We know that trees were important in Irish history and folklore - so important that a law system was created using the trees. Trees were seen as sacred in Ireland, so it would make sense that there is also an ancient written alphabet of Irish that is based on different trees.
This alphabet is called Ogham [OH-um] - and it isnât a spoken language. Each figure in the Ogham alphabet has a meaning and is tied back to a sacred tree or shrub. Something that not a lot of people know is that the alphabet itself is more accurately referred to as Beithe-luis-nin after the order of the first letters (2). The word Ogham actually refers to the method the script is written in. However, since most people know it is Ogham, that is what I will be calling it.
Letâs have a look at what the Ogham looks like.
The Alphabet
You can see in the image that each letter corresponds to a different symbol that is made up of a backbone or stemline and different dashes. Not every symbol is known for sure because ancient history is hard to decipher sometimes.
"The characters are made up of between one and five lines or scores relative to a stemline, generally vertical on stone using its natural angle or edge, with two of the groups distinguished by the orientation of the scores to the stemline. The third group transverses the stemline diagonally and the fourth group consists of one to five scores or notches on the stemline. " (1)
Carved up the left-hand side is a dedication to an Irishman: MAQQI DECCEDDAS AVI TURANIAS, âbelonging to Mac Deichet UĂ Thornaâ. The final two words identify this man as a descendant of Torna, which is possibly a reference to a long-gone local dynasty. (3)
How was it used?
As you can see, this method of writing is not very practical. Ogham writing was traditionally read vertically from bottom to top! I couldnât imagine writing like this, let alone reading it. Historically, this method of writing was used for the inscription of names on gravestones. This is why we often only see Ogham on stones.
Image Credit: Spirit of Old
What about today?
In modern practice, Ogham can be used to inscribe words on candles, carvings, are creating sigils. There is also a method of divination that uses Ogham staves, similar to that of casting runes. Since each Ogham letter has a meaning on its own, this makes it an ideal divination tool.
Did you know you can write your own name in Ogham? Click here and put in your name, then share the picture with us! Hereâs mine 
The Ogham Feda
The ogham is split into four or five sections depending on which source you use. The forfeda are extra letters that were added later. There are no set meanings for the forfeda in divination, though many have created meanings based on the Ogham Tract.
Below, you will find every ogham fĂd that currently has a page written about it. In these posts, you will find the meaning of the ogham fĂd itself, the connection with the tree association, and how the fĂd might be interpreted in divination and magic.
If you canât click on one of the letters, that means a guide has not been created for it yet. They are all in progress!
1st Aicme
Beith - Birch || Learning Ogham
Lus - Rowan || Learning Ogham
Fern - Alder || Learning Ogham
Sail - Willow || Learning Ogham
Nin - Ash || Learning Ogham
2nd Aicme
h-Ăath - Hawthorn || Learning Ogham
Dair - Oak || Learning Ogham
Tinne - Holly || Learning Ogham
Coll - Hazel || Learning Ogham
Ceirt - Apple || Learning Ogham
3rd Aicme
Muin - Vine || Learning Ogham
Gort - Ivy || Learning Ogham
nGĂŠtal - Broom || Learning Ogham
Straif - Blackthorn || Learning Ogham
Ruis - Elder || Learning Ogham
4th Acme
Ailm - Pine || Learning Ogham
Onn - Gorse || Learning Ogham
Ăr - Heather || Learning Ogham
Edad - Yew || Learning Ogham
Idad - Juniper || Learning Ogham
Forfeda
Ebad - Aspen || Learning Ogham
Ăr - Spindle Tree || Learning Ogham
Uillend - Honeysuckle || Learning Ogham
PĂn or IphĂn - Gooseberry || Learning Ogham
Emancholl - Witch Hazel || Learning Ogham
(1) Ogham in 3D
(2) Ogham - World History Encyclopedia
(3) The Story of Ogham | History Today
I feel like Ogham is something that I mustâve seen during my travels in Celtic areas or regions with Celtic influence (Ireland, Scotland, NS Canada, and perhaps Iceland or even the Boston area) but never wouldâve picked up on because I didnât know about it- until now! 
I remember my dad trying to explain it to me when I was younger haha, I never understood it but it seemed cool.
I canât wait to dig into the rest of them! (and add to my own Grimoire at the same time 
)
Iâm glad you enjoy the subject!
if it makes you feel any better, the ogham isnât used for their sounds, simply their letters. So, âGorgaâ and âJorjaâ would still be written the same â itâs not like the Elder Futhark where the runes are based on their pronunciation.
