Ogham

Ogham (Irish ogham; Old Irish ogam) is an ancient Celtic alphabet consisting of 20 main signs (feda), grouped into 4 groups (aicme) of 5 symbols each.

The form of the signs. Each sign is a line or group of lines, carved on the edge of a stone or wooden surface. Ogham is read upward along the edge of a stele.

The Beth-Luis-Nion System

Each sign is a tree. The Beth-Luis-Nion system links each sign to a specific tree, endowing it with qualities and destiny.

The 20 signs and their trees:

• ᚁ Beth (Birch)
• ᚂ Luis (Rowan)
• ᚃ Fearn (Alder)
• ᚄ Sail (Willow)
• ᚅ Nion (Ash)
• ᚆ Huath (Hawthorn)
• ᚇ Duir (Oak)
• ᚈ Tinne (Holly)
• ᚉ Coll (Hazel)
• ᚊ Quert (Apple)
• ᚋ Muin (Vine)
• ᚌ Gort (Ivy)
• ᚍ Ngetal (Reed)
• ᚎ Straif (Blackthorn)
• ᚏ Ruis (Elder)
• ᚐ Ailm (Fir)
• ᚑ Onn (Gorse)
• ᚒ Úr (Heather)
• ᚓ Edad (Aspen)
• ᚔ Idad (Yew)

The Tree as an Ally

Not a phase of energy. "Tree" in Ogham is an ally and teacher, not a phase of energy (as in Wu Xing, T010). One holds dialogue with the tree, learns from it, entrusts it with secrets.

Use in Celtic Astrology

The tree archetype. Ogham is used in Celtic astrology (#23) to determine the tree archetype by date of birth. Each tree corresponds to a lunar month, a character and a life task.