Ankh Layout

 

 

Difficulty: Kind of tough

The Ankh Spread is for questions about the causes behind trends. It is similar to the Celtic Cross and Secret of the High Priestess layouts, but it covers the reasons behind the circumstances in question differently, perhaps giving a better explanation of why things are the way they are.

The loop of the upper section of the ankh reveals the spiritual background and causes of the situation, while the stem of the base focuses on prospects for the outcome.

The first two oghams represent the two parent causes of the situation. They will either complement each other or show two opposing sides of a conflict, depending on how they relate. These are the significator oghams of the Ankh layout.

3. This ogham shines light upon the early causes of the trend in question.

4. Pinpoints the causes that triggered the current situation.

5. Reveals the spiritual perspective of the subject at hand.

6. This ogham examines the reasons why this course of action had to unfold, as a means to this end.

At this point, it is good to pause to soak in the meaning of the first six oghams before moving forward to the last three oghams. The last three reveal prospects for the future.

7. The Next Step gives clues about the immediate future.

8. Surprising Experiences encountered en route to the result.

9. This represents the result.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Ankh Reading

Early Causes	Higher Perceptions Ruis Blocked	Triggering Causes
Eadha Blocked	Necessary Conclusions	Ór
Significator #1	Duir	Significator #2
Coll Blocked	Next Step	Uilleann
	Fearn
	Surprising Experiences Iphin Blocked
	Outcome Ailm

 

 

 

 

Significator #1

Coll Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Hazel
• Kenning: ‘Wellspring of Wisdom’

Blocked Hazel creates confusion, ignorance, or misuse of knowledge. Perhaps you seek easy answers where there are none, or hoard knowledge without application. Wisdom is not merely knowing; it is knowing when, and how, and why. Choose discernment over cleverness.

• Spiritual Lesson: Wisdom must be lived, not stored.
• Reflective Question: What hidden knowledge am I being invited to embrace?
• Affirmation: ‘I drink from the sacred well.’

 

 

 

 

 

Significator #2

Uilleann

• Tree/Plant: Honeysuckle
• Kenning: ‘Hidden Sweetness’

Uilleann wraps and winds—sweetness found not in plain sight, but in spirals. This is the glyph of unseen blessings and secret pathways. Trust the detour. Trust the fragrance that pulls at your soul. Follow what draws you, not what shouts at you. Life’s richest nectar is rarely on the main road.

• Spiritual Lesson: Not all that tempts is treasure—but real treasure rarely announces itself.
• Reflective Question: What unseen blessing have I ignored?
• Affirmation: ‘I follow sweetness hidden in shadow.’

 

 

 

 

 

Early Causes

Eadha Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Aspen
• Kenning: ‘Shield of Courage’

Blocked Aspen freezes in terror or arrogance. Do you hide from necessary risks? Or charge recklessly to drown out your fears? True courage honours fear without surrendering to it. Feel it. Face it. Then walk through it.

• Spiritual Lesson: Courage is trembling action.
• Reflective Question: What fear am I called to face and outgrow?
• Affirmation: ‘I tremble, but I move.’

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Causes

Ór

• Tree/Plant: Spindle Tree
• Kenning: ‘Weaver’s Gold’

Ór is the thread that weaves fate. Spindle wood was used to craft tools that spin—and so too do you spin destiny now, strand by strand. This glyph teaches prosperity through precision, elegance through focused intention. What you spin now will clothe your future. Choose your pattern with care.

• Spiritual Lesson: Destiny is not found—it is crafted.
• Reflective Question: What thread must I pick up now, even if it scares me?
• Affirmation: ‘I spin my future with sacred hands.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Perceptions

Ruis Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Elder
• Kenning: ‘Death’s Gateway’

Blocked Elder is stagnation, refusing to grieve, refusing to grow. You may cling to rotted branches, mistaking them for life. Stop embalming your own dead. Surrender the corpse of old identities, dreams, and loyalties.

• Spiritual Lesson: True rebirth demands true mourning.
• Reflective Question: What am I still carrying that must be laid to rest?
• Affirmation: ‘I bless the ending and welcome the new.’

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary Conclusions

Duir

• Tree/Plant: Oak
• Kenning: ‘Door to Strength’

The Oak stands unshaken through storms. Duir is the threshold of endurance, power, and sacred kingship. You are asked to hold fast—not just stubbornly, but with righteous clarity. Lead where you must. Take the seat of responsibility you’ve earned. The door is open to those who dare to claim their place in the order of things.

• Spiritual Lesson: Power without purpose is decay.
• Reflective Question: Where must I claim authority—or surrender pride?
• Affirmation: ‘I am the door that withstands all storms.’

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Step

Fearn

• Tree/Plant: Alder
• Kenning: ‘Shield of the Warriors’

Alder thrives between earth and water—the place of negotiation, the meeting of opposites. Fearn calls you to step into the battleground of life, not with brutish force, but with fluid adaptability. Stand where others fear to stand. Your strength will come from your ability to bridge worlds, broker peace, or hold your ground with dignity. Alder wood dyes water red—a sign that some sacrifices are honourable and necessary.

• Spiritual Lesson: Strength is found not in stubbornness, but in sacred resilience.
• Reflective Question: What cause truly deserves my courage right now?
• Affirmation: ‘I am the bridge and the battleground.’

 

 

 

 

 

Surprises

Iphin Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Gooseberry
• Kenning: ‘The Tang of Life’

When Iphin is blocked, bitterness overrides renewal. You may be fixating on what stings instead of what it awakens. Don't let the sourness of the moment poison the sweetness of your path.

• Spiritual Lesson: Life stings—but it stings to wake you.
• Reflective Question: What bitterness must I bless so it can become my medicine?
• Affirmation: ‘I rise refreshed from the bite of truth.’

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

Ailm

• Tree/Plant: Silver Fir
• Kenning: ‘Pillar of Resilience’

Silver Fir stands tall in winter’s darkest days. Ailm offers endurance, spiritual health, and steady strength. In times of bleakness, remember your evergreen soul. Stand tall, rooted deep, reaching for starlight even when the sun hides. Your stillness is your revolution.

• Spiritual Lesson: True resilience bends without breaking.
• Reflective Question: What inner root keeps me alive through winter?
• Affirmation: ‘I endure, evergreen and steadfast.’