Ogham - Fern

Fern (fairn) Alder Tree           F
ogham name (pronunciation) ogham meaning              symbol                       letter

Fern = Alder Tree
Tree Association = Alder

Green Man Tree Oracle - Alder

Kennings: 1 Morainn mac Moin (MM), 2 Maic ind Oc (MO), 3 Con Culainn (CC)
1 Vanguard of hunting/warrior bands OR Defence of warrior bands
2 Milk container OR Guarding of milk
3 Protection of the heart OR Protection of the heart, that is, a shield

Auraicept Translation: "The vanguard of the Warrior-bands is alder, for thereof are the shields."
Auraicept Notes: Alder in the forest.
Notes on MM: Shield of warrior-bands, i.e. shields for Fern, owing to their redness in the same respect: or because the alder, the material of the shield was from Fern. Shield, that is Fern.
Notes on MO: Guarding of milk, that is the alder of the forest, for it is it that guards the milk, for of it are made the vessels containing the milk.

Associations and Cultural Context: Shields were made from Alder wood, as were milk buckets.

My Interpretation of the Kennings: an Alder Wood Shield
1 wood shields for defence, wood also used in blacksmiths fires to make spearheads and arrows.
2 wooden vessels/buckets for containing and protecting/guarding milk.
3 wood shields seen to provide strength and defence due to it bleeding crimson sap when felled.

My Keywords: Defence, Protection & Guidance

 

Ogham Home

Ogham - Luis                                                                                              Ogham - Sail

The Kennings, Auraicept Translation, Auraicept Notes, Notes on MM and Notes on MO are all found in Auraicept ne N-Eces The Scholars Primer. An online copy of this book can be found HERE.

My Interpretation of the Kennings and My Keywords were formed from information found in the Auraicept ne N-Eces The Scholars Primer as well as researching the meanings, history, lore, folklore and attributes of each ogham as described in the Kennings.

Forest Fae Messages by Nadia Turner - A Review

Within this little box you will find, as promised, "Curious messages of enchantment" from the Forest Fae. These unique creatures found within this mini deck are a wondrous blend of both the natural world and the fantastical. These are creatures who live on the threshold between our world and theirs, inviting us to cross the boundaries and glimpse into the magical world of the forest to learn from its wisdom. All beautifully brought to life by Australian artist Nadia Turner.

Through each of the 40 cards in this deck you are introduced to a new and distinctive Fae creature who is ready to offer you their words of inspiration, encouragement and insight. Some of these messages are simple and to the point, such as "Take pride in yourself". However other messages are more nuanced and require more thought and reflection, as can be seen in the message "Watch the shifting shadows and be a caretaker of silence".

These Forest Fae cards come only with simple instructions found under the magnetic lid of this sturdy solid box. Sit quietly, shuffle the deck and ask your question or the Fae for guidance. But there is a warning found here too, for the Fae are often as willing to help as they are to confuse or even to ask questions of their own. The design on the back of the cards gives the impression of looking up from the forest floor to the moon high above, as mysterious as the Fae who dwell beneath.

For the past week since these cards arrived I have pulled a card a day to discover what messages the Fae had for me and it has been a joy to see the new Fae creatures that have met me everyday. This deck contains Fae that are a mixture of fauna and flora, such as 'The Witch Hare' and 'Owl Song', as well as the 'Mandrake Spirit' and the 'The Green Man'. There are also more traditional Fae figures included like 'The Troll Fae' and 'The Gnome'. But then there are also Fae that are altogether something other, such as 'The Sentinel' and 'The Silent One'.

This is a whimsical, magical deck that lovers of faeries will enjoy. There are so many uses for this deck, whether you just want to look at the images and enjoy the little messages, or work with these cards on a deeper level. Such as using these cards for daily inspiration, as an insightful oracle deck, as a means to communicate and receive messages from the Fae, as journaling prompts or as a tool to enhance other oracle or tarot readings. I recently used these cards to inspire my latest creative project seen HERE.

There is a very grounding, earthy feeling to this deck despite the airy nature of these Fae creatures. The card are smooth and shiny bringing out the vibrant colours in this deck and allowing for easy overhand shuffling. Newly published in the last few months by Rockpool Publishing, this 40 card mini deck measures about 10cm x 5cm and is only AU$14.99. It really is such a lovely deck to own and explore, or would make a wonderful gift for both adults and children.

This item was sent to me for review from the publisher. This review reflects my personal thoughts and opinions. Your opinions and experiences may differ to my own.