I thought about keeping the posts in some logical order and going through the runes first before writing about working with them. However, as I am a mood reader, meaning I cannot read just any book at any time but sometimes have a book on the shelf for years (literally) before finally reading it (I am a book nerd, buying far more books than I can possible read and as I am also a book shop lover, I cannot leave a book store without a purchase....). it turns out I am also a mood writer.
So I break the order letting chaos find its way and write about how to cast runes.
Opposite to what some writers on the topic say, no, there are no traditional ways to cast runes from the olden times that we know of. The earliest mentioning of the Germans having made use of some sort of divination process can be found in Tacitus' Germania. There we can read that Priests would cast wooden sticks with symbols carved in them. We may assume but do not know whether these were already the runes of the elder FUTAHK or some preliminary letters or other symbols.
In Chapter 10 of his Germania Tacitus describes the process:
"To the use of lots and auguries, they are addicted beyond all other nations. Their method of divining by lots is exceedingly simple. From a tree which bears fruit they cut a twig, and divide it into two small pieces. These they distinguish by so many several marks, and throw them at random and without order upon a white garment. Then the Priest of the community, if for the public the lots are consulted, or the father of a family about a private concern, after he has solemnly invoked the Gods, with eyes lifted up to heaven, takes up every piece thrice, and having done thus forms a judgment according to the marks before made. If the chances have proved forbidding, they are no more consulted upon the same affair during the same day: even when they are inviting, yet, for confirmation, the faith of auguries too is tried. Yea, here also is the known practice of divining events from the voices and flight of birds. But to this nation it is peculiar, to learn presages and admonitions divine from horses also. These are nourished by the State in the same sacred woods and groves, all milk-white and employed in no earthly labour. These yoked in the holy chariot, are accompanied by the Priest and the King, or the Chief of the Community, who both carefully observed his actions and neighing. Nor in any sort of augury is more faith and assurance reposed, not by the populace only, but even by the nobles, even by the Priests. These account themselves the ministers of the Gods, and the horses privy to his will. They have likewise another method of divination, whence to learn the issue of great and mighty wars. From the nation with whom they are at war they contrive, it avails not how, to gain a captive: him they engage in combat with one selected from amongst themselves, each armed after the manner of his country, and according as the victory falls to this or to the other, gather a presage of the whole."(Thomas Gordon translation of 1737 (reprint 2010)
Tacitus does not describe what marks were used, so it may have been anything. But it is not that unlikely that at that time, the Priests already used Runes. What we also learn is that the Priest threw all sticks and then picked three single ones for interpretation (one after the other). Only if confirming, a "second opinion" was requested.
As far as I know this is the earliest description of casting carved wooden sticks (as I believe - but not know - were already runes). Unfortunately we do not learn much more, specifically not about how the signs were interpreted. Later descriptions in the Sagas and Eddas are also not more specific as to the concrete procedures. We only can read that Runes were used a lot in Magic and for Divination.
Having said that, as we do not know much about the process, you may use any system that is most appealing to you or serves the intended purpose most. However, instead of Taro-izing the Runes too much, I prefer to do what Tacitus describes. I formulate a situation/Question etc and then cast the Runes. After having castes the Runes, I am picking three single Runesticks one after the other without looking. I am then interpreting one after the other and then in a joint context. Sometimes though I skip the second opinion part once I have a positive answer.
In any case I am performing a purification ritual before, a sacrifice and thank the gods afterwards. Depending on the importance of the matter, the complete ritual will be more complex.
So far for some insight in my practice. Next time I will be back to theory….
