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Exploring Rune Divination Techniques

Aug 20, 2024

Lecture: Rune Divination by Bente, the Norse Witch

Introduction

  • Presenter: Bente, the Norse Witch
  • Topic: Divination using runes
  • Mention of possible multi-part series due to the complexity of methods being shared

Historical Sources of Rune Divination

  • Tacitus Germania
    • Procedure involves using branches from nut-bearing or fruit-bearing trees.
    • Marked strips are thrown onto a white cloth.
    • A priest or family head invokes the gods and selects three strips for interpretation.
    • Variations in translations regarding the type of tree and the invocation method.
  • Ynglinga Saga & Vita Ansgari
    • Brief mentions, align with Tacitus's accounts on using wooden slices thrown randomly for interpretation.

Archaeological Evidence

  • No known archaeological finds of divination sets or rune sets.
  • Possible reasons: Wood degrades easily, lack of preserved artifacts.
  • Uncertainty about symbols used historically, possibly runes or another set of symbols.

Modern Interpretation and Flexibility

  • Lack of definitive historical methods allows for creative interpretations.
  • Different authors and practitioners have developed varied systems based on intuition.

Bente's Methods of Rune Divination

Simple Methods

  1. Single Rune Draw

    • Focus on a question, draw one rune for the answer.
    • Optionally, draw more runes if additional insight is needed.
  2. Three Rune Spread (Past, Present, Future)

    • Similar to tarot spreads.
    • Possible to expand each time period into three runes for more detailed insight.

Complex Methods

  1. Fourfold Wheel

    • Significator Rune: Chosen based on the nature of the question.
    • Past Influence Rune: Indicates influences from the past.
    • Future Outcome Rune: Predicts likely outcomes.
    • Advice Runes:
      • From gods or spiritual entities.
      • From one's subconscious.
  2. Eightfold Wheel

    • Builds on the Fourfold Wheel with additional runes for deeper insight:
      • Active Past Rune: Influences still affecting the situation.
      • Fated Past Rune: Unchangeable past influences.
      • Active Future Rune: Actions that can alter outcomes.
      • Fated Future Rune: Unchangeable future influences.

Conclusion

  • The methods discussed involve drawing a single rune at a time.
  • Future videos will cover methods involving casting runes.

Additional Information

  • Patreon Supporters: Acknowledgment of supporters.
  • Online Shop: Regular updates with rune sets made from various materials.
  • Social Media and Patreon Links: Encouragement to support via various platforms.