Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust: Fearn - Alder
The Celtic Tree Alphabet
FEARN - ALDER
The Alder is a tree which prefers to grow by streams and damp places and is considered to be a protection against the corruptive powers of water. Its sticky leaves resist the rains longer than those of any other deciduous trees. Its wood is fragile and rots easily, however, if it is submerged under water it soon turns black and hardens becoming practically indestructible, hence its use in the building of bridges. Tradition also has it that the first boats to take to the water were alder trunks.
The flowers of the Alder are like catkins and appear around March- April. You will find that there are two kinds of catkins, the male catkins have reddish scales and are much smaller than the female ones which are yellowish in colour. The female catkins develop into woody 'cones' which remain on the tree for a long time making it easy to recognise in the winter. The leaves which usually stay green well into the Autumn, are set alternately and are blunted or notched at the tip.
The Alder is one of the first trees to colonise land, its fire resisting and emerging from the influence of water in the same way as mankind's consciousness has been seen to emerge from the influence of the subconscious. It is the fire of will slowly coming out from the darkness of origin.
The letter F - Fearn, is the Gaelic word for Alder, however, Fearn can also mean a shield. A shield made of this wood offers protection, defending you against the effects of negative emotions and other aspects of the element of water. In the Book of Ballymote it was called "Comet Lachta" which means the 'guarding of the milk' - Alder was widely used for making milking pails and other liquid containers. In Cormac's tenth century Glossary of Obsolete Terms, the Alder was called "Ro-Eim" which means that which reddens the face. It has also been suggested that this is the original root for the Irish word "Ruam" which is given to alder twigs when they are used in the preparation of wool before dyeing. The tree is also famous for yielding three fine dyes. Red from its bark, Green from its flowers and Brown from its twigs. When an Alder tree is felled its white wood turns crimson as though bleeding. This and its resistance to water give it associations with rebirth, being reborn from the floods of the womb.
Although it is one of the nine sacred woods used for the kindling of the Beltaine fire, this is more to do with its associations as it is a poor fuel tree, giving off little more than smouldering smoke. However, it is highly prized by charcoal burners for giving one of the finest grades of charcoal. The green wood from the Alder has also been widely used for making whistles and pipes and it is reputed to imbue them with a sweet sound.
In folk medicine the Alder, which contains tannins and has astringent properties was used to treat fevers and illnesses caused by chilling and the crushed leaves were applied to the cracked nipples of nursing mothers. Both the leaves and the bark can be used for soothing burns and the fresh leaves reduce swelling.
Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust: Quert - Apple
The Celtic Tree Alphabet
QUERT - APPLE
The native Apple is the small Crab Apple. This shrub-like tree can grow up to 10-15metres in height with an irregular shape when not cultivated. The leaves, 4-6cm in length, are gently toothed with a pointed tip. They are smooth underneath and lightly haired along the veins, as are the flower stalks.
In Winter the buds appear almost purple-brown in colour, with fine grey hairs. They later open to pinkish-white flowers around May. The fruit, which is much smaller than the cultivated Apple, reddens towards late Autumn.
The Crab Apple thrives best in moist fertile soils and needs ample light for good growth. Its fruit is considered to be one of the oldest used and cultivated by Man. Fossil remains of the Crab Apple have been found in Neolithic dwelling areas. To this day it is used as a hardy, frost resistant rootstock for grafting other varieties of Apple.
The wood of the Apple is very close-grained and heavy, taking a good polish which made it popular with wood workers. However, as with other sacred trees, there were heavy penalties to be paid for the cutting down of the Apple. This also explains why so little of it was burnt in past times, even though it is an excellent burning wood with a sweet aroma.
The Apple has many associations with the Otherworld. In tales concerning the Land of Promise and the Isles of Women, the female who appears is the bearer of the sacred Apple branch, giving the promise of your heart's desire. Like Cuchullain, who found his way across the Plain of Ill Luck by rolling a wheel and throwing an Apple in front of him, following its direction, the Apple can be both the guide and the goal of our quest in this life.
This symbolic association can also be seen in the old custom of dooking for Apples in the cauldron of water at Samhain. The cauldron is representative of life, death and rebirth (like the wheel mentioned above). It is the womb we are born from and the tomb to which we must return. The Apples we strive to catch are the fruits of our aspirations, some we achieve, others we don't.
Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust: Nion - Ash
The Celtic Tree Alphabet
NION - ASH
The Ash grows throughout the British Isles, adapting as best it can to a wide variety of soil types, although it grows best on lime- rich soils, especially in wetter parts. The Ash is a large tree growing up to 40m in height. Being a favourite wood, it was often planted near to human settlement and sometimes is the only evidence that the area was ever inhabited. The Flowers of the Ash appear before the leaves and seem like small reddish bushes, close to the branch. The leaves are composed of four to seven pairs of stalkless leaflets with sharply serrated margins and are the last to appear in the forest. The seeds of the Ash are formed in early Summer and stay on the tree until winter, their shape is the familiar 'bunches of keys'. The tree is easily recognisable in Winter by its smooth, ash grey bark and black buds.
Its almost pure white, coarse-grained and exceptionally tough, flexible wood has been used for a variety of products including oars and spears, handles for tools such as axes and hammers, as well as for carts and furniture. Even today it is regarded as an excellent wood for high quality sports goods which is little different from ancient times when the Ash was one of the best woods for the making of warriors weapons, in particular spear shafts.
The Ash is strongly associated with the Young Warrior. In proving their skills at arms, a warrior was given Ash spears which had to be aimed true to their mark. Having passed all the tests, the time of tutelage was over. The Warrior was then presented with their arms by a female and thus entered into adulthood as an individual responsible for any actions they may take. The Ash represents the need for strength and control in life on all levels, where the individual is in command of their own situation and must act accordingly, even in the face of adversity.
Of the five magical trees planted by Fintan in Ireland, marking the four quarters plus the centre, three of them were apportioned the qualities of Ash, these were the Ash of Tortu, Ash of Dathi and the Ash of Uisnech. The other two trees were the Oak of Munga and the Yew of Ross. The Oak and the Yew are placed at the North and South being trees of dark and light, winter and summer. The three Ash trees symbolising the three levels which exists in all things. For the warrior the Ash is the pillar at the centre of Ireland and this same symbolism can be seen in Norse mythology with the World Tree, a giant ash whose roots reached down into the deepest parts of the earth, but whose crown touched the highest point of heaven and whose massive trunk united the two.
The Ash also has medicinal properties which makes it a valuable source for the herbalist. Both bark and leaves are mildly laxative and diuretic. An infusion is used to regulate bowel movements, to expel intestinal parasites, to reduce fever, to treat kidney and urinary infections and to alleviate rheumatic and gouty pains. Externally the leaves are used in compresses or in bath preparations to treat suppurating wounds. The leaves are best gathered in Summer, between June and August and the bark in Spring during April and May.
Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust: Beth - Birch
The Celtic Tree Alphabet
BIRCH - BETH
Birch, as well as being the first tree of the Celtic Tree Ogham is also one of the earliest forest trees. Along with the Willow, Hazel and Rowan, which are all "pioneer" trees, it is quick to colonise bare ground, readily taking root in poorer soils, sending its almost weightless seeds far and wide. Its drooping branches display a delicate tracery, forming a pointed crown when young, domed in maturity. The leaves of the Birch are toothed along the edge and placed on long stalks. Their shape does tend to be variable. Its leafing marks the beginning of the agricultural year with farmers using it as a directory for sowing their Spring wheat. Both the male and the female flowers of the Birch are catkins. The female catkins appear around March-April with the longer male catkins not appearing until Autumn. Despite its delicate appearance the Birch is one of the world's hardiest trees and in Britain will grow higher than other deciduous tree apart from the Rowan.
The wood of the Birch is flexible and tough making it a favourite of carpenters for making decorative veneers, particularly prized was the wood from the lower part of the trunk. Birch was also commonly used for the making of babies cradles, roofs and boats. The soot from burned Birch wood was used at one time for making carbon black for printing ink. The sap of the Birch is well known for making excellent wine and vinegar and the bark can be used to make beer. Oil, extracted from the bark, also makes an excellent leather dressing. Birch wood charcoal produces an extremely high heat which has been used for fusing metals. As its characteristics show the Birch also associated with powers of renewal and purification. Birch twigs which do not toughen until late in the year, are used to drive out the spirit of the old year to allow in the new. "Birching" is now more famous for the expelling of evil spirits in delinquents and the insane.
Birch bark has been used in the past as a form of writing material. In Ireland the first Ogham was said to have been written on a switch of birch which ties in with its associations as being the tree of tutelage, hiding the knowledge in the thicket that is the harbourage of the hind. The Birch, however, is also a tree of self- sacrifice. The thin leaves of the birch soon rot, enriching the soil for more demanding species such as oak and beech - their seedlings grow into tall trees that deprive the birch of light, eventually killing it. This is not dissimilar to the seasonal cycles portrayed in the myths and legends of the Celts where the hero must die to make way for the younger and stronger new life.
The Celts also associated the birch with love and many poems abound with lines of the Birch and love. The lovers bower usually stood beneath a Birch tree or in a birch bush and wreaths of Birch were presented as love tokens.
From a herbalists viewpoint the birch has much to offer. It is useful in the treatment of fevers, rheumatism and inflammation of the joints. Dry distillation of fresh birch wood yields birch tar which is used in soothing ointments for skin ailments. The inner bark contains an oil which can be substituted for wintergreen liniment. The leaves are best gathered in the spring no later than two months after leafing and the sap is best tapped in early April.
Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust: Hazel - Coll
The Celtic Tree Alphabet
COLL - HAZEL
The Hazel is generally classed as a shrub or small tree, growing up to 12m in height. The Hazel flowers in February and March, usually a good while before any other tree. Each tree carries both male and female flowers. The male flowers are the 'lamb's tails', yellow catkins while the female flowers are much smaller and look like little red spikes protruding out from the buds. The twigs of the Hazel are covered in small, bristly reddish hairs and the leaves have a downy feel to them on both sides. In general the Hazel enjoys a sandy loam to grow in although they are extremely adaptable and will grow in the shade as well as in full sunlight. It is reckoned that after the Ice Age, the Hazel was one of the most dominant plants which could be found in the undergrowth of the pine forests. So much so, that in some areas it prevented the regeneration of the pine trees to such a degree that the pines became replaced by pure hazel stands.
The common Hazel, over the years, has given Man not only food but flexible, resilient and tough shoots which were used to make the likes of hurdles and barrel hoops, it was also used in basket- making. Another of its favourite uses was for making walking sticks and handles although the wood is not very durable and is rather stringy to carve.
Of all the trees, the Hazel is probably one of the easiest to find reference to in the Celtic legends. It was known as 'Bile Ratha' or 'The sacred/venerated tree of the rath' - the rath being a place of the Sidhe. It is the nut of the Hazel which receives the most attention, as this excerpt shows. "Then he saw another royal fortress with four houses in it and a bright well with nine Hazels growing over it. In the well, there were five salmon and they ate the nuts that dropped from the purple hazels, and sent the husks floating down the five streams that flowed therefrom." This was taken from the Adventures of Cormac, but there are many references to a sacred well with nine Hazels growing round it. It can be called 'Connla's well' or the 'Well of Segias' amongst others and can be found in many places such as the river Boyne. It also has its counterpart in the Land of Promise, as in the piece above. It is from the Well in the Land of Promise that the rivers of the five senses flow from. The Hazel nuts which the Salmon feed on while swimming in the rivers, are the Hazel nuts that contain the 'Feat of the Sages'. The knowledge of all Arts and Sciences. They are the nuts of poetic wisdom, the nut which is the embodiment of concentrated wisdom or as we say "the matter in a nutshell".
There are nine Hazels at this pool, nine being a number of completion, it also takes nine years for a Hazel to give its first fruit. In other words it can be taken that to achieve completion in this life we must partake of all that the nuts of wisdom have to offer and the flow of our five senses can help us to do so. In another tale concerning the Hazel, Fionn is asked by a druid to cook a salmon that he had caught from a deep pool in the River Boyne but under no circumstances was he to taste the salmon. While Fionn was turning the salmon he burnt his thumb and stuck it in his mouth and in doing so received the gifts of wisdom and inspiration. The salmon was one of those that had eaten the sacred Hazel nuts and so contained the properties belonging to them. It is also said that if you are in need of Inspiration you should go fishing in a pool using a Hazel rod with a Rowan berry attached to it by a thread.
Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust: Herbs & Plants
Celtic Folklore
Herbs & Plants
Until fairly recently, in Irish and Scottish rural society it was believed that sickness and disease were caused by the fairies. A remedy could only be given by a 'fairy doctor', a person gifted with some natural skill in combatting fairy magic. The most common herbs used in Gaelic fairy medicine were VERVAIN, EYE BRIGHT & YARROW over which secret words would be uttered and a ritual performed. A potion made of herbs by a fairy doctor must be paid for in silver. However, a charm is never paid for; a gift may be given instead. Herbs had to be gathered in a special manner, at the correct phase of the moon, while reciting incantations. Herbs found by the side of sacred streams were particularly effective, and used to cure wounds, bruises and so on.
YARROW:
A sacred herb and a very potent healer, it intensifies the medicinal action of other herbs taken with it. Helps eliminate toxins (good for colds).It was most useful in its ability to staunch blood flow. Also associated with weather divination.
VERVAIN:
'crubh-an-leoghain'(dragon's claw) A sacred herb in many different cultures; associated with visions and prophecy; flowers used on Druidic altars. Good for eye compresses and hair tonics. Sedative, anticoagulant.
EYEBRIGHT:
'lus-nan-leac' for all manner of eye ailments; also hay fever, colds, coughs, sore throats.
PLANTAIN:
("slanlus" - herb of health) a very common remedy, used for many ills. Antiseptic; expectorant. If hung around the neck of a child, would prevent abduction by the sidhe.
TANSY:
boiled, good for the heart. As a compress for bruises and strains.
CHAMOMILE:
("athair talamh" - father of the ground) One of the finest healing herbs, has been used for centuries. Good for stomach disorders, anti-inflammatory for wounds, sedative for nervous disorders.
LOOSESTRIFE:
("camal buidhe") keeps all bad things away
WATER BUTTERCUP:
("fearaban") good for bones and joints
LICHEN:
("dubh cosac") good for the heart
DANDELION:
("garbh lus" - rough herb) used for many ills, especially good for the heart, for hypertension, also a good diuretic.
RIBGRASS:
("slanugad") will purge the body of all lumps.
MULLEIN:
("lus mor" - great herb) used alot in folk magic/medicine; can bring 'back' children abducted. If a small piece taken regularly, will ensure long life.
WOOD ANEMONE:
("bainne bo bliatain") put leaves in a poultice on the head for headaches.
TRAILING PEARLWORT
("mothan") very effective as a protective herb when carried on the person. When placed below the right knee of a woman in labour, it brought relief. Given to a cow to eat, it protected both the milk and the calf. When placed above the door lintel, prevented the fairy host from 'spiriting away' any member of the household. Also used by women as a love charm - pluck nine roots, knot into a ring, and place in the mouth. Then seek a kiss from the man you desire.
ST. JOHN'S WORT:
to ward off fever; sedative, pain reducing; also used on St. John's Eve (midsummer) in divination.
PURPLE ORCHIS:
A magical plant ("lus an Talaidh" - herb of enticement). Used in love charms. It has two roots, one larger than the other, representing a man and a woman. The plant is to be pulled by the roots before sunrise, facing South. Whichever root is used is to be immediately placed in spring water; if it sinks the person in question will be the future husband or wife. The root can also be ground up and placed under the pillow to bring dreams of your future partner.
ROWAN:
Tree of high magic, from which potent charms are procured. Normally planted at the door of the house for protection. Also twigs placed over the byre door. Necklaces of rowan berries with red thread worn for protection by Highland women.
ELDER:
Another highly protective tree, beloved of the Sidhe. It is extremely unlucky to cut down or harm an elder (bourtree). The green sap of the bark applied to the eyelids gives the "Second Sight". Elder is also often planted outside the house for protection. Elder is the medicine chest of the country folk. Elder flower water used for eye and skin complaints, burns, bruises and sprains; as an infusion both flowers and berries are used in cold remedies.
HAZEL:
Used in the sacred need fires at Beltaine. Also used in water divination. Hazel nuts associated with wisdom of the Otherworld. Children were given 'the milk of the nut' to make them strong.
APPLES:
The fruit of life of the Sidhe, and passport to the Otherworld. Apples and hazelnuts used in divination rites at Samhain.
JUNIPER:
Berries have protective properties. Burnt by Highlanders in the house and byre at New Year for purification.
IVY:
Used for the protection of flocks, of milk and milk products. Ivy, woodbine and rowan woven together in a wreath and placed under the milk vessels. Other "magic hoops" consisted of milkwort, butterwort, dandelion, marigold; or trefoil, vervain, St. John's wort, dill.
Fairy Trees
Certain trees in particular places are said to be under the care and protection of the Sidhe. A lone thorn bush growing in an uncultivated field is often such a tree, especially if it is growing on a sharp hill slope. Hawthorn is the favourite, but other important fairy trees are: hazel, blackthorn, elder, rowan, willow, also alder and ash. The site of each tree is important to the Sidhe. It must be growing within the banks of a rath (fort), inside a fairy ring, or in a rocky field of rough grass, especially if growing near to a large boulder or a spring.
The sidhe will protect their special trees. If someone harms or disturbs the tree, they will suffer, often by becoming ill. If three thorn trees grow close together, it is dangerous to get involved with them. It is considered unlucky to bring hawthorn into the house.
The Celtic Tree Alphabet
LUIS - ROWAN
The Rowan is a graceful tree with grey brown bark which can be found growing in altitudes of nearly one thousand metres in Scotland. It grows higher up mountains than any other native tree, sometimes clinging to a rock face after sprouting in a crevice from a seed dropped by a bird. An undemanding tree as regards soil type, but it does require good light. In the wild, the rowan grows on heaths, moors rocky uplands and ancient woodland. It is also an age-old roadside tree, especially in the foothills. Although the Rowan is not a true ash, its leaves are ash-like and appear in Spring, while its large white flowers appear in May, sometimes later on high ground. The flowers develop into the familiar clusters of red berries which can be found in early Autumn.
The specific name, aucupana, means "bird-catching" because of the use of the berries in traps to ensnare the birds with their favourite food. The berries are also used to make an excellent red jelly for accompanying game. The bark has been used for dyeing and tanning. It is a strong flexible wood for making small carved objects and tool handles, it is also used as an alternative to Yew for making bows.
The Gaelic word for the Rowan is the letter L-Luis, which also means flame, and in the Irish translation can also mean hand, branch, mantle or pure. This can be tied in with the Rowan's close association with the Goddess Brighid. The festival of Brighid or Bride falls on the eve of the first of February and is in the cycle of ancient festivals which the Celts celebrated, acknowledging the different energies in the turning wheel of the year, working to harmonise with the inner fire of the earth that ebbs and flows like a tide through the seasons. The time of Brighid was a celebration of the fire of illumination, the impulses of inspiration, of healing and creative energy experienced as the dark winter begins to give way to the coming of the forces of spring. The Rowan with its "caora-teine" or "fire-sparkles", name applied to its berries, which are sacred and used in many ways for protection and inspiration, are seen in reflection to the Goddess Brighid who gives nourishment to the sparks of our inner fire in life.
The Rowan's value for protection is well known, "failean caorruinn", Rowan sucker or "fleasg caorruinn", Rowan wand, was placed over the lintels of the barn, byre, stable and sheep fold as a safeguard against malicious influences. Twigs of Rowan were coiled into a circle and placed beneath the milk-boynes to keep the milk from being spirited away and churn staffs were made of the wood to secure the butter during the process of churning. It was also believed that a Rowan tree growing in a field protected the cattle against being struck by lightning. A plank or pin of rowan wood is still built into the bow of a boat to ensure safe voyaging. The same used to be done to ploughs and watermills. Horsemasters could control horses with a Rowan whip and this is seen in many fairytales when a maiden is carried off on horseback to a fairy or sidhe mound. She can only be rescued at the full moon, if when the fairy host ride out, her horse is tapped with a Rowan twig, thus breaking the enchantment.
The Rowan's association with inspiration is captured in the old Irish expression "to go to the wattles of knowledge". Poets, in ancient times, would use mats made of woven Rowan to sit on and quite often shut themselves away in the dark, so that they could gain enlightenment and vision. The berries too, had similar uses. This is shown in several of the old Celtic tales, whereby the seeker uses nine berries in order to obtain the answer to a question. In the tale of "The Honey of the Wild Bees", there is a description of the Rowan berries being put to this oracular use:
"Borbaran took from the hollow at the top of his clarsach, nine shrunken red berries of the Rowan. Three he threw at the white wolf and cried, "I put speech upon you thine old wisdom". Three he threw into the air above his head and cried, "tear the mist, O wind", and three he put into his mouth muttering, "By him of the Hazel tree, and by the Salmon of Knowledge, let seeing be upon me."
In this part of the story, we see all three levels of working being employed to gain hidden knowledge.
Medicinally, the berries of the Rowan have been well used. Their constituents include a large amount of organic acids, tannins, sugars, pectin and vitamin C. These substances give them a mild purgative, diuretic and general tonic properties, and therefore useful in the treatment of constipation and kidney disorders. One of the sugars contained in the fruit is sometimes given intravenously to reduce pressure in the eyeball in cases of glaucoma, and sorbose, a sweetening agent for diabetics, is manufactured from the berries.
[(c) H. McSkimming TREES OF THE CELTIC ALPHABET 1992]
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[(c) H. McSkimming from: TREES OF THE CELTIC ALPHABET 1992 DALRIADA PUBLICATIONS]
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