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1.: Re: The Poet's Ogam: A Living Magical Tradition From: John-Paul Patton

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1.: Re: The Poet's Ogam: A Living Magical Tradition

Posted by: "John-Paul Patton" ramserpent@yahoo.co.uk ramserpent

Wed Nov 3, 2010 1:32 pm (PDT)

> Moderators Note: It sounds quite interesting, perhap you could share a few words about just what the Ogam is, this group attracts many 'Baby Witches' as my friend describes herself, and I think a few words by someone with your expertise might be very enlightening. BB.

BB

Thank you very much for your message.

The Ogam for anyone not familiar with it (spelt Ogham in modern Gaelic) is an ancient Irish alphabet. It is said in lore to have been designed by the god Ogma (of the Tuatha de Dannan). It was used to express 'primitive Irish' from at least the 4th Century, with the earliest examples being names carved in stone. There is then a later manuscript traditon, these appear to have been written from the 6th C. (manuscript copies suriving from the 13th C.) these record a more explicitly magical (as well as grammatical) use of Ogam, with a range of permutations of the alphabet, including cosmological diagrams etc. Ogam is said to mean 'perfect alliteration' and was a tool of the filid (poets/druids). It was used as a magical correspondence system so that things which begin with the same letter or sound were considered to be magically linked (like gematria ie were the numerical value of letters is said to show a magical harmony). Thus the Ogam letter Beith may be
linked to the Goddess Brigit, etc.

I think for contemporary witches and neo-pagans it is a tool and resource that has been very much overlooked... many people draw on the Irish magical tradition in their practice... but few draw on the Ogam, though it is a real jewel on the crown of this traditon.

I hope this helps explain something of the subject and my persepctive.

Thanks

John-Paul

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