The Norse runic calendar is a lunisolar system rooted in Norse culture. It is inspired by the runestave calendars inscribed on sticks as early as the 13th century. however they were likely used much earlier. These traditional runestave calendars were found mostly in Norway. They used the Younger Futhark runes. Additionally, three extra runes were included to form a 19-year metonic cycle. The Anglo Saxon Runic Calendar is also a reconstruction of these early Norwegian calendars, though they contain elements of Anglo Saxon culture, like the AS runes and months, rather than the Norwegian ones.
if we go back to our example of March 1st, 2026
2026 ÷ 19 leaves a remainder of 12, 12 + 1 = Metonic Year 13
The Metonic Year 13 corresponds to the Younger Futhark rune Bjarkan.
for March 1, 2026, you would:
Find March 1 on the Gregorian ring. Count outward until you reach Ring 13. The position directly above March 1 on that ring — in the Bjarkan year — is your Runic date.
Here are the Runes, their symbols, and their collating Gregorian dates for the current 19 year Lunisolar cycle.
The Norse Runic Calendar also follows the Old Norse month names. In this system the year begins around the winter solstice, and each month starts with the new moon. The month names are written in the inner ring, and they correspond to alternating red and blue section of any given year ring. You can see the connection. When you follow March 1st 2026 out to the runic year 13 of Bjarkan, you will find you are in the Anglo Saxon month of Thorri. You’ll see that the month of Thorri is red, whereas the months of Morsugur and Goa on either either side are in blue.
Historically, These Runestav Calendars were used to track key seasonal markers, guiding agricultural timing, festivals, and rituals. Major Norse festivals like Yule, Midsummer, Sigrblót, and Winter Nights were all anchored by this cyclical rhythm.
Later they were also used to track Christian Saints days or feast days. I have included some of these markers in the Calendar as well.
Above is a replica I made of a traditional runestave calendar carved onto wood.
Lunisolar Calendars 