"Word Ogham"

Briatharogam
(Word Ogham)

Each Ogham on Fionn's Wheel has also been assigned three guiding meanings known as Briatharogam (Word Ogham or Phrase Ogham). Word Ogham are images that have been gleaned from the stories, poetry, lore, and tales, of the Celts. These Ogham are very poetic in the ways in which they describe certain concepts and images. It is my belief that the ancient Filidh took this imagery and complimented it with the appropriate harp notes for each Ogham, to extemporaneously compose chants and poetry. Later we will use these Word Ogham to guide us in assigning nine specific meanings for each Ogham, in groups of three. These derived meanings will also be related to the Nine Dúile and the Three Cauldrons.

A King, A Warrior, and a God

The first set of guiding meanings (or Word Ogham) seem to correspond to the Cauldron of Vocation and have been chosen from the list of Morann Mac Main, who was a king of Ireland noted for his Collar of Truth, as well as the fairness of his judgments. The second set of meanings correspond to the Cauldron of Warming and are those attributed to the great warrior CúChulainn, son of Lugh. These meanings are associated with the action of the three fires of the Cauldron of Warming, since CúChulainn was noted for his actions and his deeds. The third set of meanings come to us from Angus Mac n'Og, the God of Dreams and Love, as well as the Soul. Angus is the new god of life. He is chosen for his ability to foresee the future and to influence what may come. These three sets of Word Ogham open the pathways into the Cauldrons of Vocation, Warming and Knowledge for us. Morann is a judge, as well as a king, and an upholder of Truth (which is needed to be able to chose and pursue a Vocation). CúChulainn is a being of action, a great warrior and a defender of the Land. He fires the Cauldron of Warming. Mac ind Óic is the Master of Dreams and the intuitive inner Mind. He is a god who perceives our destiny as it lies before us.

A Mortal Tries his Hand

I have taken the liberty of deriving a fourth set of Word Ogham which are my own. These interpretations are derived from the images of the three other lists, as well as the structure of the Wheel (as outlined in the development of the basic Ogham meanings above). My chosen correspondences are also based upon a study of the available modern sources for Ogham and tree lore (please see the Ogham cross references in the Appendices). The Word Ogham of ÓDubhain is an attempt to provide an overall general guide to each individual Ogham and should be viewed as a guide only. It remains for each of us to do our own inner work to discover the truth within the Ogham. In addition to this listing of Word Ogham and their meanings, I have also included the musical tones associated with each tree by ÓBoyle, Chase & Pawlik and myself (where necessary). I have also included the Color Ogham correspondences. Now that all of the preliminaries are finished, let us journey for a while upon the Wheel of Bright Knowledge. Join me as we sing a tree song or two, letting the rings grow as they will, while we become "woodwise".

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