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Being a lover of trees it is no surprise that I take great fondness in Ent lore. For those of you who may not know what an Ent is…. An Ent is a race in Tolkien’s Trilogy “Lord of the Rings”. They were the shepherds of the forest and themselves resembled giant trees. Although they did so in a very slow manner, they were able to travel and converse when the need or desire arose. They were an ancient race, if not one of the first. They were first woken by the Elves it is said and slowly taught to speak and help the Elves themselves learn their language.
The best known Ent is probably Tree Beard. He of course was the keeper of Merry and Pippin for a time during the movie version of the “war of the Ring”. Although if by chance you read the book, you will also know of Quickbeam or Bregalad as he was sometimes called. He as a younger Ent. Definitely not as mature as the others. It was his job to guard over the Rowan groves. His name “Quickbeam” is another word for Rowan or Mountain Ash. Being younger he was not always as patient as the older Ents. His second name “Bregalad” means hastiness, something that an Ent is not usually associated with. It was Quickbeam who first wanted to attack Saruman and Isengard. He had seen first hand the destruction of many of the rowan groves in which he was entrusted.
Although from a book thought fiction, I can not help but wonder what the trees of today must think. It was said that as time continued, the Ents themselves began to slow and take less of a part in the world. This decision helped them to become more “treeish”. They did not travel as much and thus found a suitable place to stay for long periods of time. When this was done in many cases, they would take root and remain, thus becoming more as a tree then an Ent. Still I am sure that they kept their slow sense of observance. Watching the world as it traveled by in time. The acts of nature as well as man was surely part of their daily show. I have always found that trees hold a sense of deepness to them, especially the trees that seem to have been for years and years. What must they have seen. What secrets they could tell. I often go among the trees and just listen. They hold so much inside… they have so much to tell and so few who will listen. Like the tale of Ents it is not a task that can move quickly. It is one of patience and quietness. Yet if one gives the time and a willful ear, who knows what one may hear.
Blessings
For those of you who have followed my blog for a time you will remember previous post surrounding Celtic Tree Lore. This is an area which is very dear to my heart as the willows which surround my home as well as the wee (which is not so wee anymore) oak which I nurtured from a twig have all help to show me the wonderful relationship that one can have with such creatures if they allow themselves to be open. I have had much comment and question in regards to these post. Therefore I am going to bring them back and try and probe a bit deeper than before into their attributes as well as the magic that each of them can give to us.
With today being Chinese New Year as well as the beginning of the year of the Dragon, it seems only fitting that we start off with the Rowan tree. January 21st, was the beginning of the Tree Month of Rowan. Associated with the dragon, the Rowan tree is a symbol of protection and defense. Believing that Rowan could ward off evil spirits the Celts often used it on a daily basis. During the festivities of Beltane, garlands of Rowan would be fashioned and tied with string which had been dyed red using the Rowan berry. These garlands were then put on livestock as well as the animals stalls to ward off evil. One might even see a cow with springs of rowan hanging from her tail held only by the brightly red strings.
Rowan trees intentionally were planted in churchyards to protect and watch over the spirits of the dead. As the body was being carried to the churchyard for burial, it would be sat beneath a Rowan during any stops needing to be made. This insured that the soul which had departed would not be taunted by any evil before it was finally laid to rest.
Bracelets made of rowan berries were worn by the women as a means of protection. As well as cross necklaces fashioned from rowan wood. Such wooden crosses were also often placed at the head of a newborn’s cradle as a means of protection. It was believed that a child who was born with exceptional beauty or charm was often sought out by the fairy folk. The Rowan was believed to keep the fairy from doing such mischief.
Many believe that Rowan has the power to protect one from the mischief of fairies. As this may be true, the Rowan is also a tree which is most loved and cherished by the wee folk. It is believed that anyone found harming a Rowan runs the risk of bringing upon themselves the wrath of the fairies. It is through the method of grave illness that the fairies are said to get their revenge. However I do not believe that anyone should harm any tree for no reason. There is an old Irish legend called the Forest of Dooros. It was said that the fairies which lived in this forest loved the Rowan tree. Even more so they loved to partake of the Rowan berry. Nothing seemed to bring them more delight. As they ventured from fairyland to mortal land they would bring the berry as nourishment. Yet on one occasion one of the berries brought from fairyland fell to the ground without them knowing . From this berry grew a great Rowan tree. The berries which it bore tasted sweeter than honey itself. It was said that if one ate just one it would render then drunk. If one ate two berries they would live for a hundred years. If they continued and ate three berries they would become as if they were thirty years old again, and thus stay that way for a hundred years. They fairies knew that their magic needed protection. They asked a great giant named Sharvan to watch over the tree for them. Sharvan had a keen liking for the human kind, especially at meal time. This being the case, very few who have ventured forth to partake of this treat have ever been heard of again.
The Rowan tree is one of great power and much depth. If you find yourself blessed to be a part of a Rowans life, do not take it lightly. They bring with themselves great ability, as well as greater understanding of that which most do not know.
n the last couple weeks, the Rowan has been the focus of of our Monday meanderings into basic tree lore. The Rowan is best known for its power of protection and defense . If you feel that you may be in need of the protection of the Rowan there are a few things that you can do. Carry a small sprig of the leaves and berries on your person. An easier and more permanent solution is to take a small piece of Rowan wood and sand it down to a smooth piece to be carried as a constant pocket companion. Another thing you could do is to plant a Rowan tree near your house. In the spring it has clusters of white flowers that resembles stars. In autumn it produces red berries which are a favorite for the birds.
he Rowan Tree has several attributes and/or powers associated with it. Examples are: fertitility, grounding, healing, insight, luck, music, poetry, quickening, protection, defense, and strength. It is associated with the elements of Earth and Fire. The Rowan Tree month begins on January 21st and continues through February 17th. It is known for its power when used in divination, enhancing psyhic abilities and healing spells. The Rowan is one of the nine sacred woods for a sabbat fire in which it represents life.
anuary 21st, was the beginning of the Tree Month of Rowan. Associated with the dragon, the Rowan tree is a symbol of protection and defense. Examples of this : Garlands of Rowan fashioned around the necks of livestock as well as their stalls as well as Rowan trees intentionally planted in churchyards to protect and watch over the spirits of the dead. It is said that the Rowan has the ability to open communications with the spirt realm which is key to its great energy. It is thought that early runes were first fashioned from the Rowan tree. Leaves and berries from the trees are common additives to divination incense. The Rowan is associated with Imbolc which marks the quickening of the year. A perfect time to facilitate a quickening of personal power and resources.
