Month Two Week One Activity

Contemplating Fionn’s Wheel

The Feige Find is sometimes referred to as Fionn’s Window or Fionn’s Wheel, after the Master Bard Fionn Mac Cumhaill, who was said to have been trained by the Druid Finnéigeas. Since it symbolically incorporates the trees and plants, the stars, the moons, and divination, it represents the source of all knowledge. For this reason, it is often used as a focal point for meditation.

As you study the ogham, it may help to have the Feige Find handy for reference. A copy of it is on the next page for your reference. As your knowledge of the ogham increases, you may wish to study the relationships of the various symbols on the Feige Find and their associations.

For example, the ogham character ruis represents the elder tree, and the Elder Moon (late December to early January). The divinatory meaning of ruis is “transition and rebirth.” On the Feige Find, this symbol is associated with the Winter Solstice, the element of Earth, and the cardinal direction of North. It is also the symbol closest to the center of the Feige Find. The Center represents the sacred Well of Knowledge, or Cerridwen’s Cauldron of Inspiration.

What is the relationship of all of these representations and interpretations? What does rebirth have to do with the Winter Solstice? Or with the element of Earth? Or with the North?  What does it mean that ruis is so close to the source of all knowledge on Fionn’s Wheel? As you contemplate these meanings, remember that there is no right or wrong answer to these questions. As long as you are able to find relationships that are meaningful to you, then your interpretation is a good one.

For this week’s activity, study a few of the relationships outlined above as you contemplate the wheel below. Find a few that seem to have particular significance for you, and if you wish, write about them in your journal.