Runes are a system of divination enjoying a strong revival of interest, based upon ancient Germanic traditions in which a number of small tablets, often stones, are each marked or inscribed with symbols (runic characters). These tablets are then 'cast' and, depending upon the individual Consultant's chosen method, the runes and even the patterns they form are interpreted. There are a number of well defined interpretations relating to individual runes, and although it is generally accepted that a the so-called traditional "Rune Cast" can be anything from a blind choice of a specified number of runes, to the tossing onto a cloth of a whole 'set', Runes can be used in much of the same manner as cards or even in association with elements of Astrology and Numerology, though again the Consultant's intuitive/psychic ability is likely to be involved in any really detailed reading. Runes provide information similar to other systems such as Tarot.