Ogham Casting
We have made it to the end of the Fid’s so what do we do with all this new info? We use it of course! Much like other Runic based or charm based systems there's a plethora of uses for Ogham! Whether its transliteration, making Ogham-based sigils, writing coded spellwork, and of course the tried and true classic; divination.
Among the Celtic nations it's important to know that historically Ogham wasn't the only method of divination used, or even the primary method and there is/was a rich history of looking at the natural world around them through methods of augury and through prophecy. Ogham's integral part when looking through those lenses was to help amplify the person reading the omens claire senses (psychic abilities). There is also a clear distinction to be made between what was deemed to be prophetic practice, and what was deemed to be divinatory practice.
To prophesy or make a prophecy known was attestedly done via a rite called; “Tarb Feis” the bull-feast. This was a ritual in which a druid would fast for a period of time and then once the fast is deemed to be over ingest a bowl of broth made with bull flesh. After ingesting the broth (the rather chunky broth) visions would enter the druid's mind giving answers to oracular questions posed, and revelations to those questions not yet asked. A variant of this prophetic ritual called for the druid to be wrapped in the skin of a bull for a night and the dreams that would ensue would be the oracular answers.
Divination is distinct from prophetic methods as it functions via external agencies. Relying on chance, random configurations, or patterns that reveal themselves, instead of internal agencies such as dreams or visions. Another distinction is that for many practitioners divination does not require a trance state, or if they do it is more of a modern version of a working trance state which I personally call a flow state. Divination is done using symbolic analogues, whether that's the clouds, birds, stones or Ogham is all dependent on the divine and the symbolism they have attached to these external analogues. Divination can also be classified into both passive and active divination. The forms that require observing and watching are the passive forms; and those that require casting, throwing, manipulating, or drawing, for example are all versions of active divination.
And that brings us to our form of interest; “The Ogham”. A big reason that Ogham is not more celebrated or as prevalent as Runes for divination is merely the lack of attention it gets as a system. It's viewed by many as too archaic to understand or that there's not enough info on the Ogham and so those commentators and writers who speak up for Ogham don't routinely get heard. A similar effect happened with the I-Ching system post Ralph Blum's rune book. But it wasn't due to lack of information, instead it became a popularity contest. There is also the aspect of lack of popularity being that; again similar to the I-Ching that students of Ogham weren't/aren't concerned with rationalizing how their respective systems works. It is worth noting that the underlying principle that brings the lessons and symbology to life is that of synchronicity. What that means is; that when you pull a Fid, or Rune or some other glyph it will most likely relate to what your circumstances are in some notable, and guidance giving way. So how do we expound on this synchronicity in a way that's meaningful and relatable for us through the Ogham? Ogham Fid are intentionally meaningful and given agency and meaning from the druids of old and possibly by those who pre-date them. All we need to do to let them shine is allow them to come forth and speak their secrets through our own meaningful layouts and methods. One of those methods is making your own Ogham set: to do so you can mostly follow along with my instructions of how to make a Rune set HERE.
There are some differences when considering the Ogham however. The first that Ogham was traditionally carved on wands and rods for divination, with one of the lore attested materials being wands made of Yew. This type of Ogham divination we can call enchantment as Fid were carved into the wand to reveal insight.
For the modern day practitioner it is recommended to gather up twigs and sticks that are willingly given and respectfully asked for from nature. If possible a twig of corresponding wood type, but if that's not possible and you must choose one wood I recommend Ash as it's the most traditional, or Birch as it's the easiest to carve and is extremely important to the Celtic nations. As far as carving or painting and the rituals that follow selecting your material is where you can follow along with parts of the Rune set guide that was mentioned earlier.
The next part is storage, I'm all about freedom of the practitioner and the relationship they're building with their tools, but for Ogham there is a really cool myth that has parallels to Odin's taking up of the Runes called, “The Crane-Skin bag”. This is a more traditional method of storage and if you would like to learn more about it and how to make your own follow this link: Crane Skin Bag
No matter the method you go of storage there is also a consecration chant that can be said over the storage method:
I dedicate this bag of secrets to the service of the Gods. To the good of all, by the crane of knowledge. By the flight of the crane, by the generosity of Aiofe, and the goodness of Manannan.
Next it's time to consecrate and enchant our set now that they're all carved and the storage method is set.
By stick and stone and Ogham Grove, I call on Ogma Grianianeach the sun faced bringer of wisdom. By Stick and stone of Ogham Grove I call on the well of wisdom. Found in the cave of Ceriwden. By Earth, Wind, Fire, and Sea I sit within the turning wheel and drink from the Cup of inspiration. By Earth, Wind, Fire, and Sea I sit within the Ogham Grove clothed in the green robes of druidry. By the words that were spoken before the worlds began, Crane bag of secrets be open! By the words that were spoken before the worlds began, awaken now these magic tokens!
From: “Ogam : how to read, create, and shape your destiny through the Celtic oracle” By Mountfort, Paul Rhys
Now you're ready to use your new Ogham set! When it comes to casting the Ogham it is no different in use than Tarot or Runes for example. Use spreads, or don't. Pull three or one, or even cast the whole bag. If your unsure how to proceed with the divining aspect you can also refer to the Runic Divination post HERE.