Rune Layouts Runic Divination Casting on the Ground Rune-tines (such as twigs or popsicle sticks on which the rune symbols are inscribed) work best for casting on the ground. Use these simply by tossing all 24 onto the ground and read the runes which land upright, in the positions in which they land. Their relative positions give their relations. For example, if two upright runes are close or touching and lying nearly parallel, then the runes are related. If they cross, then they are in opposition. There are obviously many degrees of this, and you also have to consider groups of runes, and ones which are far away, and the general direction. This technique relies heavily on intuition, since it doesn't have a spread to lay the runes in, like tarot would use. Between 4 and 8 runes generally land upright, which is about right for most inquiries. Five-Rune Layout    3  2 1 5    4 Select five runes one at a time and lay them face down on the runecloth. [Three runes are placed side by side. One is placed above the center and the final one is placed below the center.] The three horizontal runes represent your past, present, and future. It is usually best to turn over the center rune first. This is the rune of the present and will show your problem as it is now. It can also show your state of mind. A negative rune in this position that does not seem to be in synch with the question can often show that you (or your querent) are of a very troubled and agitated state of mind. The rune in position to left of the center signifies the past and will tell you what was in the past that caused you to be in your current position. Next read the rune laying above the center. This indicates the help that you can expect to receive in the problem at hand. If there is a negative rune here, it can indicate an unwillingness to accept the advice given by the runes or another person, or it can indicate delays or slight problems that may impede the speedy resolution of the matter in question. The rune below center indicates what aspects of the problem must be accepted and cannot be changed. Positive runes here show a lack of troublesome influences and oppositions, while negative runes show the obstacles to your success. The rune to the right of center is the result rune. This rune indicates the final outcome, given the other factors in the runecast. This runecast indicates recent future happenings, usually within three months. Seven-Rune Layout 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This runecast gives a bit more detail with more information on how to deal with your problem and on what lead you to your present dilemma in the first place. It usually speaks of events three months into the future and into the past. If you wish to use this layout but want information on happenings more current than three months, be certain to concentrate on your time frame as well when you are concentrating on your question. The questions you can answer with this layout can be much broader in scope than with some other runecasts. Instead of asking "yes" or "no" or "what about my relationship?", you can ask questions like "How will my job progress if I take this new business course?" or "If I started seeing other people, how would my current lover accept it?" Through questions like these, you can certainly get enough information to solve all but the most complex problems. Select seven runes and lay them out in a row of 6 with the final one below the row and centered as shown. In this reading, you will have to be interpreting two runes at a time. The first two runes are the problem. Runes 3 and 4 are read next. These show the factors in the past which have led up to the situations at present. Runes 5 and 6 are the two most important runes in this runecast. They represent the advise the runes are giving you, and extra special care must be taken to interpret their meanings as they relate to one another. They can indicate a need to wait and not act or a need to act immediately. They also may indicate a total shift of emphasis to new realms totally unrelated to the problem in question. The final position, rune 7, is the result position. Keep in mind that a positive rune in this place (or a negative one, for that matter) will only be truly positive (or negative) if the preceding runes indicate such an outcome. This is a challenging runecast and certainly worth the time it takes to master it. Futhark Layout 8 across three down Fehu: Money matters. Psychic energies. Uruz: Physical health. Vital energies. Thurisaz: What opposed you (perhaps physical). Ansuz: Sources of inspiration and intellectual expression. Raidho: Travels&emdash;inner or outer. Kenaz: Creativity. Erotic relationships. Gebo: What will be given to you. Wunjo: Relationships, friends. What will give you happiness. Hagalaz: Area of possible crisis leading to transformation. Nauthiz: What resists you (psychically). Source of discontent. Isa: What is constraining you. Jera: Where rewards can be expected. Relationship with the natural environment. Eihwaz: Hidden influences, state of whole being. Relationship with the numinous environment. Perthro: How you will find joy. Algiz: Thing that needs attention. Way to the gods. Sowilo: What will guide you. Tiwaz: Cognitive state. Legal matters. Ideals. Berkano: What provides growth and beauty. Ehwaz: With what or whom you should work. Erotic relations. Mannaz: Overall psychic state. Attitude toward death. Laguz: State of emotional Balance. What will test you. Ingwaz: What you should contemplate. Dagaz: Area of unexpected synchronicity. Othala: Greater family matters. National or community issues.