Runes are signs, which originally represented a creature, (abstract) object or a position.
They have meanings, which can be used in rituals, spells, inscriptions or amulets.
You can use them through "Runestones", which can be made out of wooden chips, stones or iron, depending on your liking.
Stones can be inscripted or painted, while wood can be painted, burned, inscripted, drawed, etc. Iron can mostly only be inscripted. But what do you have to inscript? I'll show the Futhark Runes below.
Fehu: (fay-hu) Cattle. Wealth and all that comes
with it including the good and bad. Learn more
about this rune in my article Fehu - Rune of
Wealth and Power.
Uruz: (oo-rooz) Aurochs, ox. Strength, standing
one's ground, will, determination. Learn more in
my article Uruz - Norse Rune of Health and
Manifestation.
Thurisaz: (thur-ee-sahz) Thurs, thorn. giant. Thor.
Force - physical or magical - for good or ill.
Overcoming obstacles.
Ansuz: (ahn-sooz) God, mouth. Odin.
Communication, divine inspiration, spiritual
power.
Raidho: (rah-eed-ho) Ride. A journey whether
physical or spiritual, transportation issues, the
path of the journey rather than just the
destination.
Kenaz: (ken-ahz) Torch. Light in the darkness,
heat, fire, enlightenment, illuminating that which
is hidden.
Gebo: (gheb-o) Gift. Generosity, hospitality, gift
giving whether you expect something or as a fair
exchange, sacrifice.
Wunjo: (woon-yo) Joy. Bliss, happiness, revelry,
good news, being happy with what you have.
Yggdrasil - The Norse World Tree
Second Aett
Hagalaz: (ha-ga-lahz) Hail. The storm that brings
change, new beginning, a ruminating seed, the
chaos before creation.
Naudhiz: (nowd-heez) Need. Necessity for caution
because of limited choices, need to approach
situation wisely, constraint. Hopeful outcome if
right action is taken.
Isa: (ee-sa) Ice. A barrier, frustration, need to
stop and assess situation, possible hidden
agenda, patience needed. Yet, ice holds the
promise of melting and giving way to spring.
Jera: (yare-a) Year. Harvest, completion of a cycle,
rewards of labor, benefits of long-term planning
coming to fruition, slow but steady change.
Eihwaz: (ay-wahz) Yew tree. The world tree
(Yggdrasil), stability, the power of life and death,
connections between different worlds and people,
getting to the heart of a matter.
Perthro: (per-thro) Lot, game of chance.
Competition, friendly or otherwise, fate, destiny,
luck.
Elhaz: (el-hazh) Elk, elk-sedge. Protection,
warding, self-defense physically and magically.
Also called Algiz.
Sowilo: (so-wee-lo) Sun. Sunna (female Norse sun
goddess). Good fortune, energy, victory,
clarification.