- Nov 24, 2025
Ogham - Divining in the Celtic Way by Jane Matthews
- Jane Matthews
- Oracle Decks, Ogham
- 0 comments
Ogham (pronounced Oh-am) is the earliest form of the written Irish alphabet. First appearing around the time of 400CE. First and foremost it is an alphabet, but much like the Elder Futhark alphabet can also be used for divinatory purposes. Ogham as a divination system can bring a deeper understanding of the world around you starting fundamentally from the insights you can gain about yourself. This brings a different nuance to usual divination methods, as it navigates you on a journey into understanding the world through a subjective lens in an objective way. It moves beyond an alphabet, or a divination tool and delves into deep psychological insights into who you are, why you are who you are and also why you behave or think like you do. It draws you into reflecting upon the part YOU play in the universe and the initial steps to understanding that you, yourself are the centre of your universe and that indeed everyone is at the centre of their own universe. Even though we share the same world in which we are living, the same air that we breathe, the same universe that surrounds us, we each will experience it differently from others because we are unique as individuals and differing factors such as constructs placed upon us from birth all play a part with this.
Deck Image: Ogham - Divining in the Celtic Way by Jane Matthews & Red Wheel Weiser Books
One of the beautiful ways in which Ogham deeply connects and is relevant to us all is that it comes from that central place of you (which, in my opinion really does place the onus on any individual to really take progressive steps forward within their own self). It challenges to look at not only why you may think or feel but truly where did that come from and also is that something which still is fundamentally you (as we all change throughout our lives, even something so simplistic as our taste in clothes or music broadens). As we grow and evolve as humans, it shows new ways to understand not just yourself but everything around you as well as the part we play in that. Through growth comes evolution and through evolution comes change. We are more than who we are at this moment in time and Ogham reminds us of this as well as encouraging us to become who we are meant to be, all through the gentle self reflective ways in which only Ogham can do.
When I first began my own Ogham journey I felt seen, fully seen (and also called out!) in a way which no other system has done. I could understand my own patterns and cycles within my life. It challenged me to look at why I felt how I did and at the same time it facilitated integrating new ways, new norms and a new me to a certain degree. It does not touch only the mind or the heart, Ogham touches the soul and recognises that amazingness and the potential within each one of us, even when we may not see it in ourselves. This is due to Ogham meanings having both light and dark within them and it is this duality which really provokes deep thought in how it presents for you.
I wrote Ogham Divining in the Celtic way with one mission in mind. To make Ogham’s gateway accessible and relatable to everybody, no matter what level of proficiency they currently had. I wanted to show the outstanding ways in which information can be drawn and for that reason with every single meaning I also presented how that could be interpreted within everyday life scenarios, be that work, relationships or even health. All this was done to bridge the gap between the subjective, objective and predictive ways in which it can be used as a system.
Each and every few is broken down in ways that can be grasped as a practical way of understanding, leaving room for reflection upon what is being highlighted. Each Aicme (family) takes you on a journey and there are spreads and practical examples for everyone to enjoy and learn.
Take the few Ailm for example. Ailm is part of the fourth Aicme (family) and the fourth Aicme concludes the journey through Ogham's lens by heightening your perspective through being objective and gaining a deeper understanding and level of insight and wisdom, allowing us to move past any upheavals in life and opens the doors for new ways of doing or being.
Book Image: Ogham - Divining in the Celtic Way by Jane Matthews & Red Wheel Weiser Books
Ailm is the first few within the fourth aicme and with it brings objectivity. By possessing the ability to be objective you are then able to establish stronger (and healthier) boundaries. It recognises that order is essential in life to have and maintain a balance and Ailm facilitates you in that process of actively steering the direction of your life and will bring rewards if utilised in a balanced way. It can also highlight a lack of structure that currently is proving to be both unproductive and serves to your detriment in situations.
I also move beyond spreads and card placements, giving introductions on how to cast Ogham (which is done differently to casting runes), as well as how to create your own Ogham set, utilising it for the purposes of magik and also provided a meditative framework for those who wish to delve deeper in their connection with the fews to contemplate on. I believe by including all of these things in ways which are easy to grasp and work with, that Ogham becomes something sacred for the many rather than the few and draws people into discovering more about themselves and this beautiful system. There is literally something for everyone in this.
My deck and accompanying 192 page book will be released soon and is available to preorder now. For all of those who would like a further sneak peek into what this system, this deck and accompanying book will contain, there is a digital preview that I am so happy to be able to share with you now. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed writing about it and hopefully my enthusiasm will create sparks of excitement to anyone who wants to learn a new system!
Ogham Divining in the Celtic way is available to preorder now and is due for release early next year.
The link below shows a 50 page digital sample of the deck and book as well as links to buy / preorder wherever you are in the world!
https://www.calameo.com/red-wheel_weiser-books/read/00557097427948ab8a874
SPECIAL OFFER / ONLY A FEW PLACES AVAILABLE!!
I have a limited number of the deck and book that are available for people to purchase from me along with 5 sessions helping you gain more from Ogham and, each tailor made for you and your own journey with what you are wanting to achieve. As a preorder price I am offering this for £249. The price of this package after release will be £299 and what you get with that is:
1 x Ogham Divining in the Celtic Way deck (preorder, release date April 2026) signed by Jane Matthews
5 x Ogham sessions guiding you through the system (taking place after release date)
1 x Certificate of Ogham proficiency after successful completion
NOTE - the sessions are one to one in your time zone via zoom or google meet.
With Ogham Divining in the Celtic Way you will:
Learn about the system of Ogham
Understand the meanings of all Ogham fews
Integrate spreads to understand the significance of events, situations or experiences and how to navigate them.
Build comprehensive narratives and weave the dynamic story that Ogham is highlighting
Learn how to cast and create your own Ogham set
How to meditate using Ogham for deeper reflection
How to utilise Ogham Magik in your life
Buy Now (Limited Places)
If you would like to order the deck without lessons, click on the links below!!
RWW: https://redwheelweiser.com/book/ogham-9781578638901/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ogham-jane-matthews/1147729639?ean=9781578638901
Books a Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ogham/Jane-Matthews/9781578638901