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![]() "Irish tradition holds that the first man was created from an alder, and the first woman from a rowan tree." - Ellen Evert Hopman Alder is often found growing thick along rivers, streams, and swamps. When alders are not growing among water sources, they form alder woods on wet, swampy ground. The thick growth in swampy areas make ideal hideaways. This could be why alder is connected with themes of hiding and secrecy in Celtic lore. This theme can be found in the Irish mythology of Deirdre of the Sorrows. "When Deirdre of the Sorrows eloped with Naoise, son of Usna, they fled from Ulster to Alba (Scotland), to escape the wrath of King Conchobhar mac Nessa to whom Deirdre had been betrothed. They hid from the King's pursuing warriors in the alder woods of Glen Etibhe, where they eventually settled." - Paul Kendall Associated with secrecy, hiding, and cautionary tales of hidden thugs, it's no wonder the Irish considered it unlucky to pass an alder tree on a journey. The tree made up for this, however, by providing foot support. On a long journey, if a person put the leaves of the alder tree in their shoes, the tree would cool the feet and prevent swelling. Because alder is found near water, wood is not suitable for building on dry land due to its tendency to rot when it gets dry. It's also not a good wood to make a sustainable flame, but does make excellent charcoal. The heat from alder charcoal burned so hot, it was ideal for the Celts to forge their best weapons. Later, the charcoal was used to manufacture gunpowder. Alder charcoal was so important for weapon forging it quickly became the tree of war. Many Celtic warriors even had their shields made of alder wood. The wood turns from white to red after cutting making the shield look like it has been dipped in blood. Something to strike fear in the heart of your opposite, for sure. The spiritual aspects of this tree are steeped in the connotations of war and masculinity. In Ebchester in Scotland, the god Vernostonus is found personified as an alder tree. Vernostonus is a local god of hunting and war, seen most often as a sacred warrior and tribal protector. Warriors and hunters very often would obtain some sort of wound during battle or while hunting. It was dangerous protecting and providing for the tribe. Alder was extremely important for washing wounds, stopping internal bleeding, and reducing inflammation in a sprained ankle or wrist. Coincidently, it was also used for treating lice and scabies in the tribe and amongst the warriors! Alder is the "protector of the heart." On your spiritual journey, you can call upon the spirit of alder to help you maintain calmness during times of conflict. Today, you can find different varieties of Alder all over the Northern Hemisphere. Medicinal Herb Info has information to use when foraging Alder and trying recipes for the first time. Woodward Bard has also shared his interpretation of lore and mythology through story. You can find his video, here. Resources: Trees for Life - treesforlife.org.uk Ogma Trees - ogmatrees.com A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - Ellen Evert Hopman
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AuthorCaitlin is a full-time special education teacher with a penchant for the wyrd. When she isn't hanging out with the coolest kids, she's out in her garden tending to her herbs or frolicking with her 2 goats, 40 chickens, 6 ducks, 2 turkeys, 2 dogs, and 6 cats. She understands it's a hoarding situation at this point, but life is too short to worry about boring things like that. Archives
May 2024
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