Magick and Folklore
of Trees
To dwellers in a wood, almost every species
of tree has its voice as well as its feature.
thomas hardy,
under the greenwood tree
It is hard to imagine herbalism and green magick without a discussion of magickal trees. The Old Ones worshipped in forests under the trees. In these early temples, the people felt that communion with their gods was only possible in the wild
places in areas away from other people. The land itself held a magickal importance. These natural, sacred spots were called nemetons.
Both the ancient Greeks and the Celts worshiped in sacred groves called nemetoi. These spaces were identified as clearings open to the sky and were reserved in the woodland and considered to be magickal places, held in awe by the people. Goddesses such as Nemetona and Arnemetia were the deities of these sacred groves.
The word nemeton means a circular clearing in the woods or a mystical, mysterious sanctuary. This was an in-between place; sometimes a spring or stream rolled within or close by the grove. The groves could consist of many types of magickal trees, or perhaps it was a stand of all the same species. Some of the trees in the groves were probably rowan, birch, elm, ash, and oak.
It is believed that these natural groves attracted nature spirits and local land devas to them. You can select your favorite place in nature as your personal nemeton—a secluded spot in a secret area of your garden, beneath a favorite tree, or alongside a natural body of water. Ageless elemental powers reside in the woodlands, and they are hidden in the urban areas as well. While they are tougher to find in the cities and urban areas, their magickal powers are more fierce there. Why? Trees must be tough to survive and to thrive in an urban area. Those who search for these energies will indeed come into contact with them in any place in nature—in the park, under a tree growing along the sidewalk, or in a natural woodland. Remember that when you embrace nature and all of her sacred places, nature then gives you the chance to heal and to reconnect. It makes us feel happier, and our green magick becomes revitalized. Then, finally, our spiritual connection to the Old Ones and to nature is reestablished.
The Groves:
Closer Than You Think
The groves were God’s first temples.
william cullen bryant
What exactly do I mean by a sacred grove? The Latin word for sacred gives us the word sanctuary—a word describing not only a sacred site but also a place of shelter and protection. A grove is defined as a small wood or a lush green niche found within a woodland or a great forest. A grove may be discovered alongside natural bodies of water, at the borders of creeks and streams. A grove may even be created within your own backyard—a personal sanctuary of sorts. This can be anywhere you like, tucked under older trees and between tall shrubs or sheltered within a modern hedgerow. By allowing a little corner of your property to grow somewhat wild, you can create a secret, sacred garden for yourself and the animals and birds. In other words, a sacred grove.
Now, some folks are happy enough just standing back and looking at the trees in the yard, the park, or the forest. They might breathe deeply and look around in awe at the natural beauty that surrounds them and sit for a while to read or meditate or eat their lunch. Later, when they leave, they usually feel lighter and happier. Other people may find peace and contentment strolling along a shady, secluded, leafy garden path. They might be inspired or relaxed by the natural loveliness that they encounter, but other than enjoying the scenery, what do you suppose they really learn?
Many of the great naturalists of our time—Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Muir, and even Theodore Roosevelt—believed that the forests and woodlands were sacred places that beneficially influenced the spirit. Why do you suppose that herbs, flowers, and trees have such a soothing, uplifting, and cheerful influence on us? Maybe it is because they so completely change the natural ambiance that surrounds them. Take an hour out of your hectic life and blow off some steam by strolling around the local park. Toss a blanket on the grass in the backyard and watch the sunlight filter down through the leaves. Try walking among the local trees and quietly talking to them, and see what lessons they may have for you. I imagine that you too will feel lighter and happier if you reconnect to nature. Do you suppose it is possible that plants and nature could be spiritual and magickal filters? You bet they are.
The average person usually lacks the desire to look closer at the secret places of nature where the far greater mysteries lie. As green magick practitioners and Witches, we more than anyone will need to look a bit deeper at nature, listen a little harder to the flora and fauna, and pay attention to all of our senses while we are outdoors. For those practitioners who want to explore their green spirituality further and who want to expand their magickal abilities to the advanced or to an adept level, they can begin this process by acknowledging the very spiritual side of the natural world. Look to the trees.
Tree Wisdom
I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach …
henry david thoreau
A tree can, in fact, be a tangible manifestation for the old Craft adage, “As above, so below.” The tree may be considered a sort of magickal bridge between heaven and earth, as it is rooted to the earth but reaches for the sky. Throughout history, trees have been considered sacred and honored because they were the tallest and most lasting of all living organisms. Trees have embellished and blessed homes and gardens with their beauty, structure, and shelter. Trees have provided us with bark and foliage that yield various dyes to add color to cloth and produce flavoring for food or herbal medicines for the sick. Trees interact dynamically with the environment, as they produce oxygen for the planet and provide both food and shelter for wildlife as well as humans.
In the woods and forests, a naturally occurring circle of trees was considered a primitive and sacred grove. Stands of elms and oaks and junipers were protected and cherished. These natural groves were sacred and holy places where people could gather and pay homage to the old gods of forest and stream. Indeed, even the trees’ leaves and blooming branches were and are used to celebrate the holidays, observe the changing seasons, and decorate religious altars.
The old folk healers, the herbalists, and the wise women and men were the first to discover and utilize the potent magick of the trees. Deep in the forests and alongside springs and streams, they gathered their barks, berries, herbs, and plants and worked their wonders. Some herbal trees and plants were encouraged to grow on the healer’s property. These early gardens contained plants for medicine and plants for magick. The common folk did not dare to disturb these gardens, for only the wise ones knew for certain which plants brought comfort and healing and which plants could bring about suffering and death.
Tree magick is a sensory type of enchantment that is available to you all year long. See the pristine blooms of the rowan and hawthorn declare joy and wonder as the earth renews herself each spring. Listen for the wisdom in the quiet rustle of ash leaves on a warm summer evening. During the fall months, you can catch a glimpse of a tree’s humor as acorns drop down upon you, full and ripe, from the branches of old sentinel oaks brushed with a brilliant fall color. During the winter, it is the trees who remind us that life does indeed go on, for the holly, pine, and spruce are still luxuriously green and fragrant.
The old wise ones are whispering to us even now. Are you listening? It only takes an open mind and an accepting heart to hear them. As we delve deeper into the folklore, myth, and magick of the natural world, the greatest tools that a Witch can possess is an open heart and an open mind. The imagination can be a wonderful gift from the mind, and your instincts are an endowment from the old gods to your heart.
Take a walk in the park or the woods. Get to know the trees growing close to your home. While you are taking note of the various species of trees, be sure to look up at those beautiful leaves, gaze at the landscape around you, and cast all of your senses outward. Green magick and witchery surrounds you at all times, and its natural energies are present each and every day of the year. And here is a prime example of that year-long wonder: the trees and plants of the Celtic year.
The Calendar of Celtic Trees
Of all the trees that grow so fair,
Old England to adorn,
Greater are none beneath the sun,
Than oak, and ash, and thorn.
rudyard kipling
The following herbal trees and plants marked out the thirteen months, or moons, of the old Celtic year. A few of these magickal trees were also featured in our hedgerow chapter as well. A few of the “trees” of the year are not trees at all—such as the ivy, the vine, and the reed.
Each of the following trees or plants is listed along with its approximate calendar dates. The tree’s botanical name, folklore, deity associations, and magickal information will follow. At the end of the information is the Celtic/Irish name, or the associated Ogham for the featured plant. There are magickal information and ideas for each plant, so you can try your hand at conjuring up some green magick of your very own design. See how much of this green, leafy magick you can add into your life and your craft.
Birch (Betula spp.)
December 24–January 20
The birch tree symbolizes the rebirth of the sun at the winter solstice. The beautiful white bark of the birch makes it a very popular wood for Yule logs. This tree symbolizes new beginnings. The goddess Arianrhod was petitioned for her aid in childbirth and initiations by way of the birch tree. In Norse mythology, Thor, Frigga, and Freya were all linked to the birch tree as well.
In olden times, hanging birch branches inside of your home was thought to protect you from infertility, the evil eye, and lightning. The silver birch, a popular wood for a woman’s ceremonial broomstick, is sometimes called the “lady of the woods.” This is a feminine tree and one of enchantments. The elementary association for the birch tree is water, and the planetary ruler is Venus. In some traditions, the birch is linked with a Maiden Goddess such as Eostre. This Anglo-Saxon goddess was celebrated as the birch leaves grew from her time of the Spring Equinox until Beltane.
The birch is associated with faerie magick and Beltane, for the trees were popularly used as Maypoles. In addition, the birch has been linked with the sabbats of Samhain and Lughnasadh, the final and the first harvest festivals, respectively. In some northern countries, the leafing out of the birch tree signals the start of the agricultural year, but in truth, the magickal birch is venerated practically year-round. The Irish name for the birch is Beith.
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
January 21–February 17
The rowan is also known as mountain ash and is a sacred tree for all earth religions. Some old folk names for the rowan are quickbeam and quicken. A rowan growing near a stone circle was believed to be especially protective and powerful. Rowan tree day is celebrated on May 3. The Celtic goddess Brigid was associated with the rowan tree, which makes sense, as the sabbat Imbolc/Candlemas (also known as Brigid’s Day) is celebrated during this Celtic month on February 2. Brigid, a triple goddess of fire, smithcraft, and poetry, is still a wildly popular goddess with modern Witches.
All parts of the rowan are utilized in magick: the leaves, blooms, twigs, and berries. The berries are especially sought after by songbirds. In the garden, the rowan, or mountain ash, is a small tree that has four-season interest, from the springtime blooms to the lush green summer foliage. In the fall, it shows off golden scarlet leaves and finally produces red berries for the birds in the winter.
The rowan has the planetary association of the sun and the elementary correspondence of fire. As a tree of old magick, and considering its protective qualities, the fire association seems appropriate. Groves of rowans were preserved and protected as visionary sanctuaries. The rowan/mountain ash is a Druid’s tree and one of the holy trees of the ancient Celtic forests. It is rumored that the faeries may adopt a solitary rowan tree, taking it over as a home and a sort of magickal safe house. Any earth magick can be enhanced by working beneath a rowan tree or by fashioning a wand out of a fallen branch. Other associated sabbats include Lughnasadh, Beltane, and Midsummer. The Irish name for the rowan is Luis.
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
February 18–March 17
The ash is part of the faerie trinity of trees (the oak, ash, and thorn). The ash is rumored to be a tree of enchantment and is a very suitable wood for a wand or staff, as it is a strong, supple wood. In Norse mythology, the ash plays a significant role. The sacred ash tree Yggdrasil was the divine frame that supported the entire world. It was a tree of life and also a popular tree with the faeries. It is thought that if you make a heartfelt request for healing and protection and tie a strand of your own hair onto the branch of an ash tree, the faeries will grant your request. This tree is associated with Woden, Thor, Neptune/Poseidon, and the Greek goddess Nemesis, who was thought to carry an ash branch as a symbol of divine justice.
The ash is associated with the element of water, and its planetary ruler is the sun. Carrying ash twigs fashioned together in a solar cross was thought to protect you from accidents on the water. (If you own a boat, perhaps you could tuck the amulet somewhere inside of the boat.) The element of water relates to emotions and psychic gifts. If you place an ash leaf beneath your pillow, it is said to encourage psychic abilities and cause prophetic dreams.
The leaves of the ash tree may be used as an offering while you cast a circle. As you call each quarter, scatter a handful of ash leaves to the winds. By doing this, you tap into the vast elemental powers of the trees and the earth. Wands made from ash wood are used for healing, prosperity, and protection. Displaying a staff made out of ash at the entrance of your home, perhaps hung over the inside front door, wards the home from negativity and theft.
Also, placing an ash leaf at each of the four corners of your home was thought to help protect your home from unwanted astral visitors and manipulative magick. It also denotes a magickal safe house. Its Irish name is Nuin.
Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
March 18–April 14
The alder tree is reported to be popular with the undines and water spirits. A tree native to Europe, the alder is an unusual tree in that it is the only broadleaf tree that bears cones. The alder is often linked to the willow, as they are both water-loving trees and were thought to bless pools and springs by growing nearby. The alder is associated with beginnings, birth, and healing. It has links to mystical white faerie horses and to the unicorn. An alder was also a way to gain access to the faerie lands.
An old alder spell was to place a leaf in each shoe when traveling. This was thought to cause the faeries to bless you while on your journey. Try casting alder leaves at each quarter of your circle on the eve of the Spring Equinox, or the festival of Ostara, if you care to try to communicate with the faeries. Please remember to thank the nature spirits when you have finished your ritual, and leave them a small token such as a crystal point or a small, plain cake (in other words, a cookie). In the Italian tradition, the alder is associated with spring fire festivals.
Alder’s further correlations with the element of fire may seem contrary, and they are a little intense. In old Ireland, it was believed that if you purposely cut down an alder, it would cause your house to burn down. The alder has links to the god Bran, a beloved Pagan god whose totem animal was the raven. The raven is a bird of wisdom whose appearance often signifies change.
The alder is ruled by the planet Venus. It is also associated with the autumnal equinox and the sabbat of Samhain. The element of water is associated with the western direction as well as the season of autumn, as the west is the direction of the setting sun, the waning year, and the direction of the Summerland. The Irish name for the alder tree is Fearn.
Willow (Salix spp.)
April 15–May 12
A willow is a tree of the element of water and is ruled by the moon. It is incorporated into lunar magick, prophecy, healing, and women’s mysteries. The wood of the willow makes a powerful healing wand for a woman. There are many goddesses associated with the willow tree such as Hecate, Lilith, Persephone, Morgana, and Cerridwen. The sorceress Circe was thought to have cared for a cemetery planted with the willow and dedicated to Hecate. Hecate, the only Titan who kept her powers after Zeus took over, was a willow and dark moon goddess. This three-faced goddess guarded the crossroads, and it was believed that when dogs howled at night, they were answering Hecate’s call. Hecate is a powerful deity to call upon, for she rules the earth, the sky, and the sea—all three magickal realms. The willow tree, Hecate’s tree, has been a popular tree for magick and enchantments for centuries.
The strongest times of the year for working willow tree magick would be at the full moons and the sabbats of Beltane and Samhain, those two nights when the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is the thinnest. Working with willow leaves or burning them on a bonfire at Samhain was thought to call spirits forth. While this is an intriguing notion, be sure that you are working within a cast circle and that you actually know how to send a spirit back to the other side before you try this. (If you’re not sure, then leave this type of magick alone.) Remember who is associated with the willow, after all; if you work with Hecate carelessly, you’ll get more than your fingers slapped. Consider yourself warned.
On a lighter note, it was thought that if you gently tap your knuckles on the trunk of the tree three times, it would ward off bad luck: “Knock on wood.” The faeries are also linked to this tree, and you should feel their presence if you meditate under a willow tree on Beltane eve. An old charm is to stand under a willow’s weeping branches and gaze up at the full moon. Make an unselfish wish, and then gently tie a loose knot in the supple branch of the willow tree. Breathe upon it, and blow a kiss to the moon. Your request is sure to be granted. Its Irish name is Saille.
hawthorn
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
May 13–June 9
The hawthorn is the second part of the faerie trinity of trees. The hawthorn represents the element of fire and is ruled by the planet Mars. This tree stands for magickal secrets, fertility, and eternal life. The hawthorn also made an appearance in our hedgerow chapter. This tree in its many varieties is a wild and bewitching tree. Some folk names include whitethorn and may. An amulet to protect against fire can be made from the twigs of a hawthorn tree; bind the twigs together with red thread into the shape of a pentagram, then hang up the star in the kitchen with a white ribbon. This will protect against household fires. An early hawthorn goddess was Olwen. Wherever this goddess walked, white flowers would spring up beneath her feet. Because of this, she was called Olwen of the white track, or path.
It was thought that if you gathered together hawthorn blooms and sat quietly and serenely beneath the tree on any of the following evenings—Beltane Eve, summer solstice, or Samhain—your patience would be rewarded by a visit from the nature spirits and the faeries. The blooms from the hawthorn were fashioned into garlands and swags for celebrations as well as bridal bouquets. Try floating a few hawthorn blossoms on the water, and make a request to the Lord and Lady for fertility and prosperity. The Irish name for the hawthorn is Huathe.
Oak (Quercus spp.)
June 10–July 7
The oak is the final companion in the faerie trinity of trees, and as you would expect, the oak is compatible with faerie and nature spirit magick. The elemental correspondences for this tree are earth and fire. A sentinel oak is often used as a marker to denote a magickal place. It is a protective and wise tree and one well worth growing on your property. The oak tree has an ancient and knowing spirit. The rustling of oak leaves is thought to be the whispers of the old gods. Meditate on that sound; what do you think they are trying to teach you? As acorns drop down in September, what little nuggets of wisdom do you think may be falling into your life?
There are many different species of the oak; however, the magickal associations are typically the same. The oak is associated with sky gods and, of course, the Oak King and the Holly King. Many goddesses of fire and fertility have ties to the magickal oak such as the Celtic triple goddess Brigid. The oak is the favored sacred tree in the Druidic tradition. In this magickal tradition, the gods were usually celebrated at the solstices and the equinoxes, and the goddesses were celebrated at the cross-quarter days of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.
The oak is associated with the element of fire and the sun. Magickally, the oak and the acorn are worked into charms for fertility and prosperity. The acorn may also be a natural symbol for the God. Work with the oak’s leaves in your spells and charms to encourage valor, truth, and strength. The Irish name for the oak is Duir.
Holly (Ilex spp.)
July 8–August 4
Both the oak and the holly are symbolized by the summer and winter solstices. The holly is a symbol of the life force. It is a lucky tree to grow at home in your garden, as it is believed to protect the home and its occupants from lightning, negativity, and bad luck. A popular plant with the winter nature spirits, this shrub (or standard tree, depending on the variety) is one to consider adding to your gardens. The male holly was thought to be auspicious for men, while the female holly was a good-luck charm for women.
How do you tell a male from a female holly? Well, the female holly produces plenty of berries, and the male holly produces small, pale green flowers (for pollination) and only a few berries. Also, if you have a female holly in your yard but there is no male to pollinate it, it will not produce any berries. You will need at least one male to fertilize all your female holly plants. Also, look at the names of the shrubs at the nursery such as ‘China Girl’ or ‘China Boy’.
Some of the older varieties of the holly feature smooth leaves that are variegated, smooth, and lobed (female) or that are solid colors with prickles (male). The elemental correspondence for the holly is fire, and its planetary influence is Mars. Magickally, the holly is used for protection from angry spirits. The holly features prominently in winter solstice celebrations and is used to decorate Yule logs, wreaths, and midwinter altars. The Irish name for the holly is Tinne.
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
August 5–September 1
The hazel is associated with the Celtic star goddess Arianrhod. Arianrhod was thought to have blessed the hazel tree with wisdom, knowledge, beauty, and fertility. Hazel is also a popular choice for hedgerow planting, and it is a tree of wishes, magick, and Witchcraft. Hazel is a popular wood for divining rods. White hazel wands were thought to have been carried by the Druids as a symbol of their authority. Planting a trio of hazel trees on your property was rumored to encourage the faeries to live there. In this miniature grove, all earth magick was thought to be doubly blessed.
Weather omens were sought by looking at the shells of the hazelnut. If the shells were thin, then a mild winter was predicted. If the shells were thick, then a long, cold winter with many storms was expected. The elemental correspondences for the hazel tree are both air and fire, and its planetary association is Mercury. The nuts, which become ripe in the fall months, are worked into charms for fertility, knowledge, and divination. Try painting a rune for inspiration on a hazelnut, and carry that with you as an amulet or charm.
If you’d like to protect your home from fire and misfortune, then bundle together a small bunch of hazel twigs on the spring equinox, the sabbat of Ostara. Tie these little twigs together with a white satin ribbon and bless these in the name of Arianrhod. Hang them near your home’s fireplace to ward off chimney fires and accidents in the home.
Sabbat associations for the hazel tree are Ostara, Beltane, and Mabon. Weaving sprigs of hazel into a chaplet for your hair and wearing this on Beltane eve was thought to grant you good luck for a year and possibly the power of invisibility. Hazel branches cut on Midsummer’s eve are often used for divining rods. The Irish name for the hazel is Coll.
Vine (Vitis vinifera)
September 2–September 29
The grapevine symbolizes emotions, sensuality, the harvest, and prosperity. Prophecy, truth, and intuition are also associated with the vine. Although there are many varieties of vines, the usual reference in sacred or magickal art and symbolism is the grapevine. Grapes were cultivated by the Egyptians some 6,000 years ago and were most likely introduced into Britain by the Romans. This fruit-bearing plant has the magickal associations of the moon and the element of water. The grapevine also corresponds to the sabbat Mabon, the autumnal equinox.
The wine god Bacchus/Dionysus is traditionally entwined into the grapevine mythology, as well as a few harvest goddesses such as Ceres/Demeter. In some magickal traditions, the elm tree and the grapevine are looked upon as magickal partners, as elm trees were often planted in the vineyards to help provide shade and to shield the grapes.
The grapevine wreath is a standard base for many decorative wreaths today. Try using a little magickal creativity and work in the ancient symbolism of the harvest. You could add silk grape leaves and artificial grapes and embellish your prosperity wreath with deep purple ribbons. If you want something less harvest-oriented, you could cover the grapevine wreath with an assortment of magickal herbs, rosehips, or even dried chili peppers. Either way, it would create a great-smelling, practical magick wreath to hang up in the kitchen. In the Druid’s alphabet, the letter for the vine is M; the Irish name is Muinn.
Ivy (Hedera helix)
September 30–October 27
The evergreen ivy is a symbol of the faerie. Ivy represents visions, inner knowledge, and the enigmatic and mystical. The ivy vine may be worked into spells and charms to call in the faeries and for magickal protection, bindings, and to ward off psychic attack.
Wherever ivy grows or is strewn, it guards against negativity and adversity. There is an old charm that tells a young woman to gather a leaf from the ivy vine and hold it close to her heart to divine who her future husband will be. Here is a more modern spin on that old herbal charm: gather the ivy leaf on the evening of a waxing crescent moon. Tie a small piece of white ribbon in a bow around the ivy stem as you imagine the personality qualities that would make for a good partner (remember not to focus on a specific individual). Face west, and watch the moon for a few moments as it sets. Then repeat this charm three times:
Ivy leaf, ivy leaf, I love you
Pray show me now a love so true
The first young man who speaks to me
My future husband he shall be.
Keep the leaf with you until the moon waxes to full, then keep the ribbon as a token of the spell, and return the leaf to nature. The variegated ivy actually symbolizes fidelity, which helps explain its popularity in bridal bouquets.
According to flower folklore, the solid green-colored ivy denotes friendship and constancy. It was also rumored that ivy was used to decorate fertility wands—so if you’re looking to conceive, you may want to take that into consideration.
The magickal associations for the vine are the planet Saturn and the element of water. Finally, along with holly, these two magickal plants are traditional herbal symbols for the God and Goddess, with the holly representing the male aspect and the ivy representing the female aspect. The ivy plays a prominent role at Yuletide, as the ivy is classically linked with the holly; think of the line from that Old English carol, “The Holly and the Ivy.” The Irish name for the ivy is Gort.
Reed (Phragmites communis)
October 28–November 24
Yes, you are correct: the reed is not a tree. However, the reed was an important product for ancient people. Reeds were used for thatching, woven into mats, crafted into pipes, and burned for fuel. During hard times or famine, the reed’s roots and shoots could be eaten. While this may sound incredibly unappetizing to a modern person, if your family was starving, you foraged and gathered whatever you could.
The magickal associations of the reed are action, strength, and power. Its planetary association is the sun, and since the reed grows along wet banks and in marshes, its elemental association is water.
There is the story of Pan, who pursued a nymph named Syrinx who was so anxious to get away from him that she turned herself into a reed. Hiding among the other reeds on the riverbank, she was hidden. Since Pan was unable to figure out which reed was his beloved, he cut several reeds and fashioned them into a musical pipe—the panpipe that he carried with him always.
According to old flower folklore, the reed symbolized music and complaisance. It also carries the message “You have bewitched me with your song.” (Well, I guess we can stop wondering how the reed earned its magickal association.) The deities associated with the reed are Pan, Taliesin, Osiris, Isis, and Horus. At this dark time of Samhain, the reed represents the mysteries of mortality and is also a symbol of royalty. The royal connection comes about from an ancient tradition that tells how a sacred king often held a scepter crafted out of reeds. When the king died, the scepter of reeds was broken. The Irish name for the reed is Ngetal.
Elder (Sambucus canadensis)
November 25–December 23
An extremely old and powerful magickal tree, elder is a member of the honeysuckle family. This popular hedgerow tree also made an appearance in our last chapter and has the astrological correspondence of Venus and the elemental association of water. The elderberry, as it is also called, is sacred to many goddesses, many of whom are aspects of the Crone. Leave this tree to grow happily in nature, for it is believed to be a benevolent tree that is zealously guarded by the faeries and the Goddess.
If you plant an elderberry tree in the yard, you will invite the elves, nature spirits, and the faeries into your life. However, give the tree its own wild little corner of your property if you want the tree to flourish. This is a faerie tree, and they like their space. The elderberry tree is rightly thought to have a strong feminine spirit, which may explain its strong connection to Witchcraft. Folktales warn never to burn the wood of the elder tree—“Burn it not or cursed you’ll be”—or to even bring elder flowers into the house. According to German folklore, bringing a leafy elder branch into your house was thought to invite ghosts. Conversely, in Scotland, the elder branches were hung over doors and windows inside the home to keep evil spirits away.
The creamy white flowers of the elderberry tree have been used in bridal bouquets for centuries. These flat heads of star-shaped flowers are arranged in clusters of blooms. They have a pleasant musky scent, and in the language of flowers, they signify both kindness and compassion. During the summer months while the tree is in bloom, it is thought that if you gently gather elderberry blossoms and breathe in the scent on Midsummer’s Eve, then you will be visited by or receive a vision of the faeries. If you should discover this tree while on a ramble, or nature walk, then be kind to the tree, and greet it with respect and affection. The Irish name for the elder tree is Ruis.
Mystical, Magickal Trees
I am a willow of the wilderness,
loving the wind that bent me. All my hurts
my garden spade can heal. A woodland walk,
a quest of river-grapes, a mocking thrush,
a wild-rose, or rock-loving columbine,
salve my worst wounds.
ralph waldo emerson
With the elder, we finish our Celtic calendar of trees. The elder has an extensive magickal history, so it was featured in the previous hedgerow chapter as well. Overall, the elder tree is a symbol of both endings and beginnings, so it’s very appropriate to close up both this tree year calendar and the chapter with this tree.
The elder reminds us that the magick of trees continues throughout all of the four bewitching seasons. It’s simply up to us to absorb the green wisdom inherent in all of nature and then to discover and work wisely with these natural enchantments ourselves.
In the spring, you can tap into all that burgeoning energy and expansion. Use this season and your tree magick as an opportunity for new growth. What wonderful things could you bring to blossom? During the summer, you can revel in the lush foliage and the abundant and thriving fertility energy that is found all around us, for as nature flourishes, sets its fruits, and grows strong and true, so, too, will you.
As the autumn rolls in and the leaves begin to lose their green mask of chlorophyll, the hidden colors of the reds, browns, oranges, and yellows begin to show in the leaves. During nature’s big, colorful autumn show, you have the opportunity to work tree magick with the energies of change, bounty, and the harvest. Reap what you have sown, and be thankful for all your blessings.
Finally, when winter holds the land, look to the evergreens—pine, cedar, spruce, and the holly—for proof that life does indeed go on. Even while nature is resting, it is also gaining strength for the next season. Use the winter months and the quiet and strong magick of the evergreens to gain a deeper understanding of nature and the power of all of her cycles and seasons.
The trees can truly teach us about the cycles of the earth; they have much wisdom to share. It’s up to us as green magickal practitioners to stop, to look, and to carefully listen. Most importantly, we have to be receptive and allow ourselves to learn.
Tree Spirits
That thou, light winged Dryad of the trees,
In some melodious plot
Of beechen green, and shadows numberless,
Singest of summer in full-throated ease.
john keats
If you’d like to take your study of trees and green magick a bit further, you can learn to work with the spirits of the trees, the dryads. To begin, you need an open heart and a questing mind. Then take a walk, and find yourself a nice, healthy, established tree. You are going to want to choose a tree that has some character and some age.
Walk up to the tree and get a feel for its energy and its presence. Then splay your fingers wide, and lay both hands gently upon the trunk of the tree. Close your eyes, and let your mind open to the sensations of the tree. Now, you may “see” images or you may simply feel emotions. If you sense a sort of heartbeat within the tree, don’t be alarmed. That is simply the sap, or life’s blood, of the tree rushing throughout and circulating through all the branches and leaves.
You should be aware that the tree is not a shell holding the dryad within. The tree and the tree’s spirit—its dryad—grow together. There is a symbiotic relationship between a dryad and its tree. While the tree is young, the tree spirit is thought to flit about and move around the tree and to visit (for lack of a better term) its neighbors in the wood or garden. But as the tree grows and ages, the dryad develops as well. Once the tree reaches maturity, it raises its vibrations, and the dryad is thought to move deeper within the spirit of the tree, becoming stronger and more substantial and eventually merging with the tree so that they are one.
This is the presence, or personality, that you can sense when you bond with an older tree. For the most part, dryads are quiet, shy, and kind. They may not be very trusting of you the first time you try to connect with them, so be patient. Now, just so we are clear, I am not telling you to expect the dryad to come popping out of the tree and shake your hand. I am telling you that in time and once you build a relationship with a tree, the spirit within may send you visions, messages, and if they really like you, they can boost your green magick as well.
How will you know when that has happened? You’ll feel it in your heart center. You might get a little flip of the stomach or a pleasant tug at your heart. This will be followed by a nice little warm rush of sensation and a feeling of contentment. That’s how you will know. This type of green magick is intensely personal, so different Witches may experience a variety of sensations. You will have to carefully take notes and keep track of your experiences. Then, over time, you can see how the relationship between you and the tree spirit develops.
If, for some reason, you believe that you have encountered a cranky tree spirit—and yes, I have heard of folks who are terrified when they think they have angered a tree somehow—then casually back away from the tree, whisper a wish for the tree to grow strong and true, and leave the tree alone. I would suspect that this is your fear playing out more than a tree’s supposed bad attitude, though it could be an angry land deva who is upset that the area was disturbed.
For example, if an old, wooded area was stripped bare to make room for a new subdivision, then you bet you are going to experience some angry earth spirit energy. But the sturdy old pine, elm, oak, willow, ash, magnolia, or maple tree growing in your backyard or neighborhood park shouldn’t be a problem. If you think you have encountered an angry tree or land spirit, do not panic. Just be calm, center yourself, look around, and try to befriend a different species of tree. The tree spirits won’t mind.
Trees do mediate between the astral realm, or heaven, and the physical realm, the earth. And some would say that these spirit-bearing trees actually work as go-betweens for the gods and humanity. The oldest trees watch over the wise ones and the people who value nature as a sacred place. There are plenty of “green-souled” folks out there who are not magickal practitioners such as the naturalists, conservationists, gardeners, and activists who work to protect our environment and our natural resources. We are all connected to each other in many ways, both magickally and spiritually. As a wise man once said, what we do to the earth, we do to ourselves. Consider that while you are working to deepen your connection to the green world.
Lessons from the Trees
Nature is, after all, the only book
that offers important content on every page.
johann wolfgang von goethe
For now, I want you to go find a tree, any tree, and go sit under it for a while. Open your heart and open your mind, and see what nature has to teach you. If the dryads come out and play, then sit back, let your mind wander, and see what images and emotions you pick up from the tree spirits. I bet you’ll be surprised at what mysteries they can teach you.
When you are finished, be sure and thank the dryads for their presence. Leave a small gift at the base of the tree—a tumbled stone, a seashell, a bit of birdseed for the local birds and squirrels, or even a strand of your hair. Or, if you are in a public park, then take a moment to pick up any trash that may be laying around. Leave the area looking better than when you found it; that would really make both the land spirits and the dryads happy. Plus, it’s a great way for you to help the environment. Imagine what would happen if every person stopped and picked up trash when they found it. Think of the difference it would make.
In our next chapter, we will be taking a look at the dark side of herbs. There is a very good reason that herbal lore has been so enduring; you can thank the gothic herbs and poisonous plants of old for that. So let’s take a look together at these gothic herbs and botanicals, for these forbidden plants offer yet another opportunity to expand our knowledge of green magick, witchery, and herbalism.