Ogham Tuesday: Heather/Ur

Heather is one of my favorite omens, and a plant I wish I could grow. It's a low-growing, evergreen shrub with purply-pink flowers. I used it in my wedding bouquet. (It's also the name of a longtime friend. Hello, Heather.)

Heather is a plant whose seeds germinate best after a wildfire. A lot of seeds need tempering in some form — whether it's cold, scarification, or (in this case), heat — so it's not all that unusual, but the environments where Heather grows are cooler and wetter so fire isn't where my assumption would have been. Heather thrives in a lot of natural landscapes but, to cultivate it in a home garden, you'll need to water it very well in its first year, fertilize every spring, and keep its soil balanced more on the acidic side. Regular trimming of older branches also keeps Heather from sprawling. 

As an omen, Heather means love, connection, and harmony in our relationships. And that means paying attention to our care for ourselves and each other. Sure, Heather (and many plants) grow just FINE in the wild and love can just EXIST on its own. But if we want love to bloom, year after year, we need to put some effort into it, you know? 

When I see Heather, it's often a reminder to consider how I'm participating in and supporting the ecosystem of my relationships, from the ground up, whether it's with my romantic partner or my larger community — not just today, but over time, and in the balance of everyone's needs (not just my own). 

Keywords include: relationship, harmony, family, love, devotion, connection, comfort, safety, acceptance, support, romanticized, commitment, depth, kindness, enrich, partnership, maturity

Guidance might include:

• Seek consensus more than you insist on victory.

• Evaluate how you’re contributing to the long-term health of your communities.

• Carry love and loving-kindness with you through the day. 

Questions or cautions might include:

• Does your current environment support your heart’s needs and desires?

• Where can you apply warmth to help something take root and thrive?

• In what ways are your actions supporting (or undermining) harmony?

What connections do you see? 

Blessings,

Nicole

~ Nicole (Nikki, sometimes Saffron Hare) is founder and general manager at Nine Fires Press. Her Druidic practice has included solitary, small-group, and congregational worship, with a focus on liturgy and seership. She is studying for her Master Gardener certification, rehabbing an underground home in the Midwestern US, and loves to fall in love with bad ideas.

 #ogham #omens #divination #druidry #pagan #9firespress #oghamtuesday