Reed (Elm)/Ngetal
(28th
October – 24th November)
ROYALTY - FAMILY BONDING – TRUST – REPELLING NEGATIVITY – PURIFICATION – MYSTERIES OF DEATH – DIVINATION – THE SAVIOUR – THE CUSTOD IAN – ELF COMMUNICATION
This 12th month
of the Celtic calendar is quite confusing and I have found references to it
both as Reed/Broom and Elm, both claiming to be Ngetal, so I am using all
references found for both and will let those who use this post as a reference
make up their own mind what feel right to them. After all, it’s all about what’s
right for the individual anyway. However, to distinguish between the
references, anything relating to Elm will be in another font… this one! The reason behind the
confusion is that what is known as the Reed tree is also known as the Dwarf
Elm.
Associations
Polarity: Feminine
Element: Water
Sabbat: Samhain
Symbols: The White Hound; The Stone; The Planet Pluto; The Fire Feast of Samhain; Arawn
Deities: Coventina; Morrigan; Rhiannon; Mannan Mac Lir; Poseidon; Pwyll;
Planet: Pluto
Animals: Geese; Kingfisher; Owl; The White Hound
Colour: Crimson; Grass
Green
Gems: Black Obsidian; Clear Green Jasper
Medicinal
& Herbal Uses:
Powdering the root of the Reed makes a powerful
(and natural) insecticide against fleas.
Reed was also used medicinally as a way of treating
eye-infections.
Remedies with Reed as an ingredient are often aimed
at ailments related to the bladder and kidneys.
Magickal
Uses:
Reed ‘stalks’ used to be soaked in fat and then
burned as a cheap alternative to candles. This could still be done today but I
wouldn’t like the smell (I don’t think).
Reed wands are often used in ritual as they are
such a strong repellent of negativity.
Sweep the ground with Reed to clear unwanted
influences.
As an interpretation of dreaming about the Reed (if
you see dream interpretation as divination, as I do), it implies that not all
of your friends are true and if you handle Reeds in your dreams then you may
well have been deceived in business endeavours.
The Lunar Mysteries are guarded by dogs and the
White Hound represents those dogs.
Use bagpipe and flute music in magic to bring Reed
energy into your workings.
Other
Information:
For centuries, Reed has been used as a household
floor-covering and room deodoriser, as well as providing shelter as a useful
material for roofing.
The Reed was made further useful by its flexibility
to be crafted into arrow shafts, writing pens and even flutes.
It is said that the ‘Pied Piper’ played his
rat-removing melody on a magical flute made of Reed. This leads to an
assumption that Pan’s flute may have been made of Reed too. These legends have
made the Reed still associated with music in the modern world as wood-wind instruments
are still made of it.
Though the reed rarely grows large enough to be
useful as furniture, when its mature, the veiny wood make beautiful brooms,
brushes and baskets.
associations
polarity: feminine
Element: earth
Symbols: communication; relationships
Deities: Orpheus; odin; hoenin; lord
Planet: Mercury; Saturn
Animals: lapwing;
grouse
Colour: turquoise
Day: tuesday
Medicinal &
Herbal Uses:
Make an infusion from the bark of the inner roots to
treat colds & coughs, diarrhoea, internal bleeding and fever. This infusion
can also be applied to external wounds, or drank to ease menstrual problems.
When slippery elm is powdered it can be made into a
milk substitute which is useful for babies who cannot process cow’s milk.
Magickal Uses:
elm tree essence can be utilised to energise the mind
and balance the heart. Use it to attract love or protect your heart. It is also
a powerful tool for sharpening your psychic powers.
As a representative of the dark side of the psyche, the
elm is an excellent conduit of psychic power
Other Information:
Coffins are often made from elm in England , and in Greece it is found in graveyards.
The association with death could simply be a bastardisation of it being a
gateway to other realms/planes as it is said to be found in the underworld and
at the crossroads leading to the realm of the fae.
The elm is a friend of the elves; to see wood elves,
sit under an elm tree in a grove of them at dusk and sing. At dawn, the elves
will join you in your singing (they need to overcome their shyness first).
No comments:
Post a Comment