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...

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,...

Romancing, Pursuing, Indulging Onn/Gorse is the 17th letter of the Ogham alphabet. The bright yellow flowers of the Gorse plant speak to the focus on passion of the Gorse/Onn ogham. Onn is the 17 th  letter of the Ogham alphabet and represents a vowel sound that lies somewhere in and around the long [o] sound and the [aw] sound, as they are pronounced in U.S. English. I will absolutely not be making a joke about passion and the lip-shape of this vowel sound. Passion brings to mind sexy-times,...