A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Twenty

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Ogham Ioho or Idad ~ photo by i.macy

Very fitting that the last Ogham tree in the series is Yew, for it is most associated with beginnings and endings, rebirth and reincarnation.  It is the Ogham called Ioho, Idad, or Iodho and if you want to know more about Yew, you can read my previous blog, The Magick of Yew. I will tell you that the Ogham Ioho is not a birth tree Ogham, but it is the Ogham for the Winter Solstice.  The Yew is the the tree most associated with the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess… her time is near but as the Yew dies on the outside to bring in new life from the inside, so the Crone will die but become new again in her regeneration or reincarnation.  And, the cycle goes on and on…

Representations:  Ancestry,  Change, Communication [with the dead], Death, Divinity, Flexibility, Immortality, Longevity, Rebirth, and Strength

Ogham: Letter:  I

Number:  20

Colour:  Dark Green, Very White

Tarot:  See Below

Animals:  Deer, Eagle, Hummingbird

Plant:  Juniper

Divination Meaning:  When drawing a single Ioho / Idad stave you must ask yourself, “How does my past make me whom I am today?  How do I understand my past to decide whom I become?”  It is a call to explore not only your recent past [as in this life’s past] but can also mean it is time to look into your past lives. It can also mean it is time to speak with your family elders; it can also mean for you to speak with those whom have passed on to the Otherworld.  I say “speak to” when I really mean to seek them out.  For you to appropriately answer the questions above you must listen to those from the past.  There is so much wisdom you can gather from this that it would be rude not to.

How to Mend the Problem:  Changes are coming to you. Let go and experience the changes knowing they are not an enemy to you.  Accepting that nothing lasts forever can ease your mind if you allow it to.  You, nor I, are special enough to prevent endings.  Everyone experiences these. And we must understand that endings are not always bad things.  Like the Yew, we peel away the outside to allow the inside to flourish.

With the chthonic current we see the bond between generations. Oral traditions, folk lore, the study of lore – these are most important at this time. Transmission of tradition and the sharing of lore manifests with this current.  If other influences support the reading, there may be reference to past lives or reincarnation.  The celestial current speaks of memory and history and the things these give us. This current can refer to the ancestors generally; perhaps even specific ancestors. But always in reference to ancestors in the Otherworld, not those Elders whom are still living.  This Ogham challenges us to look at our past[s] and to determine our future. You must go about this as best you can by knowing yourself now and in past-lives, should it come to this. Speaking with those in the Otherworld is a course you must try to take as well.  Some may wish to access their Akashic records. Meditation upon your own life is a way forward as well. Your ultimate goal will be to lay foundations of wisdom for generations to come after you.  It is a very serious task.

A card from the Tarot of Reincarnation 

Apart from the Death card, which has been paired with Ur [Heather], I do not have a single tarot card recommendation, however, something that may assist you in accessing your past lives is a special tarot deck called Tarot of Reincarnation [English and Spanish Edition] by Lo Scarabeo. This concludes our foray into the world of Ogham divination.  I hope you have enjoyed it and have learned much. Do always keep in mind that there are other interpretations out there in the world and this is only mine based on things I have studied.  As your “graduation present”, I have listed more *sources that may benefit [or confuse!] you.  You can adhere to one way or another… you can borrow from one and borrow from another to combine your way.  Just do keep in mind that it is your intuition which will best serve you as it will help you choose the right meaning for your reading or a reading for someone else.

You can catch up the first nineteen 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, Part Seventeen, Part Eighteen, and Part Nineteen by clicking on these respectively.  Feel free to print them out for your BOS or just to have on hand for help.

Many thanks for reading my blog and warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

*Ogam,The Celtic Oracle of the Trees, by Paul Rhys Mountfort

*Ogam, Weaving Word Wisdom, by Erynn Rowan Laurie

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Eighteen

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Ogham Ur ~ photo by i.macy

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 ~ photo by i.macy

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.

Many thanks for reading my blog and warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Seventeen

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Ogham Ohn ~ photo by i.macy

Ohn is the Ogham mark for the needle-bearing, non-conifer tree, Gorse, or Furze, from old Celtic dialect.  Truthfully, Gorse is considered more of a hedge plant than a tree, although they can grow to about 15 feet in height if not pruned back.  Ohn is also the Ogham for the Spring Equinox sabbat of Beltane.  It is not a Celtic Birth Tree Ogham.  Folklore has it that Ohn/Gorse is effective against faerie mischief.

Representations:  Fertility, Hope, Prosperity, and Protection

Ogham Letter:  O

Number:  17

Colour:  Gold, Yellow

Tarot: The Chariot

Animals:  Bees, Cormorant, Hare, Harrier Hawk

Plant:  Heather

Divination Meaning:  When you pull the Ohn Ogham, the question you must ask yourself is, “Where is my journey taking me? How shall I follow my path?”  A hint:  First look at the part of your life you’re in.  Are you young? Middle-aged? Older? When Ohn appears in your reading, it can indicate that you need to examine the direction of your life… maybe you’re about to take a trip; it can indicate emotional journeys such as changes of mind or heart. And, Ohn can also indicate if you need to make a spiritual journey such as meeting with ancestors in the Otherworld or finally meeting your Spirit Guardian.  Use your intuition to know where your journey lies. If you are to embark on a physical journey, Ohn is a magick amulet for you as physical protection; it is also well to have on hand for spiritual and emotional journeys.

How to Mend the Problem:  If you find physical travel is ahead for you, tend to mending any faults with your personal vehicle if you plan to use it.  Plan your trip to the best of your ability to minimise delays at airports and reduce travel times by taking the most direct but safest routes.  If you are called to go on a spiritual journey, it is always wise to first meet and form a relationship with your Spirit Guardian and animal if you have not done already.  Again, you must prepare for the journey.  And, if your journey is an emotional one, prepare yourself by committing yourself to being courageous… use talismans to this effect, if you feel necessary, and know that you will be deeply affected, however, it is a necessary journey to lay to rest the thing[s] which trouble your heart most.

Shadowscapes The Chariot ~ photo by i.macy

The tarot card I find is most relatable is The Chariot.  Notice, no matter which deck you use, the Warrior is upright, brave, and victorious.  He/she holds no reins… he is in control through the strength of his will and mind.  Although her beasts are pulling in different directions [in my case, a pair of Unicorns lead the way in my Shadowscapes deck], the charioteer uses her willpower and sheer resolve to steer the chariot forward in the direction she wants.  This is exactly what you wish to do in your journey as well.

You can catch up the first sixteen 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, and Part Sixteen by clicking on these respectively.

Many thanks for reading my blog.  Warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Fifteen

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Ogham Ruis ~ photo by i.macy

We shall now delve into the mysteries of the Ogham, Ruis, which is of the Elder tree, a Celtic Birth Tree for those born between 25 November and 23 December.  The Elder tree represents the Dark Half of the year and is associated with the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess. But the focus is on its Ogham, Ruis, which loosely means “red” from the Irish Gaelic word, “Rúad”.  And, as you will read, Ruis will make you “see red”! And, it will help you to learn not to. Those born in the Elder lunar month are very passionate.

Representations:  Passion, Jealousy, Sexuality, Guilt, Envy, Love, Love of Life, Devotion to Deity, Healing

Ogham Letter:  E

Number:  15

Colour:  Bright Red, Light Red

Tarot:  Judgement

Animals:  Black Horse, Pheasant, Raven, Rook

Plant:  Dandelion

Divination Meaning:  What am I passionate about?  How do my passions help or harm me? These are the questions one must ask themselves if they draw the Ruis Ogham.  We are now delving into the emotions that may either help or harm, depending upon their use. What happens to arouse your emotions to guilt and frenzy?  These are the symptoms of a wider desire and you must suss out the source to begin “training” them to do good or to eliminate them from your life.  You are the judge and jury.

How to Mend the Problem:  Like Passion itself, Ruis can be steeped in joy or hatred. Jealousy and Rage are part and parcel to this Ogham’s energies; however, they can be turned to passionate love as well.  This pertains to any extreme emotion you may feel you’re having a problem with.  You can turn extreme hatred into love… whatever the emotion, you can control it with the power of Ruis and your own intuition and mindfulness. However, the chthonic current of Ruis is a difficult one as most of its meanings are emotions which people find hard to face. Still, there are also positive passions found with Ruis and because of this, as we can learn from Hinduism, we can turn our anger [insert emotion of choice] into cleansing through self-reflection and examination and thereby turning a societally harmful emotion into one of social activism and a deep desire for Justice, or expressing that emotion through healing work.  Ruis gives powerful focus and energy to overcome difficulties.

Shadowscapes Judgement card ~ photo by i.macy

In examination of what Ruis means, I find the Judgement tarot card comes to mind strongly. This is because Judgement calls upon us to rise and embrace a higher level of consciousness for the service of our Highest Good.  Both Ruis and Judgement indicates that you need to make a life-changing decision, and they tend to show up when you are close to reaching a significant stage in your journey.  This is the time when you will review and re-evaluate your past experiences and have learned from them. All the pieces of the puzzle of your life are finally coming together to form one, unified picture of your life story. This integration has healed deep wounds, and you are now able to put the past behind you. You have found your absolution, having cleared any wrongdoings or regrets, and releasing any guilt or sadness about the past. This purging process will leave you refreshed and ready to take on any new challenges.

You can catch up the first fourteen 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, and Part Fourteen by clicking on these respectively.

Many thanks for reading my blog.  Warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Fourteen

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Ogham Straif ~ photo by i.macy

Blackthorn is a winter tree and it has black bark and vicious thorns, or “spines”. It has delicious berries called sloes which only ripen and sweeten after first frost.  It is a formidable tree and yet, it is a protective tree, a tree of authority and strength. It is wise not to go up against Blackthorn for it will always win. Blackthorn’s Ogham letter is called Straif, which sounds much like ‘strife’. It is not a Birth Tree Ogham, but it is the Ogham for the dark half of the year and its date is 31 October.  If you were born on this date, you could easily call it your birth tree.  Be forewarned though, the meanings of Blackthorn and Straif may not be ones you wish to be associated with. Or again, perhaps you do. Straif’s chthonic current speaks of secrets and the preservation of secret knowledge.  It can refer to magickal or occult mysteries and to a depth of magickal and spiritual practise. Straif reminds us to expect the unexpected.  Sudden reversals of fortune are possible. The spiritual direction is to use divination in whatever manner you get best results from to help lead you through the journey of change and your intuition will help guide your discernment.

Representations:  Authority, Control, Protection, Strength, and Truth

Ogham Letter:  St, SS

Number:  14

Colour:  Dark Purple, Grey, White or Yellow

Tarot:  Wheel of Fortune

Animals:  Bees, Butterfly, Thrush

Plant:  Houseleek

Divination Meaning:  Pulling the single stave, Straif, means unexpected change, plans altered, plans ruined.  Always be prepared for the unexpected with the appearance of Straif.  You must question yourself:  What part of my life needs a total change?  How am I being transformed?

How to Mend the Problem:  Change can be managed through spiritual work when Straif is an influence. Straif gives the ability to transform attitudes in healing. Despair can become hope. This Ogham is good for work with the emotions and for transforming deep-seated issues that have strong roots in the past, changing things without destroying the vessel.  Leave off any negative view you may have.  Clinging to old ways and facing challenges with anger, resentment, and stubbornness will only hurt you more. Accept the changes and move on with grace. Realise your life has changed dramatically and emerge reborn.

Wheel of Fortune ~ photo by i.macy

Many wrongly assume the Death card in tarot would be most likely the partner for Straif.  Not at all.  Yes, of course, you must “die” to some old ways so that you can rebirth to new and healthier ways. The Wheel of Fortune card is the best partner to Straif.  The upright Wheel of Fortune card asks you to be optimistic and have faith that the Universe will take care of your situation in the best way possible. Meditation and visualisation can reinforce your intention to bring increased abundance, good fortune and prosperity to you. Your life is about to turn in more positive directions if you are willing to grow and expand. Keep your mind open to all kinds of synchronicities and signs from the Universe. The magick of fate and destiny is behind you, and miracles are happening. However, when the Wheel of Fortune is reversed, your luck and fortune may take a turn for the worst. You may experience unexpected change or negative forces could be at play, leaving you feeling helpless. You have a choice: you can do nothing, and hope things will get better, or you can act to improve your situation. See this moment as your opportunity to take control of your destiny and get your life back on track.  So, like the wheel, what comes round goes round… and refer to the upright to fix the upside down.

You can catch up the first thirteen 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, and Part Thirteen by clicking on these respectively.

Many thanks for reading my blog. Warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Thirteen

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Ngetel Ogham ~ photo by i.macy

Ngetal is the Ogham for Reed.  I know… a Reed? It gives way to thought to skinny grasses growing up from marshes and estuaries, but the Reed can become quite woody and thick giving its strength and protection to thatched roofs for centuries.  Reed is also instrumental in the making of woodwind instruments [pun intended], and other by-gone era uses included arrow shafts and writing pens.

Ngetal /Reed is also the Celtic Birth Tree for those born between 28^th October and 24^th November. Reed signs among the Celtic tree “astrology” signs are the secret keepers. You dig deep inside to the real meaning of things and discover the truth hidden beneath layers of distraction. When there is a need to get to the heart of the matter, most certainly the Reed sign will find the core.  It’s a kind of magick. Reed is the 12^th month of the Celtic Tree Calendar and the 13^th letter of the Ogham alphabet.

Representations:  Healing, Growth, Harmony, Protection, Loyalty, Unity, and Will

Ogham Letter:  NG

Number:  13

Colour:  Pale Green

Tarot:  The Magician

Animals:  Kingfisher, Geese, Owl

Plant:  Watermint, Broom, Fern

Divination Meaning:  You will find order where others create chaos and disorder. Also means healing and you should be aware of your health, mentally and physically.  Ask yourself, “where am I wounded? What in my life requires healing?” Use your strengthening intuition to decide the whether it is yourself or someone else who needs healing.  Of course, as always in a three-stave draw, be sure to check what your other two staves tell you and remember the draw of the stave is important.  Is it past, present, or future?

How to Mend the Problem:  Ngetal requires direct action. Particularly if the “wound” is in urgent need of healing… keep your target in sight and do not be distracted; stay grounded.  By keeping to simple laws of order this will not be difficult.  Keep your wits about you when others are being chaotic. Insist upon harmony in stressful situations.

Ngetal is protective.  For physical healing, it is not untoward to draw this Ogham onto the body of the indisposed near or above or over where healing is called for. The same goes for spiritual or mental healing.  To wear Ngetal when ill makes it a talisman for healing.

The Tarot card I believe best represents Ngetel is The Magician. The Magician stays grounded with one foot on the ground; in some decks such as my Shadowscapes, he sits on the balls of his feet.  One hand points more upwards… to the Universe, and the other is downward, to Earth. He looks both forward to new ideas and is grounded to the ways that are proven. He alone knows best how to manifest what is either desired or needed. He is the epitome of harmony. And very often, healing requires harmony and grounding and a bit of the old ways along with new ways.

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

Many thanks for reading my blog. Warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Twelve

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

The Ivy Ogham, Gort ~ photo by i.macy

I call it the “seeker’s” Ogham, Gort.  Gort is the Ogham for the Ivy plant… again, the Celtic people did not always choose the wood of trees but sometimes vines and reeds, depending upon the meaning of certain woods to them which would indicate what would be used for each Ogham alphabet.  Whilst Gort is the twelfth letter of the Ogham alphabet, the Ivy it represents is the eleventh lunar month of the Celtic Tree Calendar and this brings us to Gort being the “sign” for those born between 30 September and 27 October.  People born during this time are notorious for sticking by their friends and creating long lasting connections. Ivy / Gort is always seeking and spreading, leaving everything stronger in its wake, much the way the people born during this lunar month do with others.  You will come to understand yourself better through Gort;  I would even go so far as to say you may find your full purpose in life through Gort. It will lead you down the right roads, but always take care to use your intuition to know whether it is right for you, or not.

Representations:  Friendship, Happiness, Healing, Prosperity, Protection, Steadfastness, and Tenacity

Ogham Letter:  G

Number:  12

Colour:  Blue, Light Brown

Tarot:  The Sun

Animals:  Mute Swan, Butterfly, Lark, Swallow

Plant:  Woody Nightshade

Divination Meaning:  This is not the time to be alone. But you are probably not one to be alone much, therefore, feel free to cleave unto your friends.  Whatever it is you may need help with, they will be there for you as you are always there for them.  Drawing the Gort Ogham can also mean prosperity is coming, for which you must be patient. If drawing three Ogham staves in a reading, pay particular care to the meanings of the other two and in what order each draw was made.

How to Mend the Problem:  Recognise that “group unconsciousness” has an effect upon you and go inward to learn more about the self. Enter “group mind” with joy and assist others with their spirituality as they assist you in yours.  We are all intertwined as is the Ivy; we can all be successful by supporting each other.  Gort symbolises many forms of abundance; the rewards of patience are many. There is a general air of gratitude and plenty, with an assurance of ease in the situation though it may have been long in coming.  Give thanks always.  Do keep in mind that you will find further meaning from each Ogham as your intuition develops.  These are but a guideline.

Gort resonates with The Sun card in tarot.  The Sun represents success, radiance and abundance. The Sun gives you strength and tells you that no matter where you go or what you do, your positive and radiant energy will follow you and bring you happiness and joy. People are drawn to you because you can always see the bright side and bring such warmth into other people’s lives. This beautiful, warm energy is what will get you through the tough times and help you succeed. You are also in a position where you can share your highest qualities and achievements with others. Radiate who you are and what you stand for; shine your love on those you care about.

You can catch up the eleven blogs, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, and Part Eleven by clicking on these.

Many thanks for reading my blog.  Warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Six

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Huathe card and Ogham few ~ photo by i.macy

Hawthorn is the tree from which the Ogham Huathe is fashioned.  It is the sixth consonant of the Ogham alphabet and is the birth tree ogham for those born between 13^th April to 9^th June.  The persons born during this time are highly creative yet can appear to be doing very little.  You are rarely what you appear to be but that is because the Hawthorn/Huathe person is rarely ruffled.  More is going on within you than anyone could know, however, your calm exterior draws others to you and you, just like your birth tree Ogham, Huathe, knows what to do to bring calm to others.  Anyone can learn the ways of Huathe but you were born to them. Holding the Hawthorn/Huathe ogham stave and meditating upon it is good for drawing in that calming and wise influence.

Representations:  Ancestry, Defensive Protection, Fertility, Love, Luck, Prosperity, Wisdom, Family

Ogham Letter:  H

Number:  6

Colour:  Deep Purple, Violet

Tarot:  The World

Animals:  Blackbird, Owl, Purple Martin

Plant:  Wood Sorrel

Divination Meaning:  Drawing the Huathe Ogham means you must work upon your physical condition.  If the problem[s] does not come directly to mind, use and trust your intuition. If your intuition is very strong and worryingly so, it would be best to see your doctor.  But in most cases, the feelings you get will be directing you to make changes in your habits or lifestyle to become the person you wish to be and not those of singling out an illness.  Traditionally, Huathe speaks of cleansing… mind, body, and spirit. Your intuition will guide you to the path you must take. Huathe represents the ending of one world [ignorance] and the beginning of a new world [wisdom].

How to Mend the Problem:  You must open your mind to self-imposed thickets of ignorance and false facts.   Free your thoughts and cleanse your mind.  However hot the problem, the forge heat of overcoming it in your spirit creates new and unexpected strengths.  It is far easier to heal the body when the mind is clear. Huathe teaches us to use our wisdom in all matters and to listen with our heart in a wise and understanding way.

You may find yourself becoming the one everyone goes to when troubled as you will develop a kind and motherly/fatherly presence which makes others feel safe because they trust you.  In most cases, listening is all that is needed because people tend to hear their answers in their own words.  Like the Hawthorn defends, so will you.  Do remember as with all the Ogham that your intuitiveness, as it grows, can bring about new insights if they are applicable to your question. But those will always correspond to the Ogham stave’s main meanings/representations.

You can catch up the first five blogs, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five by clicking on these.

Many thanks for reading my blog and warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

Experience

The Magickal Poplar Tree

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram: @iseabail_witchwriter

Populus alba ~ woodlandtrust.org.uk

Poplar trees, or Populus – the genus, has about twenty-five to thirty-five species, and is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere. The name Populus refers to the fact that the trees were often planted around public meeting places in Roman times. They grow rather tall, 15 to 50 metres [49 to 164 ft] and have trunk diameters of up to 2.5 metres or 8 feet 2 inches.  Different species have names other than Poplar, such as Aspen or Cottonwood.  It all depends upon where you live, I suppose. According to Wikipedia, in the September 2006 issue of Science Magazine, the Joint Genome Institute announced that the western balsam poplar [P. trichocarpa] was the first tree whose full DNA code had been determined by DNA sequencing.  Pretty impressive, that.

Populus nigra ~ woodlandtrust.org.uk

Loosely speaking, the Poplar is divided into three groups, as mentioned above – Balsam Poplar, Aspen, and Cottonwood, in the United States. As far as I can understand, the only “like” or comparable Poplars which are found in both the US and the UK are the Aspen, Black Poplar, and White Poplar.  Of course, I have already written about the Aspen.  I did find some pretty impressive information concerning a trial which took place in the 1990’s where new hybrids of Poplar were being experimentally planted in the lowlands of England to see if they would be viable as trees to investigate the interaction on profitability….to test whether growing these hybrids would be worth the doing.  I imagine this investigation is on-going as the first seven years will be their baseline for all future events from this experiment…and I have found no ending conclusion of it in my research.

So, as we have nothing quite the same in the UK as all the species of Poplar which reside in the US… apart from the Aspen, which you can read about here, and White Poplar and Black Poplar, I shall write about the White Poplar and the Black Poplar, which both grow in both the US and in the UK, their respective genus’s and species being Populus Alba and Populas Nigra. The White and Black Poplar’s are both naturalised to the UK, having been brought from the US in times past. The genus Populus Alba leads me to think that the White Poplar may have been first discovered in Scotland. Why? Because “Alba” is the word for Scotland in Scottish Gaidhlig, or, Gaelic as you would recognise it.

Magickal

Being of Saturn and the zodiac of Capricorn, any part of Poplar is best used on Saturdays during the planetary hour of Saturn. The best spell work is achieved during this time for  anything to do with safety, power, success, intellect, travelling, communication [especially into other realms]; spells to help you get through difficult times, as well as when you just need a boost in a specific area of your life.

For change and success, the Poplar wood is best ground fine and used as one of the ingredients of your loose incense created for just these purposes.  You may also use it in talismans which you create for these purposes at your altar during ritual.

For creating a protection charm/amulet, you will do well to create your amulet in ritual as in a witch bottle, sachet, or poppet of yourself or the person you’re wanting protection for.

Creating a talisman featuring Poplar wood is also found to attract money and wealth; again, may be used in poppets, sachets, and witch bottles. And, of course, in your ritual loose incense for this purpose.

The leaves of the Poplar are particularly good for use in ‘flying ointments’ for those involved in astral travel and/or hedge witchery, and necromancy – to help walk the hedge and to contact ancestors. The Spirit of the Poplar is a guide during divinations. A perfect divination pendulum can be fashioned from Poplar wood which we are now selling in our shop.

In the Celtic Birth Tree ‘astrology’ [which really needs another designation as it has nothing to do with astrology apart from the lunar months], Poplar is a tree of growth, strength, and visualisation. Its Ogham alphabet is Ead [pronounced hadh] for the English alphabetic equation of the letter E.

Healing

White Poplar catkins ~ woodlandtrust.co.uk

I must turn to Nicholas Culpeper for he so kindly wrote about both the White Poplar and the Black Poplar.  You can be assured that much of what he writes is still in practise today.

White Poplar:  ‘White Poplar, saith Galen, is of a cleansing property: The weight is of an ounce in power, of the bark, thereof, being drank, saith Dioscorides, is a remedy for those that are troubled with the sciatica or the stranguary,  The juice of the leaves dropped warm into the ears, eases the pains in them,  The young clammy buds, or eyes, before they break out into leaves, bruised, and a little honey put to them, is a good medicine for a dull sight.’

Black Poplar catkins ~ woodlandtrust.org.uk

Black Poplar:  ‘The Black Poplar is held to be more cooling than the White, and therefore the leaves bruised with vinegar and applied, help the gout. The seed drank in vinegar is held good against the falling-sickness.  The water that drops from the hollow places of this tree takes away warts, pushes, wheals, and other like breakings-out of the body.  The young Black Poplar buds, saith Matthiolus, are much used by women to beautify their hair, bruising them with fresh butter, straining them after they have been kept for some time in the sun.  The ointment call Populneon, which is made of this Poplar, is singularly good for all heat and inflammations in any part of the body, and tempers the heat of wounds,  it is much used to dry up the milk of women’s breasts when they have weaned their children.’

Black Poplar buds ~ woodlandtrust.org.uk

Black Poplar is a good remedy for urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and cystitis. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and diuretic properties well suited to alleviating pain and infection. The Poplar’s buds have all the help you need!  Add two teaspoons of the dried bud from the Black Poplar to one litre of water and infuse for 10 minutes.  You can drink two to three cups of the tea per day to stave off stones and to treat your urinary tract infection or cystitis.  For rheumatism, use Black Poplar bark in a decoction of half a teaspoon of dry bark to a cup of water, infused for 10 minutes.  Drink two cups per day to alleviate pain and inflammation.  Poplar has gallic acid, and salicin, both painkillers.  You may use the recipe above with Poplar buds instead if preferred. This recipe also is good for the gout and bronchitis and is very helpful with the common cold.

Correspondences

Planetary:  Saturn

Gender:  White Poplar, Masculine; Black Poplar, Feminine

Zodiac:  Capricorn

Element[s]:  Air

Powers:  Hope, Rebirth, Divination, Astral Projection, Courage, Ancestry, Protection, Healing

Deity:  Hecate, Morrigan, Tyr, Apollo, Zeus

Many thanks for reading my blog and warmest blessings upon all whom this way wander x

Sources

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper

Whispers from the Woods, by Sandra Kynes

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

Wikipedia

Druidry.org

A Beginner’s Understanding of Ogham Divination, Part Five

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

My Saille Ogham and Saille oracle card ~ photo by i.macy

The beautiful Willow tree is the tree represented by the Ogham, Saille.  Much like last week’s Fearn, the Ogham of Alder, another tree happiest living near water, is closely related to each other in some respects.  Saille  represents the 5^th lunar month from 15^th April to 12^th May and is the birth tree Ogham of this lunar month.  Saille / Willow is a symbol is representative of knowledge and spiritual growth.  Willow’s lessons are brought forth through the Ogham Saille and you may find different answers every time you draw this Ogham. Not because Saille is fickle, not at all! But because Saille understands the ebb and flow of one’s emotions and anxieties and seeks to give comfort and advice for all.  Saille is full of inspiration at any given time and you can believe what she says to you is for you alone. You can always find comfort in this lovely soul. Saille also invokes your feminine side and helps you to discern from a more feminine level.  The ancient Celts revered women and treated them as equals or better of men.  The wisdom of woman was honoured.

Representations:   Harmony, Inspiration, Serenity, Comfort, Spiritual Wisdom and Growth

Ogham Letter: S

Number:  5

Colour:  Grey

Tarot:  Queen of Cups

Animals:  Hawk, Deer, Hare, Snowy Owl

Plant:  Primrose

Divination Meaning:  A comfortable relationship to the material world is full of lessons and changing values.  Changes are necessary for growth and values are no exception to the rule.  Saille indicates you should bring yourself back into harmony with nature so you shall be so with others.

How to Mend the Problem:  To gain understanding of a particular concept, a steady accumulation of the facts is the foundation of understanding.  All cannot be learned in one lesson.  Repetition is the key. This is a period of taking it easy rather than full speed ahead.  Learn to go with the cyclical nature of things.

Generally speaking, Saille can always sense our worries.  You may as well speak of them in your query because she will find them out.  Have you ever asked a question and gotten an answer which does not seem to pertain?  That is because she knows what you really seek to find.  As you grow with your Ogham set and become more in tune with each stave, you will understand why the answers you receive are what they are.  As Saille teaches, look within.

You can catch up the first four blogs, Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four  by clicking on these.

Many thanks for reading my blog and warmest blessings to those whom this way wander x

Sources

The Celtic Tree Oracle, by Liz and Colin Murray

What’s Your Birth Tree is the New What’s Your Star Sign, by Isabella

Experience