Ginkgo biloba, or maidenhair tree, is quite literally the most ancient of all tree species still alive today. The sole survivor of the more than 250-million-year-old ginkgo family, he evolved long before flowering plants. This unique fernlike lush green living fossil turns a beautiful goldenrod color in the fall. He is revered in Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian traditions.
Magical Uses
Ancient Wisdom
In addition to being the most ancient of living tree species, individual ginkgos can live for up to 2,500 years. Some planted by temples in Asia are believed to be more than 1,500 years old. In China he has been called the “grandfather-grandchild tree” due to the fact that his maturing process is roughly equivalent to that of three human generations.
In the same way that these trees have carried their unique living DNA blueprint into the present time, they have also carried a most profound wisdom and power forward from the earth’s incomprehensibly ancient past. Indeed, the ginkgo’s energy is primordial and pure, like the dawn in the clearest and most open of skies.
This energy is so potent, in fact, that simply gazing at the tree for a brief moment can nourish your wisdom and presence with an awe-inspiring depth. Taking a longer moment to tune in and sit in quiet contemplation has even more lasting and far-reaching benefits.
Hope
Would you believe that there was a small number of ginkgo trees within a one-mile radius of the atom bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, and that these trees not only survived the blast, but also continue to thrive to this day? It’s difficult to comprehend, but it’s reportedly true! In fact, monuments to world peace are now placed near some of the trees, and the ginkgo is thought of as “the bearer of hope.”
Luck
It’s almost impossible to think of anything with more auspicious energy than a ginkgo tree. If you have the tiniest amount of intuitive ability, you will sense the tree virtually pulsating with pure positivity and luck.
Bad Luck Banishing/Good Luck Conjuring Ritual
On a full or new moon, empower nine clean, shiny coins (dimes or pennies would work great) in sunlight, and place them around the base of a ginkgo. If you sense that it’s okay with the tree, lovingly cut a sprig with clippers or large scissors and inwardly thank the tree profusely. Then simply sweep your body and aura with the sprig. As you do so, feel bad luck departing quickly and good luck arriving abundantly and in full force. Thank the tree again and place the sprig near his base.
Protection from Fire
Ginkgo is a magical fire protector (certainly the tree’s survival of the atom bomb seems to indicate a supernatural power) and is believed to have protected temples near which he’s planted from fires that would otherwise have destroyed them. In addition to holding moisture in his leaves that may naturally discourage flames, it’s postulated that his sap may be a powerful flame retardant. For magical fire protection, plant ginkgos near your home.
Wealth
Ginkgo’s lushness, his longstanding and deeply rooted wisdom, his luck, and his amazing survival abilities all lend themselves to his ability to magically confer and encourage wealth. To release blocks to abundance and align yourself with the infinite generosity and supply of the universe, spend time in quiet contemplation with a ginkgo tree.
Magical Correspondences
Element: Spirit
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun