Title: The Beginner’s Book of Ogam Tree Healing
Author: Thomas Marty
Reviewer: Mark Rosher. 2021
This book was posted to me for review by the author. It’s a good looking book of nearly 250 pages. The text is easy to read there there are small but relevant monochrome photographs throughout. Marty identifies as a Druid graduate of OBOD and also provides a professional healing and workshop service.
I am generally cautious about the offering of medical advice in lay books. I’m happy to say right from the start that both the book and Marty’s own website are heavily peppered with caveats and warnings about administering substances without proper knowledge and or guidance. The plants and trees we build relationships with can take offence or lash out just as easily as humans, if we approach them inappropriately.
The author explains this is a book based on an experiential journey, which opened their perception to a Reiki-like energy they were able to work with. The explanations wander into Sanskrit philosophies, and chakras map part of the process. This feels in line with some of the Philip Carr Gomm blend of OBOD Druidry with eastern mysticism. There is a story here of how one can approach the unseen ‘verse with an open mind, and find direction and worth in contemplation.
The bulk of the book is dedicated to the Ogam trees (I miss the H, but in truth it is as silent as the G), and this is the core value of the book. Marty has not skimped on his research, and each tree is given a full spread of explanatory and inspirational text. Each one begins with a small mono colour photograph of the tree (perhaps not as helpful as the leaf and bud sketches one finds elsewhere), and a list of aspects with which to differentiate the tree – name, type, connected element, gender, month etc.
The tree sections expand to include a decent description of the tree and its habitat, life cycle and uses. These uses expand into spiritual and medicinal uses. There is a folklore part and guides on how the tree might be used in meditation. The Ogham style for the tree is of course given in sketch form. Overall, each tree has several pages of well written text.
The book builds one the tree lore with a section on actual healing practices, and how to interpret the various messages and feelings that are fed back to the healer. And finally finishes with some case studies which are useful and interesting in the context of the book. This is presented as a beginner’s guide, which is it. I feel however that it is a worthwhile read for anyone, and the lessons that result will depend on your familiarity with the subject.