The Elder Futhark (or Elder Fuþark, Older Futhark, Old Futhark) is the oldest form of the runic alphabets. It was a writing system used by Germanic tribes for the northwestern and Migration period dialects. Its inscriptions are found on artifacts (including jewelry, amulets, tools, weapons, and runestones) from the 2nd to 8th centuries.

The word futhark is formed after the first six runes in it and the elder Futhark. The word Rune means a secret or a whisper. Runes are magical tools for both divination and spell casting.

For this project I chose a more raw look. This hopefully makes it easier for you to craft your own runeset.

Items needed:

• Small branches
•  A knife
•  Sandpaper
• Pyrography tool kit

How to make it:

1. Chop the branches to about 5-6 cm in length. The staves do not have to be symmetrical.

2. Round the endings of the staves. I made these just by using a knife so that they would have a raw look. Then sanded any sharp tips.

3. Engrave the staves by using the pyrography tool. I chose to keep the bark on, therefore the engraving needed several strokes to get the imprint onto the bark.

Fehu (Cattle) Letter: F Wealth; Money, mobile property, financial prosperity.

Uruz (Aurochs) Letter: U Strength; Physical strength and vitality.

Thurisaz (Thurs) Letters: TH Violence; Conflicts and complexities of an aggressive nature.

Ansuz (Aesir) Letter: A Inspiration; The multiverse in magical and religious acts, gaining knowledge.

Raido (Riding) Letter: R Journey; Travel, both in physical terms and those of life-style direction.

Kenaz (Tourch) Letter: K Guidance; Creativity, and the strengthening of abilities in all realms.

Gebo (Gift) Letter: G Generosity; All matters relating to exchanges, including contracts and sacrifice.

Wunjo (Joy) Letter: W Satisfaction; Happiness, general success and recognition of worth.

Hagalaz (Hail) Letter: H Disruption; Disruption by natural events and uncontrolled forces.

Nauthiz (Need) Letter: N Trouble; Needs as opposed to wants, must be overcome hard work.

Isa (Ice) Letter: I Blockage; A standstill which may be good or bad.

Jera (Year) Letters: J and Y Harvest; Hopes and expectations the results of earlier efforts are realized.

Eihwaz (Yew) Letters: EI Enduring; Resilient strength to deflect difficulty or problems.

Perthro (Lot-cup) Letter: P Concealed; Something unknown, or not yet revealed; a mystery in the same sense that an unborn child is a mystery.

Algiz (Elk) Letter: Z Protection; Shelter oneself, luck through striving, a successful outcome to a quest.

Sowulo (Sun) Letter: S Victory; Success or other favorable circumstances.

Teiwaz (Tyr) Letter: T Justice; Success in competition in legal matters, honor, leadership and authority.

Berkana (Birch) Letter: B Renewal; Healing, recovery, physical or spiritual regeneration, a new growth from old roots, motherhood.

Ehwaz (Horse) Letter: E Loyalty; Status as it relates between you and others.

Mannaz (Man) Letter: M Intellect; Power of human intelligence, rationality, memory, and tradition.

Laguz (Water) Letter: L Passage; Initiation into life as when a heathen child is sprinkled with water and given a name; the primal waters of Niflheimer.

Inguz (Ing) Letters: NG Gestation; Potential energy that must undergo a period of time in order to gain strength.

Dagaz (Day) Letter: D Awakening; Daylight clarity a time to embark on a new enterprise.

Othila (Property) Letter: O Folkland; Inheritances, Your home, physical and spiritual heritage.

Elder Futhark Staves, Woodburn on oak, 2012, Zenith Adriana