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 Tinne Blocked	Triggering Causes
Straif	Necessary Conclusions	Huathe Blocked
Significator #1	Eadha	Significator #2
Uilleann Blocked	Next Step	Ruis Blocked
	Fearn Blocked
	Surprising Experiences Émancholl Blocked
	Outcome Quert

 

 

 

 

Significator #1

Uilleann Blocked

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

Blocked Uilleann is distraction disguised as sweetness. Are you chasing illusions because they smell nice? Or are you ignoring the real treasures underfoot? The sweetness you seek is real—but you must seek with the right senses.

• 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.’

 

 

 

 

 

Significator #2

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.’

 

 

 

 

 

Early Causes

Straif

• Tree/Plant: Blackthorn
• Kenning: ‘Blade of Trials’

Blackthorn is the bitter gatekeeper of transformation. Its thorns are cruel, but its berries sweeten with frost. Straif heralds hardship—not as punishment, but as alchemy. Pain clarifies. Conflict strengthens. Choose to transform, not to collapse. The frostbitten fruit is the richest.

• Spiritual Lesson: Pain refines, not defines.
• Reflective Question: What suffering is trying to carve me into something better?
• Affirmation: ‘I transform pain into power.’

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Causes

Huathe Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Hawthorn
• Kenning: ‘Thorn of Protection’

Blocked Hawthorn becomes paranoia or weakness. Either you trust no one and cut yourself off from life, or you trust everyone and become prey. Look to where you are too defended or too exposed. Choose your thresholds with care. Build your hedges high enough to protect, low enough to breathe.

• Spiritual Lesson: True protection is conscious, not reactionary.
• Reflective Question: What am I defending, and is it truly sacred?
• Affirmation: ‘I protect without imprisoning.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Perceptions

Tinne Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Holly
• Kenning: ‘Warrior’s Crown’

When Tinne is blocked, war becomes endless, joyless, and purposeless. You might fight battles that aren’t yours, or fail to defend what matters most. Recognise your real enemies. Many times they live within: fear, laziness, cowardice. Take up arms, but choose your wars with sacred ruthlessness.

• Spiritual Lesson: Victory is hollow without a worthy cause.
• Reflective Question: What is truly worth fighting for now?
• Affirmation: ‘I wear the crown of sacred battle.’

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary Conclusions

Eadha

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

Aspen trembles, but does not break. Its quivering leaves are a badge of bravery, not fear. Eadha reminds you that courage doesn’t mean fearlessness—it means motion through fear. Shake if you must. Just move anyway.

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

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Step

Fearn Blocked

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

When Alder is blocked, the call to act becomes a coward’s retreat or a reckless charge. You may be standing in the wrong battle, wasting blood for pride. Or worse, refusing a battle that desperately needs your presence. Beware false peace. Some bridges must be burned before the right ones can be built. Know what you are fighting for—and what you are willing to surrender.

• 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

Émancholl Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Double Hazel / ‘Lover’s Vine’
• Kenning: ‘The Sacred Pair’

Blocked Émancholl is entanglement without purpose. You may be caught in patterns that mirror old pain, not new growth. Not all bonds are sacred. Some vines must be cut to allow new growth.

• Spiritual Lesson: True connection is mutual transformation.
• Reflective Question: What relationship calls me to become more than myself?
• Affirmation: ‘I grow through sacred union.’

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

Quert

• Tree/Plant: Apple
• Kenning: ‘Fruit of the Otherworld’

Quert is the sweet fruit hanging just beyond reach, the Otherworld’s promise of abundance, beauty, and healing. You are called to enjoy life's sweetness without shame or fear. Taste joy fully, live fully, love fully. Gifts are meant to be accepted. Pleasure, properly honoured, is a spiritual act.

• Spiritual Lesson: True abundance is joyful, generous, and reverent.
• Reflective Question: Where am I denying myself the blessings of life?
• Affirmation: ‘I taste joy without fear.’