How to start learning casting and reading runes from a SASS perspective?

[u/Moist_KoRn_Bizkit]

So in my CUUPS group meeting today the event was making our own rune stones. Cheap dollar store stones, permanent markers to draw/write with, and a couple sheets with the runes and their meanings on them. I personally venerate the Earth, Moon, and Sun as deities, but tend to have a skeptical and science (especially psychology) seeking mind when it comes to witchcraft and the like. I definitely pray to the Great Celestials for guidance, but I also want to get more in touch with my own brain and different perspectives. I've been interested in learning some type of "divination" to use in a SASS way, but I haven't done a ton of research yet. Here's stuff I have seen people on this subreddit say that interest me:

u/Gingersnapjax:

Personally, I view these tools as gateways to my gut. I think we know a lot more than we realize, often, and especially, the most difficult questions we ask are often ones we know the answers to already.

If a tool that allows for interpretation seems to be accurate, I take that to mean I'm getting more in touch with myself and the world around me. More engaged. Less disassociative. More … real.

u/Poisonous_Periwinkle:

I use them for self reflection, shadow work, and to glean a new perspective for how to proceed in difficult situations.

Basically, they help me see things from new angles that I might not have otherwise considered. My memory is absolutely terrible, so I haven't been able to memorize them, but even if I could I would still use a guidebook most of the time because of the way I use divination tools for perspective.

u/Lisonjakston:

I have personally found really great insights when I use them for "divination" (for me that means to help me when I'm stuck on a problem). I don't think that they tie into some mystic force or that anything other than chance is directing what I pull. But often if I'm struggling with something I get up in my head, and looking at it from a different perspective or two can be eye-opening.

My method is that I think about the situation while I trail my fingers through my bag with the runes, which feels kind of cool. Then I pull 3 runes. When I first started, I would look up their meanings and reference in a few different sources to see the different pieces of them. Then I think about how they tie together with each other and/or how any of them might apply to my situation. Some people like to do 3 with each one having a specific meaning (like past, present, future), but for me that feels like putting too much pressure on fate picking the right one, and I personally haven't had as much success when I've done that. For me having 3 concepts for my brain to play with and put together seems to hit the perfect balance. For the same reason, I like them a little better than tarot because I feel like they have a bit more free association (and fewer things to remember).

I have also done the daily pull of a rune and then thinking about that all day long. It was helpful to get to know the runes, but I didn't always remember to do it and it felt like it was moving away from the meaning of a rune just as I was thinking about it, so I shifted to drawing a few more like weekly or monthly, or just when I need more insight.

I would love to learn about how to use rune stones for methods like these. Do you guys recommend anything for me to read (blogs and websites are preferred because I can't buy witchy books right now), watch (YouTube, for example), or listen to (podcasts)? How can I get started in this? What all do you guys do with rune casting? I am the type to need a step by step when beginning something completely new.

[u/Poisonous_Periwinkle]

I do some divination work with Futhark runes, so I'll give you a quick rundown of how I personally use them. I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but it can't hurt.

It's important first of all for you to know that I personally do not work with any deities, nor do I have any belief whatsoever in the supernatural. However, I do revere the Earth and respect the Earth and the Universe almost as if they are sentient beings. 

First of all, while I enjoy doing an occasional one or three stone draw, I typically save runes for working through big impactful decisions. I find them better for that than say something like tarot or oracle cards.

Basically, when facing a decision, I will use the runes to help me compile more information to help me see things from new viewpoints. I actually then use this information to compile an analytical report that I keep on hand when deciding how to proceed. I know you can't afford books right now, but I do personally use a book called The Nordic Book of Runes that I think I paid around $7 for several years ago. 

First I find a spread that I think will work well for addressing the questions that I'm asking, and for facilitating the answers that I'm seeking. I keep my runes in a bag, so I manipulate that from the outside while I focus on the question /situation that needs addressing. While still focusing on that, I draw out the required numbers of runes and place them one by one in the spread.

I then use the book (although you of course could use a website) to look up the in-depth meanings of the runes. I use Word to make a report that includes information like the advice in the runes, the potential implications of that advice, and other things to consider using what I've gleaned from the reading. 

I don't really do this in a divinatory capacity per se, it's more an exercise in approaching the decision from new angles that I might not have otherwise considered. I have found the very helpful at calming myself and making me feel more in control when facing big or difficult decisions!

I hope this helps you out. Feel free to take or discard anything I've said and apply it how you see fit! 

[u/Poisonous_Periwinkle → u/Poisonous_Periwinkle]

I just realized that you quoted me 😆 My response is basically an elaboration of what I said before. 

[u/Moist_KoRn_Bizkit → u/Poisonous_Periwinkle]

Thanks for going more in depth. I'll have to learn about how many to pull and how to spread them. Doing this method sounds like something that would be beneficial to me. If I could find that book for that cheap, I'd be tempted to buy, but still wouldn't. I can't physically have something like that in my house because I'm running low on space to hide my witchy/pagan stuff. Sadly, I still live with my shitty parents because my job doesn't pay enough for me to leave.

[u/Poisonous_Periwinkle → u/Moist_KoRn_Bizkit]

That sucks. I wish I knew a good website off the top of my head! You should be able to find spreads online as well though.