Ogham/Coelbren

An archaic alphabet. Coelbren ( wood letters) is the Celtic system for divination and other magical uses. The word Coelbren consists of two ancient names Coel and Brenn ( possibly Bran) Although deemed to be a 19th century origination by some sources these ancient connections suggest a much earlier beginning for the Coelbrenn. has been called 'the secret language of the poets. Important part of Bardic teachings both in Wales and Ireland.

The notches on the coelbrenn is the ogham. As described by Helen Mcskimming in her book "The trees of the Celtic Alphabet" ..does not have single characters to signify individual letters. Instead certain no. of single strokes placed along vertical line. These strokes are called ogam Origin of letters ( ogam) is given mythological status in several old irish texts (Cormac glossary) Although not compiled until middle ages known to contain much earlier material. In the time of Bres, son of Edatha, ogma invented the ogam. The father of Ogam is ogma the mother of ogam is the hand or knife of ogma ( Cormac glossary-W.Stokes)

Figure of ogma (sometimes called ogmios) well attested throughout Irish/Gaulish mythology. There rather than described as man very clearly identified as one of Tuatha de Danaan, primal gods of Ireland. Lugh (lldanach or all craftsman and one who is able to understand fully secrets of the ogham) was presented with ogam; made the keeper and guardian by ogma. Masters of the ogam are taught that each year the trees must be learnt anew. this rule made because our understanding grows as we learn and progress throughout our lives, yet it will take us many lifetimes to gain the clarity of perception belonging to the lldanach.

Considering the vertical placement of the ogam on the coelbrenn which is too cumbersome for long passage of text it seems apparent that the ogam was never intended for this use. The traditions of Celtic peoples were oral power of memory understanding greater then pen/paper. Writing down mysteries of life considered profane Ancient masters (ollamhs) guarded their wisdom well, passed on their knowledge only to those whose proved themselves worthy of responsibility. Ogams greatest importance is that it contains within it the essence of the Celtic system. Where the principles related to each of the trees provide associations which can lead you through the many tangled branches of the Celtic system.

Originally pieces of wood described as 'finger length' (3 or 5 inches long). Ogam Consists of 20 letters arranged in groups of five constructed from series of straight lines incised across a single stave (5 or more letters of a more complex structure are thought to have been added some time after the originals). One divinatory system that the ogam was used was in the practice of throwing sticks, CRannchuron or casting the woods. The coelbrenn were placed in a bag (traditionally made from the skin of a crane) shaken, drawn forth again one at a time. According to the order in which they came forth the ogam was read and answers were made. Another technique was wooden dice where the coelbrenn had ohgam on both sides of the die. The dice were palmed, shaken thrown in similar manner to conventional dice and read as above.

The full set of ogam given being made up of 5 sets of 5 letters correlates with a common thread in Celtic systems: 5 paths of law, 5 celebrated hostels, Ireland divided into 5 provinces- Ulster, Leinster, Munster, Connaught, Teamhir/Meath. These provinces represented the 4 quarters and centre of the Celtic sacred circle with their associated qualities of the ordered wheel.

In this division of provinces there seems to be a correlation with the 5 sets of groups in the ogam. Teamhir/Meath is said to be the mystical center of Ireland (Helen Mcskimming, Trees of Celtic Alphabet) This mystical center is paralleled in ogam where the last set seen as being secret 5th. Also during the division of the provinces Fintan planted 5 magical trees to act as markers. These trees are the guardians of great wisdom (close to nature, cycles mirrored. characteristics of various trees reflected back diversity of the world they lived in from their understanding of trees, gained understanding of life itself. The mystical 5th set in the ogam is written to be included into the ogam at a later date than the original sets. (Helen Mcskimming) The Celtic oracle tarot deck describes the mystical or secret 5 as (included in brackets the associated Gaelic name and tree alphabet letters): grove (koach- ea), Spindle (Oir-oi), Honeysuckle (villean (ui), beech (phagos- ph), sea (mor-ae)

Helen Mcskimming writes that the above is equitable with the 5 salmon of the well of all wisdom , the well which the people of many arts rank from. she describes how this known on another level as the trees of the 5 senses and how these trees represent the 5 stages of life-Birth, Initiation, life/love, repose and death. Being representatives of the essences of each of these centers they are timeless and eternal.

When Fintan planted these magical trees they were protected and the felling of them say the triumph of Christianity over paganism, Helen proclaims in her book Trees of Celtic alphabet. However she asserts that the physical felling didn't remove the essence the tree stood for.