The Celtic Trees
The Importance of Trees:
The oldest symbol of the world-axis is the sacred tree, and the World Tree was the symbolic center of the universe. Many words for awareness, knowledge, and writing include elements of the word, wydd (wood).
Many cultures have trees in their beliefs:
The elm, hornbeam, willow, hazel, birch, and oak were symbols of spirtual love. The oak was especially sacred, for groves of oaks formed the ritual center of every community.
The Classification of Trees:
Chieftain Trees: oak, hazel, holly, apple, ash, yew, and fir.
Peasant Trees: alder, willow, birch, elm, hawthorn, aspen, and quicken.
Shrub Trees: black thorn, elder, spindle, test-tree, honeysuckle, bird-cherry, and white hazel.
Herb Trees: gorse, heather, broom, bog-myrtle, and rushes.
Great Trees:
The Druids venerated the native trees of Britain and Ireland. Ogham was the mystical alphabet used in divination and magic.
Five Great Trees in Ireland:
Each of these trees was guarded by one of the Irish Shaman-Poets who seemed to have cut their trees down when they were threatened by Christian incursions. Similarly, Christians cut down many sacred trees, just in case they had powers.
The Order of the Magical Power of Trees:
The tree represented the cosmos. The branches were symbolic of heaven and its roots of the underworld. From the roots or base of trees, streams of pure, life-giving water flowed and formed pools or wells. Some the the Celts most sacred spots were sites were their were wells and large oaks.
An old Scottish spell tells us:
"Rowan tree and red thread
***Please note that the blackthorn bushes are becoming scarce in Ireland. However, Creative Irish Gifts has a Blackthorn walking stick for $39.98 (item #0A064). Their phone number is 1-800-843-4538. Their website is: Shop Irish.com. Their FAX: 1-877-213-3600.
Written and researched by Margaret Odrowaz-Sypniewska, B.F.A.
Words using wydd as their basis:
Hawthorn is a powerful tree against lightning
Makes the witches lose their speed."
This page was last updated on May 20, 2014