People think that creating their own runes set is difficult – this isn’t true, creating your own runes is very, very simple. Making them work is another story however, but I will leave it for some other day. I would like to tell you about making your own runes, materials and techniques you can use to accomplish this very easy task. But first, answer this simple question: why do you want to have your own runes?

Some people think that once they have their own symbols, they can start divination and magical rituals. Unfortunately, the true is – very often the runes you buy via internet are better than these made totally by the owner, this is because you have to understand runes, having them is simple not enough. So if you want to just have them and think you’re some kind of a Druid, then forget about it ;). But if you  want to expand yourself and experience something great, then keep reading.

Materials

The material doesn’t really matter for runes themselves. You are free to use something as simple as pieces of paper, wooden disks, stones and clay, or even crystals and minerals. It is better to choose wood or stones because both are easy to engrave, yet hard enough to survive a lot. Paper can be easily destroyed, and engraving crystals requires some more advanced technology than a knife. Before you go, make sure you know how runes look like, use the reference from the previous entry.

Using paper

Pick 24 pieces of paper, shape doesn’t really matter, but I would suggest simple rectangle shape, just like classic playing cards. Take some pencil or felt-tip, and draw all 24 symbols. Et voila! Your runes are done. Using paper is the simplest way to make your own runes set, and it can be used when we need some runes right now, at this specific time, and we can’t find our “daily” stones anywhere near (what do you mean you must have left them in your other pants?!).

Using stones

To use stones for making runes, you should collect 24 small stones in very similar shapes. The best stones called boulders are those you can find in mountain rivers and creeks, as they will be already filled with the elemental power of water. Use any sharp tool to engrave 24 symbols, engravings don’t have to be deep, just make sure the symbols is clear and won’t easily fade.

Using wood

Using wood is slightly more difficult, as you have to cut a branch of the living three (the best would be birch). Make sure you apologise the three for giving it pain (tradition is tradition, and karma is karma). Cut the branch into 24 round disks, and use knife to engrave 24 symbols. You can additionally use well-known techniques to burn the signs, usually a hot (I mean it, hot!) wire is used to do this (ask in local art store, they might be able to help you). That’s it, runes are ready!

Crystals and minerals

The last way to create your own runes set is reserved only for those who have access to jeweller’s tools, as electric devices would be needed to engrave symbols in hard crystals. But once the symbols are engraved, you can additionally paint them using natural dye (again, ask in local art store for natural dyes).

Elemental powers… say what?

Some rune practitioners believe that runes need to be enpowered with elemental powers of air, fire, water and earth. Personally I do not think it’s required, as I believe that if you can feel the runes, no additional enpowering is needed. But this guide wouldn’t be complete if I wouldn’t discuss this matter also, therefore, let’s start with air.

Enpowering runes with elemental power of air is simple, light an incense and move each rune through the smoke few times. You’re done! Enpowering with elemental power of fire is also simple, this time light a candle, and move each rune above the flame few times (watch not to burn yourself). Enpowering with elemental power of water requires a mountain river, or a strong, powerful creek – wash each rune in the powerful stream few times and you’re done again. Finally, enpowering with elemental power of earth requires you to take a bag, dig a hole in your garden, and bury the bag with runes in it for one night (don’t forget to mark the place). Enpowering is finished!

Et voila!

We are now done, there’s nothing else to add :). See? Wasn’t so hard, was it? If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask them in comments.

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