Divination

Divination is the magickal art of discovering the unknown through the use of cards, symbols, etc. Tarot cards have been well-known for many years and in more recent times runes and ogham have also become popular.

Runes
The runes are a set of symbols which are inscribed onto small discs which are usually made from wood, stone or crystals. They are often stored in a bag and a person will randomly pick out a certain number of the runes whilst focussing on an issue or question. Runic symbols can also be used to magickally empower an object or spell, for example they can be added to talismans to draw particular energies to the carrier or engraved onto candles prior to spellworking.

There has also been a controversial "blank rune" added to the set. There is no historical evidence for this rune and it appears to have been a recent invention so the table below does not include it and refers only to the original twenty-four runic symbols.

Elder Futhark rune meanings

Rune name	General meaning
Fehu	Increase of wealth and possessions, protection of valuables. Used to send energy on its way.
Uruz	Used to create change, healing, vitality, strength, to boost energy of magickal work.
Thurisaz	Beginning new projects, luck - the hand of Fate helping you, protection, opening gateways.
Ansuz	Communications, wisdom, clarity, to attract others to your cause, increase magickal energy
Raido	Safe travel, movement, obtaining justice in an issue, used to keep a situation from stagnating
Kano	Artistic pursuits, healing, love and passion, creativity, strength
Gebo	Gifts, partnerships on all realms, balance, integration of energies
Wunjo	Joy, happiness, love, fulfilment in career and home life
Hagalaz	Slow, steady pace, no disruptions, asking for a hand from Fate within a situation you do not control
Nauthiz	Need, desire, fulfilling those needs, love and sex magick
Isa	Cessation of energy, freezing an issue where it stands, cooling relationships, separation, division
Jera	Harvesting tangible results from efforts already sown, fertility, culmination of events, abundance
Eihwaz	Banishing magick, removal of obstacles and delays, invoking foresight, clearing up hidden issues and situations
Perth	Unexpected gains, discovering that which has been lost
Algiz	protection, fortunate influences, Fate on your side, victory and success, good luck and personal strength
Sowelu	Victory, power, strength, health, the rune of the Sun, vitality, drive to work and produce
Teiwaz	Victory, leadership, success over other competitors, increase in finances, virility and passion (especially for men)
Berkana	Growth, abundance, fertility, Mother Earth, protection
Ehwaz	Abrupt changes, moving into new home and environment, travel, swift change in situation
Mannaz	Cooperation, teamwork, collaboration, help and aid from others, beginning new projects
Laguz	Intuition, imagination, success in studies, creativity, vitality and passion (especially in women)
Inguz	Fertility, successful conclusion to issue or situation, ending one cycle and beginning another
Dagaz	Increase and expansion, prosperity, growth, major turning points in life, turning in new directions
Othila	Material possessions and protection of those possessions

Ogham
The Ogham alphabet consists of twenty letters to which a further five were added at a late stage in its development, probably later than the 8th century. The original twenty letters each consist of from one to five straight lines or notches intersecting a stem line. The earliest surviving Ogham inscriptions are carved on standing stones with the edge of the stone forming the stem line. These stones are found mainly in Ireland, although others have been found throughout the British Isles. The script on them usually spells out the name of an individual and they are thought to be boundary markers.

There is also clear evidence for the magickal and divinatory use of the Ogham alphabet from the literature of medieval Ireland. It may be that such esoteric uses were influenced by contact with Rune-using Viking raiders and settlers who came to Ireland in increasingly large numbers from the 8th century onwards.

Historically the symbols were used for divination by the use of four Yew wands, possibly pentagonal in shape so an ogham symbol could be inscribed onto each side. The wands would always fall with one corner pointing upwards and this would be the symbol which was read. The position the sticks fell in may also have been an important factor.

More recently, the ogham alphabet has been used for divination by inscribing it onto small wooden staves or onto discs of wood. One symbol is added to each piece and they are used in a similar way to the runes.

Ogham meanings

Ogham symbol	Ogham name	Tree	General meaning
	Beith	Birch	New beginnings, bringing change, birth of new ideas, general good fortune
	Luis	Rowan	Protection, control of the senses, the strength to turn away negativity, vitality, healing, magick
	Fearn	Alder	Prophecy, divination, scrying, intuition, remaining true to your ethics, music, poetry
	Saille	Willow	Feminine energy, fertility, psychic powers, intuition, cunning, new forces flowing, enchantment
	Nuin	Ash	Fate, divine process, connections to the world, spiritual inspiration, take action
	Huathe	Hawthorn	Protection, purification, learning through adversity, sexuality, self-sacrifice
	Duir	Oak	Strength, endurance, opening new doors, new paths, power to endure, protection, leadership
	Tinne	Holly	Balance, integrity, justice, tests and ordeals, courage, mastery over self, legal or money matters, growth
	Coll	Hazel	Creativity, poetry, intuition, the powers of divination, perception, inspiration, arbitration
	Quert	Apple	Choosing that which is beneficial, love affairs, beauty, healing, nourishment, living fully
	Muin	Vine	Psychic senses, harvest, visionary states, patience, releasing logic and reason, examine life's lessons
	Gort	Ivy	Follow the spiral of life, explore personal paths, transformation in self, career and education
	Ngetal	Reed	Awareness of environment, creating order from chaos, progress through vigilance, harmony of will, action
	Straif	Blackthorn	Fate, wheel of fortune, trials and tribulations lead to change, true liberation, rebirth
	Ruis	Elder	Passing of old cycles, looking ahead, change and renewal, new residence, career, health
	Ailim	Silver Fir	Clear vision, foresight, being grounded in the present, nurture new projects, gathering insight
	Ohn	Gorse	Increase of material possessions, sexual energy, repelling negative energy
	Ur	Heather	World of spirit, healing, personal success, well-being, fertility, prosperity, Faerie magick, romance
	Eadha	White Poplar	Overcoming fear and doubt, inner guidance, determination, rebirth, omens and signs, creative solutions
	Ioho	Yew	Accepting the inevitable, reincarnation, destiny, death and rebirth, new starts, contact with the past