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~♥ The Spiritual Properties of Trees ♥~
Each tree has a spiritual
essence, but there are special trees that appeal to the human condition
because of the special properties they bare. For this reason there
were certain trees that were seen as holding special dominion over the
affairs of man and of nature and sacred groves of trees are of great
religious importance to many culture and are the meeting place for
activities and rituals. Within the grove all become linked and hidden
knowledge is revealed. The trees below are especially symbolic and have
been throughout history.
.
Alder Tree -- Associated with water. The catkin bearing alder tree
resists decay in its watery habitat and the water spirits or undines
love this tree as does the unicorn. The leaves of an alder tree can be
made into a tea to treat kidney problems.
Apple Tree -- The custodian of wisdom and tree of the soul. Freya,
the goddess of wisdom walks through heaven dispensing golden apples to
the gods which will give them the gift of wisdom and understanding and
the day of the apple tree is Friday (Freya’s day). To grow an apple
tree in the garden is a happy omen and the Celts believe that apple
trees grow in the Celtic paradise. The apple tree man dwells in the
middle of the apple trees and he is the guardian of their fertility and
the fairy protector of the spirit of the goddess.
Ash Tree -- It is said to be an ancestor of humankind. In Greece
powerful families were believed to have come from ash trees. In Norse
mythology the sacred ash is believed to be the entire support structure
of the universe and even today, in certain places, people will leave
tokens of human hair hanging from an ash tree in hopes that their
wishes, hopes and desires will be granted. Used in fashioning witch's
wands for healing.
Aspen Tree – The tree of heroes whose crowns of poplar leaves gave
them the power not only to visit the Underworld, but also to return
safely. The aspen crowns found in ancient burial mounds may have been
included to allow the spirits of the deceased to return to be reborn.
An aspen leaf placed under the tongue would make the bearer more
eloquent, traditionally a gift of the Faerie Queen.
Bay Tree -- The tree of healing. It is associated with masculine
principles and medicine, music, and the rays of the sun. The bay
protects dwellings and gardens. Bay leaves crowned poet, heroes and
important men. Grow a bay tree near your house for it protects your
dwelling and wards off illness. When a baby is born it is lucky to
celebrate by planting a bay tree for the baby’s sake. Never plant a bay
tree where vines grow.
Birch Tree -- Associated with Lammas tide on August 1, the light of
the stars, the moon and the sun. It is a symbol of summer ever
returning. It is said the birch is the mother of the oak tree because
in prehistoric times it was the birch that prepared the earth floor for
the majestic oak to be born. It is said the fairies love this tree in
the springtime. Used in fashioning witch's wands for banishing.
Blackthorn Tree -- A winter tree, its fruits, called "sloes", only
ripen after the first frost. The wood of the Blackthorn is
traditionally used to make the Irish shillelagh. It represents the
influence of fate or outside influences.
Bramble Tree -- The fairies love the bramble tree because it is wild
and protects the penetration of secluded sacred faerie clearings.
Broom Tree -- The properties associated with the broom tree are that
of astral travel and flight. The Irish called it the "Physician's
power" because of its diuretic shoots. Sweep your outside ritual areas
with it to purify and protect. Burning the blooms and shoots calms the
wind. Be cautious if you plant Broom however, it will quickly multiply.
Cedar Tree -- Also known as the Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae, Yellow
Cedar. Ancient Celts on the mainland used cedar oil to preserve the
heads of enemies taken in battle. To draw Earth energy and ground
yourself, place the palms of your hands against the ends of the leaves.
Cherry Tree -- Symbol of death, rebirth and new awakenings. Wild
cherry folklore has unusual associations with the cuckoo, whereby the
bird has to eat three good meals of cherries before it may stop
singing. Folklore from the north east of Scotland warns against using
the cherry tree's wood for any purpose, as it was considered a witch's
tree. An infusion made of the stalks of the berries is used
medicinally to treat bronchitis and anemia.
Elder Tree -- Legends said it was unlucky to bring any part of an
elder tree into the house because it would bring a death in the family.
It actually has a feminine soul. It is magickal, healing and fragrant.
If planting an elder tree in the garden remembers it likes to be
protected and hidden. In fact all the fairy trees like to be planted at
a distant from others.
Fig Tree -- The fig tree appears in the story of the Garden of Eden
when, after eating the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve covered their
nakedness with leaves that are usually said to be from the fig tree.
The fig tree has a sacred meaning for Buddhists. According to Buddhist
legend, the Buddha, achieved enlightenment while sitting under a bo
tree, a kind of fig tree. The bo or bodhi tree remains a symbol of
enlightenment.
Fir Tree -- The Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows on the upper
slopes of mountainous. 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.
The Silver Fir Tree -- Brings the knowledge of present and past lives
into the now. The color silver links to the "silver thread" of
awareness of the spiritual journey and the gift of insight.
Hawthorn Tree -- This is the most sacred tree to the fairies probably
because it is so wild, uncompromising and fragrant. If you sit under
the thorn tree on May Day Eve, Samhain Eve and Midsummer Eve you can
commune with the fairies.
Hazel Tree -- The tree of wishes and tree of the star goddess. It is
associated with the Celtic goddess of the stars, Arianrhad, whose image
was seen in the stars of the constellation we now know as the
constellation of the Corona Borealis. The Hazel is called the tree of
wishes because it has the power to grant the hearts desire.
Holly Tree -- Symbol of the life force, vitality and immortality. It
is considered a lucky tree to grow in the garden because it wards off
negative energies. The shiny green leaves represent the vitality of
life even in the coldest of times and is used in Yule for this reason.
It is lucky to burn dried holly branches but not if their still green.
The male holly tree (the prickly one) and the female holly tree (the
smooth variegated one) are inhabited by respectfully the holly man and
the holly woman. Used in fashioning witch's wands for protection.
Juniper Tree -- Considered a protective tree and unlucky to cut down a
juniper tree. The tree has an abundance of healing properties.
Infusions can be made to treat kidney and liver troubles, arthritis,
dropsy and help the elderly.
Larch Tree -- The larch plays an important role in 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.
Laurel Tree -- Sacred to Apollo. When the Greek nymph Daphne was
being chased by Apollo she asked to be changed into another form and
Athena transformed her into a Laurel tree. Much respected in Roman
times, the Latin word “laurus” means "praise" and "renowned". A symbol
of wisdom and glory, the Latin “laureate” means "crowned with
laurels", i.e. "poet laureate".
Lilac Tree -- It is the fragrance of the lilac tree that is considered
magickal. The fragrance is believed to carry humans into fairyland and
the supernal world. English tradition considers the lilac to be an
unlucky flower to be brought into the house because it is associated
with death, perhaps from the fear of the power of the fragrance of the
lilac. It is really quite a beneficiary tree. Its flowers can be eaten
and used as a tonic for the nervous system.
Maple Tree -- Maple trees meanings includes balance, promise and
practicality. The maple is seen as a happy tree, alluring, mystically
bringing together all who gather under it's sheltering branches.
Carrying a young child through the branches of a Maple tree was
traditionally thought to encourage good health and long life. The Maple
is also said to bring lifelong success and abundance.
Mistletoe Tree -- Also known as Birdlime, All Heal and Golden Bough. It
was the most sacred tree of the Druids, and ruled the Winter Solstice.
The berries are poisonous! Bunches of mistletoe can be hung as an
all-purpose protective herb. The berries are used in love incenses.
Oak Tree -- The tree of truth. It is ancient and wise and has an old
spirit. The mistletoe of the oak tree has many magickal properties. It
is also a marriage tree, symbolic of the marriage between the god and
the goddess. If you dance around the oak tree and wear some of its
leaves you will have a long and happy marriage. It is said that if there
is a question in your heart that you cannot find the answer to then go
to an oak tree and embrace it and ask the spirit of the oak tree to
answer your question. If you should know the answer it will be send to
you in a prophetic dream. The oak is frequently associated with Gods of
thunder and lightening such as Zeus and Thor. This association may be
due to the oak's habit of being hit by lightening during storms.
Olive Tree -- The symbol of wisdom and peace. The olive tree was the
sacred tree of goddess Athena and Athens, the capital of Greece, took
its name from the goddess. Zeus had decreed that the city should be
given to the god who offered the most useful gift to the people.
Poseidon gave them the horse. Athena struck the bare soil with her spear
and caused an olive tree to spring up. The people were so delighted
with the olive that Zeus gave the city to Athena and named it after her.
Athena is often shown with an olive branch, a symbol of peace and
plenty.Ancient Greeks used olive oil to fuel their sacred lamps, while
specially aged olive oil was used by the church during weddings and
baptisms.
Palm Tree -- Palms are the symbols of peace and opportunity. In many
historical cultures, palms were also symbols for such victory and
fertility. Early Christians used the palm branch to symbolize the
victory of the faithful over enemies of the soul. In Judaism, the palm
represents peace and plenty.
Pear Tree -- The early Germanic peoples would carve runes into the
wood of a pear tree. honored by the Northmen. The pear tree is also
mentioned in literature and folklore connected with love and
temptation. In Greek and Roman mythology pears are the sacred fruit of
the goddesses. The Chinese believed it a symbol of immortality.
Pine Tree -- The tree of the Sun. Its old title was "the sweetest of
woods” and the scent of Pine is useful in the reduction of guilt. Like
all evergreen trees which do not lose their leaves or green color
during the wintertime, the pine tree stands for immortality. In Japan,
the pine tree stands as a tribute to strong character and energy
because it holds up against strong winds.
Poplar Tree -- The poplar tree is considered the tree of old age and
the autumnal equinox . 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 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.
The White Poplar Tree -- The ability to find the spiritual
determination to face the hardships of earthly and material life. This
tree has the
Rowan Tree -- The tree of vision, healing, psychic powers, Rowan is
associated with witchcraft and is also known as the Wicken Tree and
Witchbane. Twigs and branches of the rowan tree help to bestow
protection and runes were carved with sticks from a rowan tree. It is
also a tree held dear by the Celtic Goddess Brigid. Rowan is also used
during rites of the Moon and for rites of knowledge and divination.
This is based on the Celtic calendar of the 13 moons and represents the
Moon of astral travel and vision, healing and empowerment.
Willow Tree -- Since ancient times the willow tree has been associated
with sorrow and death and it is also considered a tree of enchantment.
Used in fashioning witch's wands used for divination.
Yew Tree -- Found in ancient cemeteries, this tree is said to grow a
root into each corpse in the graveyard and is a symbol of rebirth and
may have been used as wood for the “fe" rod, used for measuring of
graves and corpses and in the making of shields. It is good medicine
for working with past life issues.
