Founded in 2015 by siblings Elara and Finn Thornwood, NextRune began as a small workshop tucked away in the mystical hinterland of Byron Bay, Australia. Having grown up surrounded by their archaeologist parents' collection of ancient artifacts and manuscripts, the Thornwoods were drawn to the power and mystery of runic symbols from an early age.
What started as a passion project creating handcrafted runic talismans for local festivals quickly evolved as word spread about the remarkable energy these pieces seemed to carry. By 2017, NextRune had established its first proper sanctuary space, allowing visitors to experience immersive installations that combined traditional runic wisdom with contemporary artistic expression.
In 2019, we expanded our operations with the addition of our educational wing, developing workshops and courses that have since attracted seekers from across Australia and beyond. Today, NextRune stands at the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern spiritual practice, continuing to grow while remaining true to our founding vision of honoring the sacred power of symbolic language and ritual space.
At NextRune, our mission is to revitalize ancient symbolic wisdom for the modern seeker. We believe that the symbols and practices of our ancestors contain profound insights that can help navigate contemporary challenges and connect people to deeper dimensions of existence.
Meet the passionate individuals behind NextRune's mystical experiences
Founder & Creative Director
With a background in fine arts and comparative mythology, Elara brings a unique aesthetic vision to NextRune. Her deep knowledge of symbolic systems from cultures around the world informs the immersive experiences and artifacts created at our sanctuary. Elara has studied with traditional knowledge keepers across Northern Europe and spent three years researching ancient inscriptions in archaeological sites throughout Scandinavia.
Co-Founder & Workshop Director
Finn combines his academic background in ancient languages and ritual practices with his gift for creating transformative learning experiences. After completing his Ph.D. in Comparative Religious Studies at the University of Sydney, he developed NextRune's acclaimed workshop curriculum. His approach balances scholarly rigor with a deep appreciation for the lived spiritual experience, making ancient wisdom accessible to modern seekers.
Master Artisan & Materials Specialist
Mira brings over twenty years of experience in traditional crafting techniques to NextRune. Her expertise in working with wood, stone, metal, and natural pigments ensures that all our created pieces maintain the highest standards of quality and energetic integrity. Trained in traditional methods by craftspeople in her native New Zealand and throughout Scandinavia, Mira oversees our sustainable sourcing practices and leads our apprenticeship program for emerging artisans.
Research Director & Historian
Dr. Mehta leads our historical research initiatives, ensuring that all NextRune offerings are grounded in authentic cultural contexts. With dual backgrounds in archaeology and comparative religion, he specializes in tracing the evolution of symbolic systems across time and cultural boundaries. Before joining NextRune, Rohan spent a decade working with museums across Europe and Asia documenting ancient ritual objects and their associated practices. His current focus is on mapping connections between Indo-European and Australian Indigenous symbolic traditions.
Awarded the 2022 Australian Cultural Preservation Award for our work documenting and preserving traditional symbolic systems.
Our workshops and digital resources have reached over 75,000 participants from 43 countries, creating a global community of runic practitioners.
Recognized with the Green Business Certification for our sustainable practices and our Mythic Grove Initiative, which has planted over 5,000 native trees.
Our curriculum has been adopted by 12 independent educational institutions and our founders have been invited to lecture at major universities throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Featured installations at the Sydney Biennale (2021) and the International Symbolic Arts Festival in Melbourne (2023), bringing ancient symbolism into contemporary art spaces.
Established the Annual Runic Convergence, now in its fifth year, which brings together practitioners, scholars, and artists from around the world for a week of learning and collaboration.
"As an academic researching contemporary expressions of ancient traditions, I've been consistently impressed by NextRune's commitment to authenticity. Their workshops strike that rare balance between scholarly accuracy and accessible spirituality. The research team has created resources that I regularly recommend to both my students and colleagues."
Senior Researcher, Department of Cultural Studies, University of Melbourne
"Working with NextRune to create immersive mythological experiences for our festival has been transformative. Their attention to detail and ability to create genuinely moving installations has made them one of our most valued creative partners. Attendees consistently rate their spaces as highlights of the event, and many return specifically for the NextRune experience."
Creative Director, Antipodean Mythos Festival
"Attending NextRune's Runic Magic workshop was a life-changing experience. I arrived with curiosity but limited knowledge, and left with both practical skills and a profound sense of connection to this ancient tradition. The materials were exceptional quality, the instruction clear and supportive, and the sanctuary space itself is simply magical. I've since completed three more workshops and each has deepened my practice."
Holistic Practitioner & Regular Workshop Participant
Ready to explore the ancient wisdom of runic traditions? Whether you're interested in attending a workshop, visiting our sanctuary, or commissioning a custom piece, we'd love to hear from you.