The Magic of Charms and Runes

Casting Lots, Charms, and Runes: An Ancient Practice for Modern Souls

Divination through casting lots, charms, or runes is a tradition that stretches back across centuries, carried in the whispers of hearth fires and the rhythm of old ritual. There is something primal about it, something that bypasses the thinking mind and speaks directly to the intuitive heart. The act itself is deceptively simple: small objects fall into a pattern, and within that pattern, meaning emerges.

Long before the words “divination” or “oracle” were commonplace, our ancestors were already seeking guidance in the movement of simple objects. Bones were thrown on dirt floors. Stones were dropped in circles scratched into the earth. Dice-like knucklebones, carved wood pieces, or seeds were cast and read according to how they landed. These practices were often quiet, private acts of connection with forces larger than the self—nature, spirit, fate, or the divine.

When I sit with my own collection of charms and runes, I feel like I am stepping into that long lineage. Each object I hold has a weight and a story. A small key might signify opportunity or an invitation to open a new door in life. A feather may suggest lightness, a release of burdens, or a reminder to trust the unseen currents that guide us. A simple rune like Ansuz, which carries the energy of divine communication and ancestral voice, may signal that messages are flowing if we are willing to listen.

What I love most about casting is its living, fluid nature. No two readings are ever the same. The objects fall according to the energy of the moment, and the patterns that appear are like a map of possibility, shaped by both spirit and circumstance. There is no rigid formula, no fixed spread to follow. Instead, there is trust. You lean into your own intuition, your knowledge of symbolism, and the subtle tug of insight that arises when your hand hovers over a charm or your eye catches on a certain rune.

A Lineage of Divination

I often wonder if my passion for casting lots is more than coincidence. My ancestor, Samuel Wardwell, was hanged in 1692 during the Salem witch trials. Historical records note that he dabbled in fortune-telling, reading signs, and using “lots” to divine answers for those who sought his help. In his time, these acts were both feared and sought after. They were seen as peering too far into the unknown, yet people could not resist the call to know what fate might hold.

When I cast charms and runes today, I imagine Samuel doing something similar, though under far greater risk. He might have dropped small sticks, stones, or bones onto a table, letting them fall where they may, and then reading the result. I like to think some part of that knowing runs in my blood, carried forward like a quiet echo through generations.

There is a deep comfort in connecting to divination practices that are ancestral. When I touch the charms and runes, I feel like I am speaking a language older than words, one that my ancestor would recognize. It reminds me that divination is not about control, but about conversation. It is about humbly asking the universe to show us what we most need to see, and then trusting that the answer will reveal itself in the scatter of objects across a cloth.

The Energy of Each Object

Each charm, rune, or token carries a distinct presence. I collect objects with care and intention. A button might symbolize community or connection, a seashell might represent the ebb and flow of emotional life, and a piece of river-polished glass might remind me of transformation through time and experience. Some charms are traditional, like a miniature horseshoe for protection or a tiny bell for calling in spirit. Others are deeply personal, resonant only because of the memories they hold.

When I cast them, I pay attention to where they land and how they interact. If a key falls atop a heart-shaped charm, it may suggest that love or emotional openness is the key to the situation. If a feather drifts near a rune of strength, perhaps the message is that true resilience comes from flexibility rather than rigidity. These readings are living stories. They do not emerge all at once, but through the interplay of symbol, intuition, and presence.

One of my favorite practices is to begin a casting by holding the charms or runes in my hands, closing my eyes, and breathing slowly. I let the question form clearly in my mind, then release the objects onto the cloth or surface before me. There is always a moment of stillness after they land, a heartbeat where the world feels hushed, and the energy of the spread begins to speak.

Combining Cards with Charms and Runes

While casting on its own is powerful, there is a special magic in combining charms or runes with card-based divination. I often integrate my Little Witchcrafts oracle or a Tarot deck into the process. Cards create a structured narrative, laying out the broader story of the energies in play, while the charms or runes bring texture and depth, highlighting subtleties that might otherwise remain hidden.

For example, a three-card Tarot spread might reveal the past, present, and potential future of a situation. Casting charms over the spread can add specific details. A tiny anchor charm landing on the “present” card might suggest a need for stability or grounding in the current moment. A key falling on the “future” card could hint at an upcoming opportunity or decision point. The layered method allows for a conversation between the tools, where the cards provide the overarching narrative and the charms or runes whisper the fine print.

Sometimes, the combination validates the reading, confirming that the path ahead is aligned. Other times, it adds nuance or a cautionary note, reminding the querent to pay attention to details or emotional undercurrents. This interplay between tools is what makes divination so endlessly fascinating. It is not just prediction—it is dialogue, reflection, and spiritual storytelling.

Creating Your Own Charm or Rune Set

For those drawn to this practice, one of the most meaningful steps is to create a personal charm or rune set. While you can certainly purchase beautiful sets, gathering or crafting your own adds layers of connection and energy.

Start by noticing the small objects that call to you in daily life. A coin from a memorable trip, a button from a beloved garment, a pebble from a place that feels sacred—these are the beginnings of a charm set. Cleanse each item energetically, whether through smoke, salt, moonlight, or meditation, and then dedicate it with intention. Decide what each piece represents, either based on traditional symbolism or your own intuitive understanding.

Rune sets can be crafted in a similar way. Wood, clay, stone, or bone can all be inscribed with the runic alphabet or with personal sigils that carry meaning for you. The act of creating the set is itself a ritual, infusing each piece with your energy and purpose.

Over time, your collection becomes a living oracle, carrying the essence of your journey and the stories of the places and moments that shaped you. When you cast them, you are not only speaking to the universe, but also to your own subconscious, your ancestors, and the spirit of the world around you.

The Heart of the Practice

At its core, casting lots, charms, and runes is about surrender and trust. It is an act of listening. We live in a world that encourages control, certainty, and constant doing, but divination invites us to pause and enter a different rhythm. It asks us to acknowledge that life is both mysterious and meaningful, that signs and patterns emerge when we are willing to see them.

For me, casting is also a form of devotion. It is a conversation with my ancestors, my guides, and the unseen forces that walk beside me. It is a reminder that I am not alone on my path. Every scatter of charms feels like a reflection of the moment’s energy, a tiny mirror held up to both the spiritual and the mundane.

When I read for others, I watch their faces shift as the story unfolds in front of them. Often, the casting does not reveal anything they do not already know deep down. Instead, it offers affirmation, clarity, and a sacred nudge toward alignment. And that, I think, is the greatest gift of divination: not to dictate the future, but to illuminate the present and awaken the inner knowing that was waiting all along.