Celtic Tree Lore - Uses of the Hazel Tree

here are only a few medicinal used for the Hazel. The main virtue of the tree being Wisdom. The nuts at one time was worn as a talisman for a healthy life which was thought to be gained from the wisdom of the Hazel. Some think it has the power to cure fevers, diarrhea, and excessive or heavy menstrual flow. Though many think these to be only wives tales.

If by chance one has the luck to find a double hazelnut, it is thought that it can carried as a charm to prevent toothache. An equal armed cross made of Hazel laid on a snake bite is said to draw the poison out.

When it comes to magical uses, Hazel is best associated with divination. One of the best methods known is that of the use of a dowsing rod made from Hazel. Typically a dowsing rod has two forks off its main stem making it shaped like the letter Y. the two forks are then gripped and the fore fingers along the forks, so that the tail end of the pod points down toward the ground to begin searching. It is said that a good dowsing rod of Hazel “squeal like a pig” when held under water. The art of dowsing is still used to this day to locate water, oil, and other minerals.

The Hazel nut is also associated with fortune telling. In Scotland, on Halloween, an old custom of love divination is still practiced. Two hazelnuts are given the names of lovers and placed on burning embers. If they burn quietly and remained side by side, the lovers were considered faithful, but if the nuts crack, split, or roll apart, they are considered to be ill matched and one of them possibly unfaithful.

In the making of wands, one crafted of Hazel wood is used specifically for bringing forth magical inspiration. They can also be used to divine suitable places to work magic. To create a Hazel wand, find a tree that has yet to bare fruit, and at sunrise on a Wednesday the day ruled by mercury, cut a branch with a single stroke. The Hazel is considered to be most powerful during the early spring while its sap is still rising, and in Autumn when its sap and energy is fully contained within ready for its harvest of nuts.

The nuts of the Hazel were commonly used to bring luck by stringing them together and hanging them in the house. When eaten the hazelnuts are said to increase fertility or if eaten before divination to increase inspiration.

Lastly supple twigs of Hazel were woven together into crowns and called “wishing caps” which when worn and if one wished very hard would make the wish come true. Sailors would wear them during storms as a means of protection. Twigs of Hazel can also be placed on the window ledge to protect a home from lightning.