Ogham Staves
Hey There Witches!
Did you know that you can make Ogham Staves for Litha?
Named for Ogma the Celtic god of eloquence and literacy, staves carved with the Ogham alphabet has become a popular method of divination among Pagans who follow a Celtic-focused path.
Although there are no records of how staves might have been used in divination in ancient times, there are a number of ways that they can be interpreted.
There are 20 original letters in the Ogham alphabet, and five more that were added later on. Each corresponds to a letter or sound, as well as a tree or wood.
In addition, each of these symbols has come to be associated with various meanings and elements of the human experience.
While the alphabet itself was created during the era of the Roman Empire, surviving ogham inscriptions only date back to the fifth or sixth centuries.
The fact that ogham has five vowel symbols although Gaelic has ten such sounds, is one of the reasons scholars believe that the Latin alphabet, which also uses five vowels, was an influence on the invention of the system.
Ogham was not a single, fixed system and the surviving stones show modifications, as new symbols were invented and older ones were lost.
According to legend, Ogham invented this form of alphabet to show everyone how linguistically gifted he was, and created Ogham as a form of communication for the most learned members of society.
To make your own set of Ogham staves, start with sticks or twigs in even lengths. You will need 25 of them, or 26 if you want to include a "blank" Ogham.
If, you have trouble finding sticks that are the right size, you can use dowel rods cut to short lengths. About 4—6" is a good size for Ogham staves.
Sand the bark off the sticks so that they are smooth. Inscribe each of the sticks with one of the Ogham symbols.
You can do this either by carving them into the woods, painting them on, or using a woodburning tool, which costs about $4 at a craft store.
As you are carving your staves, take the time to think about the meanings of each symbol. Do not just burn them into the wood; feel them, and feel their magic energy being imbued into each stave.
The act of creation is a magical exercise in and of itself, so if possible, do this within a magical space. If you cannot fire up a woodburning pen at your altar, do not worry, turn whatever work space you choose into a temporary altar setting.
Make a point of holding each stave in your hand, before and after you have inscribed it, and fill it with your own power and energy.
When you are done, be sure to consecrate your staves before you use them the first time, just as you would a Tarot deck or other magical tool.
There are a number of methods to reading the staves for divination, and you can figure out what works best for you.
Many people like to simply keep their staves in a pouch, and when a question comes up that needs to be answered, they place their hand in the bag and pull out a designated number of staves.
Three is a good number to use, but you can pick as many or as few as you like.
As you pull each stave out of the bag, use the information at the Ogham symbol gallery to determine its divinatory meaning.
Blessings,
Rev. Bella Shay
Creating your own set of Ogham staves can be an enriching spiritual journey, blending creativity with divination and ancient tradition. When I first made mine, I started by gathering small sticks from local trees, mindful to only take what nature was willing to give. I chose species associated with the traditional Ogham trees, like hawthorn and ash, because this connection enhances their energy. Cutting and sanding the sticks was therapeutic, giving me a chance to focus my intent. Carving each symbol took patience, but it was also deeply meditative. I recommend using a woodburning pen if you want precision and a clean look, but painting can add vibrant personal flair. The key is to be mindful and deliberate with each mark, visualizing the meaning of the symbol as you inscribe it. This helps infuse your staves with your own energy, making them truly unique magical tools. Consecration is essential; I like to do this under the light of the full moon or during a ritual aligned with Celtic festivals like Litha. Passing each stave through smoke of cleansing herbs, such as sage or cedar, helps purify and bless them. I then hold each one and silently set my intention for guidance and clarity. Reading with the staves can be as structured or intuitive as you prefer. My favorite method is the three-stave draw, which provides layered insight. After drawing the staves from a pouch, I consider their tree associations and symbolic meanings together, allowing personal intuition to shape the interpretation. Over time, you’ll develop a personal rapport with your staves, making readings more profound. Whether you follow a Celtic or broader Pagan practice, Ogham staves bring a beautiful tactile element to divination. They invite you to slow down, connect with nature, and listen deeply to the wisdom encoded in ancient alphabets. With practice, these simple wooden sticks become a powerful bridge between the earthly and the spiritual realms.