These are the Younger Runes(futhark). In the Elder there are twenty-four, or more, but this set is of sixteen. The runes ranged from Northern ice down to the Celtic Europe, and Ogham is a very similar language used for similar purposes but rarely carved as were the runes for public perusal. In earlier days both Runes and Ogham were for the magical use of the men and women who were involved in evoking those native nature spirits of their areas. The Ogham was perhaps more widely used in the same manner by all Celtic people's 'drui' and the Runes although starting out were much the same, as their peoples grew differently according to their environment, so too did runes and their uses. Runes were still being used 'magically' until well into the twelfth century, but Ogham was dwindling by the end of the first millenium due mostly to lack of drui bards, but mostly because of the nature of the increase in medieval Christianity. The commons as constituted by the field and forest workers kept both alive far beyond what their local religious leaders could contend with. The yeoman's idea being one never casts away what may be useful, and one never knows which or what spirit might be present. Their forefathers knew, and those gnomes, dryads, undines, sylphs and salamanders which our ancestor's dealt with daily are still extant, if one knows to be still, quiet in spirit, and grateful and appreciative. It obviously helps in today's violent loudness that one begins contacting by going to a spirit hove, many of which are still about, like the crossings of ley-lines on a full moon, or the 'eldest druid' oak in the forest, or a waterfall, or an underground cavern entry/exit. Such are places similar to a stone circle or natural hole-in-a-rock, that may be found away from the high wires, highways and other civil disturbances, that still serve in helping the unquiet spirit to rest and be still. Keep on keeping on. 😇