Optimal Divination Method You Should Know About

The Kiss of Unconscious and Conscious Part of Psyche

Ana Josovic
Mindfully Speaking
7 min readAug 9, 2023

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My runes

As a dedicated Facebook user since 2009, I had the good fortune of stumbling upon a fascinating runes course in my local area, all thanks to one of its eye-catching ads. Given my wholehearted embrace of a pagan lifestyle woven into my everyday existence, I couldn’t have been happier to delve into the world of runes! Our course had not one but two wonderful instructors, both radiating an inviting, warm, and friendly energy. I took diligent notes on everything I deemed important during our sessions. They introduced us to the enchanting universe of runes, and I instantly developed a deep fondness for them. The logic underlying these symbols felt instinctively natural to me, seamlessly integrating them into my daily life.

Ever since that day, and up to the present moment, runes have stood as my favored means of divination, trumping even the widely-known tarot cards. Unlike tarot, which can present a myriad of outcomes and tends to engage in a bit of gossip, runes offer a more straightforward and direct approach. Their concise and clear messages resonate with me more. So, when it comes to divination, my heart belongs to runes without question.

What Sets Runes Apart?

It’s their striking directness, conveyed through simple yet ancient symbols. Combining these symbols yields an authenticity that resonates deeply. Witnessing the potential of my own mind left me amazed. It made me reflect on humanity’s innate visual prowess — our capacity to link images to natural phenomena and concepts, crafting messages about the future in the process. It’s truly fascinating! And this experience extends beyond visuals. It’s as though you possess cosmic eyes, employing Earth’s language to converse with yourself about the energies enveloping you at that very moment.

So, How Does One Use Runes Effectively?

The runes are housed in a pouch. Any type of bag will suffice, except for plastic ones, of course. My own runes rest within a white cloth secured by a small rope, holding a special place in my room. You might want to occasionally cleanse their energy with sage. Crucially, avoid posing yes-or-no questions. Runes are meant to engage with you, as the ancient users believed that time wasn’t linear; it resembled a net, where every point is interconnected, regardless of the path you take. They embraced choice and crafted their destinies. This is why I hold runes in such high regard. They can shed light on situations up to three months ahead (a season), and while there are various spreads, the most common is the three-card layout: Past, Present, Future. It’s straightforward and incredibly effective. Reversed rune positions are also significant. If you draw a reversed (merkstave) rune, it can imply various things: an energy deficiency, the need for heightened attention to a particular aspect, impending turmoil, potential danger, or the root cause of your challenges, among others.

If you’re interested, we can perform a reading together, and I’ll walk you through the details!

Let’s say we want to peek into what awaits us (specifically, me) until year-end. A general reading, per se. You scatter the runes randomly in front of you, ensuring none overlap and they all lie flat. Just like in this picture:

Scattered runes are not overlapping

Close your eyes and use your non-dominant hand — so if you’re right-handed, use your left hand, and vice versa. Your question permeates the hand hovering over the runes, infusing them with the energy of your inquiry. Take your time. When you sense the runes are ready to provide answers, begin gently moving your hand over them. Start with the Past. You’ll feel a sort of spark at the center of your palm, indicating the correct rune linked to the answer. Remember, your eyes remain closed. Set this rune aside and proceed to find the Present and Future runes. You can slightly open your eyes to see where to place the runes, using your eyelashes to guide you. Don’t look at the symbols until you’ve found all three. Once you’ve found them all, open your eyes. Here’s what I received:

Past, Present and Future Spread

Past: Mannaz merkstave

Present: Raido

Future: Sowilo

I also decided to pick an additional piece of advice, though it’s not obligatory: Laguz merkstave.

Let’s break it down a bit: Past: Alright, I’ll admit, there was a breakup vibe in my recent past. (You can find more about it here) Once more, runes get straight to the point. Mannaz merkstave often hints at partnership disruption or internal conflicts affecting the question. Present: We’ve got the rune of journey activated. (Hopefully not referring to a visit to my doctor as soon as I finish writing this!) While it usually pertains to physical travel, this time it’s more emotional. We’re seeking answers due to past issues. This could link to the Mannaz merkstave: “You faced internal conflicts and psychological struggles, which prompted you to embark on this transformative journey towards… (looking at our next symbol).” Future: Sowilo, a.k.a Health, Pride, Ego, Completion. Well, guess what? I’ve already resolved to share my journey, so I’m already on this ride. The presence of Sowilo in my future emphasizes the energy that will persist until year-end. I could even align this with current astrological transits, making everything fall into place. See how straightforward that is? It’s creepy.

Of course, I won’t spill all my deepest secrets and darkest corners of my mind, but you get the gist! 🤭

Now, Let Me Share How I Crafted My Own Set of Runes

Typically, runes are fashioned from rocks or wood. My initial set was composed of little rocks I found on a beach during vacation. I used red nail polish to inscribe the symbols. Eventually, I realized that crafting runes from organic materials was the best approach — better for both me and the environment!

Here’s what you do: Grab a branch with the desired width for your future runes. Cut out 24 small pieces. With care and mindfulness, use a pyrography pen to carve each rune, infusing the very essence of the symbol into the wood. This should be a meditative process, with your awareness focused on the task. Allow the energy to flow through you, absorbing its essence. Before carving the runes, consider meditating on them. For instance, during my meditation on Gebo, I envisioned a sunflower with its seeds up close, and a snake slithering beneath the flower. Gebo signifies a gift or an intimate relationship. I interpreted the snake as a reminder to be cautious about accepting gifts! It could also be interpreted as sexual energy or transformative nature.

Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash

Let me share a few instances of accurate divination we encountered after completing the course. The instructors demonstrated how it’s done. I decided to inquire about my grandma’s health, as she wasn’t well during that period. While I felt a mix of fear and necessity to know, I remember that Sowilo appeared in the Future position. The response was reassuring: “Don’t worry, your grandma will be okay.” I was struck by how calm and confident the instructor sounded. The best part? She was absolutely right. My grandma’s condition improved as predicted.

A few years later, during another bout of illness for my grandma, I conducted another reading. This time, the results were telling:

Past: Ehwaz

Present: Thurisaz merkstave

Future: Inguz

Issue: Tiwaz merkstave

Outcome: Isa

The message was clear. She had medical attention around her (Ehwaz). Then came sudden stomach pain and internal bleeding (Thurisaz merkstave). Tragically, she passed away two days later in a hospital (Inguz). Tiwaz and Isa signaled a loss of life energy. Isa itself signifies a chilly, icy transformation — quite literally.

Let’s Add a Touch of Psychology To The Mix

The potency of runes resonates with Carl Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious, leading to self-individuation.

Photo by Дмитрий Хрусталев-Григорьев on Unsplash

Our archetypes guide us, shaping our unique approaches and destinies in life. This is why rune readings are deeply personal experiences; only we can truly comprehend their messages.

Some might dismiss this as pure intuition, which isn’t entirely incorrect. But if we dissect intuition, it’s actually a rapid, subconscious analytical power. When intuition strikes, we can’t trace our train of thought. We’re simply certain of an answer, even if we don’t know why or how. It’s an unconscious processing of information. While this explanation doesn’t diminish the phenomenon’s value, it does bring us closer to understanding our minds and their workings — the system they employ. This clarity can make our lives more comprehensible, ultimately leading to greater contentment.

In conclusion, runes remain a magical and valuable tool for tapping into the depths of our unconscious psyche. While there may be other tools for similar purposes, what truly matters is that they work for us.

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Ana Josovic
Mindfully Speaking

Visual artist, writer and space explorer. with a profound love for psychology and astrology. ✨ https://eruanne.gumroad.com/