Although there's no solid historical basis for using ogham as a divination tool its certainly popular to do so today and there is more than enough material to make it a viable system. Much like tarot, actually, there is so much that it takes a while to learn to really read ogham well. I highly recommend checking out the original source material, the Auraicept na n-Eces as well as modern books on the subject including Erynn Rowan Laurie's book Ogam Weaving Word Wisdom, John-Paul Patton's The Poet's Ogam and Skip Ellison's book Ogham: the secret language of the Druids for detailed study of the ogham.
That said, over the years I have come up with what I call my "Ogham Quick Reference Guide" to help me out when I'm using ogham for ritual omens or divination. Due to a learning disability I've found the ogham especially challenging to learn and using this little guide has been helpful, so I thought I'd share it with everyone. Maybe it will help other people trying to learn to use ogham for divination too.
English letter: B Ogham name: Beithe - pronounced: Beh Literally "birch tree": new beginnings, cleansing, protection
English letter: L Ogham name: Luis - pronounced Looh-sh Possibly from the Old Irish "lus", herb. In tree ogham represents the Rowan, "coarthann": Enchantment, mysticism, protection against magic
English letter: F Ogham name: Fearn - Pronounced Fee-yarn The alder tree, Old Irish "fern", modern "fearnog": support, protection during attack. Often associated with ravens and divination.
English letter: S Ogham name: Saille - Pronounced Sall-yuh The willow tree, Old Irish "sail": healing, making plans, moving forward.
English letter: N Ogham name: Nuin - pronounced Noo-in Possibly "weaver's beam". In the tree ogham associated with the Ash, "fuinseag": peace, creation, stability. A clear path. Bring things together.
English letter: H Ogham name: Huath - pronounced Oo-uh Literally terror or phantom. In the tree Ogham represented by the Hawthorn, "sceach" a fairy tree: the unknown, fear of the unseen, transition
English letter: D Ogham name: Duir - pronounced Doo-ihr The oak "dair": wisdom, strength, protection, growth.
English letter: T Ogham name: Tinne - pronounced Tihn-nyeh Literally means metal rod. In the tree ogham associated with the Holly "cuileann": fighting, contention, weapons, fire, and smithcraft
English letter: C Ogham name : Coll - pronounced Kohl Means hazel: divination, magic, and enchantment, knowledge. Also relates to wealth.
English letter: Q Ogham name Quert, alt. Cert - pronounced Kehrt Means "rags". In the tree ogham this is apple "ull": healing, restoration, renewal, nourishment
English letter: M Ogham name: Muin - pronounced Mwin Literally means "neck" or "back". In the tree ogham it stands for the vine "funiuin": release, compromises, focus, determination, confrontation, vengeance (basically think the good and bad sides of wine)
English letter: G Ogham name: Gort - pronounced Guhrt Literally "field". In the tree ogham it is the ivy, "eidhnean": beauty, love, friendship, fidelity
English letter: nG Ogham name nGetal - pronounced Neh-tahl Literally "wounding". Associated with the broom plant or reed "giolcach" in tree ogham: separation, warning, courage, direct action
English letter: Str Ogham name: Straif - pronounced Strahf Literally "sulfur". In the tree ogham it is the blackthorn "draighean": discernment, cunning, focused protection, the thorn, inner strength, boundaries
English letter: R Ogham name: Ruis - pronounced Roosh Literally "redness". In tree ogham it represents the elder tree, "trom": anger, blushing (ie loss of face, embrassment), endings, completion, be realistic in order to succeed
English letter; A Ogham name; Ailm - pronounced Al-ihm The word and its meaning is uncertain. In tree ogham it represents the fir or pine, "giuis": hard work, effort. The need for caution. Integrity and good judgment are key.
English letter: O Ogham name: Onn - pronounced On Old Irish for "ash tree" or "stone". In tree ogham this is given as gorse, "aitenn": take action, movement, success, perseverance, relief
English letter: U Ogham name: Uir - pronounced Oor Literally "earth". Associated in tree ogham with heather, "fraoch": embrace your talents, plant now to harvest later, effort brings reward with patience
English letter: E Ogham name: Edad - pronounced Ehd-ahd The word and meaning are unknown. In the tree ogham it is the aspen, "crithach": endings, death, let go of what you've outgrown. Calm consideration. Trust in your ability to endure.
English letter: I Ogham name: Idad - pronounced Eed-ahd the word and meaning are unknown. Associated with the yew, "iur", in the tree ogham: see the big picture. Seek experience, know when to act and when not act. Bide your time. Don't avoid problems.
That said, over the years I have come up with what I call my "Ogham Quick Reference Guide" to help me out when I'm using ogham for ritual omens or divination. Due to a learning disability I've found the ogham especially challenging to learn and using this little guide has been helpful, so I thought I'd share it with everyone. Maybe it will help other people trying to learn to use ogham for divination too.
English letter: B Ogham name: Beithe - pronounced: Beh Literally "birch tree": new beginnings, cleansing, protection
English letter: L Ogham name: Luis - pronounced Looh-sh Possibly from the Old Irish "lus", herb. In tree ogham represents the Rowan, "coarthann": Enchantment, mysticism, protection against magic
English letter: F Ogham name: Fearn - Pronounced Fee-yarn The alder tree, Old Irish "fern", modern "fearnog": support, protection during attack. Often associated with ravens and divination.
English letter: S Ogham name: Saille - Pronounced Sall-yuh The willow tree, Old Irish "sail": healing, making plans, moving forward.
English letter: N Ogham name: Nuin - pronounced Noo-in Possibly "weaver's beam". In the tree ogham associated with the Ash, "fuinseag": peace, creation, stability. A clear path. Bring things together.
English letter: H Ogham name: Huath - pronounced Oo-uh Literally terror or phantom. In the tree Ogham represented by the Hawthorn, "sceach" a fairy tree: the unknown, fear of the unseen, transition
English letter: D Ogham name: Duir - pronounced Doo-ihr The oak "dair": wisdom, strength, protection, growth.
English letter: T Ogham name: Tinne - pronounced Tihn-nyeh Literally means metal rod. In the tree ogham associated with the Holly "cuileann": fighting, contention, weapons, fire, and smithcraft
English letter: C Ogham name : Coll - pronounced Kohl Means hazel: divination, magic, and enchantment, knowledge. Also relates to wealth.
English letter: Q Ogham name Quert, alt. Cert - pronounced Kehrt Means "rags". In the tree ogham this is apple "ull": healing, restoration, renewal, nourishment
English letter: M Ogham name: Muin - pronounced Mwin Literally means "neck" or "back". In the tree ogham it stands for the vine "funiuin": release, compromises, focus, determination, confrontation, vengeance (basically think the good and bad sides of wine)
English letter: G Ogham name: Gort - pronounced Guhrt Literally "field". In the tree ogham it is the ivy, "eidhnean": beauty, love, friendship, fidelity
English letter: nG Ogham name nGetal - pronounced Neh-tahl Literally "wounding". Associated with the broom plant or reed "giolcach" in tree ogham: separation, warning, courage, direct action
English letter: Str Ogham name: Straif - pronounced Strahf Literally "sulfur". In the tree ogham it is the blackthorn "draighean": discernment, cunning, focused protection, the thorn, inner strength, boundaries
English letter: R Ogham name: Ruis - pronounced Roosh Literally "redness". In tree ogham it represents the elder tree, "trom": anger, blushing (ie loss of face, embrassment), endings, completion, be realistic in order to succeed
English letter; A Ogham name; Ailm - pronounced Al-ihm The word and its meaning is uncertain. In tree ogham it represents the fir or pine, "giuis": hard work, effort. The need for caution. Integrity and good judgment are key.
English letter: O Ogham name: Onn - pronounced On Old Irish for "ash tree" or "stone". In tree ogham this is given as gorse, "aitenn": take action, movement, success, perseverance, relief
English letter: U Ogham name: Uir - pronounced Oor Literally "earth". Associated in tree ogham with heather, "fraoch": embrace your talents, plant now to harvest later, effort brings reward with patience
English letter: E Ogham name: Edad - pronounced Ehd-ahd The word and meaning are unknown. In the tree ogham it is the aspen, "crithach": endings, death, let go of what you've outgrown. Calm consideration. Trust in your ability to endure.
English letter: I Ogham name: Idad - pronounced Eed-ahd the word and meaning are unknown. Associated with the yew, "iur", in the tree ogham: see the big picture. Seek experience, know when to act and when not act. Bide your time. Don't avoid problems.
