I completely and utterly believe that runes should be made by the one using them and only from a natural source. It is your energy blending into the energy of the earth and universe. Cutting a branch from any kind of leafy tree and slicing it to carve the runes yourself, instills your will and energy into wood that has grown naturally with earth, water, wind and fire. The fire being the sun of course. Stones can be used but I would definitely use stones from a creek or river that I can see through the water. I would carve (engrave) the runes onto the stones and not use any artificial paint or markers. I would not use any man-made product to make the runes. It is not our energy that is magic, it is the universe’s magic and life force and we blend our energy to it in order to bring out that magic. This is my opinion and belief. Anything doing with runes must be 100% natural and collected by yourself.