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You can make your runes out of wood either by cutting 24 same-size squares from a board (remembering to sand the edges of each piece smooth) or getting a wooden dowel about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter, and cutting the dowel into 24 disks about ½ to ¾ of an inch thick. If you don't want to deal with the hassle of saws and cutting and sanding (and who could blame you?), most arts and crafts stores, like Michael's, have precut wood in various sizes and shapes that are relatively inexpensive and perfectly cool to use. If you want to get more au naturel, go for a walk in the woods, find a tree with which you have a connection, and ask it for an appropriately sized branch that you can cut the runes from. You'll need a 1" diameter fruit tree branch. Apple, Yew, Olive woods make nice runes. I have also seen runes made from redwood that were actually beautiful. Remember, do not use a fallen wood, else you will create dead runes. Always ask permission, and always leave an offering behind as thanks. If stones are your choice, take a walk along a river or stream and gather smooth stones about the size of a quarter, no larger. Again, ask permission, and always leave an offering behind as thanks. When working to create your runes of stone, I suggest that you paint the runes on the stones. Be sure and wash them with soap and water and that you allow them to completely dry. (Should give them 24 hrs. at least) Acrylic paints are acceptable and the color is your choice as well. Your runes can also be on blank playing cards. If you use this method you will need 72 cards. Why 72?, because it gives the recepient of the reading a better chance when doing a indepth reading. I use this method most of the time when reading for others. Once you have your runes made, the next thing you need is a bag to carry them in. A drawstring kind is best so that they don't fall out. You can purchase a piece of material (cotton, soft leather, silk, etc.) the size of a large handkerchief and draw a circle about 20 inches in diameter, double stitch along this line with a gathering stitch (long stitch) then insert a cord or leather strip between the stitches, tie the ends together, and draw the bag closed. If you want a retangle bag, then choose your material and measure it to obtain a pattern of 4 inches across and 12 inches long. Take each long piece and at the top fold over 1/8 inch then fold over again and sew down leaving a opening for the drawstring. Then put wrong sides together and stitch up both sides stopping when you reach the part where the drawstrings go through. Use cord or leather stripping to create your drawstring, feed it through the openings, tie a knot at the ends and draw the bag closed. I hope that you have as much fun making your runes as I did. Once you have them completed, cleanse and conscrate them according to your own path. Now they are ready for you to start learning how to use them. I hope that my page on the Rune Aetts will be of help in your education of rune identification and readings. Sources: Blank playing cards can be obtained from here: http://www.eaieducation.com/530658.html 1-800-770-8010, Fax 1-201-891-5689 EAI EDUCATION, 118 Bauer Drive, P. O. Box 7046, Oakland, NJ 07436-7046 Blank Playing Cards Item Number 8LS-530658 Set of 50 cost $1.75 + S & H Item Number 8MS-531691 Set of 100 cost $6.50 + S $ H 2 cm Blank Wooden Cubes with Natural Finish 8MS-530507 2 cm Blank Colored Wooden Cubes (available in Red, Green, Blue, white, and Yellow) 8MS-530639 Set of 102 $9.95 + S & H |