After the turn of the year, and after recently reaching the climax of my current initiation, coincidentally coinciding with the Gregorian New Year, ( so many “c” words there), I have begun a journey to learn and harness the spirits of Ogham. This, if goes as planned, will span 25 weeks, as each week I study and spend focused time upon each Ogham symbol. I also plan to post about each symbol, and for each post explain the basics of the symbol I learned, and then discuss the interpersonal exchange with the spirit of the symbol as I contract with them for divination and other future workings.

This week concludes Week One. As I wish to be as open as possible to the call of the Ogham, I’m letting them call to me for discovery. So I begin with meditation upon the set as a whole and then allowing them to reach out to me. I then allow my hand to select the Ogham that reaches out. This week Fearn came to me.

Attributes and Associations

Fearn. FAIR-n. It’s meaning is Alder-Tree. Its Primitive Irish root was *wernā and its phonetic value then was [w]. Its Old Irish and modern phonetic value is [f]. In the two word Briatharogam, or Word Ogham, the meanings are, vanguard of warriors (airenach fían), milk container (comét lachta, vessels made of alder), and protection of the heart (dín cridi). It’s the third letter of the Ogham alphabet.

She speaks to the expanse of the calling of the heart. Some common attributes are banishing, divination, foundation, guardian, healing, intuition, protection, resurrection, rebirth, and transformation. For me the god that calls the most for this Ogham is Manannan Mac Lir, god of the sea, but several others are associated with Fearn. The elements that work with Fearn are air, water, and fire. I find it interesting that this first Ogham that comes to me is so expansive and so diverse in its attributes and associations. As the first Ogham for me to bond with, it bodes well that it’s one of the most open.

The Contract

As I spoke about in the attributes, the expansiveness of Fearn was strong with me as I spent time with her. I use her female attribution as is associated with Fearn, and I feel this is appropriate. I wish to pause here and clarify that Ogham has gendered attributes but they are of all genders and fluid, as all spirits and peoples are. Fearn speaks with feminine attribution, and as a living spirit I felt and feel more comfortable with these attributions than saying “it” objectively. Other non-binary Ogham shall be referred to as “they”.

As I take on Ogham as a learning experience, and as I seek to work with Ogham, I use the word “contract” as an agreement made with the spirits of Ogham to respect and follow their needs, as they come to me to give their inspiration for readings and reveal the truths I seek.

Fearn was particularly challenging as the first of my Ogham, and also as an open and diverse Ogham to contract with. In my meditations upon Fearn I found her quick and playful, but deep to behold, with so much color and vision to be revealed. As a protection Ogham primarily, this feeds into all its other attributes. In resurrection, rebirth, and transformation I found confusing at first, as all other things pointed to protection. Then I recalled how in the act of transformation and thus in rebirth, we need protection. We are vulnerable, and open to all manner of wills as we find our new selves. In this aspect Fearn stands as guard as much as guide, holding us as we find our new path. This is poignant for me as I stand in the first steps of my new path, as I accept the truths around me, and find myself needing guardianship from that which would lead me astray. These findings, regardless of all else, speaks clearly to me that this journey through the Ogham is the correct addition to my new path. Fearn, I thank you.

The drawing for next week is Iodhadh.