Tacitus (Germania 10) gives a detailed account (98AD):
They attach the highest importance to the taking of auspices and casting lots. Their usual procedure with the lot is simple. They cut off a branch from a nut-bearing tree and slice it into strips these they mark with different signs and throw them at random onto a white cloth. Then the state's priest, if it is an official consultation, or the father of the family, in a private one, offers prayer to the gods and looking up towards heaven picks up three strips, one at a time, and, according to which sign they have previously been marked with, makes his interpretation. If the lots forbid an undertaking, there is no deliberation that day about the matter in question. If they allow it, further confirmation is required by taking auspices.
It is often debated whether "signs" refers specifically to runes or to other marks; both interpretations are plausible.
"Runes shalt thou find / and fateful signs"
Havamal 143
"Beer I bring thee, tree of battle,
Mingled of strength and mighty fame;
Charms it holds and healing signs,
Spells full good, and gladness-runes."
the Poetic Edda is the Sigrdrífumál stanza 5
There is also mention of:
- ølrunar "Ale-runes"
- biargrunar "birth-runes"
- brimrunar "wave-runes"
- limrunar "branch-runes"
- malrunar "speech-runes"
- hugrunar "thought-runes"
