The exact origins of the runes has been lost in the mists of time, but it is widely accepted that they have their roots in Scandinavia. Legend has it that ODIN (the supreme deity in the Norse hierarchy) hung himself upside down in the Yggdrasil (the World Tree) for 9 days, staring at the ground. During this time, the Rune stones, hidden amongst the roots where revealed to him with all their wisdom.
This legend probably originates from the mythology of the Volsungr, a tribe of priest/magicians who were the guardians of the ancient forests. The Volsungr spread south and took the secrets of the Runes with them. They later retreated back to their home, but they had passed on their beliefs during their journeys.
By Roman times the Futhark (a runic alphabet ) had evolved but the interpretation of the symbols was restricted to a select few. In Anglo Saxon England, Kings and bishops were believed to have the power to read the runes, but it became looked upon as pagan and not only lost favour, but was outlawed as Christianity spread. A few believers still used the runes, but it was done in secret.
The runes once again became popular in the 19th and 20th Century, but it's links with Nazism caused it to fall from favour once again.
The emergence of the 'New Age' have once again shed light on the Runes, not just as tools for divination, but as a way to to gain inner knowledge and enlightenment. Runic symbols are often carried around as talismans for protection and guidance.
The word 'Futhark' is made from the first symbols of the runic alphabet, and it is the 'Elder' or 'Germanic' Futhark that is believed to be the original, and is the best known today.
The Futhark is divided into three sets of eight runes each - a total of 24 runes. Each 'set' is named after a Norse deity, the first 8 being dedicated to FREYA - the goddess of love, lust, war and death; the second set are dedicated to HAGAL - the guardian of other gods and goddess; the remaining 8 dedicated to TIWAZ - the god of justice, law and the sky.
The qualities of the gods influence the runes over which they preside and each rune has both a material and spiritual meaning.
Much of the original meaning of the Runes was lost in the mists of time, so there will be some discrepancies in what we have gleaned about each symbol today. However, it is the interpretation which is most important, and that will mean different things in different circumstances, so the literal meaning can be allowed some flexibility in any case.
WYRD the so called 25th rune is a modern invention and is not used by traditionalists. It is something of a black sheep bearing no symbol, and is used by some to indicate 'things that cannot be disclosed at the present time' or simply 'destiny'.