Tree Correspondences
Get a good dose of good karma. Save a life. Click a button.
Many mystical and magical uses have been found for the thirteen trees which symbolize the months of the Celtic lunar year, and it is likely, considering the popularity of Celtic Paganism, that many more will be discovered. However you choose to observe the lunar months, it can be helpful to first imbibe a magical brew designed to attune your body and spirit to the occasion.
Following are the recipes for thirteen teas which will accomplish just that. The measurements given are approximate, and for making one eight-ounce mug full you should use no more than a single heaping teaspoon of dry herbs placed inside a tea ball or cheesecloth strainer. All liquid measurements should be added to taste. Allow the tea to steep at least two minutes, longer if you prefer a stronger flavor. As always, when ingesting untried substances, be sure to test for any allergic reactions first, and remember that no herbal preparation should ever be taken over the long term without consulting an expert pharmacologist or botanist.
Though very few of the recipes actually contain any part of the trees to which they are attributed, they work quite well because their ingredients rely on using herbs and juices which share magical affinities with the properties of the tree. These properties are listed after the name of each tree so that, if you choose to, you can make substitutions based upon this knowledge. Depending upon the particular Celtic tradition you follow, the lunar year starts with either the first new moon closest to Samhain or the one just before Yule.
Tree Correspondences
A
ALDER (Alnus spp.)
This tree is a water lover. The oily water resistant wood has been used extensively for underwater
foundations and pilings in Venice and elsewhere. It is used in dairy vessels and the branches in making
whistles. It is associated with Bran, as He used His body as a bridge to span dangerous waters. It is used
in the construction of bridges. Bran's Head was oracular. Alder indicates protection and oracular powers.
APPLE* (Malus spp.)
A dense, fine-grained, rosy-colored wood with a slightly sweet smell. The Apple is the earliest cultivated
tree. It is associated with choice. At Somerset, an auction was held for single acre plots on two pieces of
common land. Plots were marked and matching marks made on the fruit. The apples were then placed in
a bag and commoners were allocated land by the distribution of the fruit. All the acres of land were
similar, as many times today choices must be made between similar and equally attractive things.
Regardless, the choice must be made. In Norse myth, Idunna was the keeper of the 'apples of
immortality' which kept the Gods young. The 'fruit-bearing tree' referred to by Tacitus in his description of
Norse runic divination may have been the apple. Apple indicates choice, and is useful for love and healing
magic.
ASH* (Fraxinus spp.)
A strong, straight-grained wood; sometimes has 'olive' streaks or stripes in the grain. The European
variety (fraxinus excelcior) was referred to in the Eddas as the species of Yggdrasil - the 'World-Tree".
The first man, named Ask, was created from an ash log. Ash was commonly used to make spears
because of its 'springiness' and straight grain. In North America, strips of black ash were split along the
grain to make splints for baskets and hoops. It is used in weaver's beams. Women would weave cloth
and intermingling threads together in a tight pattern as the microcosm and the macrocosm are united. Ash
can be used in spells requiring focus and strength of purpose, and indicates the linking of the inner and
outer worlds.
B
BEECH (Fagus spp.)
Beech wood is closely grained, very easy to work giving a smooth even surface. At one time Beech
tablets were used as writing surfaces because of the above mentioned qualities. Beech and book have the
same word origins. Beech is concerned with ancient knowledge as revealed in old objects, places and
writings. Beech indicates guidance from the past to gain insight, which protects and provides a solid base
upon which all relies.
BIRCH* (Betula spp.)
A lovely pale, fine-grained wood. Long associated with fertility and healing magic, birch twigs were used
to bestow fertility on cattle and newlyweds, and children's cradles were made from its wood. Birch is one
of the first trees to grow on bare soil and thus it births the entire forest. Criminals were at one time
birched to drive out evil influences on them, to renew them for the new year. Birch was associated with
Thor, probably in recognition of his role as an agricultural and fertility deity. Birch is an incredibly useful
tree - nearly every part of it is edible, and it's sap was an important source of sugar to Native Americans
and early settlers. The inner bark provides a pain reliever and the leaves are used to treat arthritis. It's
bark was used for everything from paper to canoe hulls, and axe handles were also made from Birch.
Birch is most useful for fertility and healing spells.
BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa)
Blackthorn is a winter tree. The sloe, its fruits ripen and sweeten only after the nip of the frost. White
flowers are seen even before the leaves in the spring. It is black barked with vicious thorns and grows in
dense thickets. The wood is used in the cudgel shillelagh and Blasting Stick. Its thorns are used to pierce
waxen images. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed.
E
ELDER (Sambucus spp.)
The Latin name sambucus is derived from a Greek word for a wind instrument made from elder. The pith
can easily be removed from the small branches to make a flute. Elder regrows damaged branches with
ease and can root rapidly from any part. A tea for purifying the blood can be made from the flowers and
wine from the fruit, but in general the tree is poisonous. In Norse mythology, the Goddess Freya chose
the black elder as her home. In medieval times it was the abode of witches and it was considered
dangerous to sleep under its branches or to cut it down. Sticks of Elder were used as magical horses by
Witches. Elder indicates the end in the beginning and the beginning in the end. Life in Death and Death in
Life.
ELM* (Ulmus spp.)
A slightly fibrous, tan-colored wood with a slight sheen. Elm is often associated with Mother and Earth
Goddesses, and was said to be the abode of faeries, explaining Kipling's injunction; "Ailim be the lady's
tree; burn it not or cursed ye'll be". Elm wood is valued for it's resistance to splitting, and the inner bark
was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell.
F
FIR (Abies spp.)
Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions on the upper slopes. Fir cones respond to
rain by closing and the sun by opening. Fir can see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and
below. Fir indicates high views and long sights with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come.
H
HAWTHORN (Crataegus oxyacantha)
A light, hard, apple-like wood. Hawthorn usually doesn't grow much bigger than a shrub, and is popular
in England as a hedge plant. The wood from the Hawthorn provides the hottest fire known. Its leaves and
blossoms are used to create a tea to aid with anxiety, appetite loss and poor circulation. The Greeks and
Romans saw the hawthorn as symbolic of hope and marriage, but in medieval Europe it was associated
with witchcraft and considered to be unlucky. This seeming contradiction is to be expected from a tree
with such beautiful blossoms and such deadly-looking thorns. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love
and marriage spells.
HAZEL (Corylus avallania)
Hazel is another food tree. In Celtic tradition, the Salmon of Knowledge is said to eat the 9 nuts of poetic
wisdom dropped into its sacred pool from the hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut eaten by the salmon
becomes a spot on its skin. The Hazel tree provided shade, protection and baskets. In Europe and North
America, hazel is commonly used for 'water-witching' - the art of finding water with a forked stick.
Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration.
HOLLY* (Ilex aquifolium)
A beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain; looks very much like ivory. Holly is associated with
the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore. In Arthurian legend, Gawain
(representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to
represent winter. It is one of the three timbers used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts. It was used
in spear shafts also. The qualities of a spear shaft are balance and directness, as the spear must be hefted
to be thrown the holly indicates directed balance and vigor to fight if the cause is just. Holly may be used
in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death.
L
LARCH (Larix europaea)
A light softwood, very similar to spruce. Larch is one of the few conifers which sheds its needles in the
winter. It is closely related to the North American tamarack (larix laricina). The larch plays an important
role in Sami (Lapp) and Siberian mythology where it takes the place of the ash as the World-tree. Their
shamans use larch wood to rim their ceremonial drums. The smoke from burning larch is said to ward off
evil spirits. Larch may be used for protection and to induce visions.
M
MAPLE (Acer spp.)
A very hard, pale, fine-grained wood. Although the sugar maple has the highest sugar content in its sap,
all maple species can be tapped to make syrup and sugar, making them a vital resource to early North
American settlers. In north-eastern North America, the annual 'sugaring-off' usually coincides with the
vernal equinox, making it one of the first signs of spring. Maple can bring success and abundance.
O
OAK (Quercus spp.)
Red Oak* (Quercus rubra)
A strong, straight-grained, slightly porous wood with a slight reddish hue. Its energy is a bit lighter and
more 'firey' than the other oaks.
White Oak* (Quercus alba)
Darker and denser than red oak. It's strength and density have led to its being used in barrel-making and
shipbuilding. Useful for spells requiring strength and solidity.
Brown (English) Oak* (Quercus robur)
A richly-colored dark brown wood. 'Bog oak' is brown oak which has fallen into a peat bog and been
preserved there for hundreds of years until it begins to have the consistency of coal. Brown oak has a
very earthy feel, and is useful for grounding.
Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held
in particular esteem by the Norse and Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak
is frequently associated with Gods of thunder and lightening such as Zeus, Thor, and the Lithuanian God
Perkunas. This association may be due to the oak's habit of being hit by lightening during storms. Specific
oak trees have also been associated with the 'Wild Hunt', which is led by Herne in England and by Wodin
in Germany. In general, oak can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the
different varieties will lend their own special 'flavor' to the magic.
P
PINE (Pinus spp.)
The Pine tree is an evergreen, its old title was "the sweetest of woods". Its needles are a valuable source
of vitamin C and can loosen a tight chest. The scent of Pine is useful in the alleviation of guilt. The Bach's
flower remedies lists it for dealing with feelings of guilt. Pine indicates issues of guilt within you.
POPLAR (Populus spp.)
The White Poplar flourishes beside rivers, in marshes and in other watery areas. The pith is star shaped.
The upper leaves are green, the underside is silver. The wood was used in the making of shields. Leaves
move with every puff of wind. It is commonly referred to as the talking, whispering and quivering tree.
The Anglo-Saxon rune poem seems to refer to the poplar as being associated with the rune berkano.
Heracles wore a crown of poplar leaves when he retrieved Cerberus from Hades, and the upper surface
of the leaves was thus darkened from Hades' smoky fumes. In Christian lore, the quaking poplar (aspen)
was used to construct Christ's cross, and the leaves of the tree quiver when they remember this fact. The
Poplar's ability to resist and to shield, its association with speech, language and the Winds indicates an
ability to endure and conquer.
R
ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia)
The Rowan tree (also called Mountain Ash) is long known for aid and protection against enchantment.
Sticks of the Rowan were used to carve Runes on. It was also used in the art of metal divining. Rowan
spays and crosses were placed over cattle in pens and over homes for protection. Its lovely red berries
feed the birds in winter. The berries have a tiny pentagram on them. The pentagram is the ancient symbol
of protection. The Rowan tree indicates protection and control of the senses from enchantment and
beguiling.
W
WILLOW (Salix babylonica)
The willow is another water loving tree. Willow bark contains Salicin which is used in the treatment of
rheumatic fever and various damp diseases. Her catkins, which appear in early spring before her leaves,
attract bees to start the cycle of pollination. In western tradition it is a symbol of mourning and unlucky
love. The Latin name for the weeping willow refers to the psalm in which the Hebrews mourn their
captivity in Babylon by the willows. Willow indicates cycles, rhythms and the ebb and flux.
Y
YEW* (Taxus baccata)
A beautifully smooth, gold-colored wood with a wavy grain. All parts of the tree are poisonous except
the fleshy covering of the berry, and its medicinal uses include a recently discovered treatment for cancer.
Long associated with magic, death, rebirth and the runes, the yew may be the oldest-lived tree in the
world. Ancient yews can be found in churchyards all over Britain, where they often pre-date even the
oldest churches. There are some convincing arguments for it being the original 'World-tree' of
Scandinavian mythology. In Europe, yew wood was used for making bows, while on the northwest coast
of North America, the Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is used by the Haida and other tribes for making
masks and boxes. Yew may be used to enhance magical and psychic abilities, and to induce visions.
December 23 to January 1 ....... Apple Tree
January 2 to January 11 ........ Fir Tree
January 12 to January 24 ....... Elm Tree
January 25 to February 3 ....... Cypress Tree
February 4 to February 8 ....... Poplar Tree
February 9 to February 18 ...... Cedar Tree
February 19 to February 28 ..... Pine Tree
March 1 to March 10 ............ Weeping Willow Tree
March 11 to March 20 ........... Lime Tree
March 21 ....................... Oak Tree
March 22 to March 31 ........... Hazelnut Tree
April 1 to April 10 ............ Rowan Tree
April 11 to April 20 ........... Maple Tree
April 21 to April 30 ........... Walnut Tree
May 1 to May 14 ................ Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 ............... Chestnut Tree
May 25 to June 3 ............... Ash Tree
June 4 to June 13 .............. Hornbeam Tree
June 14 to June 23 ............. Fig Tree
June 24 ........................ Birch Tree
June 25 to July 4 .............. Apple Tree
July 5 to July 14 .............. Fir Tree
July 15 to July 25 ............. Elm Tree
July 26 to August 4 ............ Cypress Tree
August 5 to August 13 .......... Poplar Tree
August 14 to August 23 ......... Cedar Tree
August 24 to September 2 ....... Pine Tree
September 3 to September 12 .... Weeping Willow Tree
September 13 to September 22 ... Lime Tree
September 23 ................... Olive Tree
September 24 to October 3 ...... Hazelnut Tree
October 4 to October 13 ........ Rowan Tree
October 14 to October 23 ....... Maple Tree
October 24 to November 11 ...... Walnut Tree
November 12 to November 21 ..... Chestnut Tree
November 22 to December 1 ...... Ash Tree
December 2 to December 11 ...... Hornbeam Tree
December 12 to December 21 ..... Fig Tree
December 22 .................... Beech Tree
## Apple Tree, the Love Of slight build, lots of charm, appeal
and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive,
always in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very
generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination.
## Fir Tree, the Mysterious Extraordinary taste, dignity,
cultivated airs, loves anything beautiful,moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but
cares for those close to it, rather modest,very ambitious, talented, industrious uncounted
lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.
## Elm Tree, the Noble-Minuteness Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes,
modest demands, tends to not forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead
but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, tends to a know-all-attitude
and making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of
humor, practical.
## Cypress, the Faithfulness Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes
what life has to give,happy content, optimistic, needs enough money and acknowledgement,
hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied,
faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic and careless.
## Poplar, the Uncertainty Looks very decorative, no
self-confident behaviour, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and
pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity,
artistic nature, good organizer,tends to philosophy, reliable in any situation,
takes partnership serious.
## Cedar, the Confidence of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes
luxury, of good health not in the least shy,tends to look down on others,
self-confident, determined, impatient, wants to impress others,
many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love,
able to make quick decisions.
## Pine Tree, the Particularity Loves agreeable company, very
robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good
companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out
quickly, gives up easily, many disappointments till it finds its ideal, trustworthy,
practical.
## Weeping Willow, the Melancholy Beautiful but full of
melancholy, attractive, very empathic,loves anything beautiful and tasteful,
loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced
but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but
finds sometimes an anchoring partner.
## Lime Tree, the Doubt Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way,
hates fighting, stress and labour, tends to laziness and idleness, soft and
relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious
enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous,loyal.
## Hazelnut Tree, the Extraordinary Charming, undermining, very
understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter
for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant
partner, precise sense of judgement.
## Rowan, the Sensitivity Full of charm, cheerful, gifted,
without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest and even
complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic,
passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.
## Maple, Independence of Mind No ordinary person, full
imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-respect,
hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, many complexes, good memory,
learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.
## Walnut Tree, the Passion Unrelenting, strange and full of
contrasts, often egoistic,aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected
reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and
uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious
strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromises.
## Chestnut Tree, the Honesty of unusual beauty, does not want to
impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born
diplomat, but irritate and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of
self-confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood loves only once,
has difficulties in finding a partner.
## Ash Tree, the Ambition Uncommonly attractive, vivacious,
impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent,
talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and
trust-worthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but
takes partnership very serious.
## Hornbeam, the good taste Of cool beauty, cares for its looks
and condition, good taste, tends to egoism, makes life as comfortable
as possible, leads reasonable, disciplined life, looks for kindness,
an emotional partner and acknowledgement, dreams of unusual lovers,
is seldom happy with his/her feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure
of its decisions, very consciences.
## Fig Tree, the Sensibility Very strong, a bit self-willed,
independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its
family, children and animals, a bit of a butterfly, good sense of humor,
likes idleness and laziness,of practical talent and intelligence.
## Oak, robust nature Courageous, strong, unrelenting,
independent, sensible, does not love changes, keeps its feet on the ground,
person of action.
## Birch, the Inspiration Vivacious, attractive, elegant,
friendly, unpretentious, modest, does Not like anything in excess, abhors
the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate,
full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content
atmosphere.
## Olive Tree, the Wisdom Loves sun, warmth and kind feelings,
reasonable, balanced, avoids Aggression and violence, tolerant,
cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive,
empathic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.
## Beech, the Creative Has good taste, concerned about its looks,
materialist, good organization of life and career, economical,
good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime
companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).
If you need any help with anything Wiccan, Witchy or Pagan. need a potion or spell help E-Mail me, or add me to your MSN Messanger with ask_a_witch@hotmail.com
