Spellcraft And EarthMagick

WRITING - OGHAM

The ancient Celts had a form of writing called ogham (pronounced OH-yam). It was the writing of Druids and Bards. Ogham is also called 'Tree Alphabet' because each letter corresponds to a tree and an associated meaning. The druids and the celts had a close affinity with nature and trees in particular. Many of the attributes of the trees had a more practical value as well, used to signify bad areas in the country side etc. They were used as a secret code to warn or provide extra information to those who were in the know. Many of the celtic religious ceremonies were carried out in sacred groves with specific trees used to symbolise specific energies and magicks.Ogham was named after the Celtic god of literature, Ogma. It was used on the edges of burial stones and boundary markers. They usually held the name of a person. Examples exist to this day.


The trees mentioned here specifically relate to the ogam alphabet

Birch - B...Birch is one of the first trees to grow on bare soil and has come to symbolize fertility, healing and rebirth. The tree itself was used for almost everything from canoes to producing sugar and represents that which is needed for everyday living. It is known for its protective healing abilities and is used to drive out evil spirits and as protection from the faery folk.

Rowan - L...The rowan is also known as the mountain ash and the witchtree (because of the pentagram that can be found at the base of its berries). It has always been regarded as an aid for protection against evil charms and enchantment. It is believed that if it is planted at the gate of your garden it will ward away evil spirits, if used as a walking stick it will protect the traveller from evil and guide him home safely. In addition it is associated with astral travel, vision and healing. The berries and leaves are dried and burned as incense to invoke spirits, familiars, spirit guides, and the elements.

Alder - F...The Alder is an unusual tree, it is waterloving yet is also highly combustible, making it very sacred as it combines the elements water and fire. Because of its fierce flame it is sometimes known as the warrior tree, its symbolism being that of strength, tenacity and determination. Because of its resistance to water it can be used to hold water elementals and negative spirits. Dyes can be made from its bark, flowers and twigs, one of which was red which the druids used to dye their faces during rituals.

Willow - S...The Willow is regarded as feminine and is closely associated with the moon and water. It is seen as a melancholic tree representing sadness, it is believed sitting underneath it will soothe the emotions and banish depression and sadness. In addition it was associated to love, healing, rhythms, and the gaining of eloquence, inspiration, growth and skills. It is said to protect from enchantment.

Ash - N...Ash also referred to as Yggdrasil in Northern Europe and known as the world tree was very sacred to the druids. Its main symbolism being that of stability as it links the inner and otherworlds. It is used in spells that require focus and strength and is often used to banish mental strife. It is said that if you put its leaves under your pillow it will induce psychic dreams.

Whitethorn - H...Also known as the Hawthorn, its is considered to be one of the most powerful trees. It is closely associated with witchcraft, protection, fertility. It is often used for love/marriage spells and protection with its powers of dispelling negative energy and strife. The hawthorn is said to stand at the doors of the otherworld and is sometimes called the faery tree and can be found 'guarding' cemeteries and holy places. The tree except in May is usually regarded as a very unlucky tree due to its contradictory nature of having beautiful flowers and deadly thorns.

Oak - D...Oak has always been respected by nearly all world cultures. Admired for its strength and size it represents strength, endurance and power. Because it is often struck by lightening it has become associated with having the ability to attract inspiration, wisdom and illumination. Oak galls were known as Serpent Eggs and were used in magic and charms. It has also been associated with fertility. The oak is considered very sacred to the druids and there name has even been linked as a derivative of duir (oak).

Holly - T...Holly is associated with the cycle of death and rebirth representing winter winning over summer. With this symbolism in mind it is good for spells that involve sleep or rest. Because of its bristles and its use in making spears it is closely associated with combat and protection, warding away evil spirits and also signifying the virtues of balance and directness. It is favoured during the winter season as lucky with its beautiful leaves and berries being very colourful against the dead landscape giving hope for the following summer during the dark months.

Hazel - C...The hazel is considered one of the most important trees it is very closely related to the salmon, who eats its nuts of poetic wisdom. Its associations are: intuition; poetry; divination; meditation; wisdom; knowledge and fertility. The nuts have been eaten to gain knowledge, they have also been used as part of a hallucinogenic brew to induce visions. In addition many love spells and aphrodisiacs can be made from its nut.

Apple - Q...The apple tree represents youth, beauty, and love. It features in most major myths as the fruit that keeps the gods young/immortal. Its juice can be used to infer strength and beauty. It was also seen as the fruit of choice seen in the myth of the bible and also of Paris and the three goddesses. It is commonly used for spells regarding love and healing.

Vine - M...The vine has been cultivated for a very long time throughout Europe and is one of the greatest suppliers of wine. Due to the heady effects of wine this plant was associated with the loss of inhibitions and the loosening of the tongue. It represents the release of prophetic powers and the revealing of truths.

Ivy - G...Ivy is able to thrive and grow in almost all environments, it is extremely strong and is very difficult to destroy. Its stalks grow in what appears a helix and therefore represents the growing spiral of self enlightenment that was sacred to the celts. It symbolizes the soul and its journeys both inner and outer on its search for nourishment.

Broom - Ng...Broom is the equivelant of Furze or gorse and was also used to sweep ritualistic areas to purify them. It is set on fire to burn away all the old growth and make way for the new. It is seen as a good plant to use when wanting to make new starts or begin new ventures.

Blackthorn - St(z...Blackthorn is a winter tree and is very hardy, it has black bark and is armed with vicious thorns and can be found growing in dense thickets. Its wood and its thorns are used for offensive magic like thundersticks or piercing effigies. The plant itself has come to represent fate or outside influences that must be followed.

Elder - R... Elder is well known for its regenerative properties, it can easily regrow damaged branches and roots quickly from any part. It represents the end in the beginning and the beginning in the end. It was considered by some as unlucky as it was the abode of witches, but to others it was the tree of second sight that allowed you to see the faery folk. It was a sacred tree and it was not allowed to be damaged in anyway the druids used it both for spells and curses. It was believed that if you bathed your eyes in the sap of the wood it allowed you to see faeries and witches.

Silver Fir - A...The fir is a tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions, its cones respond to the environment by opening with the sun and closing with rain. Because of its height it indicates aspiring views, far sight and clear vision. In addition it symbolizes flexibility, astuteness and the ability to change. Its wood is considered good for magic that involves shapeshifting and other changing magics.

Furze - O... Furze, or gorse was used to sweep important areas and is seen as a purifier. It is said that burning the blooms and shoots will calm the wind, it is also set on fire to burn away all the old growth and make way for the new. It is seen as a good plant to use when wanting to make new starts or begin new ventures.

Heather - U...Heather grows in great abundance and helps form vegetation known as heath this is believed to be the source of the phrase heathen as many ceremonies of this nature were carried out on the heath. Its blossoms can be made into tea and it is a great producer of honey with the aid of the spirit messengers - bees. It has come to represent healing and a way to be closer to the otherworld.

White Poplar - E...The poplar or aspen is also known as the whispering and quivering tree due to the fact that its leaves move and rustle with almost every murmur of the wind. It is a very hardy tree and has come to represent protection and durability. The tree has the ability to shield and resist, and is closely associated with the gifts of speech and wind.

Yew - I...The Yew tree is sometimes regarded as the most sacred tree to the druids with it symbolism of death and rebirth (due to the fact that the outer tree dies and a new tree grows within). It represents transformation & reincarnation and may be used to enhance magical/psychic abilities as well as induce vision. All parts of the yew are poisonous apart from the berry covering and it was used to poison weapons, it was also used to make bows.

Aspen - EA...The Aspen has much symbolism to do with christianity and the devil, the reasons being: Christs cross was made from aspen and Judas was supposed to have hanged himself from this tree. The tree itself is used to commune with the otherworld - demons in particular and is used for protection against the forces of darkness.

Spindle Tree - OI...The wood of the spindle tree is bright, colourful and was used to make spindles. With this in mind we can see why it came to embody creative inspiration, purification, initiation and blessings.

Honeysuckle - UI...Also known as Woodbine this represents attraction and sweetness, it is useful for spells concerning glamours or attracting something into your life.

Pine - IA...Its title of old was "the sweetest of woods" and it is favoured for its vitamin C. It governs issues concerning clear thought and preservation.

Witch Hazel - AE...This symbolizes absorption and cleansing. In times of old it was used to treat acne and skin complaints. Due to its ability to absorb it is used to absorb attacks and negativity therefore purifying areas and objects.






In keeping with Druidic concepts, each of the Ogham's twenty letters bears the name of a tree. The Celts had an oral tradition so it was not used to write stories or history as these were memorized.
The Ogham alphabet contains twenty letters though five more letters were added at a later date, and is read from the bottom up. The characters are divided into groups of five. The number five is symbolic of the five provices of Ireland. Of the original twenty characters, the first fifteen are consonants, the other five vowels. The letters are constructed using a combination of lines placed adjacent to or crossing a midline. An individual letter may contain from one to five vertical or angled strokes. Vowels were sometimes described as a combination of dots. The midline was, most often, the edge of the object on which the inscription was carved. These were usually written using the edge of a stone as a stave from the bottom > up they would then run right over the tip and down the other side(they were read from left to right)...The starting point of the mid-line was often distinguished with a V-shape or curlicues when written on paper,One difficulty in deciphering Ogham script on stones is how to follow it. In following the ridge or edge of a cut stone, the writing travels up one edge and down another. When all four edges of the stone contain Ogham, it’s not simple to see where one begins reading and then continues after going up one side and down another. In some instances a dot on the stem line was used to indicate a break (space) between words. The effects of time and weathering complicate the task of reading the inscriptions.This sometimes makes ogam very difficult to translate.
The language represented by the Ogham on these stones is Primitive Irish, a forerunner of what is called Old Irish. The earliest known Irish literature was written between 600 and 900 C.E. in Old Irish. This does not mean that all Ogham stones were carved before 600 C.E. Primitive Irish was still in use after the 6th century as there was a gradual evolution to Old Irish.


*Branch ogam was usually carved on a branch of the specific tree it is related to, the way it is inscribed is in the same vein as the stave version. This is the most commonly used for divination purposes.
..Branch Ogam

..Stave Ogam


*Finger ogam was perhaps the most secret, because certain fingers related to specific letters/associations druids could pass secret messages by touching anothers hand in a certain way or by holding an object.
..Finger Ogam



It was also used on rods or strips of wood that were fastened together at one end. These wands were opened and closed to present stories or poems.Bards are thought to have carried these kinds of Taball-Lorg or “Poets Staff.
Since these wands were made of wood, none survive today. Only the messages on stone survived.
The wooden sticks with the Ogham marking were used for divination similar to the way Runes were used by Norse peoples. Only the Druids and Bards understood the system and could have great influences on their people when they demonstrated its power.

There are 369 verified examples of Ogham writing surviving today. These exist in the form of standing stones concentrated in Ireland, but scattered across Scotland, the Isle of Man, South Wales, Devonshire, and as far afield as Silchester (the ancient Roman city of Calleva Attrebatum).

Similiar markings have been found on standing stones in Spain and Portugal. The markings in Spain are believed to be much older than the ones in Ireland, perhaps dating from 800 BC. It is from this area of the Iberian Peninsula that the Celts who colonized the British Isles may have come.

Ogam can still be seen inscribed on hundreds of large and small stones, on the walls of some caves, but also on bone, ivory, bronze and silver objects. The Ogam script was especially well adapted for use on sticks. Sticks are part of the Basque word for "alphabet": agaka, agglutinated from aga-aka, aga (stick or pole) and akats (notch). The meaning of the word agaka therefore isn't so much "alphabet" as "writing", a stick with Ogam notches conveying a message. The name Ogam likely comes from oga-ama, ogasun (property, wealth) ama (Priestess, mother) property of the Priestess, which indicates that the script was originally designed for use by the clergy of the pre-Christian religion.

Ogam was adopted and further developed by the first monks in Ireland. Our earliest information indicates that they were not sure as to where Ogam came from. According to the "Auraicept" the origin of Irish and Ogam must be sought in the Near East: "In Dacia it was invented, though others say it was in the Plain of Shinar" (line 1105-06). A "made in Ireland" version is recorded in "In Lebor Ogaim" in which the inventor is "Ogma mac Elathan who is said to have been skilled in speech and poetry and to have created the system as proof of his intellectual ability and with the intention that it should be the preserve of the learned, to the exclusion of rustics and fools" ( McManus 8.4).

The script was used by the monks as a monument script between 450 and 800 A.D. and they used it for literary purposes between 650 and 900 A.D. Every time the script was inscribed in stone it must have been used thousands of times on sticks, for which medium the script was obviously designed. Over 500 Ogam inscriptions are known from Ireland (collected by R.A.S. Macalister), some 40 from Scotland ( A. Jackson) and a growing number from the east coast of North America.

The fact that not a single one has been successfully translated is not so much the fault of the monks who wrote the texts, as of our linguists, all of whom assumed that the language of the script was Gaelic. However, this assumption appears to be without foundation, because the syntax of the Gaelic language in no way lends itself to be written in traditional Ogam.

Ogham ceased to be used after the first few centuries of the Christian era, as the use of inscription languages (like runes and ogham) was reviled as a pagan practice.






Great books to get ahold of in regards to Ogam/Treelore
Ogam: The Celtic Oracle of the Trees
by Paul Rhys Mountfort
Description:A comprehensive and practical guide to the ancient oracle based on the alphabet of the Druids. *Describes the symbolism and mythology of the 20 "tree letters" and their magical correspondences. *Includes instructions on how to make your own Ogam divination sticks, cast the oracle, and perceive omens. *Provides historical background and bibliographic references to the Druidic mythology ruling this 1,500-year-old oracle. The ancient Ogam alphabet is a magical and mysterious script, the Celtic equivalent of the runes that can teach us about our fate and future. Named after woodland trees, Ogam's 20 "tree letters" all have unique wisdom to impart that is linked to figures and themes from Celtic mythology. The author addresses three major areas in this book: Ogamlore: the history of this 1500-year-old oracle of the Celtic Druids; Ogamfews: the meaning of the individual tree letters, their magic, characteristics, folklore, and related stories; and Ogamcasting: the practical art of Ogam divination, which includes spreads, castings, and how to create your own Ogam set. With these tools of ancient Celtic wisdom, readers will receive insights and guidance on how to maneuver through life's questions and challenges.





Celtic Tree Mysteries: Practical Druid Magic & Divination
By Steve Blamires
Description:The Celtic Tree Ogham-Spiritual Messages and Magical Secrets from the Green World Trees, and the magic associated with them, manifest the spiritual aspects of the Green World. Celtic Tree Mysteries revives the ancient knowledge and lore of the trees with a practical system of magical ritual and divination. Within the pages of this trusted reference guide, you will find comprehensive instruction and insight on the theory and practice of the Celtic Tree mysteries, including little-known and often misunderstood tenets. Learn the difference between the Ogham script and the Tree Alphabet (and how to use them together for magical purposes). Decipher the physical, mental, and spiritual lessons of the twenty trees of the Ogham, and how to incorporate their wisdom into your life. Find out how to create your own set of Ogham sticks . . . perform Otherworld journeys . . . and discover the deeper, hidden meanings contained within the beautiful, ancient Celtic legends and Green World lore.

CONTINUED...

TREELORE

SACRED TREES TO THE DRUIDS
Trees are living things, filled with the essence and energy and of the Elementals and Mother Earth with an aura of power which is visible to those who are in total balance and harmony. The lore which surrounds a particular tree or wood often reflects the power the old ones sensed and drew from their presence.

ALDER
This tree was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of "whistling up the wind" began with this custom. The alder is a water-loving tree, but it is also highly combustible, showing an affinity to Fire. This means the alder is an unusual tree, for Fire and Water do not normally mix well. Alder is often used to symbolize one's appearance, and can be used in glamour spells. The alder tree's wood is oily and resistant to underwater decay. It can be used to contain Water elementals and many negative spirits. A faerie tree that is sacred and often used in divination. Also used for protection, support and courage, aids awareness of difficulties often offering solutions and direction.


APPLE (Domestic)
Another sacred tree to the Druids. It is said that you may cut an apple into three pieces, then rub the cut side on warts, saying: "Out warts, into apple." Then bury the pieces and as the apple decays, the warts will disappear. Use apple cider in any old spells calling for blood or wine. Apple indicates choice, and is useful for love and healing magic. The apple tree symbolizes youth, beauty, and innocence. Apple juice can be used to infer strength and beauty. The leaves are a useful focus in spellweaving. The apple wood makes good staves. Otherworldly and very magickal. Healing love – great for love spells! Used for poetic inspiration.


ASH
A Druid sacred tree. Druid wands were often made of ash because of its straight grain. Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic. Put fresh ash leaves under your pillow to stimulate psychic dreams. Ash is an excellent wood for purification. It is good at removing and cleansing internalized strife and conflict. Ash is good in any spell or working involving mental and emotional purification. Ash wood is a good conductor of power and thus makes good wands. Contains natural guardians, making this a wonderful wood for absorbing ill health and negative feelings. Children were passed through the tree’s branches to protect and cure from illness. It is a friendly, calm wood that helps produce prophetic dreams. It was often used for druid’s wands as it links the inner and outer worlds.


BEECH
Beech symbolizes stability and flow of energy. It is an incredible conductor of energy, but doesn't hold energy very well. It is sometimes used for Druidic groves if oak is not available, though oak is preferred. Good luck, protection, wisdom, stability. An ancient belief was to scratch your name into beech and bury in the ground for wishes to come true! Beech is used for spells involving cleansing and warding. Listening to the Beech can give the ability to learn from past experiences.


BIRCH
Known as Lady of the Woods, Paper Birch and White Birch. Carefully gather strips of the bark at the New Moon. With red ink, write on a birch strip: "Bring me true love." Burn this along with a love incense, saying "Goddess of love, God of desire, Bring to me sweet passion's fire." The specific name of a god/goddess may be added. Or cast the bark into a stream or other flowing water, saying: "Message of love, I set you free, to capture a love and return to me." ***Remember*** It is unwise to use this incantation and ritual directed toward a specific person as that would violate the rule. If a love is to come to you, it must be of that persons free will to do so. Birch wood is a useful tool in spells involving structures, support, shielding, warding, and cleansing. New beginnings and the tree of rebirth, protective towards children, creativity, healing.


BLACKTHORN
Blackthorn is a winter tree. Its white flowers are seen even before the leaves in the spring. It is black barked with vicious thorns and grows in dense thickets. The wood is used in the cudgel shillelagh and Blasting Stick. Its thorns are used to pierce waxen images. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed. Druids often use the magic of wood in their ceremonies. Rituals taking place in sacred groves or nemetons are especially potent. The presence of Blackthorn in a Samhain or Yule ritual would be ideal. Fertility, sensuality, protection and hope. Blackthorn is a strong tree which offers courage and strength towards facing a situation.


BROOM
Also known as Scotch Broom or Irish Broom. It can be substituted for furze (gorse) at the Spring Equinox. The Irish called it the "Physician's power" because of its diuretic shoots. Sweep your outside ritual areas with it to purify and protect. Burning the blooms and shoots calms the wind. Be cautious if you plant Broom however, it will quickly multiply.


BUDDLEA (butterfly bush)
A true faerie bush. Femininity, happiness, love. The butterfly is a symbol of the Faerie Faith.


CEDAR
Also known as the Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae, Yellow Cedar. Ancient Celts on the mainland used cedar oil to preserve the heads of enemies taken in battle. To draw Earth energy and ground yourself, place the palms of your hands against the ends of the leaves. Cedar is exceptional at repulsing energies and protection. It is best used to ward or to drive off negative influences or spirits.

CHERRY
Passion and love. Tree of the Phoenix. A warm female wand loved by the faeries.


CYPRESS
The cypress tree was seen as a sad tree or tree of mourning. It was often used to build funeral pyres. Cypress wood is extremely resistant to water. Cypress containers can successfully contain water elementals, air elementals, and most spirits.

DOGWOOD
This tree represents charm and finesse. It can be used to enhance one's social abillities and increase one's personality. The dogwood flower is a good cleanser of wounds, and its scent is a relaxant.


ELDER
Also known as Ellhorn, Elderberry, Lady Elder. Sacred to the White Lady and Midsummer Solstice. The Druids used it to both bless and curse. Standing under an elder tree at Midsummer, like standing in a Fairy Ring of mushrooms, will help you see the "little people." Elder wands can be used to drive out evil spirits or thought forms. Music on panpipes or flutes of elder have the same power as the wand. Remember the words of the Rede. Elder is the Lady's Tree, burn it not or cursed ye be!
Healing, sleep visions, love. Elder flutes held the power to enchant spirits.


ELM
A slightly fibrous, tan-coloured wood with a slight sheen. Elm is often associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses, and was said to be the abode of faeries, explaining Kipling's injunction; "Ailim be the lady's tree; burn it not or cursed ye'll be". Elm wood is valued for it's resistance to splitting, and the inner bark was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell. The elm tree is a dark and brooding tree. It was often planted in tainted or uncleansable areas to warn off others in the area. Elm can be used in any spells that cause depression or darkness. It can dull the senses and works well in spells dealing with shadows.

EUCALYPTUS
The eucalyptus is a nurturing, protecting, life-giving tree. It can sometimes symbolize sloth due to the fact that its foliage is a narcotic. It contains quite a bit of moisture, and thus could easily have a connection to Water. Small doses of eucalyptus are highly effective. It can be used to numb or invoke sloth in others. It can protect the body from certain poisons. When mixed with certain other herbs, eucalyptus can make a high body-sustaining potion.


FIR
Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions on the upper slopes. Fir cones respond to rain by closing and the sun by opening. Fir can see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and below. Fir indicates high views and long sights with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come. Fir symbolizes malleability, cleverness, and the ability to change. It is a good wood for magic involving physical structures, forms, and shapeshifting or other changing magics.


FIR (SILVER)
Also known as the Birth Tree. The needles are burned at childbirth to bless and protect the mother and baby.


FURZE
Also known as Gorse. Its golden flowers are associated with the Spring Equinox. Wood and blooms are burned for protection and preparation for conflict of any sort. Fertility, protection and money. Used to attract wealth. Good for new ventures.


HAWTHORN
Also known as May Tree and White Thorn. Wands made of this wood are of great power. The blossoms are highly erotic to men. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage spells. Thorn symbolizes strife and harshness. It is an excellent tool for protection as its energies work well for defense. Thorn is used to dispell energies, especially negative energies or curses, and excells at banishing strife. Helpful with depression, dispels negative energies and create strength, Hawthorn brings the luck of the tree spirits when brought into the home and is said to protect from misfortune.


HAZEL
Wands made of this wood symbolize white magick and healing. Forked sticks are used to find water or buried treasure. If outside and in need of maigckal protection quickly draw a circle around yourself with a hazel branch. To enlist the aid of plant fairies, string hazelnuts on a cord and hang up in your house or ritual room. Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration. The hazel might be said to be the quintessential Sacred tree because of its legendary position at the heart of the Otherworld. This tree symbolizes attraction (the nut can be used to make an aphrodisiac), loss of inhibition or willpower, and drowsiness. It is used to make sleep potions, aphrodisiacs, and potions to inhibit the will or remove inhibitions. The tree of wisdom. Hazel is used for inspiration, calling faeries, marriage reconciliation, intelligence.


HOLLY
A beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain; looks very much like ivory. Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore and is important to the Winter Solstice. In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter. It is one of the three timbers used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts. It was used in spear shafts also. The qualities of a spear shaft are balance and directness, as the spear must be hefted to be thrown the holly indicates directed balance and vigour to fight if the cause is just. Holly may be used in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death. A bag of leaves and berries carried by a man is said to increase his ability to attract women. Holly symbolizes combat, defense, and a "look but don't touch" beauty. It is also used as a life symbol. Holly is good at holding and storing energy, but does not work well with energy flow. It is also useful in glamours and warding. Protection from harm. Wisdom and courage, strength to overcome challenges. Carried by Celtic men for good luck. An excellent tree for warding off unwanted influences.


IVY
Fidelity, everlasting love and friendship, great protection, strength and good luck. Ivy is known for opening minds and developing the soul which can lead to joy and success.


JUNIPER
Its berries were used with thyme in Druid and Grove incenses for visions. Juniper grown by the door discourages thieves. The mature berries can be strung and hung in the house to attract love. The juniper is a cheerful tree, hardy and endurant. It is excellent for cleansing, and aids in healing magic, especially to stop a disease from progressing further in the body.

MAPLE
Maple is a happy tree. It often symbolizes attraction, luring, drawing in, or bringing things together. It has very positive energy, and is used to attract attention or lure positive spirits in magic.


MISTLETOE
Also known as Birdlime, All Heal and Golden Bough. It was the most sacred tree of the Druids, and ruled the Winter Solstice. The berries are poisonous! Bunches of mistletoe can be hung as an all-purpose protective herb. The berries are used in love incenses. The Mistletoe was a sacred plant in the pagan religion of the Druids in Britain. It was believed to have all sorts of miraculous qualities: the power of healing diseases, making poisons harmless, giving fertility to humans and animals, protecting from witchcraft, banning evil spirits, bringing good luck and great blessings. In fact, it was considered so sacred that even enemies who happened to meet beneath a Mistletoe in the forest would lay down their arms, exchange a friendly greeting, and keep a truce until the following day. From this old custom grew the practice of suspending Mistletoe over a doorway or in a room as a token of good will and peace to all comers.[p. 104]
In ancient times, the Druids held a special ceremony five days after the new moon following the Winter Solstice, in which they cut the boughs of the Mistletoe from the sacred Oak tree with a golden sickle. It was important that branches did not touch the ground and become contaminated. Then the priests divided up the boughs into sprigs and distributed them among the people who believed the Mistletoe protected them from storms and evil spirits. Also known as the golden bough. Held sacred by the Druids. Mistletoe was used by the Druid priesthood in a very special ceremony held around this time...five days after the New Moon following winter solstice, to be precise. The Druid priests would cut mistletoe from a holy oak tree with a golden sickle. The branches had to be caught before they touched the ground.


OAK
Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held in particular esteem by the Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak was the "King of Trees" in a grove. Magick wands were made of its wood. Oak galls, known as Serpent Eggs, were used in magickal charms. Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. The Druids and Priestesses listened to the rustling oak leaves and the wrens in the trees for divinatory messages. Burning oak leaves purifies the atmosphere. It can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own special 'flavour' to the magic. Of all the trees in Britain and Ireland,. the oak is considered king. Famed fir its endurance and longevity, even today it is synonymous with strength and steadfastness in the popular mind. John Evelyn in his 'Sylva. Or a Discourse of Forest-Trees", calls it the "pride and glory of the forest", and in "The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries", Evans-Wenze proclaims that "the oak is pre-eminently the holy tree of Europe. In the Classical world it was regarded as the Tree of Life as its deep roots penetrate as deep into the Underworld as its branches soar to the sky, and it was held sacred to Zeus and Jupiter. In Scandinavia the oak was the tree of the Thunder-God,. Thor,. as it was to his Finnish counterpart,. Jumala.
Its name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word,. ac,. but in Irish the word is 'daur', and in Welsh 'dar' or 'derw'. probably cognate with the Greek, 'drus'. Same scholars consider this the origin of the term 'Druid", since Druids have always been associated with sacred groves. and particularly oak forests. Dense forests of oak once covered most of Northern Europe in those days, so it is not surprising to find this tree help most sacred by people who "live in oak forests, used oak timber for building, oak sticks for fuel, and oak acorns for food and fodder." Combined with the Indo-European root "wid": to know, "Druid" may have referred to those with "knowledge of the oak," the "Wise Ones of the Oakwood". The Sanskrit word, "Duir", gave rise both to the word for ak: and the English word "door", which suggests that this tree stands as an opening into greater wisdom, perhaps an entryway into the otherworld itself.
We first learn about the oak as sacred to the Druids in the well-known passage from the writings of Pliny, who lived in Gaul during the 1st century CE. He writes that the Druids performed all their religious rites in oak-groves, where they gathered mistletoe from the trees with a golden sickle. Strabo also describes three Galatian tribes (Celts living in Asia Minor) as holding their councils at a place called, "Drunemeton", the "oak grove sanctuary". The 2nd century Maximus of Tyre, describes the Celts as worshipping Zeus-- probably referring to the Romano-Celtic god of thunder, Taranis- as a tall oak tree, Elsewhere we learn that the Druids of Gaul ate acorns as a way of divining the future. Another Roman writer referred to them as "Dryads" whom he defined as "those who delight in the oaks". We can never know for sure whether the Druids of the British Isles and Ireland practiced their religion in oak-groves like their continental cousins, but it seems likely. The oak tree is the symbol of the druid. With the curative function of the tannins there is a protective function against sun and rain thanks to the hardness and longevity of the oak wood. Besides the mistletoe is picked on an oak tree. Mistletoe is also very important, it grows without a human intervention, and the berries become ripe after the winter sleep.
Thus the mistletoe berry is the symbol of the Resurrection of the reincarnated Spirit. Oak symbolizes wisdom, strength, and endurance. Oak is extremely versatile and can be used in many areas of magic. The wood is good at both storing power and conducting it, thus making good staffs and wands. Oak can be used in spells involving authority, majesty, power, strength, wisdom, or endurance. Sacred and often considered king of the trees and guardian of the realms. Properties include strength, protection, wisdom also known as the tree of learning.


PINE
The Pine tree is an evergreen, its old title was "the sweetest of woods." It was known to the Druids as one of the seven chieftain trees of the Irish. Mix the dried needles with equal parts of juniper and cedar and burn to purify the home and ritual area. The cones and nuts can be carried as a fertility charm. A good magickal cleansing and stimulating bath is made by placing pine needles in a loose-woven bag and running bath water over it. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush the ground with a pine branch. Pine is everlasting (from its evergreen properties). It induces clearness of thought with its scent and often symbolizes survival as it can grow even in sub-zero temperatures. Pine wood is useful in spells of preservation. Pine incense is helpful in divining/scrying rituals and rituals to clear the mind.


ROSE
Calming, love, used to ease stress, beauty, feminine.


ROWAN
Also known as Mountain Ash, Witchwood and Sorb Apple has long known as an aid and protection against enchantment. Sticks of the Rowan were used to carve Runes on. Rowan spays and crosses were placed over cattle in pens and over homes for protection. Its lovely red berries feed the birds in winter. The berries have a tiny pentagram on them and are especially poisonous. The pentagram is the ancient symbol of protection. The Rowan tree indicates protection and control of the senses from enchantment and beguiling. The Rowan was sacred to the Druids and the Goddess Brigit. It is a very magical tree used for wands, rods, amulets and spells. A forked Rowan branch can help find water. Wands are for knowledge, locating metal and general divination. The Rowan tree is one of the most sacred trees to Druids both in Ireland and Scotland,Rowan is one of the trees associated with Saint Brighid, the Celtic patroness of the arts, healing, smithing, spinning and weaving. Spindles and spinning wheels were traditionally made of Rowan in Scotland and Ireland. Rowan trees planted near stone circles in Scotland were especially powerful. Scottish Fairies were said to hold their celebrations within stone circles protected by Rowan trees. Modern interpretations of the Celtic Ogham place Rowan, called Luis , as the sacred tree of February.
Rowan twigs were placed above doorways and barns to protect the inhabitants against misfortune and evil spirits. It was one of the trees sacred to Druids and used for protection against sorcery and evil spirits. The Druids burnt Rowan on funeral pyres, for it also symbolized death and rebirth. The Druid Ovates and Seers burnt Rowan in rites of divination and to invoke spirits, and Druids used Rowan wood in rites of purification. Ancient Bards considered the Rowan the “Tree of Bards”, bringing the gift of inspiration. Rowan is one of the nine sacred woods burnt in the Druids’ Beltaine fire. Rowan is also associated with dragons and serpents - sacred Rowans were once guarded by dragons.

SEQUOIA
The sequoia is a majestic tree symbolizing eternity, longevity, and vast wisdom. It can also symbolize endurance and strength. Sequoia wood makes excellent Druidic staffs, as it is very good at both holding and conducting energy. It can be used in spells of fire resistance, and the sequoia seeds are an aphrodisiac.

SPRUCE
The spruce is a versatile tree which grows quickly and is dominant over its environment. It is an aloof tree and can symbolize the North and coldness. The wood is good for bargaining with Earth elementals as they especially like spruce wood. Spruce holds and stores a large amount of energy. A living spruce tree is an excellent ground.

SYCAMORE
The sycamore symbolizes growth, persistance, strength and endurance. It is water resistant (though not as much as cypress) and often grows where other trees cannot. To some Native American cultures, the sycamore is a holy tree equivalent to the oak in Europe. In magic, it is useful for spells involving growth, and can be used in healing potions (especially those with regenerative properties). It is also a good gift to give a Fire elemental.


WILLOW
Also known as White Willow, Tree of Enchantment and Witches' Asprin. Once of the seven sacred trees of the Irish, a Druid sacred Tree. The willow is a Moon tree sacred to the White Lady, Its groves were considered so magickal that priests, priestesses and all types of artisans sat among these trees to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills and prophecies. For a wish to be granted, ask permission of the willow, explaining your desire. Select a pliable shoot and tie a loose knot in it while expressing what you want. When the wish is fulfilled. return and untie the knot. Remember to thank the willow and leave a gift. The willow tree is a feminine tree. It is a water-loving tree and is linked to lunar rhythms. It is often a melancholy tree and can represent sadness and quick growth leading to a quick end (some trees only live for 20 years). In magical areas, willow has a great influence over water and water elementals. It has the ability to banish depression and sadness. A most feminine, magickal wood. Moon magick and loved by witches and faeries. Love, fertility, trust.


YEW
Also known as English Yew and European Yew. Another important tree to the Winter Solstice and the deities of death and rebirth. It is a beautifully smooth, gold-coloured wood with a wavy grain. The Irish used it to make dagger handles, bows and wine barrels. The wood or leaves were laid on graves as a reminder to the departed spirit that death was only a pause in life before rebirth. All parts of the tree are poisonous except the fleshy covering of the berry, and its medicinal uses include a recently discovered treatment for cancer. The yew may be the oldest-lived tree in the world. Ancient yews can be found in churchyards all over Britain, where they often pre-date even the oldest churches. There are some convincing arguments for it being the original 'World-tree' of Scandinavian mythology. The Yew may be used to enhance magical and psychic abilities, and to induce visions. The yew tree is held sacred by the Druids because of its symbolism of death and rebirth. The yew tree's branches grow into the ground. Thus when the central trunk dies, the tree lives on as the branches become trees. It symbolizes transformation, great age, and reincarnation. Yew wood is good in any rituals that use the preceding symbolism. Yew holds and conducts energy very well, and yew is a good shield for magical energies that directly hit the wood is reflected.
Great knowledge and wisdom. Guardian to the door of rebirth and reincarnation. Protection from evil energies. Also known to enhance magickal abilities and visions.

CONTINUED...

DRUID TREELORE/OGHAM
Druids were wise men of the trees. One of the world's largest tree-planting movements is called The Men of the Trees and was started by a Druid, the late Richard St Barbe-Baker. Few, if any, of its members would realise that he had partly encoded the word 'Druids' in its title. One of the reasons why the subject of Druids fascinates us, is because there is such a strong association between them and trees. If we close our eyes and imagine a Druid, we will often see him beside a tree, or within a sacred grove of trees. We sense that Druids were at one with nature in a way that we no longer are, and those of us who aspire to become Druids do so because we want to attain that at-one-ment, that union, for ourselves. In a conscious way we recognise the beauty of trees and their value to us, but just below the surface of our consciousness lies the knowledge that they also possess keys and powers that, if we were to share in them, would enrich our lives immeasurably.

The Druids used a particular method for communicating and remembering their wealth of tree-knowledge. This is known as the Ogham [pronounced o'um]. It consists of twenty-five simple strokes centred on or branching off a central line. It is similar in purpose, but separate in origin from the Nordic runes. The Ogham characters were inscribed on stones or written on staves of wood. As a method of writing it is laborious, but as a language of symbolism it is powerful. It is probably pre-Celtic in origin, although most of the existing inscriptions have been dated to the fifth and sixth centuries. Whether Celtic or pre-Celtic we can sense that it carries with it some of the very earliest of Druid wisdom. Amongst our sources of information about its use, we have The Scholar's Primer from Scotland (transcribed from the oral tradition in the seventeenth century) and O'Flaherty's Ogygia from Ireland [published in 1793]. But it was the poet Robert Graves who, in modem times, brought the Ogham into public awareness once again, with his publication of The White Goddess in 1948.

Each stroke of the Ogham corresponds to a letter of the alphabet. This letter represents the first letter of the tree allocated to it, so that the sign ** represents the letter B, and the tree Beith, the Birch. The sign ** represents the letter L, and the tree Luis, the Rowan, and so on.



Although we know the letters that each stroke represents, and can translate the ancient Ogham inscriptions accordingly, we cannot be so confident when we come to associate the trees with particular months. There has been much controversy as to whether the Ogham really was used as a calendar by the Druids, linking each tree and letter of the alphabet to a moon month, as suggested by Robert Graves. Whilst it is important to be aware that there is controversy, it is also important to understand that Druidry is evolving, and that if they didn't correlate them in 500 BC they do now - if it was Robert Graves' invention, then he was acting as a Druid when he did so - he was inspired, in other words. Someone has to invent things, or 'receive' them from the invisible world, and just because he or she does so in AD 1948 rather than BC 1948 is in the final analysis unimportant to those of us who want to use Druidry as a living system, as opposed to those who want to study its origins for a purely academic purpose.
The essential point about the Druid use of Ogham is this - it provided and provides a glyph or system which is every bit as rich as the Tree of Life of the Qabalists. The Qabalists use one tree - the Druids use a grove, a wood - filled with many trees and woodland plants. By clearly building up this wood with the inner mind and by then associating each tree or plant with a different number, god or goddess, animal, bird, colour, mineral, star, divine or human principle, the Druid is able to retain in her mind far more information than she would normally be able to, if she simply learnt lists of such facts. This use of an image as a mnemonic (memory) device has been well known as an esoteric discipline through the ages. The ancient Greeks visualised a theatre, each part of which was associated in the memoriser's mind with an item that needed remembering.
But to see the Druid use of Ogham simply as a mnemonic for storing data is to fail to recognise its true purpose and value, for, having 'peopled the forest', having learnt the associations, the Druid is then able to use this network of data in just the same way that a computer can, with appropriate software, work on stored data to produce numerous combinations and recombinations. The associations start to interrelate and cross-fertilise of their own accord, even during sleep. The hard work of months and years of training starts to pay off as the Druid sleeps on (or perhaps in) her forest, and the various associations and connections between the storage points in her system start to communicate.



13 Sacred Druid Trees

Alder Fearn (F)
The Moon of Unity, Efficacy and Self Guidance. The alder symbolizes spiritual teaching, weather magic and mental prowess. Alder or Fearn is the letter sacred to Bran brother of Branwren, keeper of the cauldron of regeneration. The alder tree is a powerful resurrection symbol. The alder like the willow is a water tree, growing close the rivers lakes and ponds. In Irish legends the first man was created from and Alder tree and the first women from the rowan tree. The alder is also regarded as a fairy tree because it is able to grant access to the fairy realms.
Crimson Warriors
The alder also provides a red dye. In the "White Goddess" by Robert Graves he refers to the crimson stained heroes and in Welsh triads. The is alder cult was made up of sacred kings and warriors. The red dye of the alder could have been used the way the picts used woad to protect themselves before going into battle.

Ash Nion (N)
The latin name is fraxinus meaning firelight and is thought to have meant the light of knowledge and is traditional for the yule log. The Ash tree represents the Moon of the Waters, the Ash symbolizes prosperity, protection and healing. It is the tree of sea power. The belief that the essence of humankind originated from the ash tree was extant in many ancient cultures. In northern Europe the ash tree stand s as the supreme world tree a symbol of universality which spreads its limbs over every lands and forms a link between the gods, man and the dead. The Vikings brought ash magic to Ireland. From the early histories of Ireland we find that 3 out 5 magical trees that protected the land were ash. the other two being yew and oak. Magical ash trees were called tree of Tortu, the tree of Dathi and the branches tree of Usnech. The ash tree almost seems to invite lightening strikes and country people advises to 'avoid an ash for it courts the flash'.
Vernal Equinox
Occurs on or about March 20th and signifies the end of winter and the rebirth of god.

Birch Beith (B)
Moon of Inception, the Birch symbolizes protection of children purification and creativity. Month of inception. The first letter of the druidic alphabet and sacred to Cerridwen. The birch represents beginnings and birth. Birch is known as the Lady of the Woods. It is a womanly constant and friendly tree of enchantment. When seen by the light of moon its silvery bark gleams with an almost ethereal beauty. The whote or silver bark of the tree is seen to ward off negative energies. Birch rods were used to beat the boundaries of the community and drive out the spirits of the old year.
Tree of Beginnings
The Birch is one of the first tree to leaf in spring and is known as the tree of inception. It is also seen as a tree of purification cleansing the old to make way for the new. In ancient Beltaine fires birch twigs were used to light the oak fires. An old Welsh Custom was for a man to give a birch garland to the woman he loved if she felt the same she would give him one back.
Another old tradition was to planted a tree at a child's birth. The progress of the trees growth would foretell the childs growth. Dried birch leaves were used to charm a babys cot and cast of weakness.
Birch Tree and Writing
The word birch is derived from the sanskrit word bhurga which mean tree whose bark is used to write upon. The first ogham inscription are associated the god Lugh, who was warned that his wife going to be kidnapped an taken to the faeryland.
Broomsticks
The broomstick was traditionally made from the twigs of a birch tree tied around a handle of ash or hazel. Willow twigs or osier were used to the broom stick together.

Elder Ruis (R)
The beginning in the end and the end in the beginning The Moon of Completeness, the tree symbolizes excorism, prosperity, banishing and healing. The personality of the elder tree comes from the 'elder mother' who dwelt in the tree. In europe and Britain wise people still show respect by touching their hats.
Witches and Elder Tree Witches would often turn themselves into elder trees, one famous witch turned a king and his army to stone. The rollright stones in Oxfordshire are said to be a Danish King and his men on the way to battle the English. The king ask the witch his fate she replied
Seven long strides thou shalst take,
And if Long Compton thou canst see
King of England thou shalst be.
Because he was almost at he crest of a hill he was confident, so he rode forth and on the seventh stride a long mound rose up before him blocking his view. The old witch continued:
As Long Compton thou canst not see,
King of England thou shalst not be,
Rise up stick, and stand still stone,
For king of England thou shalst be none,
Thou and thy men hoar stones shall be,
And I myself an elder tree.
In an instant the Danish king an his men were turned to stone. The warriors loyal to the king became the Kings Men stones set in a circle and those that questioned his authority became the Whispering Knights huddled together a part from the others. The King became the Stone King still in shock. The witch resume her guise as guardian elder tree. Local customs and tradition around this legend say on midsummers eve if people sought out the elder tree and danced with elder garlands in there hair at midnight the Stone King would turn his head to watch the dancers.

Hawthorn Huath (H)
Moon of Restraint, hindrance. The hawthorn symbolizes fertility, peace, prosperity and binding. This tree is associated with sexuality and destruction. It was thought that sleeping in a house with hawthorn blossoms would cause great misfortune. Although on May Day the blossoms were placed at the base of the May Pole. The custom of gathering hawthorn blossoms was known has "goin a maying". In the legends of Cu Clulian, a goddess pronounces a curse on him in form of a crow and flys to thicket of hawthorns known as "hawthorn of the crow". A pagan fertility symbol. It is also the tree used at marriages for it reflects the union of the forces of nature. Hawthorn blossoms have potently erotic perfume and were thought to enrich fertility. In celtic time most marriage took place a Beltaine, the beginning of summer when the hawthorn is a mass of blossoms and new leaves.

Hazel Coll (C)
The Celts regarded the hazel as the tree of knowledge and it's nuts were believed to be the ultimate receptacles of wisdom. This is woven into the fabric of celtic society and culture. The most prolific legends come from Ireland. Macoll one of the three earliest rulers name means son of Hazel. In the Irish triads it is record that the punishment from felling either a hazel or apple tree was death. The Salmon of wisdom received the gift of wisdom at the Connla Well were the nine sacred hazel trees each dropped a hazel nut into the water . On swallowing these nuts the salmon received became the recipient of all knowledge. Hazel is always been regarded from its magical presence it inspires our intuitive senses it is also the poets tree. Is associated with fairies and entrances to magical realms.

Holly Tine (T)
To the druids the evergreen leaves of the holly represented immortality. When winter came druids advised the people to take holly into their homes for it would shelter elves and fairies. There was a warning however to remove the holly entirely from the house before imbolc eve because just one leaf in house would spell misfortune. holly as always been associated with mid winter festivals. Holly was given as gifts during the Roman saturnila and later mixed with the celtic traditions celebrating the sun gods birth a winter solstice. The strongest associations are with the Holly king. During the middle ages and the Renaissance the Holly King become the Greenman, Jack-in-the-Green and the May King. The Holly King is twinned by the Oak king. The Holly King rules from midwinter to midsummer and the Oak King rules from Midsummer to Midwinter. Twin Gods of light and dark. Scottish Traditions says that no branch should be cut from a holly tree, but rather pulled free in a method considered fit from sacred tree. It has always been unlucky to fell a holly tree or burn the green skinned holly. Yet luck was increased if a small branch kept from a Yule decoration was hung on the outside of the house where it would protect against lightening.

Ivy Gort(G)
It is the Moon of Buoyancy and resilience, Ivy symbolizes healing, protection, cooperation and exorcism. It is the tree of resurrection. Also represents our links with others and the search for our interself. Ivy is a evergreen that climbs in spiral pattern and is associated with vine. It is use in England on tavern signs, in fact trinity college still brews and ivy ale. Ivy makes a potent beverage that was use to induce magical states. The last farmer to harvest his crops was given an ivy bound sheaf called the Ivy Girl, Harvest Bride or Harvest May. The sheaf was held until the next year as an ill omen or penalty.

Oak Duir (D)
The Oak represents power. The classsic Dianic grove was composed of oaks. It was the residence of the god of heaven who controled thunder and lighting. The oak also stood for Diana and her lover the King of the Wood. The oak has a strong association with weather magic. It is the moon of strenght and security also known as bear moon, the oak symbolizes positive purposes, magic for men and fidelity. It is the tree of endurance and triumph. The oak host many forms of life it is called a garden and a country and because of its warmth and friendliness to man it is regarded as an emblem of hospitality and strength. Acorns are said to be man's first food. The oak is possibly the most widely regard of all trees. The greeks the romans the celts, germanic cultures, anglo-saxons and some northern european cultures all revered the oak. In celtic times certain oaks were carved with a protective circle divided into four equal parts (earth symbol) to prevent the tree form falling. Herne the Hunter is said to inhabit an oak tree. There are many legends about Herne the hunter who an antlered horned spirit of southern England who still inhabits Windsor Forest. In the welsh tradition there is Gwynn ap Nudd (the White one) whose hounds the dogs of Annwm hunt souls across the sky. For these two legends get Herne leading the Wild Hunt.

Reed Ngetal (NG) or Peith (P):
Moon of the Home, and Hearth it is also the Winter moon, the Reed symbolizes fertility, protection, love and family concerns. Tree of established power. Peith is the whitten or guelder-rose sometimes called the water-elder making it an interesting introduction to the next month which is the true elder. Peith which is the letter is not an original letter in the Irish alphabet was substituted for the letters NG. The NG tree was Ngetal or the reed, which becomes ready to cut in November. The egyptian canna-reed which grows from thick roots like a tree was an ancient symbol for royalty in the eastern Mediteranean. In Egypt the reed was used to make scepters and arrows hence the Pharaohs of Egypt would should arrows in every direction to symbolism the Sun-god and their on sovernty.
The Irish used the reeds whitten rose for thatching of roofs. A house was not completed or established until the roof was thatched. The dead stems rattle in the wind and are commonly referred to commonly as broom. The reed i flute is associated with Pan. The reed is often associated with male divinity and kingship. Set and Osiris who fought each over Isis and alternated killed the over one reflecting the cycle of sacred kingship. The egyptian token of sovernity was a sceptre tip with ass ears that was broken upon Sets death. When ancient kings were sacrificed or die the sceptres were broken shows a lost of vitality and virility.
The Celtic cycle of sacred kingship is reflected in the Holly and Oak Kings and the seasonal rule of the land. Teh month of reed was the Season of death to druids, the beginning of winter. It is the time of the Holly King The symbolism of the reed, rod, sceptre are symbols of power and authority derived from ancient tree worship.

Rowan Luis (L)
The moon of Vision, spirit moon and astral travel moon, the Rowan symbolizes healing, personal empowerment and divination. Tree of life. The tree is associated with Brigid(Ireland) and Brigantia (England) both sun goddess. Other names for the rowan tree mountain ash, roan, roddan, rantry, wild ash, quickbeam, quicken tree, wild sorb, witchen tree, witchbane, witchwood, thor's helper ran-tree sorb apple and delight of the eye. The rowan as been used as an astringent and antibiotic. Through the visual sense it heals the human spirit. Sitting or mediating by a rowan especially one in bloom allows the body to relax and let go tensions. Stone circles, Dragons and Serpents Rowan trees are planted at stone circles and ley-lines. because they provide powerful protection for sacred land. Many Irish legends tell of dragons or serpents that protected rowan trees. In these myths they is the guardian of the earth and the dragon or serpepents represents the life-force of the land. There are many Irish and English stories of saint killing dragons. These stories came about as christianity claimed traditionally pagan sacred spaces as their own.
Berries of Immortality
The red berries of the rowan must have made it stand out, red is the color of the food of the gods. The berries of the rowan tree have long been associated with magic. In the Irish legend the Quicken Tree of Dubhous, if the berries of that rowan tree could transfer a person of 100 years to that 30 years. There is an old belief that a body staked to the ground with a rowan branch bearing red berries would keep it's ghost from wandering and ensure that the soul passed to from one life to the next life.

Vine Muin (M)
Moon of Celebration, symbolizes the grape fertility, inspiration, prosperity and binding. Tree of joy, exhilaration and wraith. Vine is the vintage season time of harvest and brewing of wine and beers. Although not native to Britain it appear in Celtic art from the bronze age on.
In Britain can only fruit on some of the southern slopes so the bramble or blackberry was probably substituted for the vine. During the fruiting season the blackberry has both blosoms and fruit same time. and the shape of the leaves would correspond to the grape. Blackberry wine is a heady drink. In celtic countries there is a taboo regarding the blackberry, in Devin and Cornall eating the berries after September because the devil is in them. In west Ireland it is taboo to eat the berries after Samhain because they belong to they faires.

Willow Sallie (S)
The willow tree as many associations with funerals. Country lore advises plant a willow and allow it to grow, to ease the passage of your soul at death. Branches of willow trees were traditionally placed in the coffin at death and willow saplings planted on the grave. This goes back to old celtic traditions were the spirit of the corpse in the earth rises into the sapling planted above which grows and retains the essence of the departed one. The willow as many associations the Green George, jack-in-the-green and the greenman who propitiates the water spirits and works through willow trees. Willow trees are linked to moon-goddess's and water spirits.
The old saying 'knock on wood' came from knocking on a willow tree to advert evil.



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The Significance of Trees
Both modern and ancient Druids are well known for their relationship with trees. Indeed, many scholars and linguists believe that the word “Druid”, is based upon the Celtic word roots “dru”, which means “oak”, and “wid” meaning to know. The concept of a Druid as having “knowledge of the oak”, as is implied, alludes to the concept of Druid knowledge, and therefore spiritual knowledge, coming from the natural world. Because the Celtic way of life was tied into the processes of nature (seasons, floods, draughts, etc), it was natural that they would believe that supplication of those forces could lead to well being. Modern Druids, seeking to reconnect with nature and often tired of the ills of the technological world, look to that belief system as a model to follow. While Druids are more often associated with Stonehenge and other monolithic sites of worship, archeological evidence indicates that Stonehenge predates the Druids and the Celtic people by many hundreds of years (Stewart, 3. It is now widely believed that Druids held religious activities within a grove, preferably of oak, rowan, or hazel. The Roman natural historian Pliny lends some testimony to the reverence the Druids held for trees:

“Nothing is more sacred to the Druids than the mistletoe and the tree on which it grows, especially if it be an oak. They seek the oak tree for their sacred groves, and no ceremony is complete without its branches. Whatever grows on the tree is send from heaven, a sign that the tree has been chosen by the god (Stewart, 39).”

Members of the society that were held in high esteem, such as tribal chieftains and Druids, were sometimes buried in a hollowed out oak trunks (Nichols, 151), while yew tree branches were carried in mourning. The yew tree, to the Druids, did and still does stand as a symbol of reincarnation. This may stem from the fact that a yew plant renews itself by sending up new plants from its roots. This may have lead to the yew (Taxus baccata) as a powerful symbol of birth and renewal (Hopman, 163).
The religious significance of trees, and the oak in particular, stems from a history in which the oak was a major provider of life’s necessities. During times of hardship oak acorns were pounded into food products, oak branches served as tinder for winter fires and material for building houses, and acorns also served as fodder for domesticated animals. Similar to the corn gods of South America, many scholars believe that this link to subsistence inferred a god like quality to the oak tree, and the belief that the oak had the ability to lead human destiny. This subsistence to divinity link is a common anthropological phenomenon. This, along with the animistic beliefs of the time, lead the Celts to believe that trees, like people and animals, were in possession of a divine spirit, and was a link to the gods. Because of this understanding of the oak as divine, cutting down an oak was punishable by death, and rituals to ask for rain or success in battle were often centered around an oak (Matthews, 329-331).



The Significance of Mistletoe
The religious and medicinal use of mistletoe by the ancient Druids is well documented by a variety of outside observers. Perhaps best known is the account of Pliny the Elder[1], written as a part of his Historia Naturalis, XVI (Matthews, 21).
"They call the mistletoe by a name meaning the all-healing. Having made preparation for sacrifice and a banquet beneath the trees, they bring thither two white bulls, whose horns are bound then for the first time. Clad in a white robe, the priest ascends the tree and cuts the mistletoe with a golden sickle, and it is received by others in a white cloak. Then they kill the victims, praying that God will render this gift of his propitious to those whom he had granted it. They believe that the mistletoe, taken in drink, imparts fertility to barren animals, and that it is an antidote for all poisons. (King 96)."
Folklore of the time suggest that in addition to it’s use to stimulate fertility and act against poisons, mistletoe was also used against epilepsy, tumors, and in burial rites. On an interesting ethnobotanical note, Canadians are currently exploring the potential of mistletoe, Viscum album, as an alternative treatment for cancer (Holzman, 1). Indeed, over the last 20 years Europeans have used the liquid extract of Viscum album to treat a variety of cancers. German studies indicate that use of mistletoe may significantly increase survival rates for breast, stomach, renal and colorectal cancer (D’Epiro, 56). On a cultural note, it is speculated that the Druid’s belief in the fertility giving powers of the plant may have lead to the current tradition of “kissing beneath the mistletoe” in modern culture (Sudol, 6).



The Ogham
The Ogham, (pronounced O-um or O-yam) is a twenty five letter alphabet used by the Druids as a shorthand communication tool, and possibly as a system of sign language as well (Stewart, 34). While the Celts did not possess a written language, the Ogham script was used for short, important communication, such as funerary inscriptions or God names. Ogham script is quite simple, with the twenty main letters consisting of one to five perpendicular or angled lines crossing a base line (Clark, 1997).

Additionally, the Ogham letters each stand for one of twenty sacred trees, each which has a religious significance as well as an Ogham letter association. I have referenced the twenty basic Ogham letters below, including botanical names, when available (Clark 1997). Any doubt as to the botanical names of the plants arises from the presence of several plant species within the Celtic landscape, resulting in confusion as to which species was representative of the Ogham symbol.

Ogham Letter Irish Name English Name Botanical Name

B Beth Birch Betula pendula Roth

L Luis Rowan Sorbus aucuparia L

N Nion Ash Fraxinus excelsior L

F Fearn Alder Alnus Glutonosa

S Saille Willow Salix (unknown)

H Huath Hawthorne Crataegus (unknown)

D Duir Oak Quercus Rober L.

T Tinne Holly Ilex aquifolium L

C Coll Hazel Corylus avellana L

Q Qwert Apple Malus sylvestris

M Muin Vine Vitis vinifera L

G Gort Ivy Hedera Helix L.

N Ngetal Reed Phragmites australis

S Straif Blackthorne Prunus spinosa L.

R Ruis Elder Sambucus (unknown)

A Ailm Fir Abies alba

O Onn Furze Ulex europaeus

U Ura Heather Calluna Vulgaris

E Eadha Poplar Populus (unknown)

I Idho Yew Taxus baccata L

As one can tell, the term “tree alphabet” is used very loosely, as several of the holy plants are not trees at all. Thirteen of the Ogham trees are also used as markers for the thirteen-month calendar they used. Each plant also had a religious or divinatory meaning as well as a letter association. For example, Beth (Birch), was the first letter of the ogham alphabet and the first tree-month of the year. It is believed that the leafing of the birch trees signified the beginning of the agricultural year. The divinatory meaning, therefore, was that birch signified “the beginning of all things, the start” (King, 196). In fact, an examination of the five vowels of the Ogham alphabet reveals again, the significance of the agricultural cycle. Ailm, the silver fir, represents birth; Onn, the gorse represents spring; Ura, or heather represents Midsummer; Eadha, or aspen represents old age, and Idho, the Yew represents death and rebirth. The cycle, from birth to the high point of summer, to old age (autumn) and death can be traced through the five vowels of the Ogham alphabet, reinforcing the significance of the agricultural/life cycle, and the power that plants had in representing that cycle. An example of Ogham text can be found on the previous page.

Interestingly enough, the botanical information we can glean from the ogham alphabet and its twenty “trees”, can help us reveal where the Ogham use was most prevelant, and therefore, where the Druid culture evolved that used it. In 1964 a group of scientists attempted to classify the geographical origins of the Ogham by examining which areas of Europe contained all twenty sacred “trees”, and mistletoe as well. Only four countries, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy have all four (Tutin, 1964).


While this may help shed some light on the geographical wanderings of the Celtic people, it should be noted that the spread of plant species may have altered the validity of this finding. This analysis is significant, because it can help anthropologists understand why the use of the Ogham varied from tribe to tribe, simply by the lack of availability of some of the constituent plants. This may also shed some light to the origin of the uses of the Ogham. Some scholars believed that it may have originated in the Gaulish tribes of the Iberian Peninsula, however this study shows the regions of France and Italy to be more likely points of origin.
Modern Druids have adapted the symbolic references of the Ogham for a modern purpose. While the usefulness of the Ogham as a communications tool is greatly reduced, the divinatory aspects of the Ogham are still used widely today. Some modern Druids in a method reminiscent of Tarot Cards now use a modern adaptation of this method (similar to fortune telling), called the “Celtic Tree Oracle”. Each card, which contains one of the holy trees of the Ogham, retains the divinatory significance of the original symbol. An interpretation of those symbols is used for meditation, study, and even to attempt revealing the future. Some believe that the Druids used the Ogham for divination, although by throwing sticks inscribed with the symbols. The modern adaptation of this method has only been employed in recent years, and is culturally linked by the common meanings and symbology of each ogham character.

SOURCED FROM:The cultural significance of plants to Druids, ancient and modern.
by: Cheri Baker

Ahhh, a very nice informative post. I am currently investigating Druidry and it was this topic (i was looking for info to make my own ogham sticks) that led me to this very nice forum.

yvw Satyr....glad it was informative for you n welcome to the forum:)