I like the idea of drawing the rune in the sand too.  I would like to learn about the traditional uses of the runes for magic. 

I think the 'casting on the ground' is interesting.  I have tried something like this before.  My trouble with reading runes, or tarot, is connecting all of them together and getting a clear meaning.  It is hard for me to sift through all the possibilities of meaning to get to what I actually need to know.  Maybe my questions aren't clear enough?  I have worked with the runes many times, but the more I learn and see that my information hasn't always been very accurate I am relearning them.  Maybe it was the inaccuracy of the meanings presented that has caused the problem?  or maybe it's just that I need to work with them more frequently. 

One thing I have used runes for is inscribing them into candles before burning them.

My name is Danny.  I have used the runes for several years now.  I have used them for divination and sometimes magic, but feel like I barely have a basic understanding of them.  So, I'm glad there are others out there studying the runes and their uses that can maybe share some insight.