Amethyst Gemstone Rune Set using the Elder Futhark alphabet. Each set is unique as the gemstones used and they come with a black pouch and reference card to interpret the readings Runes began as a writing system for Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet. However, early evidence suggests that they were utilized for reasons of magic in addition to their practical writing uses—particularly in medieval times when “victory runes” were carved into swords either in the blade or hilt. Runes are relatively new to the uses of divination magic though, having only been used this way since the beginning of the twentieth century. The runes are printed, drawn, or engraved individually onto tiles. The runes are then drawn from a pouch and laid out to resemble the technique of tarot or tossed into the air and allowed to freely land like I Ching coins.