An Interview with Mother Moon - Part Two

Q: How have Celtic Tree Lore come to interest you? When we first moved to where we live now, at the bottom of our yard was a small straggly oak tree. It was no more than a twig sticking out of the ground. I tended it, gave it water and pruned it each year so that as it grew a pleasant shape would take form. The first witch bottle I ever created I buried beneath the slight shade of it. The spot where I buried it remained bare for three years. After that time the grass finally grew. The tree has grown through the years and now I can no longer reach to the top of him to trim him if needed. It has become a friend to me.  It is a place I go to at times of contemplation and pondering. It is this relationship with this small oak as well as with the many willows that encircle my pond that brought me to look more into Celtic Tree Lore. I developed a respect and love  for trees that before I did realize was possible. I realize and acknowledged them as living beings and I look at them and behave differently with them than before.

 

Q: What exactly is Celtic Tree Lore? Celtic Tree Lore encompasses a wide variety of subjects. Some examples are as follows:

 

* Following the Celtic tree calendar which is similar to that of the zodiac yet the signs are represented by trees.

 

* Following or using the Ogham . It is believed that Oghan was first started by Ogma the Celtic father figure and Sun God while others think it is a making of the druids. It is an ancient Celtic alphabet that is still used by some today. Each symbol is made up of straight lines and represents a particular letter. It is written vertically and read from left to right. The Ogham can also be used as a form of divination. In this case some take a small stick from each tree represented and carve its symbol onto it. To read the Ogham in this manner one would pull sticks from a bag or toss them from the bag and then read. Much like that of reading tea leaves. I myself have a tarot deck of Ogham. It is much more intricate than the average set of oracle cards and the readings are usually over a broader spectrum of time.

 

* Although not necessarily connected the reading of Runes is part of Tree Lore at least for me. Runes, like the Ogham is not a spoken language but a set of symbols which represent letters and/or sounds. I create my own runes from the willows that I have on my property. It is with the working of the wood and the concentration of the creation of each rune/symbol that has brought me much insight.

 

* Then there is the simple admiration and conservation of the tree itself. Each tree has a personality of its own. Each one is characteristic of specific attributes and abilities for various things. Such as in medicinal manners, magical manners and creative manners. Studying the many qualities that each tree has and learning how to use them to their largest benefit is probably the largest part of Tree Lore.

 

Q: What is your favorite? My favorite if you are speaking of Tree Lore is the study of trees in general. It has fascinated me to learn the many helpful traits that trees have. As I said earlier, technology has rendered man somewhat ignorant when it comes to sustaining himself if by chance he was found to be without his "iphone" I myself am guilty of this. Yet I also have the added ammunition of my knowledge of trees and plant life in regards to how each can assist me with various things that may befall me if I was to find myself in a situation.

 

Q: Has it influenced the way you think? Very much so. I have learned that being still can lend itself to teaching one a great amount of things. A simple slow walk around my yard can bring me so much knowledge. I have learned to read the weather, the seasons as they are coming or going and more. It has influenced me to respect myself and not necessarily feel that I have to rely on the synthetics that man makes to replace the natural things we already have.

 

Q: Has Celtic Lore in general inspired you? There was a time when I was fearful of allowing the questions and thoughts that circled my head to be spoken or known by those around me. I felt as if I would be shunned or laughed at. Although that outcome is still possible today I do not fear it as I did. I have learned through example where the truth really lies and it is not necessarily where some may think. People of older times took heed to the signs that nature and those leading it attempted to show them. They were blessed for doing so. Man today attempts to manipulate the world around him.  He attempts to do as he feels that it should be, forgetting that it was here long before he was. So yes, I think Celtic Lore has greatly inspired me or at least made me realize my place.

 

Join me tomorrow for the conclusion of my interview. Blessings

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.

Celtic Tree Month - The Magical Attributes of Willow

agic is strong in the willow tree. The wood of a willow is an exceptional choice for wands or runes, especially if its purpose is for any form of moon magic. In fact Harry Potter's mother Lily possessed a wand which was crafted of Willow.  Just as you would place your divination tools (such as tarot, runes, crystal ball, etc) under the full moon to charge with its positive energy, you can likewise ask the willow to do the same during the month of the willow tree.

Simply place the object you wish to charge in a willow basket. This is best done on a Monday eve. Take the basket outside and place it beneath the willow. Just as you imagine the energy of the full moon coming down to enter and charge your items likewise imagine the willow doing the same filling your item with the power of the moon. When you retrieve your item from beneath the tree be sure and thank the tree for its gift and likewise leave a gift.

Willow is known as a guardian tree and possesses a healing aura. It is said to bless all who touch it. It is often used in love spells and rituals for raising moon energy. It is said to be useful in attempts to call the faeries as they are always said to be near the willows. Carry a small piece of willow with you to help aid in trusting your intuition.

The Tree Month Of Rowan

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.