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![]() "According to legend, the original rowan was brought from the Land of the Fairy by the Tuatha de Danann, the tribe or peoples of the goddess Danu, who preceded the Celts in Ireland. One berry fell on the ground in Eire (Ireland) and thus the first rowan took root. Those who ate the berries were young and joyful ever after." - Ellen Evert Hopman The rowan tree is deeply intertwined in mythology which can date back to classical times. For example, description of how the rowan tree got its berries and leaf shape can be found in Greek mythology. This myth tells how the goddess of youth, Hebe, gave rejuvenating ambrosia to the gods from her magical chalice. When she lost this cup to demons, the gods sent an eagle to recover the cup. The eagle and the demons fought fiercely as they plummeted to earth. The eagle's feathers and blood were turned into rowan trees as they dropped onto the soil. That's why the rowan's leaves are shaped like eagle's feathers and the berries resemble droplets of blood. In Norse mythology the rowan is the tree from which the first woman was made. A rowan is also said to have saved the life of the god Thor when he was traveling in the underworld. The rowan is also prominent in the British Isles and is known as the tree which protects against witchcraft and enchantment. In Celtic symbology, the five pointed pentagram and color red was known for protective abilities. The red berries of the rowan tree display a five pointed pentagram making this an important berry in the Celtic world. One old rhyme describes the protective abilities of rowan: "Rowan tree and red thread/ make the witches tine (meaning 'to lose') their speed". This tree was also known as the Goddess or a Faerie tree. Protection against witchcraft and fairies is the rowan tree's recurring theme. Often, pieces of the tree were carried by people for personal protection while twigs would be given to cows for protection. Crosses, butter churn staffs, walking staffs, cradles, and other household and agricultural tools were made from the wood of the rowan tree with the intention of keeping the home, the family, and the land protected from mischievous fairies and ill-intent witches. Rowan is also known as the Druid's tree or fid na nDruad. According to lore, the goddess Brigid and patroness of the Druids and bards, has three fiery arrows made of rowan wood. In times of trouble, the Druids would cast battle-magic spells by lighting huge fires of rowan and uttering incantations to turn away the opposing army. Druids would read the outcome of the battle in the flames and smoke. North American and European rowan trees have different colored berries, but the trees are essentially identical in every other way. North American rowan berries have more of an orangish color, while European berries are a deep red. Berries hold great medicinal value, but should only be harvested after the first frost. The juice of the berries can aide with digestive issues and soothe a sore throat. The berries can be made into jams for various digest ailments. Jams are also a delicious way to get the benefits of all the bioflavonoids and vitamins A and C the berries have. The berries can also be used in a tea to aide mucus breakup and lower a fever. Native Americans used the bark of young branches to make a tea for inflammatory diseases, increase appetite, purify the blood, strengthen the kidneys, and support someone who is depressed. Rowan is known widely for its ability to protect us spiritually and internally. It not only protects us by providing us with necessary vitamins and nutrients through its bark and berries, but if accepted, can protect your inner spirit. Rowan helps to strengthen your inner shields as it fortifies your strength, patience, and inner peace. Today, you can find different varieties of Rowan (Ash Mountain) all over the Northern Hemisphere. Eat Weeds is a great resource to use when foraging rowan 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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