The word divination comes from the Latin word divinare, which means to foresee or be inspired by a god. We read the signs, the art, and the ways of Mother Nature to give us clues and insight into our own lives. One of the more common methods of divination is the use of inscriptions, alphabets, and letters, normal daily means of communication turned inward so that we may be inspired in our present and future. Many people are aware of Runes, symbols used in old Germanic alphabets, however there are another set of symbols used in early medieval times known as ogham.
Ogham was used to write in the early Irish language, the word ogham denotes the actual script used, while the alphabet is known as the Beith-Luis-Nin.
Much of what remains of ogham letters are on stone monuments throughout Ireland and western Britain, however these symbols were likely often inscribed in wood. Unfortunately any such wood inscriptions would not survive over the centuries. Ogham was potentially a method of cryptic communications and names denoting ownership of land and personal affects. Like most archaic languages and writings there is plenty of debate and discourse about the origins and reason of ogham symbols.
How the ogham relates to us today is their association with trees. In the Celtic religions and priestly class of the Druids, trees were sacred, the symbol of higher beings, and other worldly powers. Each letter in the Ogham alphabet is represented or is associated with a specific tree. We often overlook how magical and amazing trees can really be. Many trees have been here for most of your life, some long before you were born. If the trees could speak imagine the wisdom and patience one must obtain from a fixed point for 100’s or 1000’s of years. We can use the ancient Ogham alphabet to tap into the power of the trees and give us inspiration!
One well-known method of using Ogham letters is to ascribe each letter onto its particular source of wood. For example the first letter Beith is Old Irish for the birch tree, we would inscribe this letter on to a stick of birch. Or perhaps we would carve the letter into a flat piece of that wood. However there are 20 original letters to the alphabet and this can get time consuming finding every specific kind of wood and creating the piece. It is a worthy project to start, but in the meantime we have a method for you right below.
At the top of the pages is a tree of one of the most important trees to the Celtic peoples, the oak tree. You first ask your question and then three letters will fall to the ground. Just like with Runes our answer will deal with the 3 aspects of past, present, and future. Click on the tree three times, and your fortune will be revealed.
The Birch tree is known as a pioneering species, which means it is often first to colonize open ground following a disturbance or fire. Because of this natural fact Beith is the first letter of the Ogham alphabet. It symbolizes birth, renewal, and new beginnings. The Beith symbol appearing is a true sign that a change has occurred or will occur.
Fortune - Drawing this Ogham is a way of telling you to look for a new path, a necessary change is on the way!
The Rowan or mountain ash tree has long been a magical tree in much of European folklore. It protects one from malevolent beings; dark magic and can ward off any harm or bad luck that may befall an individual. The key points to remember with the letter Luis are protection, refuge, white magic, and safe journeys.
Fortune - Drawing this Ogham is a sign to flush all negativity from your life. Protect yourself mentally and physically from bad vibes!
The third letter of the Ogham alphabet is Fearn it means alder-tree. Alder-bark has been used by many cultures to treat various health problems and disorders, everything from insect bites to tuberculosis. Alder is a very water resistant hardwood and is often used in foundations where water is present. The key points to remember with alder are confidence, shielding, guidance, and standing up to ones enemies. Just as water stands no chance against alder, your enemies are at a loss when you have the protection of the alder.
Fortune - Drawing this Ogham is a sign to remain true to yourself and resist all temptation!
The willow tree is often found growing along rivers and in areas of high water concentration. In nature it can protect riverbanks, but in human populated areas it can be a destructive force to drainage systems and walkways. This is why the letter Saille, the willow, is often associated with emotions, dreams, and the subconscious. It is a tree that longs to break up our outer protective world to get into the deep recesses to find more water and nourishment. Drawing this letter is a cause for serious soul searching.
Fortune - When you see this Ogham it is time to take a long look into your subconscious and innermost thoughts! Your soul knows the answer you seek!
The “World Tree” in Norse mythology was an ash tree; many cultures have looked to the ash tree as a source of power and order. Ash is a hardwood known for its use for weapons, sports, and musical instruments. This hardiness of ash denotes its symbolism for order, harmony, balance, and the status quo. Drawing the Nuin symbol can take on a variety of meanings, however it is most often associated with a life of peace and symmetry.
Fortune -When you find this Ogham, a great fate is at work. Take action now and let destiny carry you to the finish line!
The Celts often believed the hawthorn to be a portal to the Otherworld. The hawthorn is a hardy plant commonly used for hedges and great firewood. It can even be an invasive species at times. The key points to remember with the letter Huathe are obstacles, walls, and obstructions. Its ability to form a natural wall gives the diviner an idea in what this symbol can mean to them and their lives.
Fortune - To overcome obstacles and walls you must make a personal sacrifice, to gain we must lose something of ourselves!
The name of the oak tree was part of the early Celtic word for Druid. Oak trees have always had a greater tendency to be struck by lightning, thus they have always had a more sacred standing among many cultures. It is a tree of great strength, durable hardwood, and its roots grow as deep as the branches grow high. To the Druids it was the King of The Woods. Thus these features of the letter Duir allow us to focus this reading on strength, resilience, power, and nobility. Like the mighty oak tree you will prevail.
Fortune - This Ogham denotes new paths, new doorways, and success once you decide to follow these new ideas!
Holly is an evergreen tree that unlike many other trees appears to remain hardy throughout winter. This is why it was appropriated for winter and Yule celebrations. It was also often used for weapons and wands for divination. The fact that Tinne stays so hardy throughout the winter shows us what this letter symbolizes; challenges, spiritual battles, and defense. Just as the holly appears to ward of winter, you too will face a challenge when drawing this letter.
Fortune - This Ogham shows us that we will face a great challenge. How we are to react to it may vary, but be mindful it will not be easy!
The Celts believed that hazelnuts gave inspiration and wisdom, even in many other cultures the hazel tree and it’s branches and nuts are used for protection. In Celtic mythology one of the greatest leaders named Fionn Mac Cumhail magically gained wisdom after eating salmon that sustained themselves upon hazelnuts. The ogham letter coll denotes wisdom, divination, and inspiration. Drawing this letter will give you a deeper look into you questions and concerns.
Fortune - Look inward to your own wisdom to gain the answer you seek. Be creative, be perceptive, this Ogham shows you already have the answer!
In many religious traditions the apple is a mystical or forbidden fruit. Yet to the Celts it was the food of the Gods. Despite it’s often bad reputation it is clear that the apple is a source of nutrition, health, and sustenance. That is why we read this ogham letter has having to do with life, health, and healing… a Quert a day keeps the bad vibes away!
Fortune - Take a good look at your mental and physical health. This Ogham is a warning to be mindful of nutrition and healing, take care of yourself!
The spiraling vine is a symbol of connectivity. Over time the vine grows around everything, through the physical and spiritual, and through the conscious and subconscious. However it takes time and patience for the vine to slowly connect everything. When we draw this letter we think of unity, being one with our surroundings, and connecting to all living things. This can especially have a special meaning in our modern world of online connections. The world slowly resembles one giant vine!
Fortune - This Ogham is telling you to take a strong look at your personal connections in life. Friends, lovers, and coworkers will have an important say in your matter!
The ivy is a sneaky plant that will first use another tree for growth, but overtime it will potentially take away vital nutrients and water from the tree itself. Ivy can be a symbiotic helper bringing birds and wildlife or it can destroy the one it is with, drawing this letter is a sign of warning to pay attention to those in life with potential ill intentions. Ideas associated with Gort are restrictions, warnings, bindings, and potential deceit.
Fortune - Be wary of those in life who like the Ivy may be draining you of life energy. Be sure they are helpful to your soul and not harmful!
Brooms tolerate poor soil and growing conditions, they are known for wasteland reclamation, a way of cleaning up hazardous sites. It is no surprise that this plant is also where the term broom arose as a cleaning tool. Over the centuries the Ngetal, or broom, as been associated with healing, cleaning, and restoring what once was. Drawing this letter shows some aspect in life has been cleaned and healed or is in great need of it.
Fortune - It is time to cleanup in life! This Ogham is a sign that you need to find the mess that has been made in your life or someone close to you and sweep it up!
This thorny tree is known for it’s negative uses over the years. It has been used for cattle proofing with its thorns, the berries have been turned into alcohol, and the thorns were once dipped in poison as a weapon. Drawing this letter brings forth ideas of pain, negativity, pessimism, and potential conflict. If Straif comes up in your reading it is very wise to pay attention to any warnings.
Fortune - This Ogham can denote very bad signs ahead. Pay very close attention to matters in life that way you can avoid the warning that you were given.
The Elder tree has often been associated with the Goddess and Mother Earth. Anyone who would cut down an Elder was risking bad fortune and ill luck. This letter of the ogham is most likely to show karma in action. Ideas that come to mind are regret, dealing with bad choices, and the inevitable. Especially if this symbol shows up in any future readings it is wise to take precautions on potential decisions.
Fortune - Take the Ruis seriously to avoid any bad luck! This Ogham is a sign of Karma in the works! Stay positive and mindful of potential pitfalls!
While pine is not a very durable wood for building, it is suitable for burning and keeping us warm. In modern times it has gained more uses, but the fragrance of the wood is what got the most attention many years ago. Because of that Ailm has become associated with purification, atonement, and regeneration. Allow the symbol and smoke of the pine to cleanse your heart and soul.
Fortune - New projects are on the horizon! They will cleanse and purify your soul and take you in a great direction!
While it also may have thorns, Gorse is known for a vibrant yellow flower that can last almost year round. For this reason this plant has become a symbol of vitality. It may be hardy and have some thorns but it protects wildlife and shines bright for everyone to see. When you draw this letter keep in mind optimism, positivity, and vigor. With Onn you will prevail as long as you keep your flower in bloom!
Fortune - This Ogham tells you that you will prevail! Stay happy and optimistic and everything you seek will turn out great!
The beauty of heather flowers is one reason it is associated with the Irish Goddess of love, fertility, and new growth. Be happy when you draw this letter because it denotes love, companionship, and passion. Whether it will be a new love or an old love rekindled, Ura is a powerful symbol and one that may bring great luck in your love life.
Fortune - This Ogham deals in matters of Love. Whether it is new love or rekindling of old love, enjoy the peace and love that comes with Ura!
Aspens grow in large colonies, with the root system potentially up to 10,000’s of years old. This tree can survive fires and other harmful conditions. Often this letter can be associated with death and the fear that comes from it. However it is better to see it for what the aspen really is. When one dies another aspen grows from the same root system. Death is not always a negative aspect of life; sometimes it is a necessary transition. The letter Edhadh will force us to look inward for what we need to “let die,” so we can renew ourselves.
Fortune - A large part of your life will be gone, yet do not worry because another great part will stop. Edhadh never closes one door without opening another!
In the Celtic religion the yew tree is a symbol of eternal life. Yew is often found in churchyards across Europe, and the oldest known wood artifact is a yew spearhead dating over 450,000 years old. Idho has a long and ancient connection with man, making it symbolic of death and renewal. The yew is a gateway for the dying before they find eternal life. Drawing this letter does not imply physical death, however it does show a great change is about to occur in life!
Fortune - This Ogham signifies death. Not in the literal sense but metaphorically it is time to let go or move on from something important. The rebirth will be grand!