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 Eabhadh Blocked	Triggering Causes
Onn Blocked	Necessary Conclusions	Beith
Significator #1	Tinne	Significator #2
Nion Blocked	Next Step	Quert Blocked
	Duir Blocked
	Surprising Experiences Ailm
	Outcome Émancholl

 

 

 

 

Significator #1

Nion Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Ash
• Kenning: ‘World-Tree of the Ancestors’

When Ash is blocked, there is disconnection from purpose—an aimless, rootless drift. You may have forgotten who you are, or worse, whose shoulders you stand upon. Traditions misused become chains; traditions honoured become wings. Find your bloodline, your soul-line, your myth. Rebuild your bridge to the past to walk boldly into the future.

• Spiritual Lesson: True growth demands humility before the unseen web of life.
• Reflective Question: What legacy am I weaving with my daily choices?
• Affirmation: ‘I walk the worlds rooted and crowned.’

 

 

 

 

 

Significator #2

Quert Blocked

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

When Apple is blocked, pleasure becomes greed, or fear of pleasure stifles the spirit. You may refuse what life offers, believing yourself unworthy—or gorge yourself into spiritual sickness. Seek balance. The fruit of the Otherworld is sacred because it is shared, not hoarded.

• 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.’

 

 

 

 

 

Early Causes

Onn Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Gorse
• Kenning: ‘Flame of Fertility’

Blocked Gorse burns out of control or gutters to ash. Lust without love, ambition without honour—these are false flames. Don't waste your fire chasing mirages. Let your passions be sacred, not consuming.

• Spiritual Lesson: Sacred fire creates; false fire consumes.
• Reflective Question: Where does my fire want to bloom?
• Affirmation: ‘I blaze the barren into bloom.’

 

 

 

 

 

Triggering Causes

Beith

• Tree/Plant: Birch
• Kenning: ‘Brightest of Trees’

The path clears before you, washed clean by the rains of old griefs. Beith marks the sacred threshold: a pure beginning, unburdened by yesterday’s debris. You are given leave to start again—with clarity, with lightness. This is the white bark of renewal, sacred to Druids as the tree of purification and rebirth. You are called to honour your beginning without apology, even if it feels fragile. Innocence is not weakness. Every ancient forest was once a single trembling sapling.

• Spiritual Lesson: Purification requires surrender; beginnings require mourning.
• Reflective Question: What old story must I finally lay to rest to allow my rebirth?
• Affirmation: ‘I welcome the purity of the unknown.’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher Perceptions

Eabhadh Blocked

• Tree/Plant: Aspen
• Kenning: ‘Stone of Memory’

When Eabhadh is blocked, you're drowning in ambiguity or paralysed by what can't be understood. But not all truths are meant to be solved—some are meant to be witnessed.

• Spiritual Lesson: Some mysteries are meant to be honoured, not solved.
• Reflective Question: What silence am I afraid to name?
• Affirmation: ‘I honour the nameless and remember the unsaid.’

 

 

 

 

 

Necessary Conclusions

Tinne

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

Tinne, the battle tree, grants you the armour of spirit. Now is the time for honourable combat—whether internal or external. Holly speaks to inner resilience, self-defence, and strategic action. You are not called to start wars, but to win them if they come. Focus your energy. Fight for what feeds your soul, not your vanity.

• 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.’

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Step

Duir Blocked

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

Blocked Oak crumbles into tyranny or weakness. You may either dominate when you should lead, or abdicate when you should stand firm. Know the difference between stubborn pride and rightful authority. Strength unused is strength lost. Step up—or step aside.

• 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.’

 

 

 

 

 

Surprises

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.’

 

 

 

 

 

The Outcome

Émancholl

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

Émancholl is duality in harmony: the sacred twin, the mirror, the double thread. This glyph speaks to powerful relationships—those that complete you, challenge you, transform you. Be it a person, a dream, or a path, what you are entwined with now is sacred. Tend it. Honour the tension. Let it make you whole.

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