The Witch’s Runes: 13 Symbols For Divination

Divination through symbols has been around since the dawn of time. Humanity has always had a knack for seeing symbols and patterns in nature! It comes as no surprise that divination systems that rely on symbols have continued to be relevant for witches and magickal people all over the world. From obvious symbols such as an eye to more abstract symbols like a spiral, relevant meaning can be garnered from each symbol for the person reading them. In this post, we will explore the Witch’s Runes – where they come from, what they mean, and how you might use them in your practice!

Witch’s Runes: A History

Not to be confused with the Nordic Runes or Ogham of the Irish, Witch’s Runes are a set of 13 symbols that hold meaning for the witch who uses them. The symbols included in a set of Witch’s Runes may include The Sun, The Moon, Romance, Rings, and Harvest. It is worth noting that Witch’s Runes do not have a strict structure. Though there is a common set of symbols that may be found, each set can be different depending on the witch who uses them.

Like many practices in the occult world, the origin of the Witch’s Runes is obscured. It is commonly agreed upon that they are a modern invention, created by someone in the late 20th century. However, no one can pinpoint or agree on just exactly where the Witch’s Runes come from. There are two people who may have had a role in the creation of what we now know as the Witch’s Runes. These are Dana Corby and Susan Sheppard, two witches who have both written about Witch’s Runes in their lifetime.

Dana Corby wrote a book titled The Witches’ Runes: A Traditional Divination System. It was self-published through Amazon in 2018 but is said to have been privately printed starting in the early 1970s. One source says that Dana Corby was given this system in 1972 by her teacher, Sara Cunningham, and has been developing the Witches’ Runes ever since.

Another witch who may have had something to do with the growth and popularity of Witch’s Runes is a woman named Susan Sheppard. She wrote a book titled Witch’s Runes in 1998. This book is meant to teach the reader how to create their own Witch’s Runes with the symbols provided in the book.

Regardless of where they came from, Witch’s Runes can be found in magickal shops around the world. It is obvious that this system of divination has captivated the intuition and imagination of witches everywhere.

Witch’s Runes: The Symbols

The common set of Witch’s Runes contains thirteen symbols, each with a specific meaning. The number thirteen is significant in many witchcraft traditions. This is the number of witches in a traditional coven, and it correlates to the number of esbats (Full Moons) that happen in a calendar year.

Below, you will find the most common symbols associated with Witch’s Runes as well as their potential meanings. Remember that these runes are open to personal interpretation more than almost any other symbolic divination method. If you feel that one interpretation does not resonate with you, use your intuition to create your own interpretation!

A natural symbol of positivity and protection, The Sun comes with a message of hope, joy, life, and abundance. The darkness is behind you as The Sun comes to shine a light on your problems. You may likely find yourself with a clear head where there was once fogginess. Decisions will be easier to make as you can see things for what they are. This is a time of newness – opportunities and new beginnings are opening up to you, ready for you to grab them and enjoy your life. Take heart and know that good days are ahead for you.

Advice from The Sun: Practice gratitude and embrace positivity in your days. Things will start to look up from here, but you have to be open to seeing them. Pay attention to crowded spaces because you may be put in the spotlight.

The Moon is an opposing force to The Sun, one shrouded in darkness and mystery. With the phases in the night sky, The Moon’s message is clear: things will always change. The Moon is a great teacher, showing you through the phases that there is much to learn, even in darkness. Things are happening that are beyond your natural perception; movement in the dark, in the subconscious, in the shadow. Emotions may be running at extremes, causing you to feel everything all at once. Your intuitive connection may also be clearer now, better able to pass along the messages you need to hear in the stillness of the dark.

Advice from The Moon: Check in with your emotions and your intuition. Shadow work may be necessary if your current situation feels chaotic. There may be messages waiting for you from your intuition or spirit guides. Reflection and meditation will be your guides.

Also known as The Birds, this rune symbolizes all things to do with travel and communication. You may find yourself with more information available to you than before, better equipping you to make decisions and achieve your goals. Letters, emails, phone calls, and even visitors are represented by Flight. Now is not the time to ignore your phone when it rings; it may be important. You may find others better able to communicate with you. If you have been struggling to get in touch with someone, Flight is a good sign that it is time to act. The communication channels are open and clear for you.

Advice from Flight: Communication is freely flowing now. Phone calls, letters, and the like will be better received. Reach out to those you have been disconnected with and have a chat. If you need to travel, now is the time to make plans.

Circumstances connect you to people and situations right now. The Rings clearly show this, their symbol being three single circles connected to make a new symbol. You may find yourself in a position to take on a new partner or project. The Rings is a symbol of connection for practicality and creation rather than one of love and emotion. Projects and people are included here through situations such as business contracts, friendships, and networking connections. A new venture is in your future, one that allows you to bring separate things together to create something new. Be on the lookout for this opportunity.

Advice from The Rings: Remember that connection with The Rings is not about emotion or love. Practicality comes first here. Seek the partnerships and creations that make the most sense

Just like The Rings connect us, Romance is also a rune of connection. There are passionate and deep emotional moments waiting for you. If you are in a relationship, this is a great time to explore each other on a deeper level. If you are single, you may find yourself searching for a partner or passion project, something to bring your life meaning and emotional depth. Despite the name, Romance is also a rune of family; we often love our parents and children with a different passion than one you find in a romantic relationship. That doesn’t make it any less passionate. Exciting moments are waiting for you, and opportunities for emotional connection will be abundant.

Advice from Romance: Seek out the pleasure you want from life. The people you surround yourself with are just as important as how you feel about yourself. Emotional connection and maturity are necessary for healthy, happy relationships.

The soft touch of the Feminine rune is that of a mother and her baby. The symbol itself is reflective of the inner nature of the Feminine, the top “Y” portion of the symbol representative of the womb and the chalice. This is a powerful rune related to the healing and nurturing energy of the Earth. You have entered a period of life for growth and fertility. Blossoming opportunities await you, encouraging you to seek the peace and comfort of what makes you happy. This can signify a pregnancy or a new direction in your life. Personal transformation will be vital for you as you continue on this journey of growth and expansion. The wisdom of the Feminine in your life is embodied in the natural world, the roots of the blossoms that sprout in the Spring. You are rooted and getting ready to blossom.

Advice from Feminine: This is not a time of fast-paced action or decisions. Instead, this is a peaceful period of slow movement and reflection. Big decisions are not warranted right now. Take this moment to sit with the peaceful energy of the Feminine in your life and reflect on the growth you are seeking.

Opposite of Feminine, the Masculine rune is connected to authority and tradition. Just like the Feminine symbol, the Masculine symbol is also reflective of the outer nature of Masculine energy. The top arrow portion represents a phallus as well as direction, making a point that others can follow. This rune is related to action and authority, calling you to stand firm in what you know and make decisions based on logic rather than emotion. It is also a rune connected with tradition, so you are likely following in someone’s footsteps or doing something specific for the sake of tradition. Actions are important with Masculine, and action that is taken with integrity is vital. A good authority figure leads with honesty and integrity in their actions, one who encourages those they lead and works with them rather than from above.

Advice from Masculine: If you are in a position of authority, make sure that you are leading with integrity and honesty. When making decisions, act from a place of logic rather than emotion, and stand firm in your knowledge. Don’t let others walk all over you or sway your decision when you know you are right.

Your hard work has paid off! Harvest is a rune of abundance, progress, and achieving goals. You have worked so hard to get to where you are, and you are finally starting to see results. Things are going your way now, and the opportunities available to you will be abundant. Luck is on your side as you start to reap the rewards of the proverbial seeds you planted long ago. The long period of growing pains is over, and you are in the home stretch. Whatever goals you had set out to complete are finally coming to a close, and you are reaching your destination. Embrace this as things come to an end, and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

Advice from Harvest: Your goals are coming to a close, and soon you will have what you wanted. Don’t get greedy, though. Give thanks for the journey and the destination before moving on to the next thing. Remember, there is always a period of rest between harvests.

Challenges are ahead of you, and decisions will need to be made. The Crossroads can be seen both literally and metaphorically. Moments come and go that block your path. These moments are never easy, but they must be dealt with. If not, you risk devolving into arguments, conflicts, and unnecessary drama with those around you. When the situation starts to feel confusing, take a step back and look at your options. One of them is likely better than any others. There may also be an enemy in your way, someone or something deliberately causing a slowdown in your progress. Who are you spending a lot of time with? Where are you placing your energy? Make sure the people around you have your best intentions at heart.

Advice from the Crossroads: Seek the wisdom of your support system. Others have likely gone through similar situations, and if you feel lost, they can help guide you. Not every crossroad is a permanent roadblock. Reflect on what’s blocking your path; this may just be an opportunity for you to think and change your mind.

Just like the tide of the ocean, Waves has an ebb and flow to its energy and meaning. Communication can be fickle right now, and you may find yourself more confused in your current situation. Something is hiding beneath the surface, some knowledge that isn’t being shared with you. Someone close to you may be keeping secrets, whether for good or bad, and it is preventing you from seeing the full picture. Eventually, everything will calm back down, and that hidden information will be revealed to you. Waves can also signify a period of creativity. It is the fluid movement of inspiration as it washes over you, urging you to create and bring something to life.

Advice from Waves: If you find yourself confused about where to go from here, you likely don’t have all the information. Don’t make decisions without it. On the other end, embrace your creativity and use your inspiration – let it flow through you and out into the world.

The Star is a beacon of hope and peace. This rune symbolizes all the good in the world, everything that is available to you when you put in the effort to find it. Like the Northern Star, this rune is a point of orientation for you. This is a period of transformation and hope, a sign that you are being guided down a path that is meant just for you. Success is possible, and your dreams are big, matching the energy you want to bring into the world. If things have been difficult for you lately, this is your message of hope that they will get better.

Advice from The Star: Seek out those who guide you on your path. There is hope to be found everywhere, even in places you least expect it. Your journey may be long and the decisions difficult, but as long as you follow your guiding light, everything will turn out the way it needs to.

The Scythe is a common symbol associated with the Grim Reaper or figures of death in mythology. That connection is also present here in the Scythe rune. Endings are never easy, especially if you have been emotionally connected to something or someone for a long time. Look for these moments in your life right now. Something will be ending soon, and though it will be distressing, it will have a purpose. Loss is painful, grief is all-consuming, and letting go of once-important people and things is devastating. Growth is possible through the pain, and emotions and grief can be great teachers. Sometimes, things end because they had a set timeframe. Other things end so that something new can begin. Though it isn’t always easy, endings are a natural part of life.

Advice from The Scythe: Take care of your physical and emotional health. If you have not been feeling well, seek out medical advice. Remember that things end all the time, but that does not mean it is the final end. New doors will open, but others have to close first.

The Eye is a symbol that has existed for ages in systems around the world. From the Eye of Horus and the all-seeing eye, the associations are pretty similar. The Eye rune symbolizes power and clarity, an awakening of visions into the world. You may find yourself thinking more clearly and seeing things that you were unaware of before. This power is useful and can guide you through confusing moments in your life. You may also be protected by an unseen force, a guide who gives you the clarity to see beyond the lies and masks that people wear. A moment may be approaching when you will need this protection and clarity, so be prepared.

Advice from The Eye: Seeing beyond the natural world is a gift in itself. The vision you have right now, the intuitive knowing you feel, will play a role in your progress. Seek the wisdom of your guides, as The Eye may be a message to open the channels of communication to receive divine visions.

Witch’s Runes in Divination

There are three common methods for using a set of Witch’s Runes for divination. These are casting the runes, drawing a single run, or using a spread. They are all fairly simple to do and don’t require any extra resources.

Single Rune Draw: Another common method of using Witch’s Runes in divination involves mixing the runes and drawing a single rune for your answer. Some witches will pull more than one rune for clarification, or simply pull one rune per question. This is also a common method used to learn the meaning of the runes and get familiar with their energies.

Casting Runes: This method of reading the Witch’s Runes involves mixing the runes in their bag and then dumping them all out at once. Some witches ask a question for this reading style, while others are simply looking for general advice. Runes that land face up and closer to the reader will be more important or closer in time than runes that appear further away. This method of reading is personal to the witch, so experiment with it and see what works best for you.

Witch’s Runes Spreads: Similar to tarot, you can create a spread for drawing your runes. This involves mixing the runes and drawing one for each position in the spread. These positions usually correlate with a subject, concept, or question. The spreads are personal and can be used in any way the witch sees fit.

Witch’s Runes in Spellwork

These runes can also be used in spells and rituals, similar to the way sigils and other symbols can be used. Here are a few examples of how you might use a Witch’s Rune in your practice.

Carving Candles: If you are performing a spell and need a charged symbol, you might consider using a specific Witch’s Rune that correlates to your intention. Charge the candle and the rune as you carve it into the candle or draw it on the glass. For example, if you are performing a spell to find the truth, you might consider carving Waves on the candle to wash away any lies you encounter.

Meditation and Visualization: Different symbols can affect us all in different ways. The Witch’s Runes can be used as a point of focus for meditation or visualization work. Hold the rune in your hand or have it in front of you while you meditate, focusing on the energy of the rune to guide you through your practice. For example, The Moon rune can be used during shadow work to help guide the discovery and understanding of your shadows.

Protective Wards: Rather than using an object as a ward, use a Witch’s Rune that you associate with protection. This would most likely be The Eye, but other runes, such as The Sun and Masculine, can do the same.

More Symbols?

If there is one thing we know for certain as witches, it is that symbols can hold great power. They can be sources of transformation and inspiration, creation and destruction, and so much more. If you are done exploring the magick of the Witch’s Runes, consider exploring more symbols in the articles below!