Ogham Tuesday: Aspen/Edadh

Testing, Challenging, Prevailing

Aspen/Edadh is the 19th letter of the Ogham alphabet.

Aspen/Edadh is the 19^th letter of the Ogham alphabet. It represents the [e] vowel sound, which isn’t an E at all, but what in English would be the long /a/ sound in “eight” or “hey”. Here in the U.S., we think of aspen trees as a Rocky Mountain phenomenon, but they are actual indigenous to Ireland, as well.

As an omen, Aspen has to do with overcoming fear and being challenged in some way. Aspen leaves rustle and quiver in the breeze, and the association is one of trembling with fear. Other correspondences for Aspen have to do with the otherworld and death, relating to the way the leaf movement seems to whisper messages to the listener.

Regardless, it speaks of things to fear and things that challenge. Aspen was also used for shield-making, so it offers some protection in facing those tests and fears. It’s an appropriate omen, then, for the times in which we find ourselves now. There are challenges ahead and fears to face. And the fears we face are real things that are truly scary. It may well be that if the fears cannot be conquered to accomplish what we need to do, then we will have to do them scared.