Sweeping Clean and Bringing Light: Ogham for October

 

The ancient Celts used the first alphabet in Europe which is called the Ogham script.  Each letter is associated with a tree or an important plant.  The alphabet was used as a mnemonic device to encode knowledge, the Celtic song of the universe, Ceolta na Cruinne (Diana Beresford-Kroeger).  The thirteen months of the year (pre-Gregorian calendar) were each represented by a particular tree.  The new year began on Nov. 1^st with Birch, followed by Rowan in December, Alder in January, Willow in February, Ash in March, Hawthorn in April, Oak in May, Holly in June, Hazel in July, the Blackberry (Bramble) or Vine for August and September is represented by Ivy.  The month of October is represented by Ngetal for the first 28 days and Elder or Ruis for the last 3 days which make up the 13^th month of the calendar.

In this post I will write about Ngetal only.  This Ogham is a composite one.  The N is silent but makes the G nasal.  Ng is a composite letter comprised of N from nion (Ash) and G from gort (Ivy).  Danu Forest explains that at this point in the year, the Ogham is moving into a subtler level and therefore many plants could describe the sum of its meaning.  The N is silent but present.  Therefore the uniting and binding energy of Ivy is joined with the spear of Ash.  There is a link here between wounding and healing according to the use of power. 

Ancient Celtic sources write about various plants representing Ngetal over time.  Therefore, the sources that I am referencing here also have chosen different plants.  It could be said that this Ogham can only be described through a combination of all of these.

Liz and Colin Murrary feel that Ngetal is represented by Reed and is like an arrow, aimed at finding basic truths and that it helps with overcoming the upsets of life.  They write that Ngetal is about finding order where others find chaos.

Diana Beresford-Krueger writes that Ngetal is represented by Rush or Brobh (Irish).  Rush is a plant of the bogs.  The centre of the rush is a sponge which holds oxygen.  The leaf is waxed and waterproof.  The Celts used them as candle wicks when dipped into mutton fat. Thus Rush sheds light.

There are several hundred species of Rush worldwide.  It was also used to line the open-pit storage of potatoes and other vegetables with cabbages on top for the winter months.  Rush was used to bed cattle and chickens in the wet months.  Rushes were woven into floor mats, bedding, chair seats and household decorations. 

Rush is poisonous to cattle but it was used to make a body wash for athletes to give them endurance.  And so, the Rush was thought of as sacred and added to the trees.

Glennie Kindred writes that Ngetal is represented by Broom.  Therefore, it represents making a clean sweep.  Cleaning up, soul or astral travel and restoring of harmony are qualities of Ngetal from Kindred’s point of view.

Danu Forest also refers to Ngetal as Broom (Cytisus scoparius).  She writes that it is a “hardy, dense growing shrub with woody branches and small, hairy, trifoliate leaves.”  It has distinctive yellow flowers and it can grow up to 3m tall.  It likes dry soil and it fixes nitrogen. 

Forest also writes about an alternative plant that is represented by Ng; Male Fern.  This ancient plant likes wet soil.  The various plants representing Ngetal results from the remaining source material which attributes different plants to this Ogham.  However the Old Irish word giolcach means both reed and broom.

Broom has a bright and fiery energy and is thought to be a plant of purification – cleanser and clearer of negative energies. This ability to clear the way, to achieve your objective (Ash), supported by the ability to make diverse connections (Ivy) is powerful.

Ngetal reminds us of the importance of combining skills and knowledge, being resourceful and flexible in our thinking and approach to life.

I will post the information about Elder closer to the end of October.

This is a compilation of information taken from the following sources:

Diana Beresford-Kroeger (2019) To Speak for the Trees. Random House: Canada.

Danu Forest (2014) Celtic Tree Magic: Ogham Lore and Druid Mysteries. Llewellyn Worldwide: Woodbury, Minnesota.

Glennie Kindred, (1997) The Tree Ogham. Glennie Kindred: UK.

Liz and Colin Murray (1988) The Celtic Tree Oracle. Connections Book Publishing: London, UK.

Jacqueline Memory Peterson (1996) Tree Wisdom: The definitive guidebook to the myth, folklore and healing power of Trees. Thorsons: London.

Elen Sentier (2014) Trees of the Goddess. Moon Books: Winchester, UK.