Magickal Properties of Trees

Alder---A Druid sacred tree. The path is easily pushed out of fresh green alder shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together side by side, one end stopped with plugs of wood, clay or sealing compound, can be used to entice Air Elementals to your area. Trim the end of each shoot to produce the notes you want. The old superstitions of whistling up the wind comes from this.

Apple--A Druid sacred tree. Cut an apple into three pieces. Rub the cut side on warts, saying: "Out warts, into apple" Bury the pieces, as the apple decays, the warts will disappear. Use apple cider in any old spells calling for blood or wine.

Ash--A Druid sacred tree. Druid wanes were often made of ash and carved with decorations. Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magick. Put fresh ash leaves under your pillow to stimulate psychic dreams. Gather ash leaves and take them to a place outdoors where you can work undisturbed. With your sword or knife, scratch a circle around you in the ground. Make it large enough to work in without crossing the line. Face the East, holding the ash leaves in both hands. Say: "Elementals of the East, rulers of Air, bring me knowledge and inspiration." Throw a few leaves to the East. Turn to the South, say: "Elementals of the South, rulers of Fire, bring me energy and change." Throw a few leaves to the South. Turn to the West, say: "Elementals of the West, rulers of Water, bring me healing and love." Throw a few leaves to the West. Turn to the North, say: "Elementals of the North, rulers of Earth, bring me prosperity and success." Throw a few leaves to the North. Stand in the center of the circle with both hands raised: say: "Blessings to all who come to my aid, Between friends is this bargain made." Rub out the cut line.

Birch--Also know as Lady of the Woods, Paper Birch, White Birch. A Druid sacred tree. 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 let you free, to capture a love and return to me."

Blackthorn--Also called Slo. A Druid sacred tree. The thorns are used for sticking into black figure candles or poppets of enemies who will not leave you alone. Before burning the candle or poppet, attach the trouble-maker's name to it or carve it into the candle with your knife. Take three thorns and place them in the forehead, heart and abdomen of the image, saying: "Evil, return to the one who sent thee. Me and mine are now set free. No hurt nor harm can enter here. My life and way are now made clear."

Broom--Also known as Scotch Broom, Irish Broom. A Druid sacred tree, 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.

Cedar--Also known as the Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae, and Yellow Cedar. A Druid sacred tree. 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.

Elder--Also known as Ellhorn, Elderberry and Lady Elder, a Druid sacred tree. 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 wanes 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.

Eyebright--A Druid sacred tree. In a tightly covered pot, gently brew a handful of the herb in a pint of boiling water. Allow to stand overnight. Strain out the herb, squeezing as dry as possible. Store the liquid in a tightly sealed container away from sunlight and heat, but no in the refrigerator. Drink a half-teaspoon in half cup of spring water or psychic herb tea to promote clairvoyance.

Ferns--especially Male Fern (Lucky Hand, Dryopteris filixmas), Maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum, native to North America and Asia), Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), Lady Fern and Polypody (Oak Fern, both native to the United States and both Polypodium vulgare) The Druids classed ferns as sacred trees. Uncurled fronds of Male fern were gathered at Midsummer, dried and carried for good luck. All ferns are powerful protective plants. Burned indoors, they produce a very strong wall of protection. Burned outdoors, they produce rain.

Furze--(Ulex europaeus). Also known as Gorse, Whin. A Druid sacred tree. Its golden flowers are associated with the Spring Equinox. Wood and blooms are burned for protection and preparation for conflict of any sort.

Hawthorn-- (Crataegus oxyacantha). Also known as May Tree, and White Thorn. A Druid sacred tree. Wands of this wood are of great power. The blossoms are highly erotic to men.

Hazel-- (Corylus spp). A Druid sacred tree. Wands of this wood symbolize white magic and healing. Forked sticks are used to find water or buried treasure. If outside and in need of magical 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.

Holly---(Ilex aquifolium). The U.S. variety is Ilex opaca. A Druid sacred tree. Sacred to the Winter Solstice, when it was used for decorating. Planted near a house, holly repels negative spells sent against you. A bag of leaves and berries carried by a man increases his ability to attract women.

Juniper--(Juniperus communis) A Druid sacred tree. 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.

Mistletoe---(Vicum album) 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 mistletoes can be hung as an all-purpose protective herb. The berries are used in love incenses.

Oak---(Quercus robur). Also known as Tanner's Bark, and White Oak. A Druid "Holy" tree, the oak was the king of trees in a Grove. Magic wands were made of its wood. Oak galls, known as Serpent Eggs, were used in magical 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.

Pine---(Pinus spp). Sacred to the Druids, the pine was known as one of the seven chieftain trees of the Irish. Mix the dried needles with equal parts of juniper and cedar; 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 bathwater over this. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush the ground with a pine branch.

Rowan---(Sorbus aucuparia, Fraxinus aucuparia). Also known as Mountain Ash, Witch wood, and Sorb Apple. A Druid sacred tree and sacred to the goddess Brigit. It is a very magical tree used for wands, rods, amulets and spells. Its berries are especially magical, but the seeds are Poisonous! A forked rowan branch can help find water. Wands are for knowledge, locating metal and general divination. Fires made of rowan wood serve to summon spirits, especially when facing conflicts.

Silver Fir---Also known as Birth Tree, a Druid sacred tree. The needles are burned at childbirth to bless and protect the mother and baby.

Wild Cherry--Also known as Black Cherry and Chokecherry, a Druid sacred tree. Chips of the wood or bark were burned at Celtic Festivals.

Willow---(Salix alba) Also known as White Willow, Tree of Enchantment, and Witches' Aspirin. One 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 say 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.

Yew---(Taxus baccata) Also known as English Yew, and European Yew. A Druid sacred tree. This herb was sacred to the Winter Solstice and deities of death and rebirth. The Irish used it to make dagger handles, bows and wine barrels. The berries are POISONOUS! Yew wood or leaves were laid on graves as a reminder to the departed spirit that death was only a pause in life before rebirth.

Back to Tree Lore