Ogham and Runes: Life and Mind

Vector symbols expressing the directed flow of creative energy through the worlds of being and mind are divided into two distinct groups according to different manifestations of the Power: the vectors of Life and the vectors of Consciousness, the vivid embodiments of which are, respectively, the alphabets of Ogham and Runes.

Indeed, anyone familiar with European mythology may have noticed that the “Sayings of the High One” do not mention the Vanir among the “bearers” of Runes, while Irish sources trace Ogham to the “products” of the god of Earth. In other words, Runes are a tool of the gods of consciousness (Aesir and Alves), whereas Ogham embodies and channels the creative energies of the Gods of life.

We have already discussed that Runes and Ogham as systems of principles are far broader and more “primordial” than the corresponding alphabetic systems, and that it is precisely in their original sense that they are ways of representing the corresponding vectors.

And while for Runes the form of the signs expressing these energies was refined and “fitted” to the vector over a long time and gradually, in order to reflect it as accurately as possible, Ogham (in the form that has come down to us) as a “manifested” symbolic system was formed by “layering” a largely arbitrary system of depiction (sticks with notches) onto an already formed symbolic “tree order.” That is, if, for example, in the case of Runes Fehu is a direct depiction of the “energy” of “earned income,” then the fid Beith only indicates the energy of primordial security.

In this regard, a certain difficulty arises in “tuning” to the energies of the feda, which partly brings the Ogham’s practical system closer to “semantic” symbols, since “knowledge” of the code is required — knowledge of correspondences between the symbols and the energies enclosed in them. However, whoever the creator of the Ogham “graphics” was, he managed to “implant” the feda code into the depths of the “collective unconscious,” much as Padmasambhava “hid” special terma teachings in the depths of the streams of his disciples’ consciousness. In other words, even a person who has never studied Celtic history or mythology, who has read nothing about Ogham, can attune, “resonate” with its energies, and “intuitively sense” the meaning and nature of the vector contained in a particular Ogham inscription or ligature.

And just as Runes require purity of mind and clear inspiration (mastery of the energy of voda), Ogham requires the ability to “flow” in the streams of Zhiva, requires special, “natural” inspiration and elemental receptivity.

Identifying and training these abilities is not merely a tool for tuning to Natural vectors; it is one of the most important and almost lost skills necessary for a human being.

Modern civilization is characterized by significant “intellectualism” and even a certain fear of emotions and the elemental nature of the Dionysian principle. Such an attitude has not only led to a global ecological crisis; it has torn the very thread of connection with natural forces, with nature as a phenomenon and nature as a pantheon. And among other difficulties, in the context of our conversation, it becomes clear why Ogham today is far less known and popular than, for example, Runes or Tarot.

Unfortunately, modern people have a poor understanding both of the nature of the Vanir, and their language, and their energy. And yet, no one but golden-haired Freyr will save our world from all-consuming Surtr; no one will stop “global warming” and an equally global scorching of human hearts.

And here various means can come to our aid, including theurgic approaches. Ordinary logic, the tool of the Aesir and the Alves, works very poorly in the elemental regions of the world and consciousness, and therefore it is so difficult to “convince” humanity to stop destroying its habitat.

And therefore modernity is a period when the awakening of the Vanir is especially important, and the study of Ogham, as well as Natural magic in general, is more relevant than ever.