In this episode, I’m talking about the Norse Goddess Rune Oracle, created by Rebecca Joyce Stark and illustrated by Sharon McLeod—a deck rooted in rune wisdom, divine feminine power, and Northern mythic storytelling.
This is one of my newer decks, and the way I tend to learn a new deck is simple: I use it. Constantly. I pull cards for myself. I pull cards for the podcast. I live with it long enough that it starts to reveal what it’s actually good at—and what it isn’t trying to be.My Story with This Deck
I found this deck at the Haunted Farmer’s Market in South Tacoma, which honestly feels like exactly the correct place to meet a deck like this. It has that “I found this in a liminal space on purpose” energy.
I’ve also been in a phase lately where I’m really drawn to decks that teach me something—decks with their own structure, their own cultural roots, their own lore. And this one doesn’t just give you a message. It gives you a whole world.
Style:
Visually, this deck is striking—bold and dramatic without being chaotic. It’s matte, thick, and substantial in the hands.
The edges are painted red, as a nod to the practice of “blooding” the runes—an old method of activating runes through blood as an offering and an infusion of power. It has its own complete divination system built around the Elder Futhark runes, with a Norse goddess assigned to each rune.
Structure:
What I love about the structure is that it’s a complete divination system without trying to “tarot-ify” itself. It stays faithful to runic wisdom, but still gives you a deck format you can shuffle, spread, and read.
This is an oracle deck and it’s built around Elder Futhark runes and Norse goddess archetypes.
There are 39 cards total:
cards for the runes themselves
plus cards for the Merkstave (the “dark staff” meanings—alternate/reversed rune meanings), which are included as their own separate cards to remove ambiguity
If you don’t use Merkstave meanings, you can literally remove those cards and work with only the upright rune set.
Imagery:
On the front, the background feels like muted wood or carved texture—so your eye goes straight to the goddess imagery. Each card tends to show the goddess plus key symbols from her story, with the rune embedded into the visual field, so you’re learning the rune through repetition.
What I use it for:
I love using this in conversation with others, especially people who enjoy mythology, archetypes, witchcraft, or spiritual storytelling. It gives you so much to work with.
I reach for this deck when I want:
a reading that feels mythic and archetypal
guidance that’s direct
a divination tool that feels seasonal
something that connects me to divine feminine power
What I don’t use it for:
This deck is powerful, but it asks you to engage. It rewards attention. And it’s not a “pull one card and move on” kind of deck—unless you’re okay with being haunted by the card all day (which I often am).
I don’t usually reach for this deck when:
someone wants the familiar Rider–Waite–Smith structure
someone is brand new to divination
I need a very practical, straightforward “daily logistics” kind of answer
Someone doesn’t want mythology, unfamiliar names, or a guidebook-heavy experience
💭 Today's Tarot Pull:
From Norse Goddess Rune Oracle by Rebecca Joy Stark and illustrated by Sharon McLeod, I pulled the Hagalaz | Hel: Chaos, Destruction, Renewal (Upright).
If things feel like they’re falling apart, it may be because something is being cleared. Not to punish you, but to realign you.
Reflective prompts on this card:
Which color feels restorative to me right now?
Where could I invite this hue into my day (body, space, altar)?
How can I simplify my magic to make it sustainable and joyful?
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