Burn It Away Banishing

Binding someone’s mouth.

objective: to make it someone can’t talk about you, too you, or at all depending on what you want. This can be with a real physical poppet, but it can also be done as a quick visualization in your head. It has been effective for me done both ways.

Get a poppet to represent the person you are binding. It’s better to make it yourself and fill it with things that represent/symbolize that person to make it more personal to them.

Put red thread on a sewing needle and start sewing the mouth of a doll. Chant, “Open lips say too much. So i seal your mouth; I bind it shut.”

 Tie off the thread at the end of the mouth. Hide the poppet away somewhere it won’t be bothered or messed with.

To remove the binding cut the thread from the poppet’s mouth.

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Charms and How to Make Them

A charm is any object, usually pocket-sized, that’s charged with energy of some kind. An example is a lucky charm that’s worn as a necklace or a lock of hair charged with energy from the person it came from.

Charms can sometimes be called talismans, totems or pendants. Regardless of the name, with slight connotations, these little items can be used the same way.

I use charms when sometimes a crystal isn’t specific enough for my Intent (spell, ritual). Sometimes I’m doing an Intent based on my job but Citrine, also known as the Merchant’s Stone, isn’t quite specific enough, I’ll include a charm I charged with a specific energy.

For example let’s say I really need a specific day off but my job needs as many employees as it can schedule so often times they deny requests for time off, I’ll do an Intent using a golf pencil I took from the scheduling office.

I also collect the charms I have so that I can reuse them whenever an Intent needs it. Or, if it’s appropriate for the day, I’ll carry the charm in my pocket all day.

How to charge Charms

The easiest way to charge any object as a charm is if it already has a personal meaning to it. Choose something that reminds you of whatever that energy is. I have two cross pendants; one is wooden that reminds me of Catholicism and the second is metal and reminds me of Protestants. (Not because one is primitive to the other but because one came before the other.)

Once you have chosen an item and it’s meaning is clear, it’s time to charge with energy.

Purify the space you’re in to rid of residue energy (e.g. burning incense)

Use crystals for meditation and visualization, utilize crystal grids (simple or complex)

Write the specific meaning/significance/value of the charm on a piece of paper so you have a clear interpretation of it (you could make a prayer/incantation)

Burn a purple candle and drop wax on the paper connecting your Third Eye/Psyche to the energy attaching itself to the charm (one or two drops per charm, don’t waste a whole candle on one)

Once you have your Charms

Cataloging them in your guild book wouldn’t hurt. Like I mentioned, you can use them in specific Intents or carry them with you. Gift them to friends so they have energies around them. I also collect mine in a box so they aren’t randomly roaming around.

I like to use Charms in my Intents because they’re reusable, less waste and I don’t have to worry about purchasing new ones as if they run out (unless you give it away or lose it). Although I’ve come to realize the best charms are the ones I find randomly on the ground or in an old drawer. They radiate an energy that’s almost communicative like when grandparents tell you a simple memory but it sticks with you forever.

Enjoy your Charms. Happy witching. Questions, comments and criticism are welcome.

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Ultimate Grimoire or book of shadows checklist✨📓✒️🔮

Hey beautifuls,

I’ve compiled a checklist in booklet format of pretty much anything I could think of or find online that you could include in your Grimoire/book of shadows. Please note that this is a very very broad list and you do not need to include absolutely everything listed. Pick and choose what matches your craft!

also if you would like a non-watermarked PDF print version (digital file) I’m offering this for just $3 AUD. You can direct message me here on tumblr or on my Insta account “@beautifulvalleywitch”.

Otherwise enjoy this free version lovely’s 🥰🥰

*copyrighted, please do not share without credit or claim as your own*

Bone Divination (Osteomancy) is an ancient practice of fortune telling used throughout many cultures. It’s important to find personal pieces that you deeply connect with.

List of objects commonly used in Bone Divination sets: - Old Coins - Crystals and Stones - Dice - Seashells - Animal Claws - Small animal Jaw bone - Animal feet - Nuts - Seed Pods - Skeleton Keys - Beads made of glass, wood, animal horn or bone - Metal Charms - Personal Jewelry such as rings or pendants - Any items that hold a personal meaning for you

Taking care of your divination set: - Regularly cleanse your pieces with White Sage - Keep them with you during the day to form a deep bond with the pieces - If unable to keep them near during the day, keep close to you at night - I find that most pieces like to rest on natural surfaces- wood, moss, etc - Charge them under the Full Moon when possible, especially crystals or stones - Meditate with the pieces and listen to what they have to say - Occasionally bury the bones lightly in an indoor flowerpot for a short time (or outside in the garden if not raining). Bones tend to like being in the ground. It allows them to rest.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/alunadear

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✨Tarot tips for beginners✨ pt 1

Wands/Fire- Imagination, creativity, intuition

Pentacles/Earth- Finance, work, material things

Cups/Water- Love, Relationships, Emotions

Swords/Air- Thoughts,Ideas, Attitudes

Aces-Potential

Twos-Wisdom

Threes-Belief

Fours-Commpasion

Fives-Rules and law

Sixes-Harmony

Sevens-Victory

Eight-Intellect

Nine-Emotions

Tens-Manifestation

Keep a tarot journal

Don’t try to remember every single card

Try to stick to the same deck in the beginning to build a strong connection

Allow your intuition to come through

Don’t second guess yourself always go with your gut

I hope this isn't rude, but I'm following a LOT of witch blogs. you being one of them. yet, when I look at the witch-related asks & answers for all of those blogs, other blogs are helpful and list spells and such. you just "no" whenever someone asks? Can I ask why you reject magic for a lot of your situations, considering you run a magic blog and are quite literally a creator of a magical how-to book?

simply because magic is not needed in every situation, nor is it advisable. recognizing when magic is and isn’t needed, or even a good idea is important in the life of the witch. 

here are a couple of examples of such:

things i have answered “no” to today:

bewitching your significant other (consent issues anyone?)

bewitching a non-signif to find out personal things (consent again)

asked for a spell for communicating with spirits (just because a skill isn’t developed doesn’t mean a spell will replace experience)

weight loss spells (dangerous and against my personal morals)

however, the one outlier i include is this, because it’s important:

easily google-able question (as stated in previous posts, i encourage people to develop their own research skills so they can grow in their craft when they reach an area of their path where there isn’t someone around to hold their hand and slip them the answers)

as for your “other blogs are helpful and list spells and such”, i’d like to direct your attention to the many posts of lists and ~stuff~ i make for people. such as the:

200+ spells all helpfully organized by type

the sideblog @orriculum-grimoire​ in case that wasn’t helpful enough

fucking huge witchcraft 101 masterpost 

every potion related post i have ever made rolled into one

how to ground masterpost because apparently it needed one

how to charge objects with intent or energy

cleansing masterpost

emoji spells 101

how to adjust a spell to suit your super specific needs

how to substitute ingredients in a spell

what does it “MEAN”

how to nullify a spell or remove a curse

disposing of spell materials 

where to find some goddamn herbs

how to make moon water 

an example discussion of researching and understanding correspondences using rosemary

fire safety BECAUSE NO ONE EVER DISCUSSES IT

spring witchcraft ideas

winter witchcraft ideas

coffee witchcraft masterpost

coffee lore and superstition

top five herbs because that’s somehow relevant

how to curse

how to glamour

how to do magic with flower crowns

unpacking witchcraft - spell types 

some basic terms to know 

methods for spells  

how to write your own spells - resources 

when to cast a spell - by weekdays 

when to cast a spell - by time of day 

low effort witchcraft 

tools of witchcraft overview

a witch’s wand -how to make one

building a broom/besom 

correspondence resource 

“to be a witch” falsehoods 

other witches and you 

witchcraft and the law 

difference between a witch and a herbalist 

self care for the witch 

when your spell fails 

tarot and pendulums can get it wrong

curses jinxes and hexes masterpost 

harry potter spells masterlist

sailor moon spells masterlist

florence + the machine song spells masterlist

steven universe inspired spells masterlist

valentine and all love related spells masterlist

infused water magic

floral tea magic 

herbal tea magic 

fruit tea magic

general tea magic

smoothie magic

milkshake magic

hot chocolate magic

how to contact a mermaid 

different types of mermaids

various powers of mermaids

offerings for mermaids

mermaid tips

sea witch resources

you want to know why i dont post lists? it’s because i already have.

i post a lot of gathered and organized research of my own, and a lot of 101 type stuff. it’s available and accessible. even a lot of the stuff in my book is available and free (yes, a lot of it is posted here, for free). 

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Some topics + prompts for your grimoire or book of shadows

books you want to read

local folklore / mythology / legends

the wheel of the year

plants you have in your house or garden (their care, properties, uses, draw them etc)

theban alphabet

days of the week and their correspondences

write about a deity you worship / are drawn to

draw art for / of a deity you worship or are drawn to

colour magic

the elements

write about the crystals you own (draw them, write their properties, correspondences, uses, how it makes you feel etc)

how to make your own crystals

your birth chart

your sun, moon and rising sign

natural medicine (as a chronically ill witch I love natural medicine NOT AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PRESCRIPTIONS! for example I take all my prescription meds and then if I'm having period pain I might drink some raspberry leaf tea)

positive affirmations / mantras that you connect with

how to manifest

history of witches

deities in a certain pantheon you're interested in or drawn to

write about a spell you've done (how you did it, why you did it, how you felt, the results of it, what you would change if you did the spell again etc)

chakras

write about a dream you've had

tarot reading tricks and tips

moon phases

sabbats

zodiac signs

family tree

poetry / songs / quotes you connect to (i like to find ones that make me feel powerful or witchy, or remind me of certain aspects of my practice. a song i like for this is rhiannon by fleetwood mac and i'm going to post more things like this regularly on my page)

feathers and their meanings

simple everyday magic

recipes

some ideas for the next sabbat you plan to celebrate

tarot spreads you like

write about a tarot reading you've done (any prep you did, the deck you used, the cards you pulled, your personal interpretation of the cards based on the art and how you feel, the meaning of the cards, how the cards relate to the questions you asked, final reflection on how you feel the reading went)

interesting mythology

tree of life

glamour magic

money bowls

crystal shapes and their meanings

grounding techniques

cleansing

protection

banishing

cord cutting spells

essential oils

types of divination

planets and their correspondences

angel numbers

witchy wishlist

go to supplies and ingredients (herbs and things that you use regularly)

favourite crystals

working with your inner child

if you've had a really good or particularly insightful meditation session it can be nice to either draw or write what happened and how you felt during it

witchy arts and crafts and diys you want to do

altar ideas

read a witchy book / watch a witchy video and take notes

write about your ancestors

witchy things to incorporate into your daily routine

what is a tower moment

witchy reset / self care days

the history of the area you live in

veiling

how to make your own incense sticks

shadow work

shadow work prompts

ok, that's all the ideas I have for now and I hope that helps someone! I'll be posting some pages from my grimoire and some more prompt / topic ideas in the near future which I'm really excited for.

P.S. please remember that everyone's practice is their own and you should do what feels right to you while respecting that other people have their own beliefs (as long as they're not hateful).

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Witchy Baths Masterpost

Here is a big masterpost of different types of baths for different types of witches! Use these baths before or after witchcraft to pump yourself up or to wind down. And you do not have to be any specific type of witch to use any of these baths. Any witch can use them.

Note: Many of these baths call for crystals. Research crystals before getting them wet. Many of them listed you should not put in water, instead keep them at the edge of your tub or near it.

Sea Witch Bath

Kelp Powder (1 tsp)

Sea Salt (½ tsp)

Coconut Oil (1 spoonful)

Coconut Water (½ cup)

Sea Glass, Sea shells, aquamarine, ocean jasper, abalone, pearl, larimar, coral, sand dollars and/or clear quartz

Wood Spoon

Blue and white candles (optional- ocean scented ones)

Steps: Light your candles before filling the tub. Once you start filling the tub add your coconut oil, coconut water, sea salt and kelp powder. With your spoon stir clockwise to help mix in the powder, which can take a bit. The water should turn a faint green tint (the more kelp you add the greener it gets but also the stronger the smell gets). Line your tub’s edge with your sea glass, sea shells, and gemstones. Be sure not to let the gemstones fall in the water, especially if they are ones that can’t get wet. Get into your tub and enjoy.

Note: Kelp powder smells very strongly of kelp, it is a scent I personally like but a lot of people don’t. Air out your bathroom a bit after the bath to disperse the smell. Also if you do not wish to smell like kelp yourself, rinse off after your bath quickly.

Swamp Witch Bath

Kelp Powder (2 spoonfuls)

Clay or Bath Mud like Moor Mud (read label for how much to use)

Green and brown candles

Wooden Spoon

Snail shells, alligator teeth, rounded rocks and any green gemstones you may have

Optional- Moss if you have potted moss to keep on the edge of the tub (or a moss bathmat)

Steps: Light your candles then begin to fill your tub. Add in your kelp powder and the mud, using your wooden spoon stir clockwise to mix. Depending on the type of mud/clay you are using the water will either turn very green to a dark brown. Line your tub with your gemstones, rocks, teeth and snail shells. If you are bringing in a moss plant or other plants keep them near the tub. Get into the tub and relax, if your moss is a stepable type of moss and in reach you can rub your fingers in it as you relax.

Note: Like the sea witch bath, you may want to air out the bathroom after your bath. This bath will smell much stronger of kelp and you may want to shower afterwards to avoid smelling strongly of kelp. You may have to rinse your tub to rid of mud used.

Forest Witch Bath

Pine Needles

Pinecones

Pine essential oil (2 drops)

3 bags of green or black tea

Green sachet

Mint

Cedar Chips

Green Candles (optional- tree or plant scented ones)

Steps: Light your candles and begin filling your tub. In you sachet add 1 part cedar chips and 1 part mint. Tie it shut and add to your bath as it fills. You may then add the pine needles to float freely or you may add them in a sachet as well. Add your two drops of pine oil once the tub is half filled to ensure it is well diluted in the bath. Add your tea bags into the water, line your tub with the pinecones and get in.

Note: essential oils can be harsh on certain skins, dilute the oil with a carrier oil and test on your skin to see if it affects you. If your skin is too sensitive for pine oil omit it from the spell.

Floral Witch Bath

Rose petals

Lavender

Chamomile

Meadow sweet/Sweet grass

Rosemary

Pink and/or Green sachets

Pink Candles

Rose Quartz and Milky Quartz

Floral scented candles or incense of choice

Steps: In your sachet(s) add your lavender, chamomile, meadow sweet/sweet grass and rosemary. Light your candles and incense. Once you begin filling your tub add your sachets, once tub is half filled add your Rose petals. Line your tub with your quartz and get in to enjoy.

Storm Witch Bath

Rain or Storm Water

Thunder/Lightning Charged Water

Acorns or Acorn caps

Black tea (2-5 bags)

Gray Candles

Sounds of rain, storms, and/or drums

Steps: Light your candles as your tub fills. Add in your charged water and rain/storm water as the tub fills. Add in your black tea bags. Line your tub with the acorns or acorn caps. On a laptop, tablet, or phone that is a safe distance from the tub, begin playing your sounds of choice. Get into your bath and enjoy.

Divination Witch/Psychic Witch Bath

Moon Water

2 bay leaves

Lemongrass

Marigold

Mugwort

Purple Sachet

2-4 bags Green Tea

Amethyst, Jet, Moonstone, Nuummite, Silver, Sunstone, and/or Tiger’s Eye

Steps: As your tub fills add in your moon water. In your sachet add 1 part lemongrass, 2 part marigold, and 1 part mugwort; add it to the filling tub along with your tea. Line your tub with the crystals and metals you have available. Once the tub is nearly filled add in bay leaves. Soak and relax.

Urban Witch Bath

Epsom Salts

Bubble bath of choice

Dyed Quartz, Crackled Quartz, Aura Quartz and/or clear quartz

Bath/Body safe glitter of choice

Sachet of Coffee Grounds (freshly used or never used)

Device to Play Music

Steps: Begin filling your tub. Add in the amount of epsom salts you usually use as well as your bubble bath. Drop in your sachet of coffee grounds when the tub is still filling. Sprinkle in your glitter onto the bubbles once the tub is about half filled. Start your music and line your tub with your quartz. Soak and enjoy yourself.

Tech Witch Bath

3 bags of black tea

Fairy lights, lamps, night lights, etc

LED Candles

Sachet of color of choice

Oatmeal/Oats

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Music Playing Device

Steps: set up your lights and LED candles as you wish. Be sure none of the wires are near the tub or where water will be, be safe! If you can turn off the main lights. Don’t do this if you can’t see well enough to move about safely! Begin filling your tub and add your tea. In your sachet add your oatmeal and add it to the bath. Start playing your music and get into your bath and enjoy.

Death Witch Bath

¼th cup olive oil

2 spoonfuls of Salt (or more if desired)

Purified, bottled or moon water (at least 1 cup)

White Sachet

Rosemary

White candles

Myrrh, Frankincense, Jasmine, Chamomile, or Sage Incense

Obsidian, Jet, Onyx, Fire Agate and/or Garnet

Steps: Light your candles and incense; fill your sachet with rosemary. Begin filling your tub and add in your water, oil, salt and sachet. Let it fill to about half way before lining tub with your gemstones. Get in and soak and enjoy.

Stellar/Cosmic Witch Bath

Cosmetic/Bath/Body safe glitter in colors of choice

Star Anise

White Sachet

Basil

Chammomile

Orange peels/slices or Lemon peels/slices

Goldstone (blue, green, purple, etc)

Purple, white and blue candles

Steps: Light your candles before you begin to fill your tub. In your sachet add your Basil and Chamomile (about 1 part each). Add in your sachet and star anise as the tub fills. Add your glitters of choice to the water as well and until it glitters the amount you desire. Line your tub with the goldstone. Add your citrus peels or slices before you get in. Relax and enjoy your bath.

Note: Due to glitter you may have to rinse the tub after your bath.

Fire Witch Bath

Red Sachet

Red, Orange, and white candles

¼th cup sunflower seed oil

Rosemary

Cloves

Marigold

2 drops red food coloring

Carnelian, citrine, lava stone, fire agate and/or red jasper

Steps: Light your candles before you begin filling your tub. In the sachet add your rosemary, cloves and marigold. Add the sachet and sunflower oil as the tub fills. Line your tub with the crystals and stones you have available. Once the tub is nearly filled add 2 drops of food coloring (or more if you want a more intense color). Get in and enjoy.

Note: food coloring shouldn’t stain your tub unless you use large amounts.

Water Witch Bath

Rain Water

Purified or Bottled Water

Moon Water

Cucumber cut into slices

Blue Sachet

Jasmine

Lemon Balm

Catnip

Aqua Aura Quartz, Moonstone, Blue Lace Agate, Lapis Lazuli, and/or Pearl

Steps: Begin filling your tub. Add in your waters as it fills. In your sachet add in your jasmine, lemon balm, and catnip. Add in your sachet. As the tub fills line your tub with your gemstones and crystals. Once tub is about half filled add your cucumber slices and get in to enjoy.

Earth Witch Bath

Moor Mud

Agate, Jasper, Jet, and Quartz

Salt of your choice

1 cup oats/oatmeal

Brown or Green Sachet

Sage Incense

Steps: Light your incense before filling your tub. As the tub fills, add in your mud to the amount it states on package. If needed use a spoon to stir it clockwise to mix. Add in your salt. In your sachet add your oats before dropping it into bath as well. Line your tub with your gemstones before getting in.

Note: Due to mud you may have to rinse or clean bath afterwards.

Air Witch Bath

Yellow Candles

Yellow Sachet

Incense of choice

Cilantro

Lavender

Rosemary

Mint

Dandelion

Amethyst, mica, opal, tiger’s eye, and/or turquoise

Feathers

Sounds of wind or wind chimes

Steps: Set up your sound playing device to play the sounds you desire to listen to. Light your candles and incense before you start filling your tub. In your sachet add your cilantro, lavender, rosemary, mint and dandelion. Place your feathers near your tub but where they won’t get wet and ruined. Line your tub with gemstones and add in your sachet. Get into your tub and enjoy.

Solar Witch Bath

Gold and Orange Candles

Marigold Tea (2-5 bags)

Black Tea (1 bag)

Orange slices or peels

1 drop of a citrus essential oil

Sunstone

Steps: Light your candles before filling your tub. As your tub fills add in your teas and one drop essential oil. Place our sunstone near your tub or about the rim. Once tub is about half filled add in your orange slices/peels and get in. Soak and enjoy.

Note: essential oils can be harsh on certain skins, dilute the oil with a carrier oil and test on your skin to see if it affects you. If your skin is too sensitive for the oil omit it from the spell.

Lunar Witch Bath

Moon Water

Jasmine Tea (4 bags)

White and Silver Candles

Amethyst and Moonstone

Silver or White Sachet

Mugwort

Anise

Steps: Light your candles before filling your tub. As your tub fills add your jasmine tea bags. In your sachet add 1 part mugwort and 2 parts anise before adding it to the tub as well as pouring in your moon water. Line the tub with amethyst and moonstone before getting into the water and enjoying.

Special thanks to @cosmic-witch and @death-witch-envy for helping with my research for the Stellar Witch Bath and the Death Witch Bath. Thank you both very much for helping out~

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how to read candle flames

How to read candle flames  

High steady flame: yes 

Low steady flame: no 

Dancing flame: reground and put more focus towards your spell/question 

Violent flickering flame: strong no do not reattempt this spell or ask this question again 

Sputtering crackling flame: there is a more complex answer than a yes or no it could mean maybe or possibly 

Dual flame: thinking, wait for the answer 

Left leaning: yes 

Right leaning: no 

Will not light: try another time 

Will not go out: you are not done with your spell or question yet 

Candle goes out before you are done: wait now is not the right time  

Y’all asked for it so y’all gonna get it! I’mma start off with the barebones essentials and work my way to basic definitions. Sit down on something comfy and get yourself your warm beverage of choice and maybe grab a notebook because here goes.

What are runes?

Runic alphabets have been around since about 150 AD and used as a writing system by a lot of Germanic languages. These systems were eventually phased out, slowly but surely, with the progressive Christianisation that started around 700-1100 AD. The three most commonly known (and used?) Are the Elder Futhark, the Younger Futhark and Futhorc.

Runes aren’t, themselves, broadly meant for divination, thought there are a few passages in the Eddas that mention Odin “finding” and using them.

Alright, so which alphabet should I use?

Whichever one you want! I prefer using the Elder Futhark, because it’s the first alphabet I learned and got familiar with, but that doesn’t at all stop you from using the Younger Futhark or Futhorc. I’d heavily suggest making sure you read up on the differences in each alphabet though; Ansuz, for example, won’t look the same, mean the same or even be called the same from one alphabet to another. 

Familiarize yourself with each of them if you want/can, and choose based on your own preferences and criteria. Always work with what feels best for you!

But I’m not really familiar with Germanic traditions / I’m a baby witch, should or can I use runes for divination?

This is the concept that got my goat real good the first time. You do not, in any way, shape or form, need to be experienced to cast runes. This is a notion that is outdated and perpetuated by gatekeepers and exclusionists. No one gives a flying flip how long you’ve been practicing witchcraft, or if you even practice at all!

Divination should be seen as a tool to further yourself and/or your craft. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other activities, practices or beliefs. I was 15 when I started learning about runes (dear god that was literally over ten years ago) and I had no idea what I was doing back then. I read up as much as I could about the system I was wanting to use and, once I was comfortable with it, I started doing small readings.

It shouldn’t matter how new or familiar you are to divination, rune casting or Germanic traditions. If rune casting feels right to you, you are more than free to use whatever divination method feels right to you.

What should I do before I start a reading?

As a Norse Pagan, I usually invoke my patron deities (Baldr and Loki, in this case), as well as Odin and Freyja, sometimes Gullveig/Heiðr because reasons. I have no idea whether or not this has any actual bearing on the reading itself, as mine were as accurate before I converted as they are now.

Making sure you’re in a quiet and/or comfortable space is also a good idea, even if that just means popping in some earphones and listening to something that makes you focus and feel calm.

This is also a good time to mention that cleansing your runes (stone, bone, wood or otherwise) is a very good idea. I typically do this with candles, incense, a bowl of water and a point of quartz for each element. I don’t do this nearly as often as I probably should, since most people suggest cleansing them after each reading… but, whatever, being lax with that hasn’t bitten me in the ass so far. So if you’re a spoonie, don’t worry: cleanse your runes when you feel they need to be cleansed, and that’s it.

Alright, I think I’m ready; how do I start reading?

Let me start by saying that the bullshit about never reading yourself? It’s just that. Bullshit. Do readings on yourself if you want to. Who the hell is going to stop you. Do whatever you want.

On that note, there are a few ways to cast runes, though these probably aren’t close to being the only ones: 

Intuitively choosing the stones Lay the runes down on a flat surface and let your hand hover over them and pick out the ones that feel right. You can either pick them in order of the spread you’re using, or place the runes where you feel they belong on the spread.

Throwing the stones Make sure you have a large flat surface to work with (preferably the floor honestly) where you won’t drop, scatter or lose a rune. You can use a mat underneath, and read the stones that fall on the corresponding positions in the spread or circle. (You can find many of these with a quick google search, or make your own mat!) Otherwise, you can take the first stones you see facing up and lay those out according to your spread.

Picking them blindly Either you or the person you’re reading pull stones blinding out of a pouch, bag or other container, and lay them out according to the spread you’re using. Pretty straightforward.

If you can think of another method, literally nothing is stopping you from using that instead. The runes are acting as a universal translator for whatever it is you’re tapping into. They’re just a tool to receive a message. How you choose to receive that message is completely up to you!

So I’ve got my runes laid out, now what?

Now comes the fun part. I can only really give you a good run-down of the Elder Futhark, and though it’s a good starting point, I would highly advise you do your own research on whatever alphabet you want to use. Wikipedia is a great place to start, but don’t stop there: look at several different websites and lists and compare. Combine and condense the information for yourself, and get to learn the definitions and meanings for yourself!

ᚠ Fehu • catle wealth, money, hard work paying off, can represent spiritual wealth reversed: effort gone to waste, natural and/or financial loss, greed

ᚢ Uruz • ox physical strength and speed, great energy, courage, masculine reversed: physical weakness, illness, violence, misdirected aggression

ᚦ Thurisaz • thor reactive, destructive and/or defensive force, tendency towards change reversed: dangerous compulsions, betrayal and malice, lies, spite

ᚨ Ansuz • of the Æsir  revelations, intuition, signs and signals, wisdom, power of words/names reversed: misunderstandings, delusions and vanity

ᚱ Raido • chariot physical/spiritual journeys, transition, seeing the bigger picture reversed: crisis, maybe due to stagnation, unwanted disruption

ᚲ Kaunan • torch creativity and inspiration, power of transformation, power of life reversed: instability, lack of creativity, false hope revealed, disillusionment

ᚷ Gebo • gift gifts in the form of sacrifice or generosity, contracts, partnerships reversed/opposed: greed, isolation and dependence, over-sacrifice

ᚹ Wunjo • joy comfort, pleasure, companionship, possibility of going over the top reversed: sorrow and alienation, growing distance, raging frenzy

ᚺ Hagalaz • hail wrath of nature, destruction for the sake of creation, natural order reversed: natural disasters, powerlessness, suffering

ᚾ Naudiz • need strength/growth from hardships, survival, determination reversed: deprivation and emotional starvation, constraints/restraints

ᛁ Isaz • ice challenges and frustration, psychological block, anticipation reversed/opposed: can oppose other runes with malice and treachery 

ᛃ Jera • good year hard work is fruitful, peace, happiness and relief, breaking the cycle reversed: sudden setbacks and bad timing

ᛈ Pertho • vagina secrets, mysteries, undiscovered abilities, choosing your own path reversed: stagnation, isolation and loneliness

ᛇ E/ihwaz • yew tree strength, stability, endurance, trustworthiness, your goal is realistic reversed: confusion, dissatisfaction and weakness of the mind

ᛉ Algiz • elk shield, the instinct to protect yourself/others, connection to the gods reversed: hidden dangers, loss of link to the divine, turning away

ᛊ Suwilo • the sun success and goals achieved, you have the power you need to succeed reversed/opposed: deception, false goals, gullibility, divine wrath

ᛏ Tiwaz • tyr honour and leadership, authority, success in competitions reversed: artistic block, over-analysis and sacrifice, imbalance/conflict

ᛒ Berkana • birch tree fertility in a broad sense, personal/physical growth, new beginnings reversed: family/relationship issues, anxiety over loved ones, abandon

ᛖ Ehwaz • horse steady and gradual progress, teamwork/loyalty, relationships reversed: reckless haste and its consequences, restlessness

ᛗ Mannaz • mankind the self, the human race, your attitude toward others and vice-versa, social awareness, altruism reversed: mortality, self-deception, cunning and manipulation

ᛚ Laguz • water literal/metaphorical flow, imagination, the unknown, chance of loss reversed: confusion/uncertainty, may be making the wrong choice

ᛝ Ingwaz • probably freyr warmth and love in general, tying loose ends, relief, freedom to move reversed: moving without change, fruitless effort, helpelessness

ᛞ Dagaz • dawn breakthroughs and clarity, security, power to change and grow, the ideal reversed/opposed: endings and coming round full circle

ᛟ Othila • inheritance ancestral property, what is most important, spiritual heritage and safety reversed: slavery, homelessness, bad karma, what one is unwillingly bound to

Phew! What a list. These are just brief descriptions and meanings that I’ve been able to compile and condense over the years.

But, what does “opposed” mean?

I see where you’re coming from. As a baby diviner, I, also, was confused by this. But let me explain how I’ve come to understand it! 

Sometimes, if you’re doing a set spread, you’ll have a spot for things like, “what will oppose you”, or “what you need to avoid”. Things like that. If, say, a rune like Suwilo was found in something like that, you’d want to try and keep a sharp mind to avoid deceptions or letting yourself be too gullible.

When runes don’t have a reversed form, their position in your spread will usually determine what they mean. (Though really this is true for literally any rune.)

Anything else I should know?

The best advice I can ever give anyone is to always do what you feel is right. If you find yourself wondering, “Should I do this? Is this right?” If you question yourself at all, you should probably not to the thing and go with something else.

It’s also important to mention that the names I have for the runes may not be the ones that you’ve learned to know them by; a lot of runes can go by different names depending on who you ask and where you look. Do your research, and know the runes by the names you feel are best! (And preferably historically accurate.)

As always, if you have any questions regarding runes and how to read them, please ask me! My ask box is literally always open and almost always empty.

ᚺᛖᛁᛚᛚ ∙ ᛟᚲ ∙ ᛋᛇᛚᛚ

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