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What are Rune Spreads?

For divinatory purposes runes are often arranged in patterns known as "spreads". In a spread the sequence in which runes are drawn determines their position and significance. Each place in a rune spread has a meaning attached to it, so the first rune might represent "Past Events", the second "That Which prevents Growth", the third "Current Situation" etc. The meaning of individual runes are modified according to the place they occupy in a spread.

Spreads can range from anything from two runes up to a full 24 rune layout. All spreads in use today are modern inventions since we know very little about ancient forms of divination involving the runes.

Sometimes the layout of runes in a spread is designed to create a particular shape such as a cross, an arrow etc. These shapes are usually chosen to match the theme/function of the spread with different shapes performing different functions. So a spread designed to help someone find direction and purpose might be arrow shaped, one which is intended for analysing relationships might be shaped like one of the love runes such as Gebo (Gyfu). The more runes utilised in a spread the greater the level of detail the runes are able to provide. Hence 1-3 rune spreads are ideal when the intention is to enable a decision to be made quickly whereas spreads with more runes are preferable when wanting to look at a situation in greater depth considering all contributing factors

Three rune spreads are particular popular. Partly, because of their simplicity and partly because it is believed in some quarters that they have a particular authenticity. The Roman Historian Tacitus makes reference to the use of 3 runes for divination. However we know nothing about the details of the actual method used. Also Tacitus cannot be wholly regarded as a reliable source. His intentions were political, to aggrandise the Roman Empire, rather than to record accurately the customs of conquered or barbarian peoples. Even if Tacitus was describing a contemporary divinatory practice we do not have details about the 3 rune spread used which means we cannot use it. Hence the use of a 3 rune spread has no great authenticity than a 7 rune one or indeed any of the other modern variations

Spreads are a useful divinatory tool. Many people will find one particular spread they like and use this consistently. Others will make use of different spreads depending on circumstances and the type of information they are hoping to obtain.