Table of Contents
Introduction xi
Part I 1
Chapter 1 The Letters, Legends and Lore of the Ogham 3
The Letters of the Ogham Alphabet
Mythical Origins 4
Historical Origins 6
Sources 7
Chapter 2 The Ogham and Trees 11
The Celtic Tree Alphabet
The Celtic Tree Calendar 12
The Celtic Perception of Trees 14
Our Modern Perception of Trees 17
Chapter 3 Ways to Connect with the Trees of the Ogham 25
Meditation Exercise
Other Ways to Connect to Trees and Forests 33
Part II 37
Chapter 4 The Ogham Set 39
Making an Ogham Set
Stone / Crystal Set 40
Clay Set 41
Wooden Set
Round Branch Cut Staves 42
Twig Cut Staves
Square or Rectangular Cut Staves 43
Ogham Cards
Consecrating, Empowering and Cleansing and Refreshing their Energies 44
Chapter 5 Divining with the Ogham 46
Did the Druids and the Celts use Ogham for Divination?
How Does Divination Work? 49
Performing Divination 51
Spreads and Methods 55
The Single Stave Method 56
The Three Staves Spread
The Three Realms Spread 57
The Four Directions or Four Elements Method 58
The Tree Spread 60
The Five Keys Method 61
The Celtic Cross Spread 62
Ceridwen's Cauldron Spread 63
The Wheel of the Year 66
Random Casting Method 67
The Astrological Method
Fionn's Window or Ridge Pole 70
Part III 73
Chapter 6 The Format 75
Modern Correspondences
Source Based Correspondences
The Word Oghams & Other Sources 77
The General Explanation
Chapter 7 The Beith Aicme 78
Beith - Birch
Luis - Rowan 82
Fearn - Alder 87
Saille - Willow 92
Nuinn - Ash 96
Chapter 8 The Huathe Aicme 101
Huathe - Hawthorn / Whitethorn
Duir - Oak 105
Tinne - Holly 110
Coll - Hazel 115
Quert - Apple 120
Chapter 9 The Muinn Aicme 125
Muinn - Bramble
Gort - Ivy 130
Ngeadal - Broom 134
Straif - Blackthorn 139
Ruis - Elder 144
Chapter 10 The Ailm Aicme 149
Ailm - Pine
Onn - Gorse 154
Ur - Heather 159
Edhadh - Aspen 164
Idho - Yew 168
Chapter 11 The Forfeda 174
Ebhadh - Elecampane
Oir - Spindle 178
Uillean - Honeysuckle 182
Iphin - Gooseberry 186
Eamhancholl - Wych Elm 191
Part IV 197
Pronunciation Guide 199
References 200
Bibliography 210
Websites 217
Ogham Quick Reference Sheet 219
