The Runic Alphabet was used for writing, divination and Magic throughout Northern Europe. Each Rune had both phonetic and symbolic value, thus representing at the same time a letter, an idea and a character as well as a certain magical or esoteric quality.
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Runes were in use roughly from the first centuries of Common Era to the early or late Middle Ages, depending on the area. The growing influence of Christianity gradually replaced Runes with the Roman alphabet.
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Runic Alphabet is also known as Futhark after the first six runes of the Alphabet.

You can read more about runes and their use in divination in Akanvakka's Chest of Scrolls.