what are runes?

There are 24 runes in the "Elder Futhark". The 24 runes are broken into three groups of eight called "Aetts" (see above). Some runes can be "inverted" or read upside-down, others (like "Isa" can not be inverted). When interpreting inverted runes, remember not to apply an "opposite" meaning. Typically inverted runes simply carry a more "negative" reading than the non-inverted rune.

 

Note: Some 20th century rune systems use a "blank rune".

The blank rune is not part of traditional rune reading, and is not used here.