Ogham

The uses and variations of ogham are many and varied, and I'm not about to go into all of them here!  However, what I will focus on here is the ogham alphabet, and it's meanings when used for divination purposes.  In days gone by, the ogham comprised an entire system of communication; far more complex than the average western mind of today is able to grasp.  Thus it served an additional purpose of allowing our traditions to be passed down through the ages without the uninitiated being able to decipher information which was not intended for them.

Nowadays, however, the ogham is most commonly used as a means of divination, with the oral traditions of the language too much for most people to learn.  And so, below, please find a list of the main ogham letters used in divination, together with their names and basic meaning within an ogham reading.

B
Birch - Beith - Boibel (..., Bayith, Boybell) - Air
"You may begin..."  The birch represents new beginnings in all their forms.  Energizing and revitalizing, it's eternally vital life force provides the power to drive out negative or corruptive influences.  Drawing the birch ogham tells you to cut out old and detrimental influences in order to realize the new and positive in your life.  The challenge of birch is to learn to trust; losing the fear of the unknown in order to deal with constant change and loss of the familiar.  You may have choices to make, but there is great resilience and strength within you... good luck and fortune should be yours.

L
Rowan - Luis - Loth (..., Loo-is, Lowth) - Air
Providing insight, foresight and prophecy, the Rowan can also protect against enchantment.  Look within for the answers to your problems... you have the inner vitality to find the answer, but must first find how and where to look.  Be careful of over extending yourself, and listen to your own wisdom; do not be swayed by outside influences.  Within you is an ocean of energy just waiting to be tapped... any destruction encountered along the way will be temporary, and necessary to reveal the layers beneath.

F
Alder - Fearn - Forann (..., Fairn, For-ann) - Fire
Powerful in competition, and with great strength in any situation, Alder provides tenacity and determination in it's power..  Indicative of the founding principles of tradition, fearn shows you to be steadfast in your knowledge and principles... in the very foundation of your being.  Your fear of defeat can be such that it weakens your courage.  The challenge laid down by Alder is to know when to hold steadfast and when to permit and encourage change in your life.  It is important, however, that you are clear on your principles... if in any doubt, seek them relentlessly till you are certain, and question them every day.

S
Willow - Saille - Saliath (..., Sail, Sah-layth) - Water
Intuition, imagination, and sometimes deception are all associated with the Willow.  Signalling the unfolding or increased usage of psychic abilities, the Willow indicates the skilful and subtle use of these abilities.  There may be unseen forces or danger for those you love, and you have something yet to learn from an unknown (most probably female) person, as yet unknown to you.  Though potentially unpleasant, this lesson will prove of great benefit.  Seek out the hidden forces in your life; you are being challenged to pay closer attention to your unconscious and the hidden aspects of your personality.

N
Ash - Nuin - Neiagadon (..., Noo-ihn, Neh-agah-dohn) - Air
You have a tendency to separate or cut yourself off from the world.  Representing our flexible, psychic strength, Ash is the link between inner and outer worlds.  The weaver of fate, and guardian of peace, it urges you to take care to see things in their larger context.  The effects of action and reaction on both the physical and spiritual levels should be heeded.  Where action is called for, take it boldly... but determine first the hidden influences involved.  Things are not always what they seem, and you must be perceptive to see what will be the noble action to take.

H
Hawthorn - Huathe - Huiria (..., Hoo=ah-thuh, Hoo-ee-ree-uh) - Fire
Hawthorn warns of a possible streak of bad luck.  There is a need for self denial/sacrifice; a time of cleansing in which that which weakens you must be identified and removed.  Though painful, it will ultimately lead to general improvement in your life.  This will be a time of thought and planning in preparation for activity and manifestation.  It may also be a period of isolation and loneliness, but this will provide the strength needed to overcome any misfortune.  There is a need for patience; be wary of trying to rush ahead too quickly.  There may be some disruption in the flow of life, but the enforced inactivity is leading to opportunity.  You may lack self esteem, however, which may be secretly sabotaging your own efforts.

D
Oak - Duir - Daibhaith (..., Do-ear, Dye-buh-eeth) - Fire
The sign of strength and endurance, Duir signifies the power needed to overcome all tests.  A gateway to inner realms, this sign reveals the truth about past layers of action, and is able to make a hero of the one who knows it.  The revelations provided give strength and vision to shoe who try to see beyond the horizons of time, both past and future.  You have the strength and vision required to overcome obstacles.  This is a time to protect and shelter yourself in order for a strengthening to take place.  A gateway to new understanding is opening, provided you stay strong and true.  It is time to take up the charge of leadership with the endurance of the Oak.

T
Holly - Tinne - Teilmon (..., Tin-uh, Teel-mohn) - Fire
A sign of vengeance or revenge as a consequence of wrongs or injustices done.  Symbolizing perfect balance, this is the force which will right a wrong, returning justice and providing the capacity to balance and unite two opposing sides of the same coin.  You will be steadfast in the face of adversity, retaining your youthful vitality during the darkest of times.  It is possible, however, that you are lacking in direction, and perhaps also in knowledge.  Communicate your ideas well and effectively, particularly with regard to financial or legal matters.

C
Hazel - Coll - Cae (..., Kole, Kay) - Water
The essence of all truth and beauty, hazel also represents the distilling of pure and concentrated essence of any form, particularly knowledge.  It is the source of the use of language for communication, and the mystery of how ideas are formed to be realized in consciousness.  You may either find yourself becoming the student or the teacher; facilitating self-discovery in others.  You may also be called upon to arbitrate in a conflict of some form where the application of wisdom is required.  Concentrate on the acquisition of knowledge and wisdom.  There is mastery and skill being directed at a conscious level.  You may find your creativity being blocked, perhaps by fear of failure.  Learn to follow your intuition, and trust the guidance it provides.

Q
Apple - Quert - Kaliap (..., Cairt, Kay-lip) - Water
With a strong feminine influence, particularly that of the Goddess, you find yourself at a point of celebration in the eternity of life.  You may have undergone a transitionary phase in your life, and are finally coming to a cycle of rebirth, together with a deeper understanding of the eternity of all living things.  This is a time of healing and restoration, both of yourself and of others.  A clearer insight into that which is hidden should also be forthcoming.  Trust in your intuition, and remember that acting upon this intuition may mean you must wait a while before fully understanding the perfection of the plan.  All in your life should be brought into harmony at this point.

M
Vine - Muin - Muriath (..., Mew-in, Mew-ree-eth) - Water
The intertwining of the conscious and unconscious mind, vine is a sign of liberation from previous inhibitions.  You should feel a gentle and systematic release from the constraints of logical, rational thought, together with experiencing divine inspiration and channelled creativity.  Await the truth which shines both within and without you.  Follow your intuition.... you may well meet your teacher.  Be careful, however, to constantly question what is truth.  You are at risk of becoming lost in the intoxication of your own enthusiasm.

G
Ivy - Gort - Gath (..., Gort, Gahth) - Earth
With fierce determination, you possess the tenacity and will for difficult and intricate work right now.  This is a time of development and transformation for you, and indicates you may soon find yourself in a change of business or education.  However, your path may be fraught with pitfalls, and there will be those who are envious of your accomplishments.  Seek the best guidance you can in what you do, including your own.  Remember... the tools of your transformation are not the ends; strive towards the end result, and work not to get caught up in the means of getting there.  Keep your focus firmly upon your true goals, and allow this wonderful birth of something from the depths of your psyche to emerge.

P
Reed - Ngetal - Ngoimar (..., Neh-tahl, No-ee-mar) - Air
A union of complimentary opposites, and a sign of growth and good health, Reed indicates harmony between this realm and those beyond.  The subtle union of the conscious world with the un/sub-conscious reality allow the two to co-exist peacefully side by side.  A unity of purpose and will allow inner direction and outer manifestation to flow together in a harmonious manner.  Keep in mind the purpose of your journey, or you risk being distracted along the way by it's beauty.  You may experience some inner turmoil and anxiety, but keeping your sense of purpose and direction at all times will bring you peace.

Z
Blackthorn - Straif - Stru (..., Strayf, Strew) - Earth
Signifying the power in both the visible and invisible worlds, Blackthorn provides the strength one needs to resist and defeat adversity.  You have the power and ability to control and ward off supernatural and paranormal powers which may prove harmful to you.  Blackthorn is, perhaps, one of the most powerful oghams with regard to overthrowing resistance to your will.

R
Elder - Ruis - Riuben (..., Roo-ihs, Ree-oo-ben) - Earth
A sign of evolutionary change, Elder signifies the transition from one state to another.  If properly grasped, the realization of this mystery will lead to a more balanced, mature outlook on life.  As the old passes from your life, so new things come to take their place; such is the nature of the endless cycle of change, a cycle you need to learn to come to terms with.  You need to learn what is holding you back, and the answer most probably lies in your reluctance to accept the natural cycles of life.  All things change, and eventually pass away...  all of life is a seamless cycle of beginnings and endings... of birth, death and rebirth.

A
Fir - Ailim - Achab (..., Ay-limb, Ach-ub) - Earth
A symbol of birth, the Fir indicates a transformation from a weakened state into a stronger one.  It is a sign of good health, strength and vitality.  You may be experiencing a highly elevated state of being, as you start upon the path to finding truth and life.  A great transformation is coming, and you will gather strength, new insight and objectivity from this time.  Though you may be called upon to lead, a tendency to lack full maturity or objectivity may lead to pain.

O
Furze - Ohn - Oise (..., Own, Oo-eese) - Fire
A sign of the harvesting of sweet and valuable things, Furze can indicate that your way in life is about to be eased.  Now is the time to sit back and gather yourself, together with the things around you which shall lead to the new and higher understanding that is wisdom.  Provided you are open to it, you may receive divine guidance at this time, and should take the time to get yourself together within yourself.  You may have a tendency to scatter your focus and concentration, and must act effectively to prevent too much of your attention being given to the gathering of information or material.

U
Heather - Ur - Urith (..., [S]ure, [S]ure-ith) - Air
The sign of romance and dreams, there is a strong connection for you between the conscious self, and the deeper levels of your sub-conscious.  Heather provides a gateway between the inner and outer realms, with the need for you to better express your passion and ecstasy in life.  You may be about to find the gateway to passion in life, or have already found it... failing this, you are being urged to seek it.  Though the influence of your dreams, intuition and imagination may be strong, be wary of becoming trapped in your dreams.  Act upon your passions, but act wisely.

E
Poplar - Eadha - Essu (..., Ay-ah-duh, Ay-sue) - Water
The sign of determination in the face of negativity, you have the ability to overcome a negative situation through an increase of your inner reserves and strengths.  This is a sign of protection against your enemies, indicating that the time has come to deal with your tendency to give in to opposing forces and overwhelming burdens.  There may be adversity in your life, but you have the inner strength to overcome this... and the situation may only be overcome by drawing strength from within.

I
Yew - Ioho - Iachim (..., Eye-o-hoe, Eye-ah-him) - Earth
The eternal root of the self, Yew is the essence of the self; inherited from your ancestral past.  This is the ultimate measure of the passage of the soul from life to life; the transformation from one state to another, marked by a movement of some kind.  A transformation is imminent, although you may presently be ignorant of it.  First you must work through your internal feelings of loss, grief and sorrow... this must be done before the change can be fully understood.  Keep in mind that, in the endless cycle of creation, birth and rebirth will always follow death, just as the bright hope of dawn must follow the darkest of nights.