When you make your own set of runes, you inject your own personal energy into them, and fill them with a power that will help you in your readings. A handmade set of runes is a sign of your dedication to the craft, and these will mean much more to you than a set purchased in a shop. Making a set of runes need not be difficult. You may also consider making a bag or box to keep them in. Natural fibers such as silk or linen are normally used for such bags, which can then be embroidered with one or more rune designs. The bag will need to be large enough to hold all your runes and to allow your hand to slip into it in order to pull the runes out. You may choose to keep the bag inside a special box or inside a second bag made of a tougher material, such as leather.
Runes have traditionally been made from a variety of materials, though many modern sets are made from wood. Anything robust and lasting is suitable as runes are bound to receive a lot of wear and tear. Each type of material has its unique energy and history.
You may wish to gather and use stones, cut small slices from a fallen tree branch, or use clay or some other material. Using stones will give you a durable and lasting set of runes but you will need to ensure that you have enough stones that are the same size and texture, because you shouldn't be able to tell which rune is which simply by touch. Wood can be cut, sanded and painted, but wood burns easily, holds water, and is difficult to clean, so it is important that you apply varnish to runes made of wood.
The stones themselves need not be special but you will want to gather them from a place that has meaning for you. They need to be as similar in weight and size as possible and they must be thoroughly washed. You can varnish the stones before painting a symbol on each or you could paint directly onto the stones with acrylic paints and then varnish with an acrylic sealer. Acrylic is water-soluble until dry, so it is easy to correct any mistakes you might make. The sealer will ensure that the paint doesn't chip when the runes rub together in your bag. If you choose a glossy varnish, this will make your runes look shiny.
Runic designs were first carved into wood, which is why the letters are formed from lines rather than bends, curves, or circles. To carve runes into wood, you must cut across the grain of the wood rather than going with the grain, which will make the designs appear to vanish into the wood's growth rings. One simple way to make wooden runes is to use oval discs bought from a craft shop. They are consistently sized.
Birch, yew, or fruit trees are often used for making runes. Fruit-bearing trees are more traditional, but you can choose any tree that appeals to you. Always make an offering to the tree before you cut into it and tell it why you want to take its wood. You might want to cut a branch bending to the north, or perhaps some other direction that appeals to you. Many people prefer to search for fallen branches rather than to cut into living wood, but ensure that the fallen wood you choose is not so dried out that the surface of the runes is likely to be rough. If you do cut into living wood, you will need to thank the tree for the gift that it has given you. The branch can then be cut into circular discs and the runes can then be marked by pencil, then painted, carved, engraved, inked, or burned into the wood. It takes about 30 inches of branch to make a full rune set (and to also have a few blanks for spares in case one or two get damaged later). Once you have cut or marked the runes onto the wood, you can add a decorative color or stain to the design. Each set made in this way will be unique, bearing the characteristics of a single branch from a single tree. A gloss finish is most attractive for the majority of woods, but ash, rowan, sycamore, and a few others look better with a matte surface.
Yew has a long history of association with the runes and with magic, but there are many other woods that have their own magical associations. Rune spells and talismans were traditionally cut or scratched into the type of wood that was appropriate for a specific type of spell or energy. The list below shows the types of tree and their associated gods and ideas.
This tree has an oily, water resistant wood and is used for making whistles. It is associated with one of the Giants who later became part of Welsh Celtic mythology as “Bran the Blest”; legend has it that Bran brought the cross to Britain. It is said that his head is buried under the White Tower at the Tower of London. This tree is said to be known for its strength in making amulets of protection and providing oracular powers.
This tree has a dense, fine-grained, rosy-colored wood with a slightly sweet smell. In Norse myth, Idunna was the keeper of the “apples of immortality,” which kept the Gods young. It is associated with choice and is useful for love and healing.
This tree has a strong, straight-grained wood. The European variety was referred to in the Eddas as the species of Yggdrasil—the World Tree. Ash can be used in spells requiring focus and strength of purpose, and is associated with linking the inner and outer worlds.
This tree has a closely grained wood. Beech is associated with ancient knowledge as revealed in old objects, places, and writings. Beech indicates guidance from the past, and for the purpose of gaining the kind of insight that provides protection. Beech provides a solid base upon which all things rely.
The birch tree has a pale, fine-grained wood. It is associated with fertility and healing magic. Within living memory, criminals in British prisons were actually “birched” (hit with a collection of birch sticks) as a punishment. One wonders whether the jailers who did this realized that they were following a pagan tradition that was designed to drive out the evil influences that had supposedly entered the criminal being thrashed! Birch was associated with Thor and it is a useful adjunct for fertility and healing spells.
A winter tree, blackthorn has black bark and is covered with vicious thorns and it grows in dense thickets. The wood is used for making the cudgel and shillelagh. Its thorns were used to pierce waxen images. Blackthorn indicates the irresistible action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed.
In Norse mythology, the goddess Freya chose the black elder for her home. In medieval times it was the abode of witches; it was considered dangerous to sleep under its branches or to cut it down. Elder indicates the end in the beginning, and the beginning in the end.
The elm tree has a slightly fibrous, tan-colored wood with a slight sheen. Elm is associated with the mother and earth goddesses and it said to be the abode of “faeries.” Elm wood is valued for its resistance to splitting. The inner bark was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell.
Fir cones respond to rain by closing and to the sun by opening. Fir is said to be able to see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and below. It indicates high views and long sight with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come.
This tree has a light, hard, apple-like wood. The wood from the hawthorn provides the hottest fire known. In medieval Europe it was associated with witchcraft and considered to be unlucky. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love, and marriage spells.
Hazel is commonly used for water divining. Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom, and poetic inspiration.
This tree has a beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain. Holly is associated in both Pagan and Christian lore with the symbolism of the death of the land in winter and its rebirth in spring. Holly may be used in spells for sleep or rest and also to ease the passage of death.
This tree has a light, soft wood that is very similar to that of spruce. The smoke from burning larch is said to ward off evil spirits. Larch may be used for protection and to induce visions.
This tree has a very hard, pale, fine-grained wood. Maple can bring success and abundance.
This tree has a richly-colored dark brown wood. Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, although it was held in particular esteem by the Norse and Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak is frequently associated with Thor. Oak can be used in spells for protection, strength, success, and stability.
This tree is an evergreen and it is associated with guilt or feelings of guilt.
An Anglo-Saxon rune poem to refers to the poplar as being associated with the rune Berkano. The poplar is associated with the ability to resist and to shield, to endure and conquer. A further association links this tree with speech, language, and also with the winds.
The rowan tree is long known for its ability to protect against enchantment, and it indicates protection and control of the senses from enchantment, seduction, and beguilment.
The willow is a water-loving tree. In Western tradition it is a symbol of mourning and unlucky love. Willow indicates cycles, rhythms, and the ebb and flow of events and of life.
This tree has a smooth, gold-colored wood with a wavy grain. It has long been associated with magic, death, rebirth—and the runes. The yew is said be the oldest tree in the world, although this belief arose before the discovery of Australia and the much older forms of antipodean tree. There are convincing arguments for it being the original World Tree of Scandinavian mythology. Yew may be used to enhance magical and psychic abilities and to induce visions.
Another natural product that may be used for runes is horn or bone. Some people have been known to collect the bones after a barbecue for this purpose! If you want to use bones you need to boil them for several hours until all the meat and marrow are gone and they are bleached white. To cut the tiles you will need a hacksaw and blade that is capable of cutting through bone. After painting the symbols you will need to seal the bone so that the paint doesn't chip off. Bone can become very brittle, so it needs to be coated with varnish.
Traditional clay can be used to make runes but it will need to be fired, so it is only practical for those of you who are in contact with people who make and fire pottery. It is now possible, however, to buy clay that will harden through air drying, or that can be dried in a conventional oven. This type of clay is available in most craft and toy stores. You can form the clay into small balls and then flatten them slightly against a table. Then, use a sharp stick or a knife to incise the runes into the clay. When the clay has hardened, the incisions can be made to stand out by filling them in with ink or paint. You will need to varnish the finished clay runes. Clay is available in a variety of colors so it's easy to choose a color that reflects the nature of each rune.
The glass stones that are sold to be put into the bottom of fish tanks come in a variety of colors, and these can be painted with enamel paints.
Traditionally, blood would be used to mark a set of runes, so purists still choose a red medium, but it is not necessary to do so. Your choice of marking method will depend very much on the material from which you have chosen to fabricate your runes. If you are painting onto a flat surface, then acrylic or enamel paints will be suitable. You will need a good quality, fine paintbrush for your work. If you are using wood, you can purchase a wood-burning kit (available in craft and toy stores), and the runes can be burned into your wood slices. If you have incised your runes then you may want to rub a metallic paint into your incisions in order to highlight the script.
Once you have finished making your personal set of runes, you should consecrate them. Consecration is an act that implies making something special, and it also incorporates a principle of cleansing. The first stage of consecration is called smudging, which means exposing the runes to the smoke of herbs or incense. This stage takes the runes through air, representing the mind, and then smoke, representing the spirit. Inn the second stage of consecration, salt sprinkled over the runes, which is symbolic of the earth. Rather than applying salt, some people bury their runes in the earth for a few days. The third stage of consecration is water, so some spring water should be poured into a clean dish and the runes submerged in it. The fourth stage of consecration is through fire. This can be done by swiftly passing each rune through the flame of a burning candle.
After the runes have been consecrated they can be activated for use. This can be done by placing each rune in the palm of your left hand, making a cylinder of your hand, and then blowing through it.
These runes are now unique to you alone, and other people should not use them without your express permission. While you are consecrating your runes, you may want to consider each rune and meditate on its meaning and also ask Odin, the supreme god in Norse mythology, to bless them for you.