This is my take on the Rowan tree from the Celtic Tree Year:
Month
of Rowan
The Celtic
Year
21st January – 17th February
The Latin Names:
Over 85 species of Sorbus and
part of the rose family.
Sorbus Aucuparia Sorbus
Domestica
(Mountain Ash/Quickbeam) (Service
Tree)
Sorbus Americana
(American Mountain
Ash)
Celtic
Names: Caorthann
Folk and Common:
Luis, Mountain Ash, Sorb
Apple, Witchin, Wiggin Tree, Quicken
Parts
Used: Bark, Berries (Need
to be cooked first)
Divine
Association
Gods: Thor, Lugh, Dagda
Goddesses: Brighid, Aphrodite
Symbolism
Polarity: Masculine
Element: Fire
Celtic Month: January
Sabbat: Imbolc
Planetary Ruler: Mercury, Sun
Colour: Red
Stone: Yellow Chrysolite, Ruby, Tourmaline
Bird: Duck, Quail, Blackbird, Green Dragon
History
The Celts considered Rowan the symbol of the hidden mysteries of nature and the quickening of the life force.
The Celts considered Rowan the symbol of the hidden mysteries of nature and the quickening of the life force.
Scottish
tradition only allowed Rowan wood in ritual and nowhere else.
Rowan is one
of the nine traditional woods that is added to the Belfire (burned at Beltane).
The hard pale
brown wood of the Rowan was used to make bows in the middle ages, also used for
tool handles, bowls and plates and for general woodcraft.
The berries
were used to make Rowan jelly which was eaten with meat and helped prevent gout.
The
berries from the Rowan were processed for jams, pies, and bittersweet
wines.
In Ireland
The Rowan was
sacred to the Germanic and Norse tribes because it saved the life of Thor.
Magical Properties
Inspiration:
Clears and opens up the mind.
Protection & Courage:
In times of strife and war,
call on Lugh or Dagda, both associated with the Rowan, for powers of protection
and courage. Also, protection spells
from fire and lightning.
Virility:
To increased virility, a
male would carry a piece of Rowan inscribe with it’s Ogham.
Exorcism:
Rowan has the properties to
protect people and animals from evil spirits.
Healing:
The Rowan has the ability to
heal physically.
Rowan Essence:
Vibrational medicine uses
this essence to assist in attuning us to nature, broadening perspective and
making room for a deeper understanding of our place here in the Universe.
Spell work:
Protection; astral travel;
psychic energies; personal power; divination, strength, success; healing;
working with spirits.
Ritual:
An initiation in particular
but also all other rituals, as this tree is associated with empowerment and
represents the Yang (Male) essence.
Tools:
Spindles and spinning
wheels; tool handles; stakes and pegs; dowsing and diving rods.
Herbal Usage
Vitamin-C & Anti-Scorbutic:
The berries of this wonderfully
powerful tree are rich in vitamin-C and therefore are a great preventative
measure against a variety of ailments: flu's & colds, even scurvy.
Astringent, Diuretic & Purgative:
Rowan bark has astringent properties
and can be decocted to help cure irritable bowel syndrome and cleanse the blood.
The berries can be used to make a tea
to combat urinary tract infections, diarrhoea and haemorrhoids. The organic acids, tannins and sugars of the
berries make them great for tonics to help the body as a mild laxative.
Demulcent & Expectorant:
Use the juice from the berries as a
gargle to reduce inflamed mucous membranes by forming a film over the
membranes.
Haemostatic & Vulnerary:
Stops blood flow to help heal wounds.
Febrifuge:
reduces fever
Digestive:
IBS
Vasodilator:
Widens the blood vessels
Glaucoma:
One of the sugars found in the berries
is sometimes given intravenously to reduce pressure in an eyeball.
Tools:
Spindles and spinning
wheels; tool handles; stakes and pegs; dowsing and diving rods.
More Information
Berries of the Rowan
tree act as an incredible food source for a variety of birds: the grouse, cedar
waxwings and many others.
White flowers are
produced between May and June, and the first berries appear in September and
are ripe by October.
Rowan Throughout the Year!
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn
☮ ❤ & ツ
Blessed Be
SRM
☽✪☾
No comments:
Post a Comment