The Runecarver’s Tokens
In the spirit of Prism Divination, I designed these runic gems so that their unique shapes and colors would reveal their meaning in an intuitive way. While the Prism Runes follow the Elder Futhark system of Norse divination, I have re-ordered them by these color correspondences.
Traditionally, runes are carved on stones, drawn blindly from a pouch, and cast upon a white cloth to be read. You can work with these cards in a similar way. Pose a question and pull just one card for guidance, or there are many complex spreads you can incorporate into your readings. If you are working with physical runes you can use these cards to lay out spreads and then cast the runes on top of them.
You can also use them with my other decks for clarification or deeper, layered readings. Resin versions of these runes are also available.
Rune Meanings
Red: Root, Fire, Courage, Power, Creation.
Urox (U) Wild Ox, Shower
Upright: Challenge, Trial, Contest, Initiation
Reversed: Defeat, Failure, Subjugation
Kenaz (K) Torch or Flame, Ulcer
Upright: Fire, Love, Warmth, Togetherness
Reversed: Burning, Pain, Fever, Ignorance
Algiz (Z) Elk Sedge
Upright: Defense, Safety, Talismans, Shields
Reversed: Vulnerability, Danger, Defenselessness
Tiwaz (T) The Warrior, The God Tyr, Mars
Upright : Justice, Honor, Bravery, Oaths, Spirit
Reversed: Futile Conflict, Lost Causes
Orange: Sacrum, Humanity, Joy, Creativity, Pleasure.
Gebo (G) Gift or Exchange
Meaning: Bonds, Sacrifice, Sharing, Generosity
Wunjo (W) Biss or Joy
Upright: Happiness, Fulfillment, Community
Reversed: Misery, Blight, Loneliness
Mannaz (M) Humanity
Upright: Human Potential, Creativity, Compassion
Reversed: Wasted Talents, Hate, Misanthropy
Dagaz (D) Daybreak
Meaning: Enlightenment, Divinity, Renewal, Cycles
Yellow: Solar Plexus, Air, Identity, Motion, Communication.
Ansuz (A) Odin’s Breath, Jupiter
Upright: Communication, Truth, Storytelling
Reversed: Deceit, Lies, Misinformation
Raidho (R) Riding, Journey
Upright: Travel, Rhythm, Momentum, Vision
Reversal: Going Astray, Inertia, Fruitless Effort
Sowilo (S) Sun
Upright : Divinity, Spirituality, Enlightenment
Ehwaz (E) Movement, Horse
Upright: Mobility, Partnership, Travel
Reversed: Stagnation, Invasion, Immobility
Green: Heart, Earth, Connection, Growth, Love, Health
Fehu (F) Cattle, Gold
Upright: Wealth, Abundance, Good Fortune
Reversed: Poverty, Materialism, Loss, Greed
Jera (J) Harvest, Year
Upright: Growth, Harvest, Fertility, Cycles, Festivity
Berkana (B) Birthing, Birch Tree, Fir Tree
Upright: Fertility, Birth, Renewal, Purification
Murkstave: Infertility, Aborted Plans, Difficult Starts
Inguz (Ing)The God Ing
Upright: Sexuality, Fertility, Ancestry, Life Force
Blue: Throat, Water, Flow, Intuition, Elemental Force, Fate.
Hagalaz (H) Hail, Urd, Norn of the past
Meaning: Change, Delay, Obstacles, Elemental Havoc
Naudiz (N) Need, Service, Verdandi, Norn of the present
Meaning: Bondage, Karma, Grief, Acceptance
Isa (E) Danger, Ice, Skuld, Norn of the Future
Meaning: Stasis, Danger, Entrapment, Fixation
Laguz (L) Water, Lake
Upright: Unconscious, Flow, Intuition, Sea Travel
Reversed: Unknown Perils, Blockages, Illusions
Violet: Third Eye, Magic, Legacy, Spirit, Gateways
Thurisaz (Th) Giant,Thorn, Mjollnir, Saturn
Upright: Threats, Pain, Chaos, Misfortune
Reversed: Intense suffering, Women’s health issues.
Eihwaz (Y, I, E) Yew Tree, Transition, Bow and Arrow
Meaning: Mortality, Gateways, Regeneration
Pertho (P) Sacred Play
Upright: Divination, Vessel, Entertainment, Culture
Reversed: Melancholy, Boredom, Solemnity, Apathy
Othila (O) Ancestral Hall
Upright : Home, Lineage, Legacy, Contentment
Reversed: Alienation, Oblivion, Displacement
The Blank Prism
Crown, clarity, enlightenment.
Embrace wyrd, your destiny. Find your own meaning. Seek guidance from within.
Working with the Prism Runes
Runes are a tool that can be used to both manifest and divine. They show us that which is fixed or unchangeable (the past and the present), and that which is flux and ever-flowing (the future, fate, or wyrd).
It may seem redundant to have two sets of runes, one in the form of cards, the other in the form of stones, but it is actually a very common practice of experienced rune casters to use two sets. The first casting sets an intention or defines the topics of a reading, like creating a free-form spread. These are the fixed runes. The second casting then reveals the divine influences at play that will change these placements in the future. These runes represent the flow of wyrd.
I suggest using the cards to first create your spread, then using the gem runes to clarify and divine on top of them.
The spreads you create with the cards do not have to be free form, they can be more purposeful and thought out beforehand if you prefer. For instance, if you want to do a past present future reading, pull the cards that represent the three norns or those concepts, hagalaz, naudiz, and isa. Or to check in with different parts of your life, chose one of each color.
The way I separated the runes in groups of color can define their houses or the aspects of life they govern, or you can choose to do this more traditionally or intuitively. For instance, if there is a green rune in your spread that placement will likely have to do with wealth, health, or other material things.
I invite you to explore all the possibilities of using these two tools together and find the way that speaks to you. The free-form aspect of runic divination is truly what makes it feel so personal and connecting, almost like divine play. The ritual and meaning become very personal once you get into your own flow. There is an artistry to it and everyone has their own signature style. It presents an opportunity for a deeper connection to the cosmos and/or whatever deities you revere, Norse or otherwise.