Esotericism
Tarot cards, rune stones and a brass incense burner are not mere props – they are part of a long tradition of spiritual practices stretching from the Middle Ages to the present day, and which remains alive in LARP, historical re-enactment and at medieval markets. This category brings together esoteric accessories that are suitable both for atmospheric character portrayal and for genuine use.
Esotericism in the Middle Ages: Everyday Beliefs between the Church and Folk Magic
Esotericism was not a marginal phenomenon in the Middle Ages, but was deeply rooted in everyday culture and the worldview. The seemingly clear distinction between church doctrine and folk magic was blurred in practice: Benedictine monks preserved ancient astronomical texts, whilst herbalists offered their remedies and divinatory spells for sale at village markets. Astrologers and alchemists held socially recognised roles – at the courts of Europe they were regarded as advisers and scholars.
The medieval worldview emerged from a confluence of several traditions: the legacy of Greek natural philosophy, Roman divination, Arabic science and Christian symbolism merged into a multi-layered system of interpretation. Alchemy was regarded as a serious natural science, astrology informed military commanders and city governments of auspicious times, and fortune-tellers were just as present at fairs as they were at princely courts. This complexity is what makes medieval esotericism so appealing for historical portrayal: no character – be it a druid, a witch, a court astrologer or a wandering fortune-teller – comes across as one-dimensional when underpinned by genuine background knowledge.
The incense thurible: function, history and atmospheric use
The swinging censer – Latin: thuribulum or turibulum – is one of humanity’s oldest liturgical implements. Used in ancient Egypt and Greco-Roman times for sacrificial rituals, the early Christian Church seamlessly incorporated the thuribulum into its liturgy. In medieval church interiors, the swinging censer, from which incense smoke drifted into the cloister, was a ubiquitous sight – but hanging censers were also known in folk magic and purification rituals.
Its construction and use are incredibly simple: the Avallè swinging incense burner, made of polished brass, consists of a perforated container and a chain by which it can be swung or hung. Incense resins or dried herbs are placed on a glowing charcoal tablet (from the incense accessories category) – the smoke escapes through the openings and spreads throughout the room. For a medieval market stall, such a vessel is ideal for creating atmosphere: the rising incense smoke attracts visitors and, when combined with pure resins or incense blends, instantly creates a medieval ambience. In a LARP camp, a suspended swinging vessel marks the area of a healer, a mage or a shaman more effectively than any decorative prop.
Tarot cards: From courtly playing cards to oracle
The earliest tarot card decks originated in 15th-century northern Italy as a form of courtly entertainment. The so-called Tarocchi were ornate playing cards for the noble courts of the Visconti and Sforza in Milan – not a divination tool, but a status symbol. Their elaborately designed Trionfi cards, later known as the Major Arcana, depicted allegorical figures from courtly festive culture and religious iconography: The Fool, The High Priestess, The Wheel of Fortune, The Hanged Man – motifs drawing directly from medieval visual language.
Their systematic use as a divination tool only developed from the late 18th century onwards in France, when occultists such as Antoine Court de Gébelin attributed an allegedly Egyptian origin to the Tarot. For portrayal, this means: anyone embodying a medieval character who uses cards for divination operates in a historical grey area – the imagery is medieval, but strictly speaking, the oracular use of the cards only emerged from the early modern period onwards. Many LARP and medieval market performers consciously exploit precisely this dramatic ambiguity.
The Waite Tarot for Beginners (from €16.76) is the classic beginner’s deck: designed by Arthur Edward Waite in 1909 and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith, this deck is now the most widely used tarot deck worldwide. It comprises 78 cards – 22 Major Arcana featuring allegorical main figures and 56 Minor Arcana in four suits (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles). The imagery is accessible and well-documented, making it equally suitable as an introduction and as a prop for divination scenes in LARP.
Rune stones: history and use as an oracle system
Runes are the writing system of the Germanic peoples, attested since around the 2nd century AD. In Germania, Tacitus described the casting of lots with inscribed pieces of wood as a divination practice of the Germanic peoples – an early example of the oracular use of runic symbols. Rune stone sets with a pouch are today the classic prop for Viking-era and Germanic characters.
- Germanic writing system, c. 2nd–8th century AD
- Each rune has a name and symbolic meaning (e.g. Fehu = wealth, Uruz = primal power)
- The basis for most modern rune stone sets
- Suitable for Germanic and early medieval characters
- Rune stones made of bone: historically accurate, warm to the touch, lightweight
- Viking-era writing system, c. 8th–12th centuries AD
- A reduced alphabet with 16 characters – paradoxically fewer runes despite increasing use of the script
- Typical of Viking Age depictions
- Nordic rune stones with leather case: robust, portable, atmospheric accessories
- Well suited for Viking characters and Scandinavian re-enactment contexts
Product overview: Tarot, runes and incense accessories
Tarot cards
The most widely used beginner’s deck with 78 cards and clear allegorical imagery. Manufacturer Berk offers a set here that is suitable both for actual card readings and as a prop for divination scenes in LARP. The imagery draws directly on medieval allegories.
Rune stones
There are two sets to choose from: the bone rune set in a suede pouch (€33.61, manufacturer Berk) and the Nordic rune stones with a leather case (€25.20, manufacturer Lord of Battles). Bone is historically authentic and has a warm, organic feel. The leather case set is practical for transport.
Incense burner
The Avallè swing incense burner made of polished brass (manufacturer: House of Warfare) is designed to be swung and hung. Compatible with charcoal tablets and all resins and herbs from the incense categories. Total price range for the category: €16.76 to €33.61.
Usage scenarios: LARP, medieval markets and re-enactment compared
For a first visit to a medieval market or a simple character concept, a Waite Tarot deck and a small rune stone pouch are sufficient. This combination instantly creates atmosphere, can be used credibly even without in-depth background knowledge, and is inexpensive. A notebook with a medieval cover as a grimoire prop rounds off the look in a straightforward way.
Anyone playing a fortune-teller, druid or shaman at events such as the Drachenfest or Conquest of Mythodea will benefit from a cohesive overall look: tarot cards as props for divination scenes, a set of rune stones for oracle interactions, and an incense burner for ritual moments. Complementary: Medieval jewellery with symbolic engravings and medieval coins as oracle items or trade goods within the game world.
For a convincing fortune-teller’s or herbalist’s stall, the incense burner is recommended as a central decorative element, combined with incense sets for the Twelve Days of Christmas and high-quality resins. Bone runestones laid out on a cloth, tarot cards to spark conversation, and an open notebook as a herbalist’s book prop – this combination attracts visitors and provides genuine talking points. Those wishing to accurately portray the era should choose the Younger Futhark for Viking-era characters and the Older Futhark for Germanic characters.
Whether you want to convincingly portray a fortune-teller at a medieval market, create an atmospheric camp setting with the scent of incense and rune stones, or simply delve deeper into the world of medieval spirituality – browse through the range and find tarot cards, rune stones and incense accessories that suit your project.
Frequently asked questions
In the Middle Ages, esotericism was not a marginal phenomenon, but was deeply rooted in everyday culture and the worldview. Astrologers advised princes, alchemists were regarded as scientists, and herbalists and fortune-tellers were a common sight at markets. The medieval worldview combined Greek natural philosophy, Arabic science, Roman divination and Christian symbolism into a coherent, multi-layered system of interpretation. Church practice and folk magic were less distinct from one another than is often assumed.
The earliest tarot decks emerged in 15th-century northern Italy as court playing cards (Tarocchi) for the Milanese noble courts of the Visconti and Sforza families. Their systematic use as a divination tool only developed from the late 18th century onwards in France, when occultists incorporated the cards into esoteric systems. However, the allegorical imagery of the Major Arcana – The Fool, The High Priestess, The Wheel of Fortune – actually originates from medieval iconography.
The Elder Futhark comprises 24 runes and was the writing system of the Germanic peoples from the 2nd to around the 8th century AD – it forms the basis of most modern rune stone sets and is suitable for depictions of Germanic and early medieval characters. The Younger Futhark of the Vikings has only 16 characters and was widespread in the Scandinavian region from the 8th to the 12th century. For a Viking-era depiction, the Younger Futhark is the historically more accurate choice.
A brass incense swing is filled with a glowing charcoal tablet, onto which incense resins (e.g. frankincense, myrrh) or dried herbs are placed. The smoke escapes through the perforations and spreads throughout the room when the vessel is swung or hung up. For use at a medieval market stall or in a LARP camp, we recommend combining it with pure resins or incense blends from the relevant sister categories.
Good gift ideas in this area include a Waite Tarot deck as a classic starter set, a set of bone runestones in a suede pouch for those interested in Vikings and Germanic culture, or a brass incense burner as an atmospheric decorative and functional item. These products range in price from around €17 to €34 and are suitable for LARP players and medieval market visitors, as well as for people with a general interest in spiritual practices and their history.
Discover related categories
Incense sticks
Incense sticks & meditation
Witchcraft shop
Medieval gift ideas
Medieval camp supplies
