Ur ~ Heather

Author: * Brighid Niafer - 1 Post on this thread out of 5 Posts sitewide.
Date: Nov 2, 2006 - 12:22

I originally decided to do Heather because I've always been fascinated with it. I've seen it up close and personal in the Highlands of Scotland and even had a conversation with it. Granted, it was a bit one-way but still.

I'd forgotten; however; that this wee ogham that I so adore, is shared with Mistletoe; of which I know nothing. So, I'll try to put in a bit about that as well.

Ur (or Ura) ~ Heather

Heather (Latin: Calluna vulgaris; Irish: ulmus; Gaelic: Fraoch etc.), represents the letter U in the Ogham alphabet. In the three levels of Ogham, Heather is in the second: "The Peasants" according to a couple of sources. (I'm not certain what word the Druid used, but I'm betting that wasn't it). Though this symbol is not affiliated with any particular month, it is associated with Midsummer and the opening of the gates Annwn leading to the Otherworld (Fae World) with three shafts of light. (With mistletoe sharing this Ogham, one could suppose that in modern day, it also could symbolize midwinter. However, I digress.)

The symbol for Ur is the stave bi-sected by three lines. This is said to not only represent the opening of the gates, but the navigation of the bees that make a uniquely flavourful honey with pollen gathered from Heather. (I'm here to tell you, that unless you have an allergy to bees, try it!) The Celts of the day felt that the bees that travelled on a slant in direction away from the sun were messengers to the spirit world.

In Scotland, it is believed that coloured (particularly red, but also the purple) heather represents the location of the dead during the clan wars and that white heather will protect a person from violence.

Heather grows on peat and prefers light moisture. It will not allow other plants to encroach. This goes a long way to explain why, when driving through the Highlands of Scotland, the hills are alive with their purple hue.

Heather was historically used for nervous dispositions and heart palpitations and more recently to soothe menstrual pain and bladder infections.

Heather was used to brew ale in Scotland for nearly 4000 years. When Scotland was "united" with the rest of the UK in the sixteenth century, heather was banned from being used to make ale. This has since changed, and the nearly lost art has made a comeback.

Mistletoe & Ogham

The Mistletoe was highly venerated by the Druid, particularly as they thought it was a gift from the Oak. (Apparently, only 12 Oaks in all the UK have Mistletoe growing on them.) The shrub was collected using golden sticks at midwinter as a symbol of fertility. The Mistletoe is also known as "all-heal".

Together Forever

As the Mistletoe and Heather combine forces, it is said that together they are force for healing and a connection to the spirit world.

I don't know that I'd recommend consumming any part of the Mistletoe; however, using the flowering stems of a Heather plant will make a soothing tea.

Heather stems were also known to be used to make thatch huts in Pictish times. It has found many uses over the ages from dyes & instruments to jewellery.

Sources:
Alchemy Works
The Celtic Tree Oracle ~ A system of divination: Liz and Colin Murray; St. Martins Press; 1988
British Druid Order
Meaning of Ogham Staves
Sacred Fire
Low Growing Shrub
Wicca Garden: Gerina Dunwich; Citadel Press; 1997
Heather Gems. Click on the currency symbol to get to site.

An Australian is thinking of creating an Ogham using their indigenous plants Druidry