Tag: Gatherings

A Few Spells For Tomorrow

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. You can find the origin of the spell by clicking on the hyperlink.)

Finally, it’s Sunday, the official day of rest. Not only do Christians acknowledge this day, but I’m sure many pagans appreciate this day, as well. Everyone needs rest and a lot of people need a good day to worship their creator(whomever or whatever that may be), however they deem fit to do so. With the Sun being the central theme of many ancient rituals, Sunday just seems to fit, in name and theory. Not only is it a good day to worship, it seems good to do more relaxed spells, such as sleep, dream, and rebirth.

A Spell for While you Sleep

You will need the following items for this spell:

Four lengths of appropriately coloured ribbon
which can be easily tied
Four pins
Your bed

Knot magic has a particular effect in ‘binding’ or fixing a spell in place and with the addition of colour it is possible to use ribbons to bring about a desired outcome. By using your own bed as a focus, your magical work can be done while you sleep. This is a very personal way of working and one which can bring particularly positive results.

If your bed has bedposts, simply knot a length of the correct colour ribbon for your purpose around each post.

Each time you do this, say:

With this knot of coloured ribbon

Bring to me the power hidden. Grant me that right Throughout this night.

If your bed has no posts then carefully pin the knotted ribbon to each corner using the same words.
Each night for two further nights touch each ribbon knot in turn and repeat the words above.

Leave the ribbons in place until you no longer feel the need for them. You can expect to have some fairly vivid dreams over the following three nights, which may help you to develop the qualities you seek. This spell allows your unconscious self to work in a protected space without the chatter of day to day matters.

To Drive Away Bad Dreams

You will need the following items for this spell:

Bowl of warm water
Salt
Your chosen sprigs of herbs
String

This spell uses herbal magick and correspondences to clear the bedroom of negative influence. It is often a good idea to use material that is easily available, so you might use sprigs of rosemary, sage, Lady’s bedstraw, maize silks or broom-corn. Since you want something taken away you should perform this magical working as the Moon wanes.

Dissolve the salt in the warm water.

Tie the herbs together.

Dip the sprigs in the water and sprinkle the corners of the room with the water.

Use the sprigs to sprinkle the salt water on your bedclothes, and particularly round the head and foot of the bed.

When you have done this, place the herbs under your pillow, or if you prefer, under the middle of the bed.

The next morning, discard the herbs at a crossroads if you can, either by burying them or allowing them to disperse to the four winds. Otherwise ensure that you have carried them well away from your home.
This carries all negativity away from your bedroom and bed. This spell uses rosemary which brings clarity, sage for wisdom, ladies bedstraw which is said to have lined the manger at Christs birth, and broom corn, which is used in worship of the Mexican goddess Chicomecohuatl. All these herbs bring cleansing, not just of the room but also of the occupants aura or subtle energy. On the basis that one should always replace negative with positive, you may like to use the following technique to bring about positive dreams.

Having prepared your environment, this next technique is of most use when there is a strong, deeply felt association with the issue or request being considered in magical terms, ideal conditions for spell working. It is like being able to consult an encyclopedia that contains a wealth of information in fact, the Higher Self.

 

Reference

A Witch’s Week of Spells and Activities
Helga C. Loueen
Spells:
Spells of Magick

 

Welcome to WOTC! A Thought for Today

I am dealing with bad headaches from my blood pressure being way to high. The doctor is having me track my blood pressure until I see him next month. I don’t know if it is being caused by a new medication or by something in my mind and/or body being out of whack So I will do the best I can with posting. I apologize that my health gets in the way so often of bring you all the regular everyday posts but those of you with chronic health understand this.

If you want to see information on any tradition of witchcraft, herbs, flowers, a Goddess or a God, or anything pertaining to any tradition of witchcraft, please put it in the comment section or email Lady Carla Beltane at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. I will try to find some information to post about it.

May your and your family’s lives be filled with love, happiness, laughter, joy, and positive things!

Blessed be

Welcome to WOTC! A Thought for Today

To me in order to walk the path of a pagan and witch one of the most important things is to help keep Mother Earth/Gaia’s surface clean from trash left by unenlightened people. We are the Keepers of nature and all living things be they animals, birds, fish, plants, trees, ectara. Besides making potions, poultices, and other healing things for people the wise woman or medicine man would teach others how-to live-in harmony with Mother Earth/Gaia. This is a foundation of modern witchcraft that seems to me to get lost more and more as technology takes over more and more. How many younger people today take the time or even think to write a letter or thank you note or anything to send by regular mail to someone else? Granted with email and all the different social media platforms we can communicate with people all over the world in a blink of an eye but to me this is one of the main reason people have lost empathy and are less incline to help a neighbor, family or friend with something. When you take face to face meetings out of the equation you take a person’s personality out of it as well. Yes, I use technology to bring you information on a daily basis and I am thankful to be able to do that but on the other hand it takes away from me getting to know each of you. That is why I ask on a continuing basis to ask you to leave a comment on posts so I can get to know each of my readers a little bit and do not feel complete unconnected from you as just another person sitting behind a screen unseen and unknown. So please leave a comment now and then so I know I am posting thing that interest you and can get to know you a little bit.

If you want to see information on any tradition of witchcraft, herbs, flowers, a Goddess or a God, or anything pertaining to any tradition of witchcraft, please put it in the comment section or email Lady Carla Beltane at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. I will try to find some information to post about it.

May your and your family’s lives be filled with love, happiness, laughter, joy, and positive things!

Blessed be

A Very Happy and Blessed Samhain to All

The Wheel of the Year has turned completely around as we come to close of another year.

In the coming year may your and your family’s lives be filled with enough income to meet every thing you have to with some leftover for fun, more love, happiness, laughter, joy, and positive things!

Blessed be dear Sisters, Brother , and Honored Guests

Beltane Correspondences

Flashback 2004 Samhain

Expect the unexpected if you celebrate Samhain – the Celtic New Year – on All Hallows Eve: the planets bring a lot of energetic talk and chaos, and the resultant noise will add exuberance to the ritual. Look for psychic dreams on astrological Samhain, November 6; your intuition will be in top form if you do readings at ritual. The power is the strongest it has been in several years.

This is the sabbat for wearing your witchy black. Clean the house, including the hearth, from top to bottom; the garden also needs to be prepared for the winter by this date. Lay new fires. Fest with your family and set places for your ancestors. Cleanse divination tools (cards, crystals, runes) and rededicate them to the Goddess. For the last harvest festival, put apples, nuts, acorns, and squashes on the altar, and add pictures of the family members you are missing.

Using fresh harvested hazel nuts, make a wreath with nine nuts (three times three) to protect your house from fire and lightening. Offer thanks to the river gods or the gods of the sea, and remember to honor the goddess Hecate.

Source: K. D. Spitzer in Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2004 Page 63

Flashback 2004 Beltane

Beltane is he holiday that draws all witches outside to celebrate the returning power of the Sun and the fertility of the land.

Wear red robes for ritual and dress your altar with reds for passion. If you have identified a nearby rowan tree, you can make a wreath for your hair using rowan twigs. Decorate your house with freshly cut greens, herbs, and flowers. Arrange for music or drumming to lighten your steps of the dancers of the maypole or spiral dance. Lose yourself in the dance.

Fire is the honored element at this ritual, so have circle members jump a cauldron for purification and protection. Watr is another honored element: be certain to visit your local sacred spring or riverbank. Sprinkle perfume into the water for the undines. Again, leave a drop or two of milk and other food offerings for the nature spirits.

Wake before dawn on this day and watch the Sun rise over a river or beach. Gather a pitcherful where the Sun has gilded the water. When you return home, walk the bounds of your land, sprinkling water in your garden beds to ensure plenty of rainfall during the growing season.

By K. D. Spitzer in Llewellyn’s Witches’ Datebook 2004 Page 63

A Little Humor for Your Day

I hope the rest of your and your family have a day and evening that is relaxing, filled with fun, laughter, and love. Always remember to take a little me time every day to recharge yourself!

Merry part until we merry meet again!

Welcome to WOTC! A Thought for Today

This is why Heart’s Spirit Coven is a gathering of solitary witches coming together to celebrate Esbats and Sabbats.

If you want to see information on any tradition of witchcraft, herbs, flowers, a Goddess or a God, or anything pertaining to any tradition of witchcraft, please put it in the comment section or email Lady Carla Beltane at ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. I will try to find some information to post about it.

May your and your family’s lives be filled with love, happiness, laughter, joy, and positive things!

Blessed be

Binding Spells: A Commonsense Guideline

Binding Spells: A Commonsense Guideline

If you don’t like the idea of using poppets and have decided to work a binding, and you have a handle on your emotions, then here are some commonsense guidelines that I suggest you follow:

* Bindings are best performed on a Saturday.

* Work the binding at sunset and you pull into the spell the closing energies of not only the day, but of the entire week.

* Work with black candles; they coordinate with Saturn’s energies and they are the classic magickal color for this type of witchery.

Finally, to be crystal clear, a binding is the act of psychically restraining a harmful person or criminal so that their actions cannot harm anyone else. The goddess to call on is Hecate, and she is a mighty magickal force. Consider your words and actions carefully when you call on her. How you choose to work a binding is up to you. At this point, I suggest that you take a moment and draft out your binding spell on paper. Go carefully, and remember to harm none.

You may experience some dramatic special effects when working with Hecate. Don’t be taken aback if the wind picks up….if you candles flicker and snap…..or if you begin to notice barking or howling dogs. The animals sense when Hecate is near. Yes, we have gotten very serious all of a sudden. That’s because a binding is a serious matter. Surprised? Don’t be. Just because I tend to look at things from a humorous perspective doesn’t mean I am not serious when the situation calls for it.

This invocation includes some of the correspondences for Hecate. If you choose, you can add these to your spellwork. (This would also be a fine addition to the opening of poppet magick). A general invocation for Hecate follows.

Source: Book of Witchery Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week Ellen Dugan

Spell for Tomorrow – Winds of Change

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY)

Winds of Change

This is more of a spell to release anger and stress, but isn’t that the first step to becoming more happy?

Your supplies:

• A windy day
• A hill
• Basil
• Patchouli

Well, it’s not mandatory that you have a hill for this, but you do need an open area outside for happiness spells like this. It does need to be windy.

Take your herbs to your chosen spot, and face away from the wind (so it’s blowing on your back). Toss the herbs in the air and visualize your problems being blown away.

Repeat the following:

May the winds take my pain
Make me happy once again

Then turn around and face the wind. Say:

May the winds bring joy to me
So that happy I will be

Basic Spell Template – Crafting The Spell

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY CORRESPONDENCES POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Crafting The Spell

  • Identify your goal or desire

  • Examine the context of the situation

  • Evaluate the repercussions

  • Refine the specifics of your need or desire

  • Decide on a time

  • Decide on a method

  • Choose correspondences and components

  • Create central symbolic action

  • Write the text of the spell

  • Write the complete list of required materials.

Celtic Tree Month of Holly July 8 to August 4

From LearnReligions.com

Although the Oak ruled in the previous month, its counterpart, the Holly, takes over in July. This evergreen plant reminds us all year long about the immortality of nature. The Holly moon was called Tinne, pronounced chihnn-uh, by the Celts, who knew the potent Holly was a symbol of masculine energy and firmness. The ancients used the wood of the Holly in the construction of weapons, but also in protective magic. Hang a sprig of Holly in your house to ensure good luck and safety to your family. Wear as a charm, or make Holly Water by soaking leaves overnight in spring water under a full moon — then use the water as a blessing to sprinkle on people or around the house for protection and cleansing.

From Ireland-Calling.com

While the oak was the controller of the light half of the year, the holly controlled the dark, winter months.

It shares another quality with the oak in that it is resistant to lightning, its spikey leaves acting as mini conductors.

It was thus, also associated with the same Celtic and Norse gods of thunder, Taranis and Thor, and was often planted near dwellings to protect folk from lightning strikes.

Protective qualities

Druids believed the holly to possess protective qualities, guarding against evil spirits and witchcraft.

It was thought that bringing the leaves inside during the winter months would provide shelter from the cold for the fairy folk, who in return would be kind to those who inhabited the dwelling.

When new Celtic Chieftains were chosen, a wreath of holly was often used as a crown for good luck and new-born babies were bathed in the water from the leaves to protect them from harm.

Although taking cuttings was encouraged in this way, due to its protective qualities, it was considered unlucky to cut down a whole tree.

Holly formed part of Jesus’ crown of thorns

Today holly is perhaps most associated with Christmas, when, following the old traditions, it adorns the houses as part of yule-tide decoration and festivities.

However, according to Christian beliefs, holly formed part of the crown of thorns worn at the crucifixion.

It was the blood of Christ that stained the holly berries red and it was the Christians who gave the holly tree its name from the word holy.

Holly berries are poisonous to humans but a good winter food source for birds. The leaves of the holly tree were used to treat colds and fevers largely associated with the winter months.

As a flower remedy holly is said to rid people of jealousy and hatred and open the heart to love.

Spell for Tomorrow – The “Enchanted Evening” Elemental Spell

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY)

LOVE SPELL WARNING: Love spells such as this one take the person who you want to love you free will/spirit away. What happens with a spell like this is the person will become obsessed with you to the point of possibly losing their job, which in turn can make them lose their home, automobile, friends, their family, etc. I have heard of people under love spells dying from not eating or drinking when they are not in the presence of the spellcaster 24/7/365. So, unless you want some who only loves you because of a spell you put on them then go for it. But if you want someone to love you because they feel that emotion towards you then please do not do this spell. The same warning goes for animals, birds, reptiles, or anything else that has a heart and can create a bond with someone.

Looking to put a little passion back into your love life? How do you feel about working with the four elements and Lilith, our goddess of power and passion? There are times when even the most loving relationship needs a little oomph. So, if you simply want to spice things up with your partner in the bedroom, well, hey, Lilith’s your best bet! But be careful; she has a wicked sense of humor. Calling on Lilith for some extra spark or desire works very well, and you may feel like you have a magickal hangover in the morning. A small price to pay … just don’t say that I didn’t warn you.

Let’s get all of your senses involved. This spell is a sensual and sensory experience. To represent the four elements in this spell, light a few black or red candles to represent sent the element of fire. Burn dragon’s blood incense to represent the element of air. To symbolize water, open a bottle of red wine and drink from the same cup as your partner. Finally, sprinkle the sheets with some crimson-colored rose petals to represent the element of earth.

And at the risk of sounding like a mom, while you’re setting this stage for loving seduction, don’t forget to practice safe sex!

Ask for Lilith’s blessings by using the following lowing invocation:

Lilith, dark goddess, teach me to love, laugh and be wise
Aid me in my witchery as you sail through the skies
By the natural magick of air, water, earth, and fire
I manifest the gifts of love, seduction, and desire
By the elements four, this spell is now begun
As I will, so shall it be, and let it harm none.

Source: Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week by Ellen Dugan

 

(One Person’s View Point) What are Moon Phases? c.2012

 

What are Moon Phases?

Next time you’re outside checking out the sky and the Moon happens to be out, notice what shape it is. Does it look round and full? Or, more like a banana or even a lopsided ball? Throughout each month, the Moon appears to change shape while it appears in the sky at different times. These changes are something you can observe as they happen, and they may even surprise you. For example, many people think the Moon is only up at night. But, as you will find out, it can also be up during the day.

It’s Just a Phase It’s Going Through
What you are witnessing are the phases of the Moon. A lunar phase is simply the shape of the sunlit part of the Moon as seen from Earth. That shape changes for the following reasons:

the Moon orbits Earth;
both Earth and the Moon orbit the Sun;
the Moon’s orbit is the same length as the length of time it spins on its axis (about 28 Earth days), which means that we see the same part of the lunar surface all month;
the Sun illuminates both Earth and the Moon.

When you put these all together, it means that the changing positions of the Moon and Sun relative to Earth show us different phases of the Moon (that is, different sunlit parts of the lunar surface). This happens each month in the same cycle of phases.

Get to Know Your Lunar Phases

There are eight phases of the Moon that you can track each month.

New Moon: during New Moon, the side of the Moon facing us is not illuminated by the Sun. At this time, the Moon is not up at night, but it is up during the day. We just can’t see it.

Waxing Crescent: as the Moon waxes (grows) into its crescent phase, it begins to show up low in the sky right after sunset. Look for a silvery-looking crescent. The side facing the sunset direction will be lit up.

First Quarter: seven days after New Moon, the Moon is in first quarter. Only half of it is visible 1/2 of the moon is visible for the first half of the evening, and then it sets.

Waxing Gibbous: after First Quarter, the Moon appears to grow into a gibbous shape. You can see most of it, except for a shrinking sliver over the next seven nights. Look for the moon at this time during the afternoon, too.

Full Moon: During Full Moon the Sun lights up the entire surface of the Moon that faces Earth. It rises just as the Sun sets and disappears beneath the western horizon when the Sun rises the next morning. This is the brightest phase of the Moon and it washes out the nearby part of the sky, making it difficult to see stars and faint objects such as nebulae.

Waning Gibbous: after the glorious appearance of Full Moon, the lunar shape starts to wane — meaning “get smaller”. It’s visible later at night and into the early morning, and we see a steadily shrinking shape of the lunar surface that’s being lit up. When you do spot the Moon, the side that is lit up is facing toward the Sun, in this case, the sunrise direction. During this phase, look for the Moon during the day — it should be in the sky in the morning.

Last Quarter: at Last Quarter we see exactly half the sunlit surface of the Moon and it can be in the early morning and daytime sky.

Waning Crescent: the last phase of the moon before returning to New Moon is called Waning Crescent, and it is exactly what it says: a steadily-shrinking crescent phase. We can see only a small sliver from Earth. It’s visible in the early morning and by the end of the 28-day lunar cycle, it has vanished almost entirely. That brings us back to New Moon to start the new cycle.

Make Your Own Lunar Phases

You can demonstrate this to yourself by setting up a light in the center of the room. Take a white ball in your hand and stand a few feet away from the light. Next, turn yourself in a circle, as if you are the Moon spinning on its axis. Watch how the ball is illuminated as you turn.

Observing the Moon throughout a month is a great school project, as well as something you can do simply on your own (or with family and friends). Check it out this month!

Source: About.com

Carolyn Collins Petersen, Space/Astronomy Expert

 

(One Person’s View Point) A Little About Moon Phases

download

The Moon goes through four different phases every 29 days.

The full (Mother) Moon-this lasts from one night before until one night after the date the Full Moon is shown on a regular calendar. A full Moon is used to bring things to you. A good time for spells for your income to increase, protection for yourself, someone else or your home, etc. It is the best time to consecrate a Ritual tool, hold a Handfasting, marriage or Wiccaning.

Next comes the Waning Moon. This period lasts from the second night after the full Moon until one night before the New Moon. During this period, it is a time to send things away from you such as a build up of negativity around you or to charm an object to help you control a bad habit.

Then comes the New (Crone) Moon. This phase is from one night before until one night after the date the New Moon appears on a regular calendar. This is the time when being able to banish or send away bad habits, negative energy, do a house cleansing, etc.

Lastly is the Waxing Moon. This is a time of new beginnings and to bring good things to you. Use it to start a new project or job or getting to know someone better, etc. It is also a good time for a marriage or Handfasting. To charm an object to carry with you for protection or to do a house blessing, etc.

While I have only listed a very few things that work out better if done during the correct Moon phase. They are meant as a guideline to get you thinking about what else you may do during the correct phase.

Remember every time you do a spell or charm an object what energy you send out comes back to you three times as strong-The Law of Three.

Copyright 2011 Lady Beltane

Some of the Witchcraft/Magickal Correspondences for Saturday

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY COROSPONDENCES POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER)

Saturday Source: Ancient Pathway

Magickal Intentions:
Spirit Communications, Meditation, Psychic Attack or Defense, Locating Lost Things and Missing Persons, Building, Life, Doctrine, Protection, Knowledge, Authority, Limitations, Boundries, Time and Death

Incense:
Black Poppy Seed
Myrrh

Planet:
Saturn

Sign:
Capricorn
Aquarius

Angel:
Cassiel

Colors:
Black
Grey
Indigo

Herbs/Plants:
Myrrh
Moss
Hemlock
Wolfsbane
Coltsfoot
Nightshade
Fir

Stones:
Jet
Smokey Quartz
Amethyst
Black Onyx
Snowflake Obsidian
Lava
Pumice

Saturday is the sixth day of the work week. It’s officially the weekend. Some see it as one of the luckiest days for gambling. It’s one of those days where you can do what you need around your home and relax, as well. You can take care of a little business then, reap the rewards. It’s a really good day to do collect, courage, reap, gamble and exercise spells

Saturday Source: awithintime.weebly.com

Saturday- Ruled by Saturn. Psychic ability, meditation, and communication with spirits.

Day – Saturday

Planet – Saturn

Sign – Capricorn, Aquarius

Angel – Cassiel

Color – Black, Grey, Red, White

Planet – Myrrh, Moss, Hemlock, Wolfsbane, Coltsfoot, Nightshade, Fir

Stones – Jet, Smokey Quartz, Amethyst, Black Onyx, Snowflake Obsidian, Lava, Pumice

Intention – Binding, Protection, Neutralization, Karma, Death, Manifestation.

Element – All

More Qualities – Responsibility, Structure, Details, Banishing, Negativity, Reality, the laws of society, limits, obstacles, tests, hard work, endurance, real estate, dentists, bones, teeth, farm workers, sacrifice, separation, stalkers, murderers, criminals in general, civil servants, justice, math, plumbing, wills, debts, financing, joint money matters, discovery, transformation, death, relations with older people

Spell for Wednesday – Psychic Protection Mojo Bag

(YOU CAN COPY AND PASTE ANY SPELLS POSTED TO A DOCUMENT TO PRINT AND/OR SAVE ON YOUR COMPUTER FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY)

Psychic Protection Mojo Bag

Items you will need:

A dark-grey or purple fabric drawstring bad
Angelica root or rosemary
Sale and pepper in tiwsts of silver foil
An animal or bird bone, or 7 black beads
A dark-green thread or ribbon
A few drops of brandy or barley wine

Chant:

“While you remain hidden within,
Keep safe without.”

Celtic Tree Month – Hawthorn Tree May 13 – June 9

Hawthorn Tree – Spring

The Hawthorn is a prickly sort of plant with beautiful blossoms. Called Huath by the ancient Celts, and pronounced Hoh-uh, the Hawthorn month is a time of fertility, masculine energy, and fire. Coming right on the heels of Beltane, this month is a time when male potency is high — if you’re hoping to conceive a child, get busy this month! The Hawthorn has a raw, phallic sort of energy about it — use it for magic related to masculine power, business decisions, making professional connections. The Hawthorn is also associated with the realm of Faerie, and when the Hawthorn grows in tandem with an Ash and Oak, it is said to attract the Fae.

From LearnReligions.com

Hawthorn Tree – Summer

The Hawthorn is Known in Ireland as the fairy tree. It is often referred to as the gentle bush, lone bush or thorn, as it is disrespectful to mention the fairies by name.

As it is considered a fairy tree, it is believed to be extremely bad luck to cut one down, remove branches, or even hang things upon it (except at Beltane when this was customary) in case you disturb the little folk.

This belief has survived into modern times.

In 1999 work was interrupted on the main road from Limerick to Galway because a fairy tree stood in its path. The road had to be rerouted and construction was delayed for 10 years.

In 2009 there were numerous sightings of an ancient ghost thought to reappear in Tyrone after the felling of a fairy tree.

Few people will speak of the fairy tree out of a mixture of fear and respect and even fewer would ever remove or damage a hawthorn standing alone.

Couples fell in love under the hawthorn blossom

Contrary to these beliefs, in Britain, the hawthorn was associated with love and …

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Hawthorn Tree Leaves and Fruit

Celtic Tree Calendar – Ash Tree February 18 to March 17

Ash Moon: February 18 – March 17

Source: LearnReligions.com

In the Norse eddas, Yggdrasil, the world tree, was an Ash. The spear of Odin was made from the branch of this tree, which is also known by the Celtic name Nion, pronounced knee-un. This is one of three trees sacred to the Druids (Ash, Oak and Thorn), and this is a good month to do magic that focuses on the inner self. Associated with ocean rituals, magical potency, prophetic dreams and spiritual journeys, the Ash can be used for making magical (and mundane) tools — these are said to be more productive than tools made from other wood. If you place Ash berries in a cradle, it protects the child from being taken away as a changeling by mischievous Fae.

Ash – one Ireland’s sacred trees

Source: Ireland-Calling.com

The Ash is part of the olive family and is prized for its strength as well as its healing qualities. In Ireland the ash was considered one of the trilogy of sacred trees along with the oak and hawthorn.

In Ireland the ash was considered one of the trilogy of sacred trees along with the oak and hawthorn. Three of the five magic trees of Ireland were ash along with one oak and one yew.

Sadly, these trees were cut down in 665 by the Christians to symbolise their victory over paganism, although some of the pagan traditions were adopted by the Christians and some trees were linked to the stories of the saints.

St Patrick supposedly banished the snakes from Ireland with an ash stick, which, in Irish mythology, was the preferred wood for a magic wand.

Irish emigrants took  Ash to America

According to the writer Robert Graves who created the modern Celtic tree calendar, a tree descended from the sacred tree of Creevna, another sacred ash was still standing in the 19th century.

Irish emigrants to America took pieces of the ash with them as a charm against drowning. Ash was thought to have power over water and was often planted near sacred springs known as ‘cloothe wells’.

It was also used to build boats. In Ancient Greek mythology ash was associated with Poseidon the god of the sea.

Possibly due to its strength and ability to grow to great heights (over 130ft), Celtic mythology refers to the ash tree as The World Tree, a tree that spans between worlds, the backbone of the universe.

It is the tree that represents The Tree of Life, with its tall branches reaching up into the heavens and its vast root system spread deep below the Earth.

Norse mythology had similar beliefs that the ash was the tree said to span the universe, linking worlds.

Medicinal uses of ash

The bark, seeds and leaves of the ash are all believed to have medicinal qualities. They have been used throughout time to strengthen the liver and spleen, cleanse the system and detoxify the body.

In Ancient Greece Hippocrates was known to have used ash to concoct remedies for gout and rheumatism. The inside of ash bark is a disinfectant and was used for cleansing wounds before the use of modern antiseptics.

The leaves of the ash are said to refresh tired feet when put inside boots.