"N"

Nuin (Ash)

"Weavers Beam"


"Núada's day of beneficence,
For warping and waulking,
A hundred and fifty strands there shall be to number

Blue thread very fine,
Two of white by it's side,
And scarlet by its side of the madder.

My warp shall be very even,
Give to me thy blessing, O King of the Shining Ones,
And to all who are beneath my roof in the dwelling.

An ancient Gaelic Blessing from Carmina Gadelica
(Deities names inserted by myself)

Druidic wands were sometimes made of Ash (with spiral decorations), and were used for healing, as well as for directing the power of the Sun. To the ancient Celts (also the Norse), Ash symbolized the interconnection between the Three Worlds, as well as being the symbol of the rebirth of life that follows death. Ash is a tree of the sun, yet its ability to connect the worlds reveals its primary essence to be that of water. It is because of its dual solar connection and its watery nature that I attribute this tree to Núada Argetlamh, King of the Tuatha Dé Danann. I feel this attribution is very appropriate, because the Ash is a chieftain tree according to the Book of Ballymote. Núada was himself also a chieftain who lost his kingship (due to the blemish of losing his hand in the victory over the FirBolg), yet he was able to regain his kingship (and his hand) through the healing Draíocht of DianCecht and Miach. Núada is said to have been killed in the Battle against the Fomorii, yet he was also said to have lived again. Like the Nuin Ogham, he is also associated with the concept of rebirth (so necessary and comforting to those about to go into battle to face death). The color Ogham for "N" is "necht" which means "clear" and could be associated with Findias (Clearing), the Magical city that provided Núada's Sword of Light. The name Nectain is also said to be another name for Núada who was said to have been one of Boann's husbands.

The weavers beam was called a "garmain" by Gaelic women. There were two sizes: a large one that was sometimes called a "spear" and a smaller one called a "lu-garmain". There were also weaving rods that looked like wands, called a "claidim" or "sword". These "swords" were used to free the threads and to run them within the warp of the weave. The warp of the weaving was called "dluth" and the weft was called "innech". Celtic women would chant and pray at their weaving as they made the tartans and cloths for their men to wear when in battle. Each thread that passed over the weaver's beam had a special blessing linked to it to protect their loved ones. The weaver's beam was made of the same Ash that made up the "maw of the spear". It's role in the protection of the family was also demonstrated in the tradition of placing a fidh of Ash above the doorway to the family home. Ash was woven into the life of the Celts: connecting the Three Worlds; weaving the fabrics of life and battle; protecting the sanctity of the home; guarding the safety of the king. The Bardic color for Ash is said to be glass green (though the color Ogham is given as "clear"). Its influence during divination is to provide a need for balance, a sense of inevitability, or a linking of factors. Those factors within its sphere will happen regardless of other influences. According to Graves, its month was April/May (traditionally associated with the beginnings of battle or the last month of peace). I associate the ending of April with the appearance of the Fox and the den of wisdom (both attributes also associated with Núada).

Tone: g (Chase & Paulik); a (ÓBoyle)

Magical Ogham: néaladóireacht - 1) divination by clouds; 2) furtively spying. (CNL) Also spelled nelladóireacht and neladóreacht ... could also mean astrology. (SOD)

Skill Ogham: notaireacht - notary work, inscription, writing.

Color Ogham: necht - "clear".

Word Ogham of Morann Mac Main: Cosad sida ("checking of peace"). The maw of wood known as the weavers beam is a checking of peace, since it represents the home, the framework upon which the very fabric of our lives is woven. The weavers beam is where the weaving is stopped. The home is where safety is sacred. It is where peace abides and fighting is stopped. In the tale "The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel", Conare violates one of his geis by inviting a single woman into the household after sunset. This woman is the Badb ("fury or slaughter"), in disguise, and it is significant that her shins were each described as each being "as long as a weaver's beam". Conare's violation of geis invited slaughter past the weaver's beam of the threshold and into the hostel. Checking.

Word Ogham of CúChulainn: Bág maise ("boast of beauty"). Beauty is an absolute and it is that which is always desirable. To recognize it, is to place it into jeopardy from those that would take it away. Emer boasted of her beauty and CúChulainn's prowess and was challenged in the "word fighting " at Bricriu's Feast (her beauty eventually prevailed). CúChulainn boasted of his prowess and his right to the champion's portion and was also challenged. He was able to answer all of these challenges, but only the strongest dares to boast amid warriors and beauties. Challenge.

Word Ogham of Mac ind Óic: Bág ban ("fight of women"). Though the "fight of women" was about verbal sparring in the tale of Bricriu's Feast, it could also involve Magical words and wishes as well. I am reminded of the many tartans that are woven according to age-old patterns. Each wearer is safeguarded by the weavers magick, and guarded by the will of the women in the household (who hold its patterns within their song). Assaults.

Word Ogham of ÓDubhain: Cumhacht sida ("power of peace"). The mark of leadership is in constructive uses of power and the ability to answer challenges. A leader is measured by how well he (or she) follows their own truth (the straight and narrow). Hardihood.

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