Tree Lore
I learn more about trees on a constant basis, with ever still more to learn. I have always had a love of trees. And I like to learn all I can, but it's a slow process, because there are so many of them.....
The trees ( Oak, Birch, Holly, Ash, Willow, Rowan,. I could go on forever :) Each one shares with us all, the knowledge of spiritual, magick, and herbal lore. The tree spirits and the simple beauty of glazing on a Tree. Every religion and race has a special relationship with the sacred trees.
The trees are associated with all four elements:
Fire: Oak, Holly, Hawthorn, Rowan...
Water: Ash, Willow, Birch, Poplar...
Air: Hazel, Eucalyptus, Pine, Maple...
Earth: Pine, Elm...
The magick of protection and the herbal of healing, are found in more than one tree. Branches of trees are used to make wands and staffs. The leaves and acorns of some trees are dried to make incenses, are burned in fires to cleanse the home of evil and ritual fires. Each wood has it's own personality, its own spirit, and this spirit can augment the power of a talisman or a set of wood runes.
The Nine Sacred Woods of Pagans are: Oak, Pine, Holly, Hazel, Juniper, Cedar, Poplar, Ash, Apple
According to the Rede they are Birch, Oak, Rowan, Willow, Hawthorn, Hazel, Apple, Vine, Fir, Elder
Accordingly, the Sacred Trees to the Druids are Alder, Apple, Ash, Birch, Blackthorn, Broom, Cedar, Wild Cherry, Elder, Eyebright, Ferns, Silver Fir, Furze, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Juniper, Mistletoe, Oak (Holy Tree), Pine, Rowan, Willow, Yew
A Tree Song
by Rudyard Kipling
Of all the trees that grow so fair, Old England to adorn, Greater is none beneath the sun, Than Oak, and Ash, and Thorn. Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs, (All of a Midsummer morn!) Surely we sing of no little thing, In Oak, and Ash, and Thorn! Oak of the Clay lived many a day, Or ever Aeneas began. Ash of the Loam was a Lady at home, When Brut was an outlaw man. Thorn of the Down saw New Troy Town (From which was London born); Witness hereby the ancientry Of Oak, and Ash, and Thorn! Yew that is old in churchyard-mould, He breedeth a mighty bow. Alder for shoes do wise men choose, And beech for cups also. But when ye have killed, and your bowl is spilled, And your shoes are clean outworn, Back ye must speed for all that ye need, To Oak, and Ash, and Thorn! Ellum she hateth mankind, and waiteth Till every gust be laid, To drop a limb on the head of him That any way trusts her shade. But whether a lad be sober or sad, Or mellow with wine from the horn, He will take no wrong when he lieth along 'Neath Oak, and Ash, and Thorn! Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, Or he would call it a sin; But--we have been out in the woods all night, A-conjuring Summer in! And we bring you good news by word of mouth -- Good news for cattle and corn -- Now is the Sun come up from the south, With Oak, and Ash, and Thorn! Sing Oak, and Ash, and Thorn, good sirs (All of a Midsummer morn)! England shall bide till Judgment Tide, By Oak, and Ash, and Thorn!
Back to homepage
