Northern Black

SWEATSHIRTS & HOODIES

If you’re casting the runes, studying their meaning, or building an altar, our rune stone sets are perfect, created with reverence and intention for all purposes. Each set is designed for real work: divination runes that feel alive in the hand and sharp in meaning.

Northern Black

RITUAL LAYERS

Our rune stones are based on the Elder Futhark, the oldest runic system in Norse tradition. Used by seers, poets, and warriors alike, these runes are living symbols steeped in myth and magic.

Paired with guidebooks and made to match your practice, these sets are tools, not trinkets.


A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RUNES

Runes originated around the Roman Iron Age (approximately 1st to 3rd century CE) and evolved into the Elder Futhark system around the 2nd century CE. The Svingerud Runestone, dating between 1 and 250 CE, is currently the oldest runic inscription found to date. Early runes served multiple purposes: names, magical marks, charms, and possibly divinatory signals, as well as the logical function of an alphabet.

The Elder Futhark remained in use until about the 8th century, after which it was abbreviated and split into region-specific alphabets like the Younger Futhark in Scandinavia and the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc in England. Historical sources such as Tacitus’s Germania describe a form of “casting lots,” which may have used rune-like symbols for decision‑making and prophecy.

While divination practices aren’t documented in surviving Elder Futhark inscriptions, rune casting as a symbolic, interpretive tradition has become well-established in modern practice, rooted in reconstructive scholarship of rune lore and poetry.

SACRED SIGILS. SOFT FABRICS.

Runes will give you answers — if you know how to ask them. Whether you use them in ritual, study, or spellwork, our rune stones are carved to help you gain wisdom and protection.

HOW TO DO RUNE READINGS

Whether you're using one rune or the full set, here are tried-and-true methods to help you begin:

SINGLE RUNE DRAW (DAILY INSIGHT)

  • Relax your mind and state your question.
  • Draw one rune stone from the bag without looking, then read the rune symbol.
  • Reflect on the rune’s meaning and how it relates to your question. 

This method is ideal for quick clarity or a daily prompt.

THREE‑RUNE SPREAD (STRUCTURE + CLARITY)

Draw three stones, again without looking, and lay them out left to right.

  • Rune 1 = the situation or question
  • Rune 2 = the obstacle or challenge
  • Rune 3 = potential outcome or guidance.

This rune casting method offers narrative structure while keeping the session concise and accessible.

FULL CASTING (ADVANCED RELATIONSHIPS)

  • Scatter the rune stones across a clean cloth or surface.
  • Focus on stones that land face‑up and observe their arrangement.
  • Interpret proximity, overlapping, and directional patterns.

This casting divination runes method is best for in-depth questions or thematic readings. Please be aware that this is an intuitive art, and it is typical to develop unique methods and habits in your own castings and readings.

TIPS FOR MEANINGFUL READINGS

Ask clear, open‑ended questions.

Avoid yes/no queries. Opt for “What influences are in play?” or “What should I focus on?”

Keep a rune journal.

Record your reading, rune positions, and your instinctive interpretation. Over time, patterns and deeper significance emerge.

Learn the rune names and meanings.

Knowing each rune’s symbolic weight helps. With time, you’ll develop a personal vocabulary and intuition for reading the runes. It is common for rune-casters to develop unique relationships with specific runes, simply based on experiences and practice.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RUNE STONES

What makes Northern Black’s rune stones stand out?

Our rune stones are carved from beautiful grey and green marble, reminiscent of the strata of Scandinavian granite, specifically chosen by Isar Oakmund for its feel, and for the strong visual connection to both sky and sea of the Baltic region. They feature the classic Elder Futhark set of 24 runes. Each set is hand-finished to be durable, tactile, and visually grounded in Norse tradition. They’re designed for use and built to be tools rather than trinkets.

Are these rune stones historically accurate?

Yes. We adhere to the Elder Futhark, the oldest known runic alphabet used by Germanic tribes between the 2nd and 8th centuries CE. There are variations to some runes within the Elder Futhark, but we have crafted this set specifically to our liking.

While there's no direct historical proof of rune divination, runes were regarded as symbols of secret power and used for guidance throughout early Germanic society.

How are the runes named and organised?

The 24 runes are arranged into three groups (ætts) of eight, each linking to specific themes and deities in reconstructed Proto‑Germanic naming traditions. These names shape their symbolic meanings and inform how they’re interpreted in readings. Learn more in our book: RUNES, SIGILS & BIND RUNES.

Can beginners use them?

Absolutely. Northern Black rune stones are crafted for both newcomers and experienced practitioners. Paired with one of our rune books or this guide, they make a solid foundation for learning rune casting and interpretation.