Celtic tree month of Alder

RE: Celtic tree months hawthorn

Hi garthur,
I see it as part of our natural heritage, and should be cherished and remembered, along with the memory of our distant relatives. The natural world is fascinating, as is the folklore, customs and healing properties of not just trees, natural herbs and vegetables, but the history of our origins, and where we came from......haven't really mentioned the oghams yet, but will do as the posts progress.....

I'm also of Irish and Geordie descent, bit of a mixture......but I'm proud of my ancestral heritage

Hope you join in, when you have time , and discuss the oghams in more depth.

Much Love.

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months hawthorn

Magic

Another ancient Springtime custom was to plait crowns of flowering hawthorn, and leave them hanging on a tree, for angels and faeries who visit in the night. It was believed that good luck and blessing would follow, if the faeries chose to dance around the blossoms....This custom is still practised in some parts of Wales and Ireland.

The old Mid-Summers Day fell on 5th July, this is when the Hawthorn trees were decorated, and this was called ' Bawming the thorn '. Red ribbons and garlands of flowers were attached to the tree and children danced and sung around the tree.....It was performed regularly until recently in Appleton Thorn in Cheshire, and the tree was thought to have decended from the Glastonbury Thorn planted from the staff of ' Joseph of Arimathea '

Hawthorn had intimate connections to all aspects of village life, and many thorn trees still grow by the old village wells...these old ' well trees ' are steeped in folklore and magic, and are sometimes even given names such as ' Old Sal ' or ' Sally Hawthorn '....The potent energy that bubbles up from within these springs and wells, is so great that often the trees surrounding the wells are often gnarled and mis-shapen. Not unlike the old women who , in ancient times drew their water from these wells.

[link= http://www.thornber.net/cheshire/htmlfiles/grappen.html ]http://www.thornber.net/cheshire/htmlfiles/grappen.html[/link]

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months hawthorn

Magic

There are many folklore tales about those who fell a hawthorn. One tells of a Parliamentary soldier who was said to have been blinded as he tried to fell the Holy Thorn at Glastonbury. Another tale tells of a farmer who was annoyed by visitors to a flowering hawthorn on his land and tried to cut the tree down, but saw blood flowing from its trunk. There is also a story of another farmer felled a hawthor and immediately broke his leg and had his farm burn down. It is therefore still traditional for a prayer to be said before even taking a branch from a hawthorn.

It is thought that to carry a sprig of hawthorn was to have protection against storms at sea and lightnin on shore, and in some regions hawthorn was taken into the home and placed in the rafters for protection against spirits, ghosts and storms. The Church engineered a superstition into believing that this hawthorn was unlucky, however in 1350 John Mandeville wrote:

'And therefore hath the white thorn many virtues! For he that hearest on hym thereof, none manner of tempest may dere him: be in the hows that yt is ynne may none evil ghost entre.'

A rhyme about the Hawthorn's against lightning

Beware of an oak
It draws the stroke,
Avoid an ash,
It courts a flash,
Creep under a thorn,
It will save you from harm.

Girls in the north of Britain eagerly awaited the first blossom of hawthorn,a nd the one who found it would partly break it and leave it hanging. It is said, that night she would dream of her future husband and if the next day she found and gathered up the broken twig of blossom, it could be kept as a charm until her husband appeared.

The planet that rules over Hawthorn is Mars, and it gives it a fiery nature full of lusty qualities. The deities associated with hawthorn are Flora, Olwen, Blodeuwedd, Hera, Cardeanad Hymen, the god of marriage, who carries the ridal torch made from hawthorn, and who was invoked by the bridal song called 'The Hymeneal'.

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months hawthorn

Physical Uses

Hawthorn is hard wearing but as the tree is generally small it can only provide wood for small things. In ancient times it was used to make handles, particularly of knives and daggers. The roots wood has a beautifully fine grain and was used to make combs and small boxes for ladies.

The hawthorn wood also is known to burn more readily than most, even when green and is the hottest firewood, better than oak for oven-heating and excellent charcoal is made from it.

The bark was used to dye wool black in Scotland and the leaves are generally used to make a refreshing tea, nowadays dried hawthorn leaves can be mixed with ordinary tea-leaves to produce a vigorous blend of tea which is both good for us and economical. The flowers can be added to syrups and make a spirituous wine by using a basic wine recipe.

The hawthorn berries are also useful and can be made into jellies and wines, and the following recipe makes a good chutney which livens up meats and cheeses:

2lbs (900g) of haw berries snipped from stalk, washed and put into a large saucepan with 1 pint of cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Boil and then simmer for one hour. Rub the haws through a sieve with the vinegar and then add 3/4 lb (350g) brown sugar, 1 teasppon ginger and 1 of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of allspice and cloves and black pepper to taste. Place this mixture in a saucepan, boil and simmer until it is thickened, allow to cool and store in sealed glass jars.

Many hedges have been made from the hawthorn bush as it makes a good barrier because of its fast-growing habit, which allows the branches to entangle. Hawthorn is a useful tree as a 'stock tree' where by fruit trees are grafted to it, mistletoe also thrives on it.

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months hawthorn

Energies and healing properties.

The hawthorn is the sixth tree of the Celtic year and is connected to the great spring festival of Beltane and is protected by the faerie realm. You can give a gift of hawthorn to a friend but don't take the blossoms indoors as it is deemed extremely unlucky, but a very powerful protection placed upon a door. It is also protection for babis and spiritual growth.

The use of flowers, leaves and berries for problems associated with the heart, both physical and emotional, by opening the arteries and valves of the heart thereby improving blood supply and circulation in general. Hawthorn is the prime remedy for the heart and circulation and it is safe to take over long periods of time, so is especially useful in old age.

When wand or talisman making, the wood growing by a spring or well is particularly magically potent and is therefore also a good tree to go to when you wish to make contact with the faerie realm.

It is also know to release blocked energy by relieving stress and also by creating an ability to trust and let go of fears and doubts. Blocked energy from the heart centre is liberated when the fear is released, this means that the aura is charged and the way for the energy of love is opened.

[link= http://www.walkwithtrees.co.uk/ ]http://www.walkwithtrees.co.uk/[/link]

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Oak ( Duir )

Inner Strength;
Courage;
Endurance;
A Doorway;
Self-Determination

Today begins the Celtic tree month of Duir ( Oak ). The doorway to inner strength and spirituality. It will give you the ability to overcome any problems and survive any bad situations. The Oak will lead the way to the truth, especially about past actions. This in turn will reveal visions and open up gateways to new understandings.
Oak restores Self-Determination, that we sometimes lack when we are under stress.....Rest beneath an Oak to find Wisdom, Strength,and Love that endures.

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Hello Oakapple.

I have just been 'skimming' through your wonderful posts as the thread caught my eye this morning. I LOVE trees but I have always had problems remembering which are which. My brain can only seem to acknowledge 'tree' but try as I might I cannot retain info on which tree is which! Ask me to point out an Ash or Hawthorn and I would be lost. Is there any way that you think might help me to remember?
Incidentally I also have Celtic blood, Irish on my mum's side, Scottish on my dad's! It's amazing when with a group of healers etc how ALL have Celtic blood.

Love and light

reikiangel

xxx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Hi Reikiangel,
thanks for the positive remarks about the trees and their healing properties. I can only point you in the right direction I'm affraid, the field work and connections have to come from you. It takes time but is worth it in the end.

What I have done is to join up with other ' Bush-crafters ' for two or three weekends a year, and each time we meet up we work on two 'oghams '. We also meet for the Sabbats, and a talk is generally associated within the celebrations.

As you know I study the Celtic History and Folklore of each tree, which helps me to connect spiritually and personally with all of the natural world, and especially the 'ogham , although I don't usually go into it on this forum........The Pagan Festivals ,......which I also have a thread on, are also connected with the God/Goddess/Divine pathway which leads us through the agricultural year, as most were nature based deities.....so both threads are connected.........In ancient times, the general population couldn't read or write, so it was an easy way to remember what had to be achieved throughout the year, and of course when.!!

I have left you a link,.....have a read, and should you need any more info, I'm only happy to oblige...........

Oakapple xx

[link= http://treetotem.com/mythoghams.htm ]http://treetotem.com/mythoghams.htm[/link]

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Dear Oakapple,

Thank you for the link, that was very kind of you. I look forward to learning more.

Love and light

reikiangel

xxx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

English oak

The oak tree is one of great longevity, living to some 700 years, and has an imposing stature, it takes around 60 years to produce its first full crop of catkins and grow to a size of 100 feet high and 30-40 feet around. It has around 400 species worldwide and has both evergreen and deciduous varieties.

One main problem associated with the oak is the harmful galls that are produced by the gall wasp, these are generally known as oakapples!! They can be seen on bare branches in the winter, and look like hard brown balls at the ends of twigs, often having a small hole in them where the grub has escaped when metamorphosing into the wasp stage.

Some insects attract different birds to the tree, including nuthatces, flycatchers, warblers and woodpeckers, and the acorns provide plentiful food for other animals, such as squirrels, bagders and other woodland animals.

England was once covered in oak forests and indeed in Henry VIII's reign one third of the land was still oak. However with its strength to endure winter gales, the oak has a noble dignity and is still known as the 'King of the Forest'.

Bark

Oaks have a grey-brown and distinctly gnarled and furrowed bark, with their waisted trunks opening out to divide into heavy branches, sometimes growing horizontally. Smaller branches and twigs are knobbly and corked and will bear the closed bud of next year's leaves all winter long.

Leaves

At the end of April/beginning of male the new oak leaves begin to appear and are feathery, pale green and short stalked. They become thicker and darker by June and develop a strong centre vein and deeply lobed edges. During the summer the leaves do their work by using the sunlight for photosynthesis, thereby producing essential nutrients for the tree's growth. It is actually possible for the oak to re-leaf itself if young leaves have been caught by the frost, hence the saying 'the last leaf never falls off the oak'.

They are particularly known for their ability to glow with fresh colour in August, when the produce fresh 'Lammas shoots', this enables the oak to retain strong leaves untillate in the year and can therefore provide extra shelter for animals and insects.

Flowers

Male catkins are produced in April, and become long and filled with pollen in May. This is when the female catkins open as upright flowers, which can then be pollinated from the males. These will later, if pollinated, become the acorns, which is the fruit of the oak.

Fruit

The acorns ripen in autumn, whereby they change from green to pale yellow then to dark olive brown and then the oak drops its fruit. They will either be eaten by woodland animals or send out tiny shoots which will root and produce saplings.

The acorn is the food reserve for the young tree and is only used up once the tree is big enough to survive.

Roots

The trunk of the oak spreads widely to form the many roots, which give it a good grip in the earth. They have to be large and go deep into the earth so that they can give stability to the huge mass of the tree above.

[link= http://www.treetotem.com/ ]http://www.treetotem.com/[/link]

[link= http://www.the-tree.org.uk/ ]http://www.the-tree.org.uk/[/link]

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Custom and legend

The oak is known as a 'gardenand a country' as it can host many forms of life, nad is also regarded as an emblem of hospitality and strength. Acorns are actually said to have been man's first food and traditionally couples were married under oak trees. It is actually the most widely revered of all trees and ancients around the world regarded it as symbolic of the gods. The earliest spirits of Greek mythology were oak-tree spirits called dryads, some believing that the oak was the first tree created by God from which the human race then sprang.

The sacred oak grove at Dodona had the greatest reputation for the gift of prophecy, Dodona being the most hallowed sanctuary in Greece where the goddess Dione has an oak cult. It is believed that two black doves flew from Thebes, one going to Ammon in Libya and the other to Dodona. on arriving at their destinations they alighted on an oak tree and began the oracular oak cults.

Oracles were said to be delivered by the earth Goddess, but her authority became so great that other Gods seized her shrines and took her priests and priestesses into their own service. Zeus took the oracle of Dodona from Dione as his, like Jehova too the willow from Anantha and Ishtar's oracular Cult. Eventually the priests and priestesses at Dodona listened to the cooing of the black doves, the rustling of the oak leaves or the clanging of vessels hung in the tree's branches and proclaimed that within the sounds was the voice of Zeus.

The oak trees at Dodona were situated at the foot of Mount Tomarus and had a far spreading oak tree with evergreen leaves and sweet edible acorns. It is here that Pelias became a famous interpreter of Zeus's voice and messages to mankind, at the foot of this tree a cold spring of water gushed and was said to murmur, which inspired many prophecies. Many thunder storms raged over this oak and they were thought to also be the voice of Zeus, hence thunder gods being closely associated with oak, and it is struck by lightning far more than any other tree.

[link= http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/amethystbt/loreoftrees.html ]http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/amethystbt/loreoftrees.html[/link]

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Custom and legend

Fire has always been associated with the oak, the Vestal Virgins in Rome used oak wood for their perpetual fires and in later years the fires of St. Briget's retreat in Ireland were kept alight with acorns. Oak was one of the traditional woods used for the Yule log and the midsummer bale-fires or any fires lit for need.

The oak is often referred to in the bible, it was sacred to the ancient Hebrews and Abraham received his heavenly visitors under an oak. Many were buried under oaks, including the idols of Shechem, and Saul and his sons. When Augustine preached to the ancient Britons he stood under an oak tree and Gideon saw an angel who advised him how to free Israel under the Oak of Ophra.
In Scandinavian myth, Thor was champion of the Gods and chief defender of Asgard, the realm of the Nordic gods known as the Aesir. Thor, a sky god, was said to drive his chariot across the heavens, granting good weather and favourable winds. He was seen to be massive and red-bearded, armed with a hammer, iron gloves and a girdle of strength. and typifyng the characteristic Viking. Thursday was dedicated to the 'thunderer' in Germany and was a holy day, his hammer becoming a ritualistic object, used at weddings, funerals and for accepting newborn children into the community. It is also thought that 'throwing the hammer' was derived from Thors weapon.

When Thors followers settled in Iceland they took oak there in the form of high-seat pillars which they used to hallow new ground, meaning that the god could protect his people in this new land. Most of Thor's legendary battles were fought against frost giants and giantesses and he defended men rather than gods.

[link= http://fantasyandenchantment.blogspot.com/search/label/celtic%20mythology ]http://fantasyandenchantment.blogspot.com/search/label/celtic%20mythology[/link]

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Protective qualities

Worldwide the oak is regarded as a protector, in Britain the oak still stands as the father of the trees. In celtic times some oaks were carved with a protective circle which was then divided into four equal parts, this being symbolic of the earth, in order to magically prevent the tree from falling. This probably originated from the Druids as they rev'ered the oak above all other trees, as they believed it contained the energy, power and strength of their mighty god Esus. The fact that it also accepted the mistletoe to grow upon it made it especially sacred, the white berries representing the sperm of the God and the oak tree, therefore, was likened to the male procreative force of the universe.

Brigid was also specifically associated with the oak and the rowan, and she carried three fiery arrows with which to defend the land against invasion. She was a very popular saint and founded a retreat called the Cell of Oak in Ireland, she embodied the 'fire of faith' and her cauldron contained the 'milk of human kindness'. She is traditionally celebrated at Imbolc, the first Celtic fire festival of the year.

There are many famous oaks in British legend, the wizard Merlin is associated with a grove of oaks and used a branch of one as his wand. In Welsh myths Merlin was born at Carmarthen, the welsh form of the word meaning 'Merlin's fortress', this is an ancient spell about Merlin's oak;

When Merlin's Oak shall tumble down,
Then shall fall Carmarthen town

This tree was in Priory street, and was recently just a stump, which then, ironically, was stolen! Another tree was then rapidly planted in another location and it is hoped that a plaque will be placed in the original place so that a landmark will remain.

The round table from King Arthurs court was reputedly made from one slice of an enormous Oak tree and a fine example is in Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire. There is also one said to be King Arthurs at Glastonbury Abbey, but knowone knows for sure.

Oak tree's have always been considered magical protectors, and mark boundaries between Shires, and in the Domesday Book, woodland was valued according to the amount of acorns and Beechnut it provided ( panage ).

Herne the Hunters spirit, is believed to inhabit an ancient Oak tree, According to 18th century manuscripts, Herne was an Oak-God of southern Britain whose horned spirit has haunted the forests of Windsor and Virginia Water's in Berkshire for centuries. He is likened to Hermes, Mercury and Pan, and in Welsh tradition to Gwynn ap Nudd (the White one) whose hounds, the dogs of Annwm, hunt souls across the skies. At Glastonbury there is supposedly a Gwynn cult and the Tor is the gateway to the Otherworld and it is Herne who leads the legendary Wild Hunt.

[link= http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Celtic/tree.html ]http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Celtic/tree.html[/link]

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Physical uses

The wood of the oad is very hard and close grained, as after its first century of growth, it only grows about 1 inch a year, causing the wood to mature as it grows. As it becomes almost indestructible and does not rot easily it was often used for bridges, piles for waterbreaks and walkways over marshes. Many houses were made of oak wood as well as churches and cathedrals, particularly the roof beams of Westminster Abbey are 'Durmast' timber from Sessile oaks.

The oaks in the Forest of Dean was used for many ships and they became famous for their quality of wood. After the Battle of the Armada, Philip of SPain declared that every tree in the forest should be destroyed, as he would like to have destroyed the heart of every Englishman. The forest was not destroyed by Philip, but a couple of centruries later had become so depleted that Nelson asked for it to be replanted.

Oak is also prized for its use in furniture as it has a beautiful grain and texture as well as a rich colour when polished. Tables, chests, doors and chairs tend to survive a long period of use when made of oak, these pieces add warmth and a feeling of security to any home.

The oaks of the present time tend to be smaller in stature than the ancient oaks, this is back up by the discovery of a prehistoric boat of bog-oak at Brigg in Ireland. This had been dug out from one huge oak log and was 481/2 feet long. Vikings made their longboats from the giant oaks of European forests, and although their spear were generally made from Ash, all other weapons, particularly hammers, were made from oak.

Oak wood is known to be impervious to alcohol and has often been used in the manufacture of casks to store alcohol. This association is expressed in the familiar signs and names of pubs, that is ' the royal oak' or 'the oak and acorn'.

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Oak

Duir - Oak

As the 7th tree of the cycle, the oak is at the centre of the wheel of the year, at the time of the summer solstice and represents the doorway to the second half of the year. Days begin to shorten and as darkness increases so does the use of the oak as fire wood.

The wood of the oak is associated with strength, courage and protection and is called 'the mighty oak' and 'king of the forest', mainly due to its immense size and girth.

The word Duir comes from the sanskrit word 'DWR' which means door and refers to the use of the oak as wood for doors and as the doorway to inner strength and spirituality. MAny meetings and religious ceremonies were held under oaks and they were often planted to create boundaries, such boundaries lasting a very long time.

Healing:
You may need the oak when more strength is necessary to fulfil a task or feat and it can give you the courage to carry on. It also smooths the motor nervous system and helps you to solve problems by bringing deep calm and inner peace.

It is ruled by both jupiter and the sun bringing potency, fertility and good health. Oak is an excellent remedy for catarrh and sinus congestion, generally using the tannins in the bark. It can also help with diarrhoea and can tone muscles throughout the circulatory system.

The oaks flower remedy is useful for workaholics, particularly those close to exhaustion or struggling with an illness. The oak helps you to let go of responsibilities bringing renewed energy. A water made form the flower buds of the oak was use by the druids to cleanse the internal body and the actual tree was used in many cleansing rituals during the midsummer festivities.

Acorn kernels can be made into a coffee substitute, which are chopped up and roasted, then ground into their finer form. They can be rather bitter but are excellent as a digestive aid. The acorn can also be worn as a symbol for luck and good health, and in ancient times was often to be engraved in etchings for good fortune.

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Holly

Holly ( Tinne)
July 8th - August 4th

The Holly loves a fight, and defends himself well in any battle. His spines are soft in Summer, but in the Winter, when other greenery is scarce. His spikes become hard and these defend his leaves from browsing animals.

The ancient name for Holly is Holm....Preserved in place-names such as ' Holmesdale ' in Surrey, whose motto is " Never wonne, we never shall ".

When Christianity became the popular religion here in the UK, the Holly became known as the Holy tree, symbolic of, the crown of thorns.......and so representing our present life, and the eternal life that follows this mundane existence.

The Holly is male, and sybolizes paternity and fatherhood. Along wth the Mistletoe and the Ivy....Holly was regarded as a potent and fertile life symbol, for his Winter fruits and year-round green foilage.

[link= http://crystal-forest.com/CelticTreeMonthHOLLY.html ]http://crystal-forest.com/CelticTreeMonthHOLLY.html[/link]

Oakapple xx

RE: Celtic tree months Holly

Underlying Energy ( Holly )

Holly is the eighth month in the Celtic Year and is a potent symboland positive lifeforce. In Celtic mythology the Oak-king and Holly-king do battle at Mid-summer and Mid-winter for the hand of the Goddess, but the loser vowes to return.

Holly is ruled by Mars, and eill provide energy needed to redirect your life. Holly is used for Mid-winter festivals and ceremonies for decoration and goodwill......It provides linkes to past actions in this life and lives before this mundane realm, it also restores love and understanding.

Holly, being a tree of protection, should be planted close to your house, to guard against evil spirits, poisoning thoughts and lightening strikes. Druids collected 'Holly Water', to annoint and protect new-born babies........it is considered very unlucky to cut down a Holly tree.

[link= http://www.the-tree.org.uk/BritishTrees/MrsGrieve/mgholly.htm ]http://www.the-tree.org.uk/BritishTrees/MrsGrieve/mgholly.htm[/link]

[link= http://www.dutchie.org/Tracy/trees/celtic_tree_holly.html ]http://www.dutchie.org/Tracy/trees/celtic_tree_holly.html[/link]

Oakapple xx

Celtic tree month Reed

Reed ( Broom )

Today marks the beginning of the Celtic tree month of Reed or Broom (nG-nGeTAL).

Generally Broom helps cleaning up the soul or Astral Travel, it also restores harmony. It is associated with cleaning up or making a clean sweep which can be carried out on the physical, mental or Psychic and spiritual levels.

Underlying energy

Clear out and clean your living space and throw of give away any things that are no longer relevant to you or which belong to the past and could possibly be holding you back. This will create more harmony and light in your living space and you can cleanse it further by burning dried sage. Often it is the aura that needs cleansing, entities can be attached and be very draining without you even knowing. Once again burning dried sage and wafting the smoke around the outside of the body can help, but for a stronger cleansing it may be necessary to see a a spiritual or psychic healer.

Communicating with broom.

The shrub of the Broom is most often found in wild places, and offers protection from the wind. In order to get a piece of wood to make your 13th Ogham, you will have to cut a large piece and it is possible to make a brush with the rest. This type of 'broom' is the type 'Witches' used to travel on and would have been made out of broom. It has narcotic properties which ties in with this.

These items (the ogham stick and broom) can be used to facilitate a journey on the astal plane, imagining yourself to be drawn along or visiting a place of your choosing, asking your guides to help in showing you the areas in your life that need cleansing.

Oakapple xx

Elder ( Ruis )

Elder ( Ruis )

November 25 marks the beginning of the tree month of Elder. Look on any waste ground , hedgerow or woods and you will find the Elder.

It's often considered a nuisance because of it's abundance....The Elder bark has a sandy colour, and the surface is rough and full of chinks, although the branches are much smoother, but the smaller branches, although greener in colour, do have brownish spots or warts caused by the trees lenticels.

The Elder leaves have five leaflets attached to a centre stalk, and are set opposite each other on the twig. It also grows a reseve leaf bud, in case the seasonal climate suddenly changes.

The white flowers generally start blooming in early June, and appear to have a flat top to the masses of blooms that adorn the branches. The Elder flower clusters are built up from just five very slim branches growing from the end of the main stalk, and viewed from underneath, resemble small many spoked umbrellas......many insects are attracted by the fragrance of these beautiful little flowers.

By late Summer the flowers have developed into berries, these berries are green at first but ripen into sweet edible fruit, deep purple in colour.
Birds love these Elderberries and will strip a tree bare of fruit, once the berries are ripe.......So vigilance is needed to pick the berries before the wild birds eat them all.