Layouts Using the Ogham
The basic past-present-future layout is always a good one to use with the Ogham. Or its variation, the ‘you now-challenge you face-best outcome if you meet that challenge’, is another three-card layout you can use with the Ogham. The Runic Cross is still another layout which would work well with the Ogham. See the illustration below for a refresher on that.
But I want to introduce you to a fourth layout you can use with the Ogham. I first saw it mentioned in The Celtic Tree Oracle: A System of Divination by Liz and Colin Murray. This layout uses five cards, and calls upon the four-directions-plus-center, four-elements-plus-ether, five-mystical-provinces concepts as its basis of thought. The Murrays recommend laying out three descending circles of five; the past, the present, and the way forward, or future. The basic layout for this approach looks like this:
This layout was devised by the late Colin Murray. He used with hundreds of people who came to him for a reading. It seems more overview-oriented and less here-is-your-problem-and-here-is-how-you-need-to-solve-it. Sometimes, that’s the approach needed. Some inquirers who come to you for a reading don’t have a particular question, or seek a particular way out of their problem. Instead, there’s an issue about which they have a nameless, formless concern, and into which they desperately need some insight, or a new perspective. This spread can be helpful to use in such cases, and not just with the Ogham.
Hands down the best explanation for Ogham I’ve found. It was extremely helpful and I’m happy to have found your site.
I tried to keep the Ogham lesson as factual and uncomplicated as possible, while still doing some justice to the subject. I’m glad you find my site helpful!
I would like to suggest another well researched, more scholarly reference for your readers, “Ogham: The Secret Language of the Druids, by , Rev. Robert “Skip” Ellison. This book was instrumental on helping me with a basis for my divination practice. It is nice that the book is available in both paperback and Kindle versions.
Ellison, Rev. Robert “Skip”. Ogham: The Secret Language of the Druids.
Tuscon, Arizona: ADF Publishing. Copyright 2008, 2014. ISBN:
097656811X ISBN13: 978-0976568117 (Kindle ASIN B00J2EIO26)
“This solidly researched guide to Ogham, the traditional alphabet of Irish poets and loremasters, belongs on the bookshelf of anyone interested in Celtic traditions or modern Druid spirituality. Ellison deserves high praise for a readable and practical introduction to the intricacies of Ogham lore.” — John Michael Greer, author of The Druid Magic Handbook
Rev. Skip Ellison has been a member of Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) since 1990 and has served on its Mother Grove since 1992. He has held several positions including Chair of the Clergy Council, past Chief of the Magician’s Guild, and is an Archdruid Emeritus of ADF. Rev. Ellison can be reached at: sellison@twcny.rr.com, and his web site can be viewed at http://www.dragonskeepfarm.com.
There is also a free app for Android phones in the Google App Store, Oghamantis, by Rob Henderson, based on this work. (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=oracle.ogham) I find this app to be quite useful, as it enables me to have both the Ogham and a quick, if abbreviated, reference with me any time I have my phone. I still prefer the staves I prepared using the wood of the trees each few represents, but for a quick reference it’s hard to beat.