Celtic Tree Lore - The Astrology of the Oak

hose born under the Celtic Tree Sign of Oak (born June 10th through July 7th) are known as the Stabilizer. Like the tree they have a great gift of strength. They are protective people and often become champions for those who do not have a voice. They are nurturing generous and always helpful. They like the oak are the gentle giant among the other Celtic signs. They exude easy confidence and carry an optimistic outlook at all times.

They possess a deep respect for history and ancestry. Many born under this sign choose the occupation of teacher as they love to share their knowledge of the past with others. Oak sigs have a need for structure and often go to great lengths to have a feeling of control in their lives.

An Oak, if healthy will live a long full happy life. Often they will have large families and enjoy the coming together of everyone. They are also often involved in large social or community groups. Oak signs pair off well with those born under the Ash or Reed sign. They are also known to join quite well with Ivy signs.

Celtic Tree Lore - The Magical and Medicinal Uses of Oak

s one would expect, most parts of the Oak tree can be used in some way for medicinal uses. Some examples of such remedies are as follows: Placing bruised Oak leaves externally to wounds help to reduce and ease inflammation. In older times, the thin skin from the acorn was used to cover open cuts and/or wounds. The acorn could also be ground to a powdered substance and mixed with wine and taken as a diuretic.

The bark of the Oak is the part most used when creating medicinal treatments. The bark is best collected in April or May from a young Oak. Lay the bark in the sun to dry it naturally before chopping it. Add 1 oz of bark per quart of water and boil it down til it I measures approximately one pint. One can use this mixture as a gargle for sore throats or applied to bleeding gums. It can also be applied as a hot compress for inflamed glands or in ones hot bath for frostbite. Ground down to a fine powder, the bark of the Oak can be used as a medicinal snuff that when inhaled can cease nosebleeds. A pinch of the powdered Oak bark mixed with honey and taken in the morning is said to aid in the discomfort of menstrual problems.

When it comes to the magical attributes of the oak tree, the number of uses are likewise many. One of the major qualities of the Oak is protection. Examples: Carrying a small piece of an Oak with you said to bring you a sense of security and/or luck as well as protect you from harm. Two Oak twigs tied together with a red thread to form an equal cross is considered a talisman that one can wear or hang in the home to give protection, security and also strength. Acorns placed on the window ledge will guard a home from lightning strikes. Catch a falling Oak leaf and it is said to bring you luck and prosperity and also keep you from catching a cold during the coming winter. In the old days young women would place 2 acorns in a bowl of water to find out if she had found true love. If they moved together it was yes if they drifted apart it was a no. Oak leaves burned in the home helps to clear way negative energies.

Druids used the oak tree for divination purposes and also in planning the next season’s farming. An old proverb relating to this explains:

If the Oak’s before the Ash,
Then you’ll only get a splash;
If the Ash before the Oak,
They you might expect a soak.

In some tales the wand which Merlin carried was made of the top most branch of an Oak tree.

Powers and Attributes given to the Oak are ancestry, fertility, healing, health, justice, longevity, loyalty, luck, prosperity, protection, self confidence, strength, subtlety, success, wisdom, and wit.

Celtic Tree Lore - Classification and Uses of the Oak

uch like the long period of time it takes the Oak to grow in size, likewise it can take up to 60 years for one to mature and produce its first full crop of fruit. During the April and May, pale green leaves on small stocks start to appear. If by chance Old Man Winter refuses to leave and dallies in his departure leaving a few cold mornings behind, the Oak has the ability to re-leaf itself again. In August as summer comes into full bloom and most trees and plants are dealing with the intense heat, the Oak begins to produce a new set of leaves known as “Lammas Shoots.” The Lammas Shoot is golden pink in color when they first begin. As they grow and harden, they take on a darker green color. As autumn comes the Oak tree seems to be at its best. The leaves change color once again, turning to shades of yellow, orange, russet, and golden brown. The leaves frequently stay on continuously through winter even after drying and turning brown. They finally fall off the following spring or when the new buds form and eventually push them off.

As the leaves return in April, the flower of the oak begins to form; growing in clusters of male and female catkins. By May the male catkins have grown anywhere from one to three inches long and filled with pollen. It is this time when the female catkins open as upright flowers awaiting to be pollinated. Each catkin will eventually produce the fruit of the Oak, known as the acorn. The acorn ripens in autumn where it changes from a green to a pale yellow then eventually a dark brown. The acorn drops from the tree as it ripens. If not eaten by one of the many animals which find the delicious, it will sprout and eventually form a tree itself.

Yuletide is the time when the Oak King takes over from the Holly King. The Yule Log is traditionally made of Oak. It is also the host for mistletoe which grows high in the Oaks branches. When decorating the Yule Log, sprigs from Mistletoe and Holly are used.

The Yule log is never entirely burned. A small portion is kept until the next year. It is burned along with the new Yule Log symbolizing the ending of the old and the beginning of the new. The unburned portion of the Yule log is kept in the home throughout the year to protect it.

The Oak, as well as the Yule log symbolize the Green Man, the spirit of vegetation. The ashes from the Yule fire were scattered outside to fertilize the fields and bring abundance to the next year’s crop.

Thought to Ponder - Perserverance

Don't worry

 if your "you" is small and your rewards are few: Remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you.

- Anonymous

Celtic Tree Lore - The Oak

eginning on the 10th of June and continuing through July 7th the Celtic Tree month of Oak will take place. Representing the 7th of the thirteen tree months; the Oak falls in the middle of all the others. It is said that the Celts viewed the oak as a “representation of divinity.” Druids are said to never meet unless under an Oak. The view of the Oak’s sacredness, it was at one time believed that the Oak was the first tree ever to be created by God and its fruit, the acorn, was the first food of mankind. It is said that the Oaks tree roots mirror its branches and stretch as far below the ground as the branches do above. Oak is also one of the nine sacred woods for a sabbat fire in which it represents the God. It is also the wood traditionally used in the Litha fire as this is the time when the Oak is said to reach the height of its power.

The Oak along with the birch and yew represent the three pillars of wisdom in the Roman culture. The Oak is also one third of the Triad of Faery trees along with Ash and Hawthorne. Sacred Oak groves have always been places of worship and learning. Each tribe would gather beneath what was considered their own Oak. It was called their Tree of Life and functioned as the tribes’ talisman.

The Oak is a slow growing tree. When one sees a great Oak of great size, one can be assured that it is also quite aged. It can reach heights of 110 feet (33 meters) and has a girth of anywhere from 30 to 40 feet (9-12 meters). A good example of this massive side is the Major Oak which is located in Sherwood Forest. It still stands yet is supported these days to help prevent it from collapsing. It measures 64 feet (20 meters) in its girth. This fact makes it easy to believe the tale from history that King Arthurs round table was made from a single slice of Oak. Although an Oak seems to grow a bit faster in its first century, after this point the growth increases by less than one year per year. This slow sense of growth is what matures the wood in a way to acquire the hardness and strength to give Oak its reputation of being close to indestructible.

The Oak is considered King of the woods. He is old and gnarled. Regardless of the abuse it receives it stands tall and survives over the years. He is a marker point, a cornerstone and a refuge in the forest.

The Oak Tree

The Oak tree has long been revered. It is said that the Druids would not meet unless an Oak tree was present also. It is symbolic of strength, wisdom, and personal growth. Its seed, the tiny acorn, when planted has the potential to grow into the massive Oak tree over time. This reference likewise shows how we ourselves can go from nothing to something more within time and patience.

The Oak holds with it the powers of protection, health, healing, and luck to name a few. Two oak twigs tied together with red twine in the manner that they form a cross and hung in the home, will ward off evil. Fires made of oak which are burned when one is ill is said to draw the illness out. And carrying an acorn in ones pocket can ward off illness or pains, preserve youth, and even bring luck.

Trees have always been a special friend to me. There is something about the greatness and wisdom they hold. To sit quietly beneath a large shade tree renders some of the most relaxing time I can find. The term tree hugger is often used in a fashion to make fun of one, yet I find this term quite flattering. If you have never truly hugged a tree try it sometime. You may be surprised at the feelings you experience.

I write of the Oak because of my relationship with one in particular. When we first moved to our property down in the southeast corner of the yard was a small sapling. Truly it looked more like a stick. When I first introduced myself, it seemed that possibly I may have to do away with it. It was unshapely and didn’t look to become much of anything. Yet still I tended it. I watered it and made sure that it was not mowed over. As it grew I groomed it as needed making sure it would gain the most strength it could and not waste unnecessary energy on its growth.

As the years passed it grew slowly. Today after 4 years it has grown to where I can no longer reach the top to prune if needed. A feeder of bird seed sits snuggly inside its branches almost hidden to give refuge to those who may need it. At its base is a circle of stones. Within the circle are lavender, rosemary and sage. Wild sunflowers and yarrow also grow beneath its shade. Occasionally I sprinkle corn around its perimeter for the animals that may come its way. On full moons an extra surprise I may place beneath it for the fairy that frequent. It has become a good friend to me.

It is here that I planted my first witch bottle when it was still a young tree. Asking it to watch over it and guard it. Frequently I go and spend time with it just as its presence brings joy to me. Technically I am told it is not on our property, however this makes no difference to me. Still I tend it as needed and cherish the relationship I have received from it. It has taught me much. Recently another young Oak near our pond was found. Likewise I have tended to it. However the first one is still my favorite.