5 Simple Full Moon Rituals

Here we are, at the culmination of everything you set out to manifest with the new moon. You planted seeds of goals and intentions with all of your best effort and resources, and you have finally arrived at the full moon.On the 16th of this month, the moon will shine in all of her full-bodied glory. The full moon will be at her peak of life and power, and I'm going to share with you a few ways to tap into this power!

Burn a Habit

It's been said that the light of the full moon illuminates the things that no longer serve us. Take advantage of this by releasing fears, bad habits, and negative self-talk. How, you ask? Burn them to the ground! (With caution of course.) This ritual will serve you best if performed on the waning moon side of the full moon, which is usually the second day of the full moon.

Under the light of the full moon write down these items on little slips of paper. Add them to a mason jar with a lit candle in it (OR if you are super rad and have a cauldron handy, then use that instead). As you see, these “bad habits” go up in smoke. Send them up to the moon!

Gratitude List

Since the new moon, you have been manifesting your intentions and surely you have experienced some success! Begin a list that includes all you have to be grateful for. Don't forget to include the items you perceive as failures. There are lessons to be learned there! When you’ve completed your list, give a gift back to the moon for all she’s given you! Try an offering of dried flower petals.

Smoke Cleansing

The energy of the full moon is extremely purifying, couple this with your favorite cleansing smoke for a powerful combo! There are a variety of herbs to choose from for this purpose. Fallen cedar, lavender, mugwort, and desert sage are all great options! Waft the smoke around yourself and your space while visualizing any negative energy floating away with the smoke, then visualize purifying light from the moon filling in the place of any negative energy.

Ask for More

Float your desires in water to ask for an increase of something in your life. The moon has a special relationship with water. The energy of the earth and the moon pull at each other, but the earth just can’t hold onto its water. During a full moon, the Earth’s tides are amplified. So, to amplify results for your desires, float them in water in a glass bowl under the light of a full moon. This ritual will serve you best if performed on the waxing moon side of the full moon, which will be the first day of the full moon.

Moon Bath

Use the full moon’s detoxifying properties to draw out mental, emotional and physical toxins. If possible, add Himalayan salt crystals to your bath during the full moon. Himalayan salt crystals are a super pure mineral-rich salt that is mined from ancient sea beds. It has a number of detoxifying benefits...balancing pH, reducing inflammation...and when mixed with water this crystal's energy can be felt in full force! Dissolve 1-2 cups of Himalayan salt in warm water for your cleansing moon bath!

I hope you enjoy these tips and make it a regular practice to honor the moon’s cycle. By doing so you will align yourself with the rhythms of Mother Moon and feel more in sync with Divine Feminine energy.

Getting Started with Tarot

Ok, I’ll just say it: Tarot cards get a bad rap. If Oracle is a piece of creative writing, Tarot is MLS formatting. Far too often though, people miss out on the depth that Tarot has to offer. Don’t be intimidated! You’ll soon learn that Tarot has tons of charm and character and it all starts with its rich history!

History

Tarot’s past is pretty well documented. It originated in the early 1400s in Italy and the cards were first used to play a game similar to the modern-day bridge! It wasn’t until the 18th century rolled around that they became more widely known for divination. The tarot deck is full of lavish imagery. There have even been claims that these images come from the Book of Thoth, belonging to the Egyptian God of wisdom!

Myths

There are a few myths about tarot that lend to its rigid reputation. Throw them out the window! For instance, that the deck needs to be gifted to you, or that you can only cut the deck with your left hand you might never start tarot if you waited around for a gift! So, get rid of whatever myths aren’t working for you.

The Spreads

I’ve picked two awesome spreads to share with you! Here are a few things to know before you get started!

• Visit your deck with an open mind and an open heart.

• Be honest with yourself. Are you truly ready to know what the tarot spread will reveal?

• Familiarize yourself with your deck. Draw a card every day while you begin to learn the meaning behind each image.

• Focus on the question or issue at hand before and during the reading. Try to meditate on this so as not to confuse to tarot with other issues.

The Ellipse Spread

This five-card variation of the traditional seven-card Ellipse spread is a great way to get started. Have a direct question in mind? Turn to this tarot card spread!

Explanation of Cards

• Card 1: Present and its influence

• Card 2: Future and what influence is coming into your life

• Card 3: What to do

• Card 4: Outside influence

• Card 5: Final outcome

The Mandala Spread

Delve into your spiritual self with this spread! Learn about your strengths and pitfalls. Discover your best possible path for spiritual growth!

Explanation of Cards

• Card 1: Self

• Card 2: Goals and ambitions

• Card 3: Ideals, dreams

• Card 4: Current achievements

• Card 5: Dependencies, false beliefs

• Card 6: Strengths

• Card 7: Weaknesses

• Card 8: Self-perception

• Card 9: Desires

The deck featured is The Starchild Tarot Akashic deck. Her decks sell out fast! Check out her amazing Instagram here to stay in the loop and know when her decks are available. You can also check out The Journey Tarot Deck here. We just touched on a few elements of tarot, to find out more about each of the 78 cards contained in the tarot deck click here! I’m sure you’ll become just as enchanted with the tarot as I have. I wish you peace, comfort, and solace as you divulge in this long-trusted form of divination.

Tarot vs. Oracle // What’s the Difference and How to Choose

Aside from being beautiful works of art in and of themselves, Oracle and Tarot cards can be powerful divination tools. But, if you’re not familiar with these tools, deciding which deck to choose may have you stumped before you even start.

I want to give you the confidence to choose what works best for you. So many big questions present themselves in life and, you need to know how to prepare yourself! Today I’ve got the skinny on the difference between Tarot and Oracle cards, and info on how to choose a deck that will work best for you.

The Basics

Let’s talk about the basics of Tarot and Oracle cards to help you find the best way to connect with the greater knowledge of the universe when life’s big moments pop up!

Tarot Cards

• 78 cards

• Prim & proper

• Organized into different suits

• Each tarot deck has a unique energy depending on where they came from, such as their design and printing process

• Measure outcomes and influence

• Can be lengthy and detailed

• Offers insight on situations

• Only images on the card, takes some studying

Cards featured from The Jouney Tarot

Oracle Cards

• Any number of card per deck

• Rebel deck

• Designed around a theme or deity

• Use your intuition to guide you rather than the structure of the deck

• Meant to give advice

• Quick and more open to individual interpretation

• Easy for beginners. Includes thoughtful phrases

How to Choose

• Trust your intuition. You might lean towards either method on a given day, or you might use one method over another for a certain question you have.

• Try them out. Which deck feels right? Is Tarot too grave, or are Oracle cards not enough for you? If you are seriously in the sticks with some relationship drama, the Tarot deck might offer the ins and outs you are searching for. If you’re less phased by this relationship woe, then a simple “You’re free to do what you choose,” might be all you need from an Oracle deck.

• Structure. Do you need it or do you run from it? When I’m in a place where my internal compass is all out of whack, I know I need to use my Tarot deck as my guide. If my gut has been pretty spot on, I’ll use my Oracle cards as my quick spot-checking guide.

Don’t rule out one deck over the other just yet. Check out The Tarot and Oracle blog posts where I dig into the details on these divination tools! We’ll go over how to use each deck so that you can fine-tune your fortune-telling skills.

Strengthen Your Spiritual Connections with Sacred Geometry

Divine spiritual connection, that’s what you strive for, right? Complete and inner peace. The contentment of your place both in and out of, this world. The sensation that you are divinely cared for. If you’re like me, you’re always looking for meaningful ways to energize your spiritual connection. Think of sacred geometry as your doorway to the light of the universe. Gazing at sacred geometry during meditation, wearing it, and drawing it can all be used to make you feel more in tune.But, I’ve got more than enlightened know-how for you today!

Read on to learn more about sacred geometry and receive your free printable coloring page to get you in the zone.

What is Sacred Geometry?

This yearning for closeness is nothing new. Some believe that a form of communication can be found from reconstructing geometric patterns found in the natural world. These patterns present themselves in the nautilus shell, the human eye, and molecules of our DNA, snowflakes, even the air we breathe. When these patterns are replicated it is called Sacred Geometry.Sacred Geometry has been used in the making of the pyramids of Egypt and Mexico, Stonehenge and the Mayan temples (to name a few). Sacred Geometry is thought to be the blueprint of creation and the language of the gods. So, it’s no wonder that these symbols have become admired and replicated all throughout human history.Without having to go so far as visiting the pyramids, you can apply sacred geometry in your everyday life! Here are a few patterns to get you started.

The Flower of Life

• Holds within it the basic information of all living things. It is the visual expression of the interconnectedness of all life forms.

• See this symbol in your mind’s eye during meditation, or while chanting, as a reminder of your connections with all other humans and this world.

The Seed of Life

• This universal symbol for creation is thought to represent the seed from which all life was made. This seed holds the intelligent blueprint for all life.

• Color this pattern to depict the colors of your seven chakras! The way the colors overlap is referred to as the soul spectrum. Use your soul spectrum pattern as a crystal grid or to charge your crystals prior to chakra work! Let your colorful soul shine!

Click here to get your printable Seed of Life coloring page.

Sri Yantra

• Traced back through Hinduism, this pattern is said to be the visual expression of OM.

• Meditate on this symbol to inspire enlightenment. Attune yourself to the universal consciousness or wear a Sri Yantra charm for wealth, strengthened relationships, peace, and alignment with the universe.

I can’t wait to see your soul spectrum pictures, be sure to tag @cassieuhl so I can check them out! 

Using a pendulum to connect with your soul and spirits

From simple everyday questions like “which movie will I enjoy more?” to the tough decisions you’ve been putting off for weeks or maybe even months, a pendulum can help you cut out some of the guesswork. Once you get comfortable with your pendulum you’ll be able to rely on it for big and small questions. Using your pendulum can not only clear up some free space in your mind but can help you connect with your soul and loved ones in spirit.

My fondest memories of my Grandma are of her getting out her pendulum during family get-togethers at her house. My sister and I would take turns asking our big questions. Grandma would focus, become still, and dangle her pendulum over our questions that she wrote out. We’d watch it swirl and not know what it meant as we impatiently awaited her answers from beyond. Before my Grandma left this plane she passed down her pendulum to me. It is my most treasured object and has become a favorite tool in my spiritual toolbox ever since.

What is a Pendulum?

A pendulum is simply a small weight at the end of a string or a chain. The use of pendulums goes back thousands of years. There's evidence that they were used in both ancient Rome and Egypt. In the past, they’ve even been used for divination and to locate water and minerals within the Earth.

How does it work?

Though it seems like magic, it’s actually you who’s moving the pendulum! Whatever you want to call it: subconscious, your soul, or spirits speaking through you, the pendulum is ultimately controlled by you.It is called the ideomotor response. Your pendulum amplifies responses from your subconscious that would normally be undetectable.If you believe that your soul is an extension of the universe itself and can connect with energies of all kinds, then your pendulum can be viewed as a very extraordinary tool. If you don’t, it’s still pretty amazing to have access to your subconscious!My Grandma believed she was channeling loved ones that had passed on. Once she remarked that she would feel bombarded with their energy like they were all chiming in at once with their answers.

Getting started with your pendulum.

1. Choose a pendulum that you connect with. They come in a variety of materials ranging from crystals, wood, plastic, and metal. You can even find simple instructions for creating your own pendulum online.

2. Make sure that your arms and legs are not crossed when using your pendulum. Closing yourself off in this way can block your energy and affect the pendulum's answers.

3. While sitting, place the end of the string or chain in your hands and place your elbow on a table so it’s steady.

4. Next you’ll need to determine how your pendulum will answer your questions. I like to start by writing out these phrases on a piece of paper: “yes,” “no,” “I don’t know,” and “I can’t say.” Then I’ll hold the pendulum over each phrase and ask it what does “yes” mean and see what its reaction is. If it gives a clockwise turn, I’ll write down “clockwise” under “yes”. Continue for each phrase and be sure to test your pendulums response to each phrase a couple of times for accuracy.

5. Start by asking your pendulum simple questions that you already know the answer to, like “is my hair blonde?”. Once you’re used to how your pendulum responds you can start asking other questions, keep in mind your questions must be able to be answered by yes or no.

6. Avoid asking your pendulum questions if you already have a strong pull towards an answer. Remember, your pendulum is pulling from your subconscious, so if you already feel strongly about something, it is likely that your pendulum's answer will be swayed towards what you want.

Pendulums are one of my favorite tools because they're so versatile. They can be used for mundane uses like locating lost objects or for magical uses like connecting with spirits. Like any intuitive tool learning how to use your pendulum will take time.

If you feel called to explore more about pendulums, I have a workshop where you will learn all about using your pendulum for both mundane and magical purposes. You can find more information here.

Do you have a favorite pendulum or book about pendulums? I’d love to know about it! Please send me a DM if you want to share. 

Magic Charm Bags for Protection, Love, Luck & Health

Need a sprinkle of magic in your summer? Known in Voodoo as “gris-gris,” or to Native American’s as “medicine bags,” these good ol’ fashioned spells in a bag are sure to bring some magic into your life! For me, charm bags have some nostalgia surrounding them.

Growing up with my Grandma referencing her astrological charts and talking to spirits with her pendulum, I became very open-minded to all things woo woo. Though charm bags weren’t Grandma’s thing, I stumbled upon some magic books at a young age and was hooked. I created my first charm bag during middle school, in hopes to improve my relationship with my Mom. Like any good teen, I argued with her a lot. I’m not sure if it was the intention or true magic but our relationship did improve from that point forward!

This summer season, entertain your inner child by creating a custom charm bag (or two)!! I’ve got everything covered for you, from the container to its contents, a prayer to empower your charms, and even some printable “recipe” cards to have as reminders!

When choosing a bag it’s important to pick an appropriate color that reflects the purpose of your spell, lucky for you I’ve done all of the work on these details! Don’t have all of the herbs or all of the crystals for each one? Don’t fret, using one or two from each category is fine. Remember, the intention behind your charm bag is the most important part.

Protection

Bag Color: Red, black, or gold

Herbs: Betony (protects against malicious fairies), cedar, cinnamon, mint

Gemstones: Black tourmaline, amber, malachite

Charm: Shell (to symbolize a hard protective surface) or a piece of a broom (to brush away negativity)

Prayer: “Minions of the dark now quit this place, for only light will I embrace.”Imagine protective energy pouring into the bag and creating a force field of light around you as you place each item in the bag.

Luck

Bag Color: Silver, gold, or green

Herbs: Nutmeg, clover, ginger, fenugreek

Gemstones: Sunstone, moss agate, tiger’s eye

Charm: Moss; both Spanish and Irish moss are known to bring luck. Also, a horseshoe figurine.

Prayer: “Fortune smile on me this day, may all I need come my way.”

Imagine your hopes and dreams coming to you easily and effortlessly as you place each item in the bag.

Love

Bag Color: Red, PinkHerbs: Lavender, rose petals, a stick of cinnamon for passionate love

Gemstones: Rose quartz, copper, pink kunzite

Charm: Maple leaf; the sap of the maple tree makes sweet, rich syrup. So, the maple leaf symbolizes rich and full love. Or a triangle object to represent the love in the union of a mother, father, and child.

Prayer: “By air, earth, fire, and sea. Bring love to me.”

Concentrate deeply on the kind of love you want to bring into your life as you place each item in the bag.

Health

Bag Color: Yellow, blue

Herbs: Peppermint, St. Johns Wort, Thyme

Gemstones: Amethyst, sunstone

Charm: Toadstone or something to symbolize the sun. The sun is the heart of the solar system and provides life to all living things on Earth, so it is a preferred talisman for health.

Prayer: “Keep my mind and body strong and fit. Strengthen both my heart and wit.”

Visualize yourself at your perfect physical and mental health as you place each item in the bag.

Carry your charm bag in your pocket, display them on an altar or prominent place to remind you of its intention, or gift it to a friend. Just like your crystals, you can set your charm bags out in the light of the full moon to give them a good cleaning. Whether it be for protection, luck, love, or health, have fun in the childlike wonder and playfulness of creating your charm bag!

3 Summer Solstice Rituals to Light Your Fire!

The summer solstice occurs around June 20th and brings with it the most daylight hours of any day of the year! It’s no surprise that there are centuries of Summer Solstice rituals involving heat, fire, and the sun. I’ve selected a few of my favorite ways to honor the sun, light your internal fire, and get creative with a free coloring page to help you build your own Sun Mandala.

Fire & Candles

Bonfire: In ancient times, fire festivals were a given for celebrating the Summer Solstice. Communities would parade around town with torches, or set tar barrels on fire and roll them downhills! While acts like this may land you in the slammer by today's standards, a more acceptable way to celebrate midsummer is by having a bonfire!

Candles: If you live in the Southwest like me, the idea of having a bonfire might seem like the last thing you want to do in 115 degrees heat! Another option is to light a candle and keep it lit all day at your altar or favorite sacred space (only if you’re staying at home! Safety first!). Spend some time at your altar or sacred space giving thanks to the Sun for its life-giving heat. 

Building Your Internal Heat

Enjoy a yoga pose that best honors the Summer Solstice. This is definitely a pose that will ignite your internal fire! The goddess pose is a wide-legged squat that will challenge your mind and body. For an added bonus practice this outside to energize yourself with the sun's rays! Coincidentally, the goddess pose is also known as the fiery angle pose! This is a great posture for building heat in the body and increasing circulation.

Create Your Own Sun Mandala

My favorite and the most beautiful option for honoring this change of season is to create a Sun Mandala. How to make your own Sun Mandala:

• Forage for flowers, leaves and twigs

• Use sage to cleanse an area inside at your altar or outside where you’d like to create your mandala

• Lay your flowers and greenery in a circular pattern

• As an added option, add any crystals that you’d like. Carnelian, quartz, tiger eye and sunstone are great options for honoring the Sun.

• Add a candle in the center or smaller candles into the design.

• As you create your Sun Mandala reflect on the gifts the Sun and the Summer give you and what abundance you’d like to bring into your world this season.

Your Sun Mandala can be simple and small, or a glorious group project with friends. Get creative with it, I’ve got a printable sun mandala color page that you can use as a cheat sheet for where to place your flowers and candles, or it can function on its own as your Sun Mandala. Get your free printable sun mandala here. Be sure to share pics of your Sun mandala and tag @cassieuhl on Instagram. You can find more rituals for the Summer Solstice in this blog post.

Mother’s Day // Declaring Yourself with the Triple Goddess

Whether you have children or you don’t, whether you have a good relationship with your mother or you don’t, the topic of children and moms can bring up a lot of stuff and leave you feeling not enough. Not enough mother. Not enough daughter. If you’re experiencing some heaviness around the upcoming holiday I invite you to share my mantra.

I made it my mission to find something that recognizes my existence as being exactly where I’m supposed to be this Mother’s Day. This version of Mother’s Day is going to be all-inclusive, I’ve even fit in some moon phase magic to share with you!

This Mother’s Day I invite you to reflect on your connectedness with each phase of the Triple Goddess, maiden, mother, and crone. The Triple Goddess lets you honor life passages without leaving you feeling guilty that perhaps you should be somewhere else. There are three parts to the Triple Goddess which can be explained by the maiden, the mother, and the crone.

Maiden: Birth, Waxing Moon

The Maiden is inspiration and creation. She is what it feels like to enjoy the simple pleasures of the world; to smell a rose, to watch the grass sway in the wind. She is the creativity behind innovative ideas. She is what it means to look at the world with a new pair of glasses. The maiden guides us to our spiritual center.

Mother: Love, Full Moon

The Mother is nourishment and fruition. She is protection and responsibility. The Mother is where we are in life when we truly learn consequences and responsibility. When we are in this place we will learn self-discipline and patience. The Mother also teaches us how to give and receive love.

Crone: Death, Waning Moon

The Crone represents fulfillment and endings. She is wisdom and death. The Crone represents learning the cold hard truth and the wisdom that comes from it. She is the death that occurs so that new growth can form. Without her, there is no birth.

No matter where you are in life, you are exactly who and where you are supposed to be. While we may wish to only be the carefree maiden or the dignified mother, you can’t have any one of the three goddesses without the other. So, relax while you move and groove within your current phase. It’s perfect harmony, and Mother Moon has it all figured out!

As a magical reminder, I’ve got a downloadable Triple Goddess wall hanging for you here. I recommend printing the design out on heavier card stock. Then, cut out the symbol and attached it to some twine with washi tape and you’re good to go. I’d love to see your wall hanging in action! Be sure to tag Cassie Uhl on Instagram. Happy Mother’s Day wherever you’re at in the cycle.

3 Ways to Honor & Connect with Gaia for Earth Day

Every year Earth Day rolls around and I get this sinking feeling in my stomach that I’m not doing enough. I’m quick to jump on the shame wagon and ask myself, “What more can I do to heal Mother Earth?” Sometimes, it seems like the small things I do, like taking reusable bags to the grocery, using reusable water bottles, and walking more just aren’t enough. There’s too much healing that needs to take place, how can my small acts make a difference?There is always more we could be doing, but it is also important to start where you are and slowly build in more habits and rituals to help the earth. Like any habit, taking on too many or too much at one time will inevitably lead to feeling overwhelmed and result in abandoning the habit altogether. Rituals are important for me, they make me feel more connected to the universe and help solidify the actions I want to take. To celebrate Earth Day and honor our natural home, I found several rituals for the goddess Gaia and think they’re a perfect way to feel more connected and spiritually in tune with Earth Day.

Who is Gaia?

The Greek goddess Gaia was born out of chaos. Gaia is the personification of Earth, the primal mother. She bore the sky and the sea, the sun and the heavens, and all of life. Gaia is the being that nurtures and heals us. She supplies our medicine, food, clothes, and shelter.

3 Ways to Honor Gaia for Earth Day

1. Get outside!

One of the best ways to honor the earth is to engage with the earth. In our homes, it can be easy to forget that we are earth. The land you live on has wisdom to share and the only way you can learn it is by engaging with it. Getting outside also comes with a slew of health benefitsNature doesn't move on our timeline, things move slower. Take your time forming relationships with your local plants and trees. After a time, you'll begin to connect with them and may start to receive intuitive insights from them too.If you're unable to get outside consider bringing in some earthy scents into your home, altar, or sacred space, like honeysuckle, spruce, or cypress. Visualizing a connection with the earth can be just as powerful and adding scents can enrich your experience.

2. Get involved locally

Find ways to support the earth in your community that are doable for you. It can be easy to focus solely on the big problems while forgetting that there are solutions needed for our local environments. Finding ways to support locally can have just as much of an impact long-term as global issues.

3. Gratitude Offerings

Bring some life to your altar or sacred space by making a fruit and flower offering to Gaia. Spend some quiet moments and deep breaths with this offering, asking Gaia for guidance this Earth day.

Choosing Your Lucky Charm: The Use of Talismans

Do you need a little extra luck for that upcoming project, adventure or dream that you’re planning to embark on? Talismans have been used since the dawn of mankind to enhance fertility, ward off evil and bring luck. These mystical uses are not just wishful thinking, there have actually been some recent studies that support the use of luck charms and talismans.

What is a talisman?

A talisman is an object believed to bring luck to its keeper. Talismans have been present since the Stone Age and can be traced through multiple cultures. Similar words for “talisman” can be found in French, Spanish and Italian. They are all derived from the word “tilsam,” which is an Arabic word meaning “charm.” Further roots are traced back to the Greek expression “telein,” which is “to initiate the mysteries.” These similarities in languages tell us that talismans have been used across the globe and throughout time.

Are there real benefits of using charms?

Okay, so here’s the scoop on why you should be using a lucky charm. In short, they’re basically holistic performance enhancers for your soul. That’s right, a totally natural way to up your game. In 2010, the University of Cologne performed a study on people who used lucky charms. The results?

• Increased Confidence: Belief in a talisman in turn makes you believe more in yourself

• Higher Goal Setting: When you have more confidence in your abilities you set your sights higher

• Persistence: The belief that you have a lucky charm on your side enables you to push through until you’ve reached the desired result

Our Top Picks

THE LOTUS FLOWER: SUN, REBIRTH, PURITY, PROSPERITY

Because the lotus flower grows beautifully despite its murky habitat, this might be the talisman you choose to rise above any murky waters in your life.

HAMSA HAND: PROTECTION, STRENGTH

The hamsa hand brings luck by warding off the evil eye. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, this has been a chosen charm for me. I’ve told you of a time that it has helped me push through a challenging yoga mala. What I didn’t tell you is that I began wearing the hamsa hand because I had someone directing bad energy my way, specifically towards my yoga practice.

DREAMCATCHERS: SUCCESS, BALANCE, PEACE, CREATIVITY

Many of us know that dreamcatchers “catch” our bad dreams. However, they also have the ability to harness the magical qualities of dreams and present these qualities in our lives. So, dream big! This talisman represents success, balance, peace, creativity, and a deeper connection with the spirit.

SAYING GOODBYE

If you lose your charm you might think you are totally doomed. Fear not! Often times when we lose our charms it is simply the Universe’s way of communicating to us that our charm has served its purpose and the job is complete. In fact, I lost my hamsa hand when the person sending me bad energy ceased to be in my life.

Rune Symbols: A Beginner’s Guide to Divination

Sometimes we just need a message from the Universe to pull us through. Does this ring true for you? My grandmother relied on answers from her pendulum for big and small life questions, her open-mindedness to divination tools caught my attention at a young age and I was instantly hooked. Oracle cards, tarot, palmistry, astrology, pendulums, tea leaf readings, name a divination tool and you’ll be sure I’ve dabbled in it. Runes are new for me though, I’ve always been intrigued by their symbolism but never knew how to use them.

You could be wondering how to proceed in a relationship, or just looking for some guidance as you start your day. Rune symbols can remedy many of the nagging questions you might have racing through your head. Here are some basic history and tips I’ve learned for getting started.

A Brief History of Rune Symbols

Before the Latin Alphabet, rune letters were used to write German languages. Their roots can be found in Old Norse, and they make up an ancient runic alphabet containing 24 symbols. Rune symbols have been found to date back as far as 150 AD. They have been discovered on spearheads, charms, and even on headstones in the form of spells! It is said that the word “rune” has come to mean “secret, something hidden,” and many people believe the symbols were used as a form of divination. Some people continue this practice today.

3 Ways to Use Runes as a Divination Tool

There are several ancient tales that explain how to cast the symbols.

THE 3 RUNE SPREAD

Around 98 AD a book was written (The Germania) detailing Germanic tribes. In this book, a story is told of symbols being chosen from “a nut-bearing tree” in groups of three. In this version, you will draw three rune symbols to answer your question.

YNGLINGA SAGA

In an Old Norse saga (Ynglinga Saga) dating between 1869-1872 a king learns his fate when all of the “chips” are cast. This refers to a full reading casting all 24 symbols

VITA ANSGARI

A biography of Saint Ansgar written around 875 CE, recalls the lives of some of the common people during the Viking Age. In the accounts of the everyday people, Ansgari describes several situations where runes are used for divination. He refers to these instances as “drawing lots.” This describes the method where you will draw only one rune symbol at random.

• The symbols should be cast East to West or facing the sun

• Symbols should be cast on a white cloth

• Facedown symbols shouldn’t be read

• Reversed symbols take on a different meaning

Meanings of the Rune symbols vary slightly from source to source, but here’s an image that shows the simplest meanings I’ve found. In general, the reversed symbols will mean the opposite.I purchased my new set of runes at a local crystal shop, but quite a few Etsy sellers offer handmade sets, here’s one of my favorite finds. Whether you’ve had experience with using Rune’s as a divination tool or you’re just starting out I’d love to hear about your experience!