The Fifth Aicme is what we call the Forfeda. It consists of the last and later-added ogham fews. They represent sounds that had been omitted, that weren’t universally a part of every dialect, or that were added to the language as it developed—possibly due to the encroachment of Latin in Ireland. There isn’t much agreement on what these added sounds even were. In addition, there is very little in the lore about these ogham, and it is likely that the “tree names” were added by modern pagans...

Dying, Transforming, Renewing Yew/Idho is the 20th letter of the Ogham alphabet. What would a stereotypical old English graveyard be without Yew trees? Unauthentic, for one thing! Yew trees, with the way they arch over to the ground, are a threshold from one plane of existence or stage to another. Its connection with death and rebirth is also apparent in the fact that every piece of a yew tree (save the flesh of the fruit) contains the poison taxine. Taxine can affect the heart, causing...

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...