Oh AJ-- I love those pewter runes!! It seems like such a nice set, like it would be very nice to hold, I don't know how else to describe it, lol.
I've always used Futhark runes...they seem to work for me. The first set I had I made with Venessa---we cut and shaped them from wood (cedar, I think) sanded them down so they were really soft to the touch, and used a wood burner to carve the runes into the little bits of wood. We anointed them with oil as well, and blessed them, tracing over the lines as we did so. It was one of the most therapeutic and loving excercises...and when we started using them, those runes told stories! Runes are a very different experience from tarot, and less forgiving as well.
Over time I lost a few, and Venessa lost a few, so we brought our two sets together and combined them to make a full set, then she sent it on to Sabz in an exchange last year.
Since then I have received a set from bluefairy in an exchange, and plan on making one from amethyst or mixed stones here in the near future.
I've never read with the cards, they all look very interesting, and seem to help in learning the runes before using a set made from natural materials. I've recently become enamored with the ogham sets as well, it will be something new to explore that I feel I would really connect with.
Blessings to you on your journey, faerieluca, and good luck with starting this new chapter
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