Trees

 

Trees and humans have had a relationship since the beginnings of human existence. They provide us with shelter, nutritious fruits, leaves, flowers and roots for food and medicine. They have given us wood to provide a fuel for our fires.

In Neolithic times ancient people understood the importance of the tree and gave it respect, offered it prayers and blessings and did not take them for granted. Ancient cultures remained close to nature. They believed that the tree was the central axle of the Universe and everything circulated around it. Trees are channels for the divine spirit. With its roots firmly planted in the ground and its branches spreading toward the sky, it reminds us that “as above, so below“.

The old supersition of “knocking on wood” was originally practiced to ensure that no spirits were in a tree before it was cut down. In German folklore the kolbode were spirits that lived in the trees. When the tree was cut down, a piece was saved to carve into a figure so the spirit would have a piece of its orignal home in which to live. These pieces were shut up in wooden boxes and brought into the house. Only the owner was permitted to open it. If anyone else opened the box, untold damage would result. Children were warned not to go near them. Jack-in-the-boxes were made to scare children and remind them not to touch the real boxes.

Apple trees were symbols of fertility to the Ancient Greeks. They were sacred to Demeter. In Norse mythology Freya, the goddess of wisdom, walks through heaven dispensing golden apples to the gods which will give them wisdom and understanding. The Celts believed that apple trees grew in the Celtic paradise. In Arthurian legend, the Isle of Avalon is where Arthur passes after being mortally wounded. “Avalon” stems from the word apple (Welsh afallen, Scottish Gaelic abhal). This tree tells us that this is a time of joyful giving, hidden knowledge and that happiness and healing are at hand.

Ash Trees are trees with much mysticism. In Celtic mythology it has ties to the Irish Nuadu and Gwydion (in Welsh legend, the master druid). The link between the ash and druidry was confirmed with the finding on the isle of Anglesey of a first-century druid staff made from ahs, and decorated with a solar spiral. In Norse mythology it is the sacred tree Yggdrasil, upon which Odin sacrificed himself so that he might achieve higher wisdom. However, the Eddas describe this tree as “evergreen needle-ash” which is a metaphor for a conifer and therefore the ash has nothing to do with Yggdrasil. Also in Norse mythology, the first man was said to be made of ash wood. The Teutonic gods held council under the Ash every day. The Ash was sacred to Poseidon in classical Greece. The Ash tells us to combine strength and widom during times of sacrifice and to look for connections.

Beech trees message is that of a time for new expressions of ancient knowledge and to find power and nobility through speech and prayer. Celtic altars in the French Pyreness have been found. They were dedicated to the god Fagus, or “beech tree“. Beech wood was one of the preferred woods used in divination sticks during the Iron Age.

Hawthorn trees, along with Hornbeam were often used to enclose and guard woodland sanctuaries. This tree is associated with the Welsh goddess Olwen, Cardea the Roman goddess of childbirth and Hera, Zeus’ wife. The Hawthorn is a tree sacred to fairies. This tree teaches us that patience brings creative success.

Hazel trees are very magical trees. Their message is that it is time for transformation and to act on inspiration. In Celtic tradition it was associated with sacred wells, springs and the salmon. The Celts considered it a tree of knowledge. Hazel twigs and staffs were used as dowsing instruments. It was also associated with Arianrhad, the goddess of the stars.

Holly was sacred to the Druids. They kept it in their homes during the winter to provide a home for the “little people.” It served as a protection from negativity. It is associated with the Welsh goddess Criddylad. It also represents the time when the days grow shorter and the god of the earht and the underworld reclaims the sun. His tree is the holly, which is linked to the spirit of vegetation, the Green Man. In medieval Christianity Jesus was associated with the holly and it made its way into church ceremonies. Holly’s message is that of a time to become the spiritual warrior and be clear about purposes.

Lilac trees balance the spirit and intellect. Lilace trees are filled with fairy and elf activity. The fragance is considered magical. Lilac is a great healing spirit. It can also help to reveal to you past lives and how they are harmonized with your present.

Oak trees are the trees of truth. Their message is that of strength and endurance amd opening to new spirit forces. Bronze-Age Europe associated the oak tree with their weather gods. The oak was sacred to the Norse Thor, the Saxon Donar, the Celtic Taranis, the Roman Mars Silvanus and the Greek Zeus. The oak is a tree of truth. The mistletoe of the oak is magical. Mistletoe is th symbol of the feminine energy and sexuality. The mistletoe was a powerful herb of the Druis, used primarily for fertility and as an aphrodisiac.

Rowan trees are trees of vision, healing, pyschic powers and inspiration. The Rowan tress is associated with Norse Thor and the Irish Brigid. The Rowan alerts us to the need for developing discrimination, especially in balancing common sense with superstition. This is a tree of protection.

Willow’s message is to be flexible and look for connections and trust your inner visions. This tree is associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid and the Greek Orpheus who brought to Greece the teacings of music, Natur3e and magic. Willow makes the best dowsing material. It was used to make Celtic harps. It was sacred to poets in Greece.

 

 

Find your tree below and see what you are like…

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Dec 23 to Jan 01 – Apple Tree
Jan 01 to Jan 11 – Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 – Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 – Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 – Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 – Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 – Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 – Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 – Lime Tree
Mar 21 (only) – Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 – Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 – Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 – Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 – Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 – Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 – Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 – Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13 – Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 – Fig Tree
Jun 24 (only) – Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 – Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 – Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 – Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 – Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 – Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 – Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 – Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 – Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 – Lime Tree
Sep 23 (only) – Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 – Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 – Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 – Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 – Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 – Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 – Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 – Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 – Fig Tree
Dec 22 (only) – Beech Tree

 

 

TREES (in alphabetical order)

Apple Tree (Love)
Quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction,
pleasant attitude, fli rtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in
love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very
generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate partner.

Beech Tree (Creative)
Has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good
organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no
unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on
keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

Birch Tree (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.

Cedar Tree (Confidence)
Of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents,
of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others,
self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to
impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits
for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree (Honesty)
Of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice,
fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily,
sensitive of others feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior,
feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love,
physically fit.

Cypress Tree (Faithfulness)
Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but
doesn’t necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants
to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness,
passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at
times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be
needed.

Fir tree (Mysterious)
Extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything
beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, ha rd to
trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long
demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many
friends, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary)
Charming, sense of humour, very demanding but can also be very
understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighter
for social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented,
honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects
complete fairness.

Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste)
Of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is
not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable
and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an
emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its
feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very
conscientious.

Maple Tree (Independence of Mind)
No ordinary person, full of imagination and originality, shy and
reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new
experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree (Brave)
Robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent,
sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of
action.

Olive Tree (Wisdom)
Loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids
aggression and viole nce, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed
sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and
the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree (Peacemaker)
Loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help
others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion
conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will
leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs
affection and reassurance.

Poplar Tree (Uncertainty)
Looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident,
extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant
surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great
artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in
anysituation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree (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.

Walnut Tree (Passion)
Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic,
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 compromise.

Weeping Willow (Melancholy)
Likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and
dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful,
musicallyinclined, loves to travel to exotic places, restless, capricious,
honest,can be influenced but is not easy to live with when pressured,
sometimesdemanding, good intuition, suffers in love until they find that one
loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.

Ash Tree (Ambition)
Extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not
care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play
with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money
rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional
support. 

Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness)
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to
forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and
faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded,
generous, good sense of humour, practical.

Fig Tree (Sensibility)
Very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal,
independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants
to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, sexually
oriented, great sense of humour, has artistic talent and great
intelligence. 

Lime Tree (Doubt)
Intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not
before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates
fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually
soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and
friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, great
leadership qualities, is jealous at times but extremely loyal.

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A Celebration of Women

reminds the Women of our World that life is an adventure, and that nature has so many gifts and tools to share with us.  Hopefully, you will not only have FUN using the above resource, you will actually find similarity to self inside your Birth-date and tree description.  By realizing that life is so much larger than self, emotions can balance and vision can return.

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