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Ogham Tree Lore
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Yggdrasil, the World Tree in Viking mythology, grew on an island surrounded by the ocean, in the depths of which the World Serpent lay. This ash tree’s trunk reached up to the heavens, and its boughs spread out over all the countries of the Earth. Its roots reached down into the Underworld. A squirrel ran up and down the tree carrying messages from the serpent gnawing at the roots to the eagle in the canopy, and back. A deer fed on the ash leaves and from its antlers flowed the great rivers of the world. A magical goat grazed by the tree, and its udders dispensed not milk but mead for the warriors in Odin’s Great Hall. The gods held their councils under the canopy of their guardian tree. - Paul Kendal ![]() "The ash tree, called uinnseann in gaelic, has strong links with the Vikings, but also has its place in British folklore." Paul Kendall The ash tree is important and steeped in lore across cultures. The Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, and Celts, among others, all shared a love and respect for this sacred tree. To the Vikings, the ash tree represented their sacred World Tree, Yggdrasil. To the Celts and Anglo-Saxons, the ash tree was a sacred guardian tree of the land and holy wells in which they found healing. Today, the ash tree is the second most common tree found in Ireland and the first most common tree found in Britain. All of which speaks volumes to the importance of this sacred tree. One of the most notable stories in Viking lore is how the god Odin discovered and understood the ancient wisdom written in the Runes. It is said, Odin hung himself from the branches of Yggdrasil as a sacrifice. Instead of taking his life, Yggdrasil rewarded him with insight, wisdom, and knowledge of the Runes. Many Rune readers today use ancient knowledge in their own craft. The ash tree was not only a source of wisdom and insight, its wood was also used to make shafts for weapons for the Vikings and Celts. Using the ash's wood to make spears for battle connects this tree with a more masculine energy of war and authority. Many wielders of these ash spears claimed their tools of warfare possessed magical powers which helped them in battle. In Ireland, the ash tree is connected with three of the five legendary guardian trees. Each guardian tree was placed in an elemental direction and was said to hold certain powers over the land. It is highly likely these trees were also the sacred trees of the people who resided in that area. The importance of these trees and knowing three of them were ash trees speaks towards the sacred standing ash had with the people. To drive this idea home, the ash tree is the second most popular tree in Ireland and can be mostly found growing near Irish holy wells as the ash was said to protect the purity of the springs. The ash tree is very much connected with solar and masculine energies. It is said Zeus created humans from ash trees and the Icelandic word for ash means, "blaze of great fire". These connections can be linked with the fact that ash makes great firewood and can be burned green. This connection with fire made the ash the ideal log to burn for the Germanic Yule log and what the Druids would use to carve protection charms during the Summer solstice. What makes the ash tree unique is how it was used during every day life. In Irish tradition, if a husband and wife were to divorce, the ash tree would be used as an example of how to split their property in half. The Ogham for N is translated as an upright Y which supports the weaver's beam. The Brehon Law texts uses this understanding of the Ogham as rules for how to divide a farming couples assets. For example, the husband was often most responsible for the beginning phases of the farm work while the wife was responsible for making the finished product. So, if a couple were sheep farmers, the woman would get 1/6th of any wool still in fleece, 1/3rd combined wool, and 1/2 of any cloth. That is because the woman did more work for the finished product than at the beginning. The teachings of the ash made the business of dividing assets during divorce fair for both parties. For every day Britains, the ash is credited with having a wide range of protective and healing abilities for their children. It was widely used to protect newborn babies and heal ailing children. Often, if an ash tree was used to heal a child, that ash tree was covered in nails to prevent others from cutting it down. The thought was if the ash was ever cut down the child's health would fail as well. Over time, an intimate relationship was formed between the person healed and the ash tree. The person healed would protect the ash tree for their life and credit the ash for their healing. The tales of the ash tree are otherworldly and sacred to the Irish. In one Irish tale, The Cattle Raid of Cooley, it is said that every place battle-leader Queen Maeve planted one of her ash horsewhips, a sacred ash grew. Maeve was also the name of the Irish goddess of sovereignty or land goddess. As mentioned, three of the five most sacred trees in Ireland were ash. When the very last and most beloved Ash of Tortu was was felled in the Christian era, the plain of Tortu lost two-thirds of its wealth due to the loss of magical and otherworldly protection. However, it is said that a new tree will one day rise from its roots and the mystical protection of the tree will once again bless the land. The great goddess of sovereignty will come again. Today, you can find different varieties of ash all over the Northern Hemisphere. Eat Weeds has information to use when foraging ash 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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![]() "According to tradition the Ogham alphabet was invited by Ogma, god of eloquence and fair speech. The first message he wrote in the alphabet was a message on a birch rod, consisting of seven strokes. For this reason, birch is the first letter of the Ogham alphabet." Ellen Evert Hopman Representing new beginnings, the birch tree is often the first tree to grow after the ground has been disturbed. When the ice from the Ice Age melted, the birch tree is said to have been the first tree to fill forests. This fast growth, strong trunk, and flexible limbs made birch ideal for various building and crafts. With the wood being so ideal for building a crafting, it was the popular choice for building things like handles, bobbins, spools, and reels. Traditionally, drawing on the symbolism of new beginnings, birch is used to make cradles. According to the Welsh tradition, building a cradle of birch wood invoked the protective power of the Goddess into the nursery. In Scottish tradition, birch was hung over the cradle as protection. Today, birch is used to build log cabins which do not require a heavy roof and furniture. Many artisans prefer to use birch wood in their craft because it is so fast growing, resilient, and smooth. In Celtic tradition, birch is used as the ritual tree during Samhain (Halloween). Samhain is the Celtic new year which meant purification before the winter was an important part of ritual life. Birch symbolizing new beginnings and purification was used to light the communal fire, drive out the spirits of the old year, and purify the garden before its winter sleep. The iconic "witches broom" is made from birch and originally symbolized the tool Celtic shamans would use during their flight to the Upperworld. Birch is also celebrated during Beltane/May Day due to its strong connection to new beginnings and fertility. As the tree is the first to leaf, it is the obvious choice to represent the emergence of spring. In spring, the birch is associated with love and fertility as well as purification and new beginnings. As a result, many goddesses became attached to the symbolism of birch. Goddesses such as Northern European Frigga and Freya, Anglo-Saxon Eostre (from whom we derive Easter), Venus, and the cross cultural goddess Brigid. In shamanic understanding, birch is known as “the way shower” because it shines so brightly under moonlight. This brightness in the forest holds spiritual meaning to shamanic practitioners. For example, Siberian shamans use birch as a sky ladder, using trance to travel up the birch trunk into the Sky World to retrieve information. The shamans would then return to their world by allowing the birch’s flexible branches gently place them back on the ground. Shamanic traveling is not the only mystical use for birch. In Scandinavia, birch was used to carve runes on the bark for divination practices. Birch held such an importance to the people's every day life, folklore and tales were created to share the wisdom and use birch held for generations to come. Often Bards would tell these tales in great halls and during communal gatherings. Each tale, entwined with tales of the gods and goddesses, ensured the knowledge would be remembered through time. Today, many modern day bards still share this ancient folklore. You can find one example of a wonderful Bardic tale about birch from the Woodland Bard on his YouTube channel - Here Across cultures and continents, birch is a powerful herbal remedy. The leaves are diuretic and antiseptic as well as an effective remedy for cystitis and other urinary tract infections. Leaves can also be used to dissolve kidney stones and relieve rheumatism and gout. The sap of the birch tree prevents kidney and bladder stones, treats rheumatism and can be used to treat skin complaints. The bark is said to ease muscle pain if applied externally. Native American tribes would use birch as a remedy for all sorts of ailments. Anything from sensitive teeth to lung inflammation was treated by the use of birch. Birch is a Goddess tree and uses her energies to remind us to keep in touch with our feminine side. She tells us to honor the feminine piece of our dual nature by being vulnerable, life-giving, and nurturing. If we follow the birch and learn her wisdom, we can learn how to care more deeply for our world and all creation. Today, you can find different varieties of birch all over the Northern Hemisphere. Grow, Forage, Cook, Ferment is a great resource to use when foraging birch and trying recipes for the first time. Resources: Trees for Life Ogma Trees A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine - Ellen Evert Hopman ![]() "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 ![]() "The noble willow burn not, a tree sacred to poems; within his bloom bees are a-sucking, all love the little cage." - Ellen Evert Hopman Most willows grow and thrive close to water and because of this, the willow's theme is closely linked to the moon, sorcery, and the Underworld. The willow and water are intimately bound and affected by the moon and the moon is closely associated with feminine energies and sorcery. For example, Hecate, the powerful Greek goddess of the moon and of willow, also taught sorcery and witchcraft. The willow muse, Heliconian, was sacred to poets and the Greek poet Orpheus carried willow branches with him on his adventures in the Underworld. Willow is also closely linked to poets, bards, and musicians. In the Celtic world, social castes were similar to those of the Hindu caste system we see today. The only difference is a family could improve their standing through further knowledge and learning. The catch, however, is if you were at the bottom of the caste system, you would have to pay to make a contract with local land owners in agreement that you would work so your grandchildren could move up in the social caste, not you. Musicians and poets are the only group of people who are fluid within this caste system. A poet or a musician could travel anywhere he/she liked through their artistic abilities. This made poets and their connect to the willow incredibly special to the Celts. Lore states the poets would often take their harps and sit in the cage of the willow branches for inspiration. They would use trance to travel to the Underworld and retrieve inspiration to bring back with them through song and poems. The willow trees association with the moon, poets, and inspiration also symbolized renewal, growth, vitality, and immortality. Willow's ability to quickly regrow from cut tree branches, growing several feet in one season only supported this symbolism of regeneration. The willow did not symbolize grief until Christianity swept Europe. You are more familiar with the herbal uses of willow than you realize. Our modern day aspirin is actually synthesized from willow bark. For centuries, our indigenous peoples have been making teas, salves, and poultices with willow for pain relief, to reduce fever and inflammation, and hair growth. "Willow is above all a healer with a gentle touch." - Ellen Evert Hopman Native Americans call her "the whispering one" because of the way the breeze plays through her branches. In Celtic traditions, she is associated with the harp and the soul of a poet. Music played on the willow harp has the ability to transport our minds from seeing the mundane to otherworldly beauty in the world around us. She heals our spiritual pain and she heals our body. She inspires us with her melody and gentle touch. Today, you can find different varieties of willow all over the Northern Hemisphere, but the best willow for human consumption is the white willow. Grow Forage Cook Ferment Info has information to use when foraging willow 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 |
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
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