Conference hydra::dejavu

 I don't know much but ...
 
 In  some  of the more remote parts of the Gaelic areas of Scotland (the 
 Outer Hebrides and Shetland  Isles)  the  practice  still  persists  of 
 "casting  the  runes",  where  sticks,  or pebbles inscribed with runic 
 symbols are scattered on the ground and read.  From what I've  heard of 
 the  practice  it  seems  to  have  some connection with Tarot, but I'm 
 afraid I don't know eneough to comment fully.
 
 /. Ian .\

I have been learning the art of casting runes for several months now.  There is
only one book on the subject (that I know of) and I is called:

                       The Book of Runes

                          by Ralph Blum

Runes are not fortune tellers like tarot but Oricales like the I Ching which
I have also been working on.

Basically Runes work on the same principle as a pendulum or dowsing stick.  The
runes are placed in a bag and the question is asked and held in the mind.  Then
then questioner reaches in and draw from 1-7 stones depending on how much info
is disired.  The stones are then read. 

  For those who would like more information the book comes with a set of stones
and you can write for more info at:

                            The RuneWorks
                            45-454 Ihilani Street
                            Kaneohe
                            Hawaii  96744

                                steve

re: .2

I believe you need to consider the possibility that there may be other 
uses of TAROT cards than fortune telling as you suggest. They can be 
used as an ORACLE as well as a medium for projection, but that is 
another note... another time... another place...

I also fully enjoyed Blum's Book of Runes

    I don't know if anyone will read this, nobody has added a note for
    a year, but anyway...
    
    I started reading this conference in Jan-87.... (TAROT), and my
    interest and knowledge is growing.  I decided to enhance my psychic
    ability (if there is any) by learning and using Tarot, but...
    
    I started taking books out of the library and was very drawn to
    a chapter in a book called 'Divination' on RUNES.  I was taking
    woodwork classes at college (I've always loved working with wood)
    so decided to make my own,  nearly finished them, and they are
    lovely...... the 'feel' of them is 'wonderful' (difficult to explain)
    and I am really looking forward to using them.  I nearly made the
    mistake of varnishing them (oops) but was put right by a psychic
    friend who told me to use only my body oils.
    
    I am going to do a little experiment next week..... I'll let you
    know how I get on (that's if anyone reads this note.....)
    
    Janice
    

    re .4:
    
    Janice, we do read these notes.  I tried a rune set once with
    indifferent results.  Perhaps this is because my main intent is
    to use so-called divination tools primarily as disciplinary tools;
    with that, I've had much better success with Tarot decks (my favorite being
    Morgan-Greer).
    
    There are many ways to reach whichever goal you have in mind.  I'm
    sure we'll all be interested in your results.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

    re .5
    
    Hi Steve!  I guess my 'newness' to the notes files mean I don't know
    all the quick ways to get around it..... (I've been reading
    through the directory, picking a topic and reading all the replies)
    the reply after yours has now given me the quick way to read the
    last note added.
    
    Anyway, my intuition tells me the Runes are a good place for me
    to start, and I am also reading lots of books ......
    
    re .6
    
    Thanks Wayne..... I can see I am going to save myself a lot of time
    using the NEXT UNSEEN!
    
    Just as a point of interest my Runes are made from Maple (it used
    to be a gym floor!).  The book I read said Runes were usually made
    from fruit wood....... I suppose Maple could *loosely* be termed
    a fruit wood (it does produce 'a' fruit).
    
    I really must try and get hold of the "Book of Runes" (is it a US
    publication?)
    
    All for now
    Janice
    

    Janice, the Book of Runes and a set of stones is available at The
    Alchemist on Washington St. in Hudson, Ma and House of the Zodiac
    at Shopper's World in Framingham, Ma. I found the runes helpful
    because I take "right action" based on the spread.  I'm excited
    about the opportunity to discuss runes with people who want to grow.
    
    Happy Runing!!
    
    Bob
    
    

Interested in having the possibility to type runes on your terminal?
Just for fun I have made special fonts for the runic alphabet (futhark).
If someone out there is interested,send me a mail and I will send
you the necessary files....

svein nordrum  

    Well, it seems like some time has passed since our last entry....
    
    	I have been enjoying the runes for the past couple of years
    	and all I can say is that it's become "a way" for me.
    
    	I started with Ralph's stones/book and decided to make my own.
    
    	I used a mixture of tumbled stone [rose quartz, various types of 
    	tiger eye, jasper, agates, etc...] and the set is Wonderful!!!
    
    	As a treat, I bought Ralph's cards/book.  A wonderful addition that 
    	I would recommened!  A dear friend had gone to an extraordinary
    	trip to England last month, and she brought me back a treasure!
    
    		"The Glastonbury Rune Book"
    
    	The art is delightful; the interpretation refreshing!  
    
    	If the previous offer is still available, I would LOVE rune fonts!!
    
    	Casting off, 
    	Candi ;-)
        					
    	

    Seems this notestring goes in yearly cycles  ;-)
    
    A friend of mine who is expanding her pyschic abilities to now include
    casting runes did a reading for me last night.  It was quite
    interesting to see how closely the rune reading corresponded to
    previous Tarot readings.  She interpreted this in two ways:  
    (1) further validation and integration of the Tarot readings for me;
        the messages from two different sources are consistent with each 
        other 
    (2) her previous Tarot interpretations were valid.
    
    She also did two other people, who both stated the rune readings were
    right on with issues they were dealing with.  
    
    Prior to the readings, I did some meditation with a white candle, which
    I felt helped open my "channels" to be receptive, and most importantly
    protect me; a caution which cannot be overemphasized (IMHO).
    
    Peace,
    
    Bill