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GLORY
TWIGS What is it that was created by Ogma Sun
Face, the all powerful? What is it that
has five sets of fingers as do five hands?
What is it that goes first in small steps to the left, then small steps
to the right, then in a diagonal, then right across, and then fits neatly into
a Crane Bag? What is it that is formed
with the fingers and the thumb, against the straight nose? What is it that is
formed with the fingers and the thumb, against the shin bone? What is it that lies hidden within a poem,
like a salmon in deep water, to rise only when the initiate calls? Why did the great beast fail to give
MacVurich the wild fig, the aspen of the cross, the crooked yew, the blackthorn
and the ivy? BIG MACVURICH AND THE MONSTER This story recounts haw the whelp of a
magical beast is captured by MacVurich, who, in return for its release,
extracts a bargain from the beast. Part
of the bargain was the building of a house.
“That thou build me a dwelling house with nine couples in its roof,
thatched with birds feathers, and no two feathers of the same hue.” As the monster worked she sang, the last
verse of her song being, Every timber in the wood save the wild
fig,
Every timber in the wood
To the house of treachery Save the aspen of the cross and the wild
fig. (Alternate versions use the crooked yew,
the blackthorn and the ivy) Should you not know the Ogham, these
words would have little bearing on the story, but understand the essence of
Ogham, the story is different! Wild fig - an imported tree, a fertility
symbol Aspen - protection against illness and
death helps rebirth Crooked yew - associated with the
passage of the soul from one life to the next
Ivy - self knowledge By omitting these woods the monster has
denied MacVurich fertility, the chance of being reborn to a better life, the
mechanism by which that rebirth can be effected, and the determination and self
knowledge that would be necessary for it to succeed. Song of Amergin I am a stag of seven tines I am a wide flood on a plain I am a wind on the deep waters I am a shining tear of the sun I am a hawk on the cliff I am fair among flowers I am a god who sets the head afire with smoke I am a battle waging spear I am a salmon in a pool I am a hill of poetry I am a ruthless boar I am a threatening noise of the sea Who but I know the secrets of the unhewn dolmen? I am the womb of every holt I am the blaze on every hill I am the queen of every hive I am the shield the every head I am the tomb to every hope. Origin of Ogham It is generally believed that the Ogham
symbols were first created as hand symbols by the Druids. By using the five fingers of the hand and
their placement along the shin bone or the straight line of the nose different
symbols could be constructed. It is
believed that they were never used as we know an alphabet today, but rather as
coded symbols classifying things in a cosmological order and representing a
secret, esoteric set of teachings held and committed to memory by the
Druids. The were used both as coded
secret messages to each other and as teaching tools for the people they led and
the students they trained.
Historically, the credit for their invention goes to Ogma, a man well
skilled in speech and poetry, thought to be a champion of the Tuatha De Danann.
This set of Ogham sticks should in no
way be considered original. We have no
way of really knowing how they were used, how they were constructed, or really
if they were used at all. We can only
guess. What we have is a set of
divination sticks, based on the popularly accepted Tree Alphabet consisting of
13 symbols for the moons (consonants) and five symbols representing solar
festivals (vowels). There are other
symbols included in the Ogham that could be used should you choose, but for now
we will use a total of 18 (9 sticks).
What follows is a list of the Ogham symbols showing the symbol, naming the tree, placement in the year, placement on the hand, associations with a bird, a stone, a color, an animal, and traditional interpretation. Please feel free to add to these interpretations as they are incomplete and can only take on their full meaning as you come to know them. Beth The letter
B The Tree - Birch First Moon Tip of thumb Bird - Pheasant Stone - Red Carnelian Color - White “I am a stag of seven tines, I am an ox in strength” Beth
has to do with new beginnings, inception or birth of things or people. The energizing or revitalizing effect of
this power provides for the protective aspect of the birch. It has the power to “drive out” evil or
corrupting influences by means of its eternally vital life-force. The birch tells you to realize the new and
good by shearing the old and detrimental.
There is great strength and resilience within you. There may be choices to make. The birch is a very lucky tree and is a sign
of general good fortune. However, the
challenge of the birch is the need to deal with constant change and loss of
familiar things as time goes on. You
must learn to trust and to lose this fear of the unknown. Luis
The letter
L The Tree – Rowan - Quicken Second Moon Tip of Index finger Bird - Duck Stone - Gray Color - Yellow Topaz “I am a wide flood on a plain” Because Luis gives special insight or foreknowledge, it
can be seen as a tree of protection against enchantments. It provides forewarnings for things outside
ourselves of which we are not aware.
Luis indicates that you are to look within and seek for the insight
necessary to overcome your problems. It
lets you know that the inner vitality necessary to this insight is available,
if you know how and where to look. Luis
describes a vast sea of flooding vitality waiting to be tapped. Take heart, any destruction you encounter
will only be temporary. The challenge
of the Rowan is the avoidance of being overly influenced by forces outside
yourself. You may encounter inner
feelings of doubt, and you may tend to be overextending yourself. Nion The Letter
N The Tree - Ash The Third Moon Tip of the Middle Finger Bird - Snipe Stone - Sea-green beryl Color - Clear “I am a wind on a deep lake” Nion is the link between the inner and outer worlds. We are able to function in deep, watery
places, in the realms of the underworld.
It is our flexible, psychic strength.
It is the weave of fate and the guardian of peace. Take care to see things in their larger
context. Note how all actions have
their reactions and note how you affect the world with your actions, physical
and spiritual. Act. Take bold action when action is called for. The challenge of Ash is the determination of
hidden influences and appearances.
Things are not always as they seem and you must be perceptive enough to
see what is noble. There is a tendency to separate yourself or be cut off from
the world. Fearn The Letter
F The Tree - Alder The Fourth Moon Tip of the Ring Finger Bird - Gull Stone - Fire Garnet Color - Crimson “I am a tear the Sun lets fall” Fearn is a great strength in any situation and is
powerful in any competition. The alder
is tenacious and determined in its power.
Fearn indicates the very founding principals of all tradition. Fearn indicates that you remain steadfast in
what you know to be your principles - the foundation of your knowledge and
being. If you are unsure of what these
principles are, then you should seek them relentlessly until they are
found. You may be resistant to
change. The challenge of the Alder is
not being aware of danger and dispute, and to have the knowledge of when to
remain steadfast and when to allow and encourage change in life. You may have a tendency to fear defeat to
such an extent that your courage is impaired. Saille The Letter
S The Tree - Willow The Fifth Moon Tip of the Little Finger Bird - Hawk Stone - Ruby Color - Fire colored “I am a hawk on a cliff” Saille is a sign of intuition, imagination, and sometimes
deception. It is the unfolding of
psychic powers. The Willow is the gift
of cunning, of the skillful and subtle use of mental powers to have your aims
met. Saille may indicate that there may
be unseen forces or danger for you or those you love. You have something to learn from an unseen or as yet unknown
person. (possibly a woman). This lesson
may be unpleasant, but it will be of great benefit. You are urged to seek out the hidden forces in your life. The challenge of the Willow is the tendency
to ignore the unconscious, hidden aspects of the personality. You may be ignorant of an important aspect
of yourself. Huath The Letter
H The Tree - Hawthorne The Sixth Moon First Joint of the Thumb Bird - Night Crow Stone - Lapis Lazuli Color - Terrible colored “I am fair among flowers I am a shrewd navigator” Huath suggests cleansing, a need for the removal of that
which weakens you, the need for self-denial and self-sacrifice, which will lead
to general improvement in life. It
warns possibly of a streak of bad luck or missed fortunes. It suggests restraint, keeping to your
self. This is a period of mental
activity as a prelude to manifestation.
It may be a period of isolation and loneliness, but from this will come
the strength needed to overcome any misfortune. There will be some disruption in the normal flow of life. The challenge of Huath is the tendency to
rush ahead too quickly. There is a need
for patience. This is enforced
inactivity leading to opportunity. You
may be secretly sabotaging your own efforts due a lack of self-esteem or
self-worth. Duir The Letter
D The Tree - Oak The Seventh Moon The First Joint of the Index Finger Bird - Wren Stone - White Carnelian Color - Black “I am a god, who but I sets the cool head aflame with
smoke. I court the lightning bolt but my feet are rooted in the Earth. I am the stout guardian of the door.” Duir is the sign of strength and endurance. It is the power needed to overcome all
tests. The power of the Oak will make a
hero of the one who knows it. The D is
a gateway to inner realms, a sign that reveals the truth about the past layers
of action. This revelation gives
strength and vision to the person who would try to see beyond the horizons of
time both into the past and into the future.
Look to your strength to gain vision to overcome obstacles. A gateway to new understanding is opening if
you will be strong and true. The
challenge of the Oak is the need to take up the charge of leadership. Also there is a need for protection, a need
to shelter your self so that strengthening can take place. Draw strength and endurance from the Oak. Tinne The Letter
T The Tree - Holly The Eighth Moon The First Joint of the Middle Finger Bird - Starling Stone - Smoky Quartz Color - Dark Gray “I am a battle waging spear” Tinne is a sign of revenge or vengeance taken for wrongs
done to someone. As a sign of perfect
balance, it is that force which will right a wrong. The holly is the sign for justice. Tinne indicates a directed balance and a capacity to unify both
sides of a question. You are to be
steadfast in adversity, remaining green and vital during the coldness of
winter. There may be legal or money
matters in the offing. The challenge of
the holly is that there is a lack of direction. There is a need for more knowledge, perhaps, but certainly the
need to communicate your ideas well and effectively. Coll The Letter
C The Tree - Hazel Ninth Moon First Joint of the Ring Finger Bird - Crane Stone - Banded Red Agate Color - Brown “I am a salmon in the pool” Coll represents the distillation of the pure and
concentrated essence of anything, especially knowledge. It is the essence of the use of language for
communication, the mystery of how ideas are formed and realized in
consciousness. It is from this ultimate
source that creative energy is produced.
It is the essence of all truth and beauty. You will either become the facilitator of self-discovery for
others, or you will soon be the recipient of some teaching from others. Concentrate on the acquisition of knowledge
and wisdom. You may be called upon to
arbitrate in a conflict, or some conflict you are having will be mediated on
the principles of wisdom. Search for
the source of all things. There is
mastery and skill being directed in a conscious way. The challenge is that there may be a tendency not to follow
intuition, and as a result your creativity may be blocked. You may be blocked by fear of failure, or
you may experience blockages from outside yourself. Muin The Letter
M The Tree - Vine The Tenth Moon The Base Joint of the Thumb Bird - Titmouse Stone - Amethyst Color - Variegated “I am a hill of poetry I have been a spotted snake on the hill I am a skilled artist” Muin is a symbol of the intertwining of the conscious and
unconscious mind. It is a sign of liberation
from inhibitions. It is a gentle and
systematic release from the constraints of logic and rationality. Muin is divine inspiration, channeled
creativity. It indicates you will find
an inner key to your problems, that they await an inspired solution. Await the truth shining from within and from
beyond. You may meet a teacher. You are challenged to follow your intuitive
instincts. Be careful not to become
lost in your own intoxicating enthusiasms.
Be careful not to become blind to truth. Gort The Letter
G The Tree - Ivy The Eleventh Moon The Second Joint of the Index Finger Bird - Mute Swan Stone - Yellow Serpentine Color - Blue “I am a ruthless boar” There is fierce and determined power in Gort. It gives the boar-like tenacity to apply the
will to do difficult and intricate work.
The Ivy is a sign of development and transformation of the self. It indicates you may soon be involved in a
change in your business or educational life and there are perhaps gains to be
had in connection with it. However, the
path may be fraught with pitfalls.
There may be those who are envious of your accomplishments. Seek the best guidance in what you do. The main challenge is not to get caught up
in the tools of the transformation process.
remember that the tools are not the ends, but only the means to give
rise to something emerging from the depths of your psyche. Keep your focus on your true goals. Ngetal The Letter
P The Tree – Reed - Broom The Twelfth Moon The Second Joint of the Middle finger Bird - Goose Stone - Clear Green Jasper Color - Glass Green “I am a threatening noise of the sea I have been a wave breaking on the beach” In Ngetal there is a union of complimentary
opposites. It is the roaring of the
sea, the dynamism of that which is forever steady. It is the subtle union of the conscious world and unconscious
reality existing side by side. It is a
sign of growth and good health. It is a
sign of harmony between this realm and those beyond. There is a unity of purpose and will. Inner direction and outer manifestation seem to flow together in
a harmonious fashion. The main
challenge is that you may be distracted by the beauty along the way and that
you may forget the purpose of the journey.
There may be inner turmoil and anxiety, but the solution is to be found
in a sense of purpose and direction. Ruis The Letter
R The Tree - Elder The Thirteenth Moon The Second Joint of the Ring Finger Bird - Rook Stone - Dark Green Malachite Color - Blood Red “I am a wave of the sea On a boundless sea I was set adrift” Ruis is a sign of evolutionary change, a transition from
one state to another. If understood,
the realization of this mystery will lead to a balanced and mature outlook on
life. Old things are passing away, new
things will take their place. There
will be a passage of some kind. You
will need to learn to let go to what is holding you back. The challenge of Ruis is the necessity of
coming to terms with the endless cycle of change. All things undergo change and eventually pass away. All life is beginnings and endings, birth,
death, and rebirth. Ailm The Letter
A The Tree – Silver Fir The First Season - The Extra Day of the Year (The Day After Winter Solstice) The Pad on the Palm Beneath the Thumb Bird - Lapwing Stone - Amber Metal - Silver Color - Piebald Animal - Horse “I am the womb of every holt” Ailm is a birth.
It indicates a transformation from a weak state into a strong one. It is a sign of good health and
strength. This is a highly elevated
state of being. Ailm is the beginning
of the path to finding truth and life.
Ailm indicates that there is a great transformation coming. Strength will be gathered and new insights
and objectivity gained. You may be
called upon to lead, but the challenge of the call may be painful for you may
not be able to meet it with full maturity or objectivity. Onn The Letter
O The Tree – Furze- Gorse The Second Season - Spring Equinox The Pad on the Palm Beneath the Index Finger Bird - Cormorant Metal - Gold Color - Dun Animal - Elephant “I am a blaze on every hill” The furze is a sign of the in-gathering of sweet and
valuable things. Now may be the time to
sit back and gather yourself and the things around you together in order to
come to a new and higher understanding, which is wisdom. You may be divinely guided if you are open
to it. Your way will be eased in
life. Get yourself together within your
own self. The challenge might possible
be the tendency to scatter your focus and concentration because too much
attention is given to the activity of gathering information or material. You must act effectively. Ura The Letter
U The Tree - Heather The Third Season - Summer Solstice The Pad on the Palm beneath the Middle finger Bird - Lark Metal - Copper Color - Resin colored Animal - Lion “I am the queen of every hive” This is the sign of romance and dreams. There is a strong connection between the
conscious self and the deep levels of the unconscious. Ura is the gateway between the inner world
and the outer one. In Ura there is the
expression of the need for passion and ecstasy in life. You are being advised to find that gateway
to passion in your life, or you may find that the gateway is about to open for
you. The influence of dreams,
imagination and intuition is very strong.
Do not become trapped by merely dreaming. Act on your passion, but act wisely. Eadha The Letter
E The Tree – Aspen – White Poplar The Fourth Season - Fall Equinox The Pad on the Palm Beneath the Ring Finger Bird - Whistling Swan Metal - Tin Color - Rufous Red Animal - Rhinoceros “I am a shield to every head” Eadha is a sign of determination in the face of
negativity. It is a sign of actually
being able to overcome the negative situation through a welling up of inner
reserves and strengths. This is a sign
of protection against foes. It
generally indicates that there may be adversity in your life, but that you will
have the inner strength to overcome it, but the source of that strength must
come from within. The challenge of the
Aspen is the tendency to give in to the forces that oppose us, or to burdens,
which tend to overwhelm us. Be aware of
this challenge. Idho The Letter
I The Tree - Yew The Fifth Season - Winter Solstice The Pad on the Palm at the Base of the Little Finger Bird - Eaglet Color - White Metal - Lead Animal - Deer “I am the tomb to every hope Who but I know the secrets of the unhewn dolmen” This is the essence of the self, that which is inherited
from the ancestral past. It is the
eternal root of the self. It is the
ultimate measure of the passage of the soul from life to life. The I refers to transformation from one
state to another or movement of some kind.
It can be fraught with discomfort and a sense of loss. There is a high likelihood that the Letter I
indicates that there is either ignorance of a certain forthcoming
transformation, or it is indicating that one is immanent. The main challenge is the inner feeling of
loss and sorrow. This grief must be
worked through before change can be fully understood. Keep in mind that birth always follows death in the endless cycle
of creation. Koad - Sacred Grove - Self -
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