Product Description

Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom is a breakthrough in ogam divination and magical studies. Rather than working from the commonly known tree alphabet paradigm, Erynn Rowan Laurie takes us back to the roots of each letter's name, exploring its meanings in the context of Gaelic language and culture. Like the Norse runes, each letter is associated with an object or a concept -- "sulfur", "a bar of metal", "terror". These letters are deeply enmeshed in a web of meaning both cultural and spiritual, lending power and weight to their symbolism. With two decades of experience with the ogam and over thirty years of working with divination, Erynn offers insights into the many profound meanings hidden in the ogam letters and their lore. She explains each letter in context and shows how to expand the system in new and innovative ways while acknowledging and maintaining respect for ogam's traditional language and culture. In this book, you will find ways to use the ogam for divination, ideas on incorporating ogam into ritual, discussions of how ogam relates to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, and instructions for creating your own set of ogam feda or letters for your personal use.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #363713 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Customer Reviews

Wonderful and thorough
This is, quite simply, the best ogham book on the market.

Unlike many ogham systems, this one focuses on "word ogham" -- the meaning and lore behind the names of the feda. It's a popular misconception that ogham is simply a tree alphabet, and Erynn dispells this myth -- much to the benefit of folks who do not live in areas with Old World trees and shrubs.

The system itself is explained in detail -- the history of the system and of filidecht, the meanings of the phrases associated with each fid. But it goes beyond the presentation of a mere divination system; Erynn explains the principles of Celtic Reconstructionism and its practices, as well as the uses of ogham in magick and healing. She also includes detailed accounts of rituals, healing rites and divinations using ogham, which is invaluable to the practitioner seeking to use the system.

On a personal note, I've adopted Erynn's approach to ogham myself after reading the book and find it both workable and inspiring.

If you're a CR, Druid or aspiring diviner, you need to read this book!

A refreshing perspective
Anyone who is interested in ogam or Celtic Reconstructionism will find this to be an extremely valuable book.

Erynn offers information and insights into CR practice and ritual as well as the correspondences and history of the ogam system, and gives ideas for rituals and meditations to help the user create their own set for divination or spiritual practice, and gain a more personal understanding of the ogam. However, the reconstructionist perspective shouldn't put off those who aren't interested in CR because the rituals and meditations can easily adapted according to personal tastes.

As well as offering a good starting point for the beginner who wants reliable and well-researched information on the subject, Erynn offers more advanced techniques of divination and interpretation for those who want to take it further.

One of the most unusual aspects of the book is that Erynn offers a wealth of personal anecdotes and examples of how she's worked with the ogam in her own practices and rituals over the years. This is kept separate from the section that gives the correspondences for the alphabet, so while it gives the book a very intimate feel and helps the reader to see how the system works in a modern context, it doesn't get in the way of its usefulness as the sort of book you'd want to dip into and look up meanings for any of the ogam, either.

This is not a quick and easy read - which some might find off-putting - but it's well written and explains things clearly and concisely without being patronizing or assuming you've been studying the subject for years.

Ultimately, it's refreshing to see a work that goes beyond the superficial and genuinely informs the reader. There really should be more books like this.

one of the best ever books on ogham
If you have ever wanted to know everything about how to read ogham staves then you must have this book. The suggestions on divination and rituals are a joy to read.I cannot sing erynn's praises loudly enough. A lady of true spritualism and knowledge.