How to cast and read Runes and Bones
Casting runes is an ancient practice used for introspection, guidance, and connecting with your intuition. Whether you are using the Elder Futhark or another system, the process is about creating a focused space for insight.
The Blind Draw
1. Prepare Your Space
Before you begin, find a quiet area where you won’t be interrupted.
Clear your mind: Take a few deep breaths to center your energy.
Use a casting cloth: Lay down a white or neutral-colored cloth. This defines the "sacred space" and protects the runes from damage.
Set an intention: Hold your rune pouch in your hands and think clearly about your question or the situation you need guidance on.
2. The Draw
The Blind Draw: Reach into the pouch and pull out runes one by one, placing them onto the cloth.
-The Single Rune
Pull 1 rune
A quick answer or a "theme" for your day.
-The Three Norns
Pull 3 runes
Left: The Past. Middle: The Present. Right: The Future/Potential outcome.
-The Cross
Pull 5 runes. Provides a deep dive into an obstacle and how to overcome it.
4. Interpretation
Once the runes are laid out, look at their meanings.
Face-up vs. Face-down: Generally, only runes that land face-up are read.
Merkstave (Reversed): If a rune lands upside down, some practitioners read it as having a "shadow" or more challenging meaning.
Intuition: Don't just rely on a guidebook. Look at the symbols—how do they make you feel in the context of your question?
Three Cast Fated
I. Preparation & Cleansing
Before you begin, ensure your tools are energetically aligned and your space is set.
Set the Foundation: Lay out a casting cloth (typically linen or wool) or a wooden tray. This defines the boundaries of your reading and keeps the runes contained.
Clear the Energy: If your runes feel "heavy" or you haven't used them in a while, cleanse them using one of these traditional methods:
Smoke: Pass the runes through the smoke of dried Sage or Palo Santo.
Earth/Crystals: Place your rune pouch on a slab of Selenite or near Clear Quartz to reset their vibration.
Breath: Hold the runes in your hands and blow a sharp, focused breath into the pouch to clear stagnant energy.
The First Cast: Hold all the runes in your hands or pouch. Focus on your question and gently spill them onto the cloth. Remove all runes that land face-down.
The Second Cast: Gather only the face-up runes. Shake them and cast them again. Once more, remove any that land face-down.
The Final Cast: Take the remaining face-up runes and cast them a third time. Any runes that land face-up after this third round are your final message.
The Layout: Arrange the remaining runes in a single line in the exact order they landed.
The Reading: Read the runes from Right to Left.
Bone Casting
I. Preparing Your Set & Space
Before casting, your bones should be treated as extensions of your own intuition and the natural world.
The Set: A traditional set typically includes a mix of "found" bones: toe bones (for travel or grounding), knuckles (for transitions or hard work), and small joints (for connections and relationships).
The Layout: Use a circular casting cloth or a shallow wooden tray. Some practitioners mark the cloth with three concentric circles:
Inner Circle: Your immediate self and home.
Middle Circle: Your community, career, and external influences.
Outer Circle/Edge: The spirit world, the distant future, or things leaving your life.
Cleansing: Since bones hold deep ancestral energy, cleanse them frequently. Pass them through mugwort smoke (for psychic sight) or bury them in a bowl of sea salt overnight to reset their "voice."
II. The Casting Ritual
Warm the Bones: Hold the pouch between your hands. Shake it gently so the bones clatter—this "wakes them up."
State Your Intent: Speak your question aloud or whisper it into the mouth of the bag.
The Throw: Reach in and grab a handful (or all) of the bones. Cast them gently but firmly onto the center of your cloth.
III. Traditional Reading Methods
In Witchcraft and Druidic traditions, we look at the "geography" of the cast rather than individual definitions.
1. Proximity and Clusters
Look for where the bones have bunched together.
The Cluster: This represents the "heart" of the matter—the area of your life where most energy is currently moving.
The Outliers: Bones that land far away from the group represent forgotten factors, distant influences, or people who are "distancing" themselves from you.
2. The Anatomy of the Piece
Since your bones have no runes, you read their physical form:
Toe Bones: Represent "footing." If a toe bone points toward you, you are on the right path. If it points away, you may be heading toward a dead end.
Knuckles: Represent "hinge points" or decisions. A knuckle landing near the center suggests a major life pivot is coming.
Joints: Represent "binding." Where two bones touch or overlap, look for a connection between two people or two ideas in your life.
3. Directional Facing
Facing Up (Hollows/Smooth sides): Indicates an "open" situation, truth being revealed, or a "yes."
Facing Down (Rough/Joint sides): Indicates a "closed" door, a secret, or a "no/not yet."
IV. The "Way" of the Bone
The Pointer: If a long bone lands pointing directly at another specific piece, the first bone is "talking" to the second. For example, a toe pointing at a knuckle suggests your current travels are leading to a major life decision.
The Crossing: If two bones land in an "X" shape, it indicates a blockage, a conflict, or a need for protection.
A Note on Ethics: In Pagan and Druidic paths, bone casting is often seen as a conversation with the Genius Loci (spirits of the land) or ancestors. Always thank the spirits of the animals whose bones you use after each session.