Ogham Tuesday: Heather/Ur

Accepting, Partnering, Loving

Heather/Ur is the 18th letter in the Ogham alphabet.

Heather is a hardy little plant that grows well in scrubby, otherwise unforgiving ground. It’s fitting, then, that the omen Heather/ Úr symbolizes is strong, healthy relationships.

This 18^th letter of the Ogham alphabet, and the Old Irish word refers to moist soil and the cultivation of plants. Úr represents the long [oo] sound in the English word “food.” Besides appearing on hillsides all over Scotland, heather also appears in the tragic tale of Diarmuid and Grainne. The bed Aengus hid the fleeing lovers in consisted of heather. The story did not end well for the lovers, but it was never a relationship that was based on much other than infatuation, running away from a situation, and magical trickery.

Relationships, like plants, require cultivation and care. Mature relationships, and not just romantic ones, are made strong when all parties are invested and the work of maintenance is shared equally. The passion of last week’s Gorse has to be tempered by some nitty-gritty, hands-in-the-dirt work. When Heather appears in your reading, it’s either telling you that whatever relationship you’re dealing with is strong, working, and healthy or that perhaps it needs strengthening and better communication to function well.