My attempt at outlining an ogam-based lectio divina.
(Image description: A close-up photo of a small, white, and lit pillar candle resting on an open book, with round eyeglasses resting on top of the book. A blue sofa and a person’s legs are seen out of focus in the background.) Credit: Photo by Baptista Ime James on Unsplash
This post was inspired by a recent discussion on a Facebook group that left me wondering how I would go about connecting with ogam. I like the idea of applying lectio divina (Latin for “sacred reading”) to ogam because I can have issues with following imagery-based meditation.
What follows is a general outline of something that I think will work for me. I aim for these steps to be as flexible for others as possible, based on how much time is available to you or how casually you want to approach this practice.
While lectio divina started as a Christian practice, it can be applied to Pagan and Polytheist paths. An inspiration for this post is an essay in Polytheistic Monasticism: Voices from Pagan Cloisters entitled “Druid/Pagan Lectio” by Julie Bond. It centers around connecting with a natural object, but the steps of lectio divina can apply to the study of individual letters as well.
Preparation:
Doing lectio divina in a quiet place is important. However, I think it doesn’t have to be in a specific place, as much as it’s a place where you can focus. It can be within your home, outside, a library, or even on public transit, if you’re comfortable with doing so. If you’re comfortable with some soft background sounds, you can add this in as well.
If you’re inclined to do so, you can ask for a deity’s aid in understanding a letter’s meaning. Based on ogam’s ties to poetry and writing, a couple good options are Brighid or Her uncle, Ogma. Brighid also has some divinatory ties in Her epithet, “Bride of the Augury”. I’m not familiar with working with Ogma, so I would ask Brighid for Her insight. Offerings could be given as part of this stage.
1. Reading
In this part, I’m using the word rather loosely here. Pick one or more parts that draw your attention about the particular letter you’re studying. It could be the sound of the letter itself, either done aloud or to yourself. Word kennings are another avenue to look toward. Other parts of of a fid that could be focused on is its associated tree or plant, bird, or even a color (this could be a useful thing for artists). Sit quietly with the particular facet of the letter and just be. It isn’t so much as emptying your mind, but sharing comfortable silence with a concept.
2. Meditation
I think this portion could be up to your own interpretation, and I’m only providing some possible methods for doing this. Repeat the letter’s sound over and over in a slow, thoughtful manner. Trace the shape of the letter on a printout or on a device. Ask yourself how a word kenning makes you feel as it dwells in your mind. Does a bird or a tree found in the bird and tree ogams (in the chance you want to adapt these sets to your bioregion) have any personal connections for you? What sensations or emotions come to the forefront?
3. Prayer
After the meditation, you can sit in a state of gratitude. However, you might also feel the need to petition a deity, give thanks for your experience, write poetry, or say anything else that’s relevant and wish to express it.
4. Contemplation
This section is similar to the beginning. With the heftier portions of the technique done, resting and spending a bit more time with the fid is the point of this step. Thanking it for sharing its wisdom is another good idea. Take your time to come out of the contemplative state and continue with the rest of your day.
This outline of sorts will act as a guide to keep me focused as I proceed to explore all 25 of the feda. To keep myself from getting off track, a starting duration might be 5 to 10 minutes.
If ogam isn’t of interest to you, this technique could probably also be used with other divination tools or different languages, real or fictional.
I hope that these steps will help others, in case they have problems with meditation in general.
Leave a Reply