|
|
|
|
Trees
Tree's have been
magickal to Witches and symbolic throughout history. I have
listed below
some of the most popular trees, their meanings and properties.
The Apple Tree
The
custodian of wisdom and sign of the soul
which is also
associated with choice
and helpful in making decisions in your life. The
Apple tree has
always held a prominent
place in history with many cultures
and is sacred to many. It supplies precious fruit, wood for
arts, crafts and construction..... just to mention a
|
|
|
|
few.
The
day of the Apple tree is Friday (Freya's Day),
and it's
star is Venus. The Apple
tree spirit dwells in the middle of the apple
tree and he is the guardian of fertility and the fairy
protector of the spirit of the
Goddess. Apple wood and fruit can aide in healing and love magick.
The Oak
Tree
The tree
of truth. It is ancient, wise and has an old spirit.
The Oak
is a male wood which is ideal for
constructing tools that need male influence such as:
athames, certain wands and
staffs. The midsummer fire is always
Oak and the need fire is always
kindled in
an Oak log.
The mistletoe
of the Oak tree has
many |
|
|
|
magickal properties. It is also a
marriage tree. Symbolic of the marriage between the
Goddess and
the God.
It is believed that
if you
dance around the oak tree and wear
someof it's leaves you will have a long
and happy marriage. It is also believed
that if you feel a question in
your heart that you cannot find the answer
for, then you should embrace an
oak tree and ask the spirit to answer your question.
The reply will come in a prophetic
dream.
Oak wood,
leaves, and acorns can aid in
success, protection, prosperity, and
focus.
Oak medicine is best when used for securing your pursuits,
protecting you while you are attaining your goals. It is
essential protection for those less able and weaker, who require
security in order to strengthen their characters.
|
|
|
|
The
Rowan Tree
The Rowan is seen as the tree of life
and is . It is also seen as the tree of vision, healing
and psychic powers. Also known as, Wicken-tree,
Wild Ash,
Mountain
Ash, Quickbeam,
Witchbane, Witchen, Witch wood,
and
the Witch
or Witch Wand. Sticks, twigs and branches of the
Rowan tree help
and aide in protection.
The Rowan tree is
associated with witchcraft. It
is used as a
protection against lightning and magical charms of all sorts. The "Quickbeam"
is the tree of quickening. Another use was in metal divining.
The
color properties are red and gray. It
|
|
|
|
is also a tree held dear by
Druids and the Celtic Goddess Brigid.
Rowan is also used during rites of
the 2nd moon (the vision moon for
rites of knowledge and divination). This is based on
the Celtic calendar of the 13 moons and represents the Moon of
astral travel and vision, healing and empowerment.
The
Bay Tree
The tree
of healing. It is associated with masculine principles
(and therefore a tree of the Lord), and medicine, music, and the
rays of the sun. The Bay protects dwellings and gardens.
Bay leaves crowned poet, heroes and important men. Grow a
Bay tree
near your house
for it protects
your dwelling
and wards off
|
|
|
|
illness. When a baby is born it is lucky to celebrate by
planting a Bay tree for the baby's sake. Never plant a
Bay tree where vines grow.
The
Hazel Tree
The Hazel is the tree of wisdom and
embodies many talents: poetry, divination, the powers of
meditation. The
tree
of wishes because it has the power to
grant the hearts desire. It is also the
tree of the Celtic Goddess of
the Stars, Arianrhad
whose image was seen in the stars of
the constellation we now know as the constellation
of the Corona Borealis.
In Celtic tradition, the
Salmon of Knowledge is said
to eat the nuts
dropped into
it's
|
|
|
|
sacred pool from
the Hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut eaten by the salmon
becomes a spot on its skin.
The
Bramble Tree
Fairies love the bramble tree because it is wild
and protects the penetration of secluded sacred fairy clearings.
The Ash Tree
The Ash is considered to be the
father of trees.
The World Tree.
The Ash is the tree of
sea power, or of the power resident in water.
Special guardian
spirits reside in the Ash,
this makes
|
|
|
|
it excellent for
absorbing sickness. The spirally carved druidical wand was made of
Ash for this purpose.
The Ash
tree has deeply penetrating roots and changes the chemistry of the
soil, making it difficult for other vegetation to grow beneath it.
It's twigs are thick and strong. Ash has many modern day
"galactic" uses. Helping us to link the earthly and spiritual;
yourself and the cosmos; lowest and highest. Good medicine for
meditation and "multi-dimensional" travel. Today
in certain places people will leave tokens of human hair hanging
from an Ash tree in the hopes their wishes, hopes and desires will
be granted.
|
|
|
|
The
Lilac Tree
It is the fragrance of the
Lilac tree that is considered magickal.
The fragrance is believed to carry humans into fairyland
and the supernatural world. English
tradition considers
the Lilac to be an unlucky flower to be
brought into the house because it is associated with death.
This was perhaps fear of the power of
the fragrance of the lilac.
The
Pine Tree
The tree of
the sun. It's old title was "the sweetest of woods".
External symbol
of life and immortality. It was
also worshiped
|
|
|
|
by the ancients as a symbol of fire
because of its resemblance to a spiral
of flame. It is regarded as a very soothing tree to be near.
The scent of
Pine is useful in the reduction of guilt. It is the tree of
strength,
life, immortality and
rejuvenation.
The Broom
Tree
The properties associated with the
Broom
tree is that of astral travel and flight... as
one would expect.
The Silver Birch
Tree
It is the symbol of
summer ever
returning and
it is associated
|
|
|
|
with Lammas tide on August 1st...
the light of the stars, the moon and
the sun. The beautiful white bark of the
Birch tree is indicative of cleanliness and determination
to overcome adversity. And is used when
wanting to make fresh starts and ridding yourself of bad
influences. With the exception
of the mysterious Elder, the Birch
tree is the earliest of all forest
trees. It is used extensively in cleansing rituals.
The Birch tree is controlled by the Lunar influences
i.e., birth, healing,
lunar workings, and protection.
In times of old, it
was said that the
Birch was the mother of the
Oak tree because in
prehistoric times, it was the
Birch tree that prepared the earth's floor
for the majestic Oak to be born. It is said
the fairies love this tree in the springtime.
|
|
|
|
The Alder
Tree
The
wood of the witches.
The
Alder is a water-loving tree
and is also the tree of
fire.
It is a tree used for spiritual
protection and of prophecy as well.
From the alder, you can make
three different dyes, red from it's bark,
green from its
flowers, and
brown from
its twigs; this symbolizes the elements of fire, water and
earth. Whistles may be made of this wood to summon and control
the four winds. It is also the ideal wood
for making the magical pipes and flutes. To prepare the wood for use, beat
the bark away with a
willow stick while
projecting your wishes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
into it. The Alder is a token of resurrection.
Controlling the four winds, banishing and controlling
elementals, resurrection. Making magical dyes.
The water
spirits, the undines love this tree as well as
the unicorn.
The Holly
Tree
A beautiful
white-wooded tree with an almost invisible grain; looks very much
like ivory.
Symbol of the life force, vitality and immortality,
death and rebirth. It wards off negative energies when grown
in the garden. The shiny green leaves represent the vitality of life
even in the coldest of times and is used in Yule for this reason.
It is lucky to
burn dried
holly branches but
|
|
|
|
not if they
are still
green. The prickly male holly tree and the
smooth variegated female
Holly tree are inhabited by the
holly man and the Holly woman.
Used for
consecration, material gain, physical revenge
and
beauty. Also sed or
difficulties with sleep or rest, and to
ease the passage of death.
The Juniper Tree
The Juniper tree is considered a protective tree
and it is unlucky to cut it down. The tree has an abundance of healing properties
and the infusions of the tree can be made to treat
a variety of medical problems i.e., kidney and liver
problems, arthritis, dropsy
and help the elderly.
|
|
|
|
The Elder Tree
This tree is linked to the eternal turnings of life and death,
birth and rebirth. It represents the end in the beginning and
the beginning in the end; life in death and death in life. It
also is significant of creativity and renewal...
new beginnings.
It has a feminine soul.
A
waterside tree, the Elder has white flowers that bloom to their
peak in midsummer, thus making the
Elder another aspect of the White Goddess.
It
is used in
the making of wands and other magickal items. The dried fruit and leaves are
used for protection and
burned for
cleansing and
other personal
|
|
|
|
magick. It is magickal, healing and
fragrant. The
inner bark and the flowers have long been
known for their therapeutic qualities.
It is used for witchcraft, banishment, magical art, waters of life.
The
Hawthorn Tree
The Whitethorn or Hawthorn or May Witch takes its name from the May. It is a
generally an unlucky tree and it's name, translated from the Irish Brehon Laws,
had the meaning "harm". In many cultures, the month of the
Hawthorn (May) is a month of bad luck for marriages.
A small tree that grows with a dense,
and many-branched body.
This tree is
best used for cleansing
|
|
|
|
and chastity, bringing protection
from the inner magical realms.
The Hawthorn tree is the most
sacred to the fairies
for it's wild and uncompromising
fragrance. If you sit under
the
Hawthorn
tree on May Day
Eve, Samhain
Eve and Midsummer's
Eve you can commune with the fairies.
One ritual is to make a ball of last years
foliage and tie it with
a white ribbon, then burn it in a bonfire on New
Year's
Day to rid yourself of troubles. Then start
the New Year by making a fresh
ball of thorn
branches and leaves, which you can use for
decoration in your home and then keep it to be used in the next year's
bonfire.
For magickal purposes, the Hawthorn is used for purification, chastity, male potency
and cleansing. |
|
|
|
The Ivy Tree
Represents the spiral and the search for self. The Vine also
symbolizes resurrection because its strength is preserved in the
wine. The maze of the labyrinth is also linked to the Ivy,
because it too, symbolizes the wandering
of the soul, circling inward and outward, seeking nourishment from
within and without, leading you to "enlightenment". Also a
wonderful aid if helping others on a spiritual journey. Used for fidelity,
constancy, love
and intoxication. Fairies use this tree
for: joy,
exhilaration, wrath
and rebirth.
|
|
|
|
The
Yew Tree
The Yew is known as the death tree. It
is the one tree that can be found in the ancient
cemeteries. This strengthened the belief
that Yew was connected with death. This
root is the symbol of rebirth.
Used for destructive workings concerning death. Not recommended for
magical tools. Also used in working with past life
issues and regression.
The
Willow Tree
The Willow is a female symbol
and lunar rhythms of life. It is
a
|
|
|
|
water-seeking tree like the Alder
and is sacred to the Moon Goddess who is the giver of dew
and moisture. The Willow is the tree of enchantment.
The female gift
of fertility is also represented by the Willow. The Willow offers protection
against damp diseases and modern herbal practitioners extract the salicin
from her bark to be used in such illnesses as rheumatic fever. It
can be made into a tool to
make wishes come true. Also used for moon magic, psychic energy, healing, inspiration
and, fertility.
The
White Poplar Tree
The
tree with most concerns over earthly and material aspects
|
|
|
|
of
life. It is also concerned with finding the spiritual
determination to face the hardships that we endure through the
course of our lifetime. The tree of the Autumn Equinox and of old age, is the shifting
leaved White Poplar, or Aspen, the shield makers tree. The Poplar tree has the ability to resist and to
shield, an ability with languages and speech, and a close relationship with
the winds. The
Black popular was a funeral tree sacred to the Mother Earth. The
Silver Fir standing for hope assured and the Black Poplar for loss
of hope. Used for hope, rebirth and divinations.
The
Almond Tree
|
|
|
|
Almond has a very sweet natural being. Aids in self protection,
fruitfulness and virginity.
The
Coconut Tree
The Coconut is feminine and very fertile. The shell represents the womb, and
the milk, fertility. Used for protection from negative psychic forces.
The
Fig Tree
The Fig is androgynous. The fruit representing the feminine and the triple
lobed leaves suggest the masculine force. Used for
|
|
|
|
balance.
The
Mistletoe Tree
The
Mistletoe was sacred to the Druids and to the Norse. It
has both male and female qualities and was considered to
be the great healer. It was so well
regarded by the the Norse because it was sacred to Freya, that they refused to
fight in the vicinity of Mistletoe. The custom of hanging Mistletoe in the
house to promote peace comes from this. Generally regarded today as a symbol
of love and purity. Used for love, fertility and sexual potency.
|
|
|
|
The
Palm Tree
The Palm is regarded as
a particularly powerful
tree because of its incredible durability and
because it is self renewing. Which means its leaves
never change. It is used in
resurrection and aids in rejuvenation, and the cycle and matrix of life.
The
Beech Tree
Beech wood is close grained and easy to work with...
a very smooth and even surface.
The Beech can tell you much about yesterday and how it is relevant
today. The handling
of old objects or visiting
a place connected with your past will bring
|
|
|
|
you
understanding of people and incidents,
reviving the memories within you.
The
Reed Tree
The Reed tree gives direction and is best used
before beginning healing work or "soul retrievals".
Used in creating spiritual weapons.
The
Blackthorn Tree
The
Blackthorn is a winter tree.
The fruits, known as sloes, only ripen after the first frosts. The Gaelic word
"straif" has links
|
|
|
|
with
the English word "strife". The wood of the Blackthorn is
traditionally
used with the Irish shillelagh. It represents the strong action of
fate or the outside influences in your life. Using Blackthorn
during times that seem insurmountable will help to conquer the
problems. Blackthorn should only be used by those who are on a
much more advanced path.
The
Silver Fir Tree
The Silver Fir is best
used for searching the gift of
"insight". Used in bringing the knowledge
of both your present and past lives into the "now". The color silver
links you to your "silver thread", symbolizing your awareness of
progress on your
|
|
|
|
spiritual
journey.
The
Heather Tree
Used for solitary healing
work. Heather, along with Misletoe, creates a powerful healing medicine in
both spiritual and physical aspects. It is even being used today in some forms
of alternative medicines as a treatment for cancer.
The
Grove Tree
This
is the tree of all
knowledge. The Grove
represents a sacred place where all is linked and becomes clear in unity.
Helps you to
|
|
|
|
look
beneath the surface of things... whether they are situations
or people. Used to work with your hidden knowledge, helping you to
manifest it at the most appropriate time.
The
Spindle Tree
The Spindle tree represents the "completion of tasks".
It also represents the ability to complete
something to the end, no matter how difficult it may be.
It is magickal when you
use it during times when you are
having difficulty progressing in a certain areas of your life.
The
Honeysuckle Tree
|
|
|
|
The Honeysuckle will help you to
tread safely... remaining true
to your ideals and
principles. It helps you to distinguish what is
true or false, and what is of real value on your
journey.
|
|
|
|
Dweezil Gump - Forest
Guardian
Witch and Fae
Folk Friend - Whitefire Creation
|
|
|
|
Fairy
Tree© Myrea - used with permission
Midi "Butterfly"
- used with permission
and is copyright © 2001 Bruce
DeBoer 
Magick
- Whispers©2001
- All Rights Reserved
|
|