Ogham & Native Nova Scotia Plants

Druidry and related paths look to plants and nature for wisdom, and the study of the Ogham – an ancient Irish alphabet- is a worthwhile way to this wisdom.

In modern usage, each letter is linked with an Irish ‘tree’ (woodland plant) and its symbolism. This basic rich plant symbolism of the letters has been expanded upon in recent centuries to include additional divination, astrological, and other associations. We’ve found that Ogham studies continuously reveal the depths and lessons that are waiting to be discovered in our wild places.

Studying the Ogham involves finding and knowing it’s plants . But as many of us don’t live in northern Europe, we have to look to our own region for plants that correspond to the traditional Ogham fews. This can be as simple as finding any local tree of the same species, or a non-related plant that matches some basic features of that few.

The table below shows the basic letters (including alternate spellings), their Irish name, symbol, associated European tree, and a corresponding Nova Scotian plant. There are links to a page for each few, with plant photos and information, modern associations, and some related folklore. This is generally accepted information that can be a starting point for your own study. There are many references out there, and the ones I use for these Ogham pages are listed after the table.

Ogham alphabet structure

Acime: a set of five letters. Originally there were 20 letters (3 groups of consonants and 1 group of vowels), but 5 more letters (of dipthongs – mixed vowel sounds) were added for a total of 25 letters. Each acime is named for their first letter. Plural= acimi.

Few: an individual letter (translates as “tree” in Irish). Plural= feda.

Flesc: a series of notches crossing a central column or line (translates as “twig” in Irish); used in the first 20 feda.

Forfeda: extra letters. This includes the later 5th acime – the Acime of Eabhadh- and other additions. The Acime of Eabhadh was added to allow the use of words borrowed from Latin. I also include 2 other common modern forfeda in the table below (Ellison, 2007).

Ogham beginnings

The Ogham alphabet dates to about 300 C.E. in Ireland, and was carved on wood or stone and used in manuscripts. The letters in this alphabet originally had numerous systems associated with it. The ‘tree’ Ogham – versions of which is most commonly in use now -was just one of 150 different types used historically (Ellison, 2007).

An Ogham system uses a category (like trees or birds), and then finds an item that starts with the Ogham letter sound. The ogams had short phrases or kennings (word oghams) applied to explain the meanings of the names of some of the letters of the Ogham alphabet. (Wikipedia, Briatharogam.)

There is evidence that besides being a regular alphabet, the Ogham was used for secret messages, ciphers, mnemonic lists, sign language, and perhaps in divination (Ellison, 2007).

Ogham today

Over the years the original and varied Oghams, kennings, and treelore have combined into our modern tree Ogham. It has resulted in a system of correspondences and associations that are well suited for use as an oracle or in divination. As in times past, new associations and uses are still being debated and developed.

A study of the Ogham will often include ongoing studies in the life sciences, finding your local trees, and developing your own associations and kennings for the feda. The rich symbolism and wealth of associated myth and lore provides a unique framework for learning about and communing with the ‘woods’ where you live.

My hope is that sharing this Nova Scotia Ogham will inspire others to go out and develop Oghams for their local areas.

ACIME OF BEITH: Beith | Luis | Fearn | Saille | Nuin

ACIME OF HUATHE: Huathe | Duir | Tinne | Cull | Quert

HAUthe

HAWTHORN

(Crataegus monogyna)

UNKNOWN

Tinne

ACIME OF MUIN: Muin | Gort | Ngetal | Straif | Ruis

ACIME OF AILM: Ailm | Ohn | Ur | Eabha | Ioho

ACIME OF EABHADH: Eabhadh | Oir | Uilleand | Iphen | Eamancholl

OTHER FORFEDA: Peith | Unspeakable (or blank)