A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination Part Eighteen

Although Ur [or Ura], the Ogham alphabet for Heather does not come at the end of our series, it is still the Ogham of death and finality. One might think that would be the Ogham for Yew, but it is not. It is the third vowel of the Ogham and it is not a birth tree. It is, however, the Ogham for Summer Solstice which recently came round in June. You can find out more about the magickal uses for Heather in my past blog, The Magick of Heather. Keep in mind the uses and representations for the actual plant may be quite different from what the Ogham itself represents.

As I say, this Ogham deals with death and finality and grieving, but it also deals with “deaths” which are metaphorical and the passing away of circumstances or situations in life. In other words, when you draw the Ur stave it does not necessarily mean a physical death. And always remember that when you do a three-stave draw you must consider the other two Ogham staves and what they mean. In drawing the single stave, which is what most people do as a daily reading, then you must look deeply into the meaning of this single stave for what you need to know. More often than not, the metaphorical meaning will be what will be your answer in this case. Still, know this – something must end.

Representations: Changes/Transitions, Dying, Death, Finality, Grieving

Ogham Letter: U

Number: 18

Colour: White, Amber

Tarot: Death

Animals: Bees, Red Grouse, Lark

Plant: Mistletoe

Divination Meaning: When drawing this Ogham stave in a single reading, you must ask yourself, “What in my life is passing away? What must I leave behind?” Of course, you must take the time to really look within when you draw Ur… there may be situations or people from which or whom you know you must withdraw yet it is so easy to feel comfortable enough with these situations or people and you never really want to think of how badly they may be affecting you or your well-being. Now is the time to address this, no questions asked. You may already know of what or whom you must leave behind so that you may grow. Now is the time to act upon this knowledge. No forest can grow without periodic pruning back of what no longer serves it.

How to Mend the Problem: Of the chthonic current, Ur literally means graves, burials, and earth. Land spirits are part of this current. This current means to let go of what has passed and to move forward. Remember that physical death is not the only kind… relationships, businesses, hopes, and ideals all die. In the oceanic current, Ur brings about ghosts/spirits of the dead… you may be in need of doing a bit of ancestry and necromancing. I’m of the belief that our ancestors live within us and speak to us… are we listening? Maybe it is time you do. The celestial current is one of inevitability. Your passed on loved one[s] may be weighing heavily on your mind. Perhaps it is time to honour them in some way.

And, perhaps the drawing of Ur simply means you must get rid of something which drags you down so that you can move forward without the weight of something which no longer serves you. It could be a toxic relationship. It could be a few extra pounds you have been wanting to shed. It might be articles of clothing or things you have hoarded which only depress you now. “Articles” of any kind can harbour bad energies. Maybe you just need to do a good clear out! Only you can, with your intuition and through meditation, understand best what Ur will mean for you.

The Death card in tarot is the perfect fit for Ur. A card of endings, change, transformation, and transition [upright]. Like Ur, the Death card has always had a bad rap when it came to being drawn for many feared they were about to be lying by the wall soon! Not often, I would assure you, does either mean so. The Death card symbolises the end of a major phase or aspect of your life that you realise is no longer serving you, opening the possibility of something far more valuable and essential. You must close one door to open another. You need to put the past behind you and part ways, ready to embrace new opportunities and possibilities. It may be difficult to let go of the past, but you will soon see its importance and the promise of renewal and transformation. If you resist these necessary endings, you may experience pain, both emotionally and physically, but if you exercise your imagination and visualise a new possibility, you allow more constructive patterns to emerge.

You can catch up the first seventeen blogs, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen, Part Fifteen, Part Sixteen, and Part Seventeen by clicking on these respectively.