Category: Witches' Runes

Understanding Witches' Runes: Scythe

6/5/2019

The symbol for Scythe is an abstract pictograph of the scythe, which is a tool that dates back as far as 500 BC and was used for cutting hay, wheat, grain or other crops. The tool was crafted with a long curved blade that was fastened at an angle to the end of a long pole with one or two short handles. It replaced the sickle for reaping crops by the 16th century. The scythe is associated with the Grim Reaper and is symbolic of the harvest of souls at the end of life.

Scythe corresponds with death and things associated with it including; funerals, burials, Wills, inheritance, heirlooms, legacies, and ancestry. It also represents endings in all forms; divorce, graduation, loss of job, illness, important life changes, painful or difficult choices, separations, and sudden traumatic changes. It may also symbolize foreboding, danger, and resentment.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Harvest

5/29/2019

The symbol for Harvest is an abstract pictograph of a plant ready to be harvested, which represents the conclusion of the growing cycle for that particular crop. Since ancient times the harvest season has been of social importance and has been the focus of celebrations and festivals that can be found within many religions and spiritual practices. It is symbolic of spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment.

Harvest reflecting the agricultural references to the word corresponds with; abundance, growth, wealth, fortune, prosperity, rewards, benefits, and blessings. It also represents physical and emotional aspects such as manifestation, security, practicality, stability, self-employment, starting a family, responsibility, happiness, ease, and openness.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Crossroads

5/22/2019

The symbol for Crossroads is two intersecting arrows; one vertical and one horizontal, which represents the intersection of two opposing directions, a place where the individual is suspended at a point in time while facing the potential of each direction and choice. Within the occult it represents liminality, a place “neither here nor there”, “betwixt and between” where two realms touch enabling spirit communication.

Crossroads corresponds with all aspects of choice and life decisions including the bravery, discipline, and willpower we must have to make them as well as the obstacles that may stand in the way of implicating our choice. It represents strategy, trials, troubles, conflicts (both internal and external), confusion, stagnation, fear, frustration, opposition, karmic bonds, misunderstandings, lack of support, and loneliness.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Rings

5/15/2019

The symbol for Rings is three interlocking horizontal circles with the middle being the largest of the three and the other two being of equal size. The symbol represents the bond between three aspects of something such as the body, mind, and spirit or the interconnection between three separate things.

Rings corresponds with the association between things and people, whether this connection is manifested in a relationship or partnership, a synchronicity of events or situations, or simply the impersonal energetic bond that can be inherently found. It also represents support, agreements, vows, promises, bindings, relationships both platonic and romantic, and reunion.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Romance

5/7/2019

The symbol for Romance is an ancient Celtic symbol called the triquetra, which means triangle or three cornered and is a symmetrical triangular shape created by three interlaced arcs or Vesica Pisces. The symbol is used to represent ideas and concepts holding a triple nature while representing the bond between these three concepts, whether they are spiritual or mundane.

Romance corresponds with connections, emotional bonds, harmony, estrangement, resolutions, unconditional love, passion, obsession, scandals, and attraction. It also represents relationships in all their manifestations; friendship, enemies, family, marriage, and soulmates.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Flight

4/24/2019

The symbol for Flight is an abstract pictograph of flying birds, which since time immemorial have been regarded as messengers of the gods due to their proximity to the heavens and their ability to traverse between the earth and heavens. They are symbolic of transcendence and eternal life.

Flight corresponds with communication in all forms, whether spoken or written and includes gossip, ideas, information, data, contracts, documents, solutions, inspiration, and wishes. It also represents movement in all forms; travel, change of plans, synchronicity, freedom, and times when physical distance may become an obstacle that is required to be overcome.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Waves

4/17/2019

The Waves symbol being a spiral surrounded by curved lines represents the unpredictable nature of the element of water as well as being one of the oldest geometric shapes found throughout the ancient world. This shape is fundamental to our natural biosphere and is used to represent creation and growth by many ancient cultures and spiritual traditions.

Waves correspond with our non-physical self; the aspect of each human being that dreams, imagines, and is in alignment with our intuition. Within the depths of ourselves we are able to seek solitude, hide our insecurities, and bury our undesired emotions, which can lead to self-deception, self-delusion, and self-sabotage; all which are represented in this particular rune stone. It also represents human feelings and emotions, not only about ourselves and those we interact with, but also situations and events we are involved with or witness.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Woman

4/10/2019

The Woman symbol, a letter Y or an edited symbol for the planet Venus, represents the receptive or inactive feminine energies that are present within each manifested thing and being on the physical plane of existence. The shape represents the womb of the human female gendered body where creation occurs and has been associated with reproduction within fertility cults; the consort of which is the symbol for Man.

Woman corresponds with the receptive feminine energy that is manifested in the physical plane. It represents the physical female body and may represent a specific person within the throw especially an individual that physically as a woman, regardless of age. Woman represents vulnerability and the empathetic nature of humanity, which allows for the fluidity of energy and expansion of the individual spirit though it can reveal a lack of boundaries. Woman is about Being rather than Doing. It also represents the subtle realms of human consciousness.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Man

4/3/2019

The Man symbol, an arrow pointing downward is an abbreviated symbol for the planet Mars, represents the projective or active masculine energies that are present within each manifested thing and being on the physical plane of existence. The arrow is a phallus symbol, which has been associated with reproduction for many years within fertility cults; the consort of which is the symbol for Woman.

Man corresponds with the active masculine energy that is manifested in the physical plane. It represents the physical male body and may represent a specific person within the throw especially an individual that presents as a man, regardless of age. Man represents energy with forward momentum or drive, and thrives within structure as it is expressed through the physical realm though it can be controlling and manipulative. Man is about Doing rather than Being. It also represents intellect, logic, practicality, and is analytical in nature.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Star

3/27/2019

The Star symbol being eight intersecting lines represents manifestation. Each line signifies the endless possibilities and energy within the Universe that is readily available to each human being. This is this energy that the Witch utilizes through his or her Craft to create the reality desired, the same energy vibration that is read through the practice of divination. The point of intersection is desire manifested; the point of birth and creation from the etherical into the physical.

Star corresponds with Universal energy or Source energy that is within all things. It represents all dreams, hopes, and wishes imagined yet not manifested. It is the herald of that which is to come, the star in the sky that children make wishes upon at night. It also represents spirituality or spiritual enlightenment and gnosis.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Moon

3/20/2019

The Moon symbol being a familiar crescent moon represents not only the moon itself, but the darkness of night in which we are able to view it in the sky. It represents the lunar cycle of: New Moon, Waxing Moon, Full Moon, Waning Moon, and Dark Moon.

Moon corresponds with the Divine Feminine or Goddess energy that is held within each individual human being regardless of gender and is manifested within the natural environment in which we live. It represents the mysteries of night as even though we are able to see in the darkness our vision is impaired and sometimes the shadows play tricks with our vision, hiding things right in front of us. It represents secrets and those thoughts, feelings, and behaviors we may be hiding from others as well as ourselves out of shame or the fear of ridicule.

Understanding Witches' Runes: Sun

3/13/2019

The Sun symbol being a circle, which represents The Wheel of the Year, with lines drawn from it represents not only the rays of light that the sun shines down upon the earth and the creatures that live upon the planet, but also the quarters and cross quarters (or spokes) within The Wheel of the Year – the Witch’s calendar.

Sun corresponds with the Divine Masculine or God energy that is held within each individual human being regardless of gender and is manifested within the natural environment in which we live. It represents the completeness of time as the day begins when the sun rises in the East and ends as it sets in the West. It also represents life and the cycle of growth due to the fact that light is required for living creatures to thrive on the earth’s surface.

Understanding Witches' Runes: The Eye

3/7/2019

The Eye is sometimes used as the Master Stone within a casting and can be chosen to signify the individual that is benefiting from the Reading. When the caster does this The Eye rune will then represent the physical eyes of the individual or his or her Third Eye. The Rune will reveal that which the Querent sees or doesn't see but is present within their life experience; in this way the Rune becomes a marker for the Querent's perspective and focus or lack thereof.

The Eye corresponds with the ability to look or see beyond the physical, to view the interior workings of situations and people as well as oneself. It also represents "The Eye of God" or the eyes of the gods if the Querent is polytheistic and in this way is commonly associated with protection or casting "the evil eye".

Understanding Witches' Runes: Throwing the Stones

2/27/2019

When I work with the Witches’ Runes in a divinatory sense I throw them, meaning that I gather all thirteen stones in my hands, shake them, then throw them all at once onto a cloth that is placed on a flat surface, such as a table or on the floor. I then interpret how they lay on the cloth. I take into consideration a few things such as how they fell; are they face up or down, are they all on the cloth or did some fall out of bounds, are they all close together or are some that seem to be further away from the others. All these considerations will add to the overall interpretation of the throw and weave the narrative, which relies heavily on my intuitive ability and connection to the Spiritual Realm.

Understanding Witches' Runes

2/21/2019

The word "rune" originates from the German word raunen, which means "to whisper". I would venture that it is widely understood that any rune would then hold a whisper or a esoteric meaning associated with it so that if the caster of the stones listens closely enough he or she will be able to understand the hidden knowledge and wisdom it possesses.

Many of us may think of the Norse Futhark Runes when the stones are being discussed, but in this blog series I am going to be discussing what it known as Witches' Runes. For me they are easier to interpret as they use imagery that I am already familiar with and use within my own Witchcraft.

All runes are connected with the creative energies of the Universe so when you cast the stones you align yourself with that energy. This energy is not