The Celtic Year - Yew

A tree dedicated to the eve of such a magickal and sacred day is imbued with the properties of the emotions it invokes: all the excitement that Christmas Eve would inspire but transformed into something so much greater, so much more natural, rather than the commercial aspects of Yule’s Christian cousin. The Yew is a tree of ending… I like to think of it as the last breath of the dark days of Winter.

Associations

Polarity:        Feminine

Element:        Water & Earth

Sabbat:       Yule; Winter Solstice, Samhain

Deities:         Banbha, Amalthea (mother of Dionysus), Morrighan, The Erinyes, Cailleach Beara, Berchta, Hekate, Persephone, Astarte, Odin, Crone aspect

Symbols:       Sorcery & Magick, Death, Faerie

Planet:         Saturn, Pluto & Jupiter

Animals:        The Bull, Female Goats, Eaglet, Eagle, Hummingbird

Colour:        White & Silver, Black & Dark Green

Gems:          Olivine

Metal:         Lead

Herbal Uses:

CAUTION: THIS IS A VERY POISONUS PLANT AND SHOULD BE USED CAREFULLY.

·        Needles and branch tips of Yew have been used over the years by various traditions to treat lung diseases and bladder problems.

·        More recently Yew has been employed in the development of a new cancer drug – Taxol. It has been derived from the berries and the bark.

Magickal Uses:

·        As the time of the Yew is known as the time of Death, it is advised to not work magick on this day, the day before Yule. However, this can be countered by practicing rituals concerned with reincarnation.

·        In a ritual space, the Yew becomes a focal point as a ‘World Tree/Yggdrasil’; this is because they live for such a great many years that they link into the concept of immortality or the endurance of the earth and of life.

·        Use Yew for funeral wreaths and memorial plantings.

·        Yew can be burned in death-related rituals, such as at Samhain. The spirits of the those departed from this world are said to be held in the smoke until they are released by the practitioner.

·        As the tree which is caught on the cusp of the season of Life and the season of Death, Yew is a beautiful addition to Yule decorations.

·        As a beautifully textured and coloured wood, it is popular for making runes, ogham staves, frames for scrying mirrors and talking boards. Although this is a wonderful wood for tools, it should NEVER be used for goblets or plates – nothing that will be consumed from.

·        Druids would often use Yew for wand making

·        Yew is said to be lucky for those born under the sun sign of Capricorn and a sprig of Yew placed under the pillow ensures you will meet the person of your dreams and they will keep you safe from harm.

Other Information:

·        Latin name: taxus baccata

·        Folk name: English Yew; Tree of Death; Tree of Resurrection; Tree of Eternity; The Forbidden Tree.

·        The name is Yew is a distortion of the Anglo-Saxon word ‘eow’.

·        Evergreen.

·        Made infamous in the works of Shakespeare both in MacBeth and Hamlet.

·        The Yew grows wonderfully well in the shade of other trees and yet very little will grow in the shade of the Yew.

·        The ‘aril’, which is the fleshy part of the berry is a wonderful treat for much birdlife such as the thrush and the waxwing. The swallow the berry whole – including the highly poisonous seed which is passed in tact to fuel germination.

·        This is the tree which is sacred to Hekate and mythology tells that it is rooted in the mouths of the dead to release their souls and is also known to absorb the odour of death itself.

·        A triad of trees are associated with death and funerals; a long with Yew, Black Poplar and also Alder are planted often in and around graveyards.

·        Norse mythology links the Yew with the rune of Eihwaz. If the Yew is to embody the interpretations of this rune, it can be employed for shapeshifting, telepathic links and magicks for adjustment.

·        The history of the Yew being known as the Forbidden tree originates from its ingestion being used to stimulate abortion.

The Celtic Year - Poplar

As the Wheel turns into the reds and golds of the autumnal glow, the natural world is a flame with the majesty of crisp air, crunchy leaves and greying skies. The Poplar is so very expressive of this time and it is no wonder that with its September display of delicate goldening the Poplar was given the title of sacred to to Mabon.

Associations

Polarity:    Feminine

Element:    Water

Sabbat:     Mabon

Symbols:    Magick of the Joy; the Aging Year; Resurrection; Hop

Deities:     Ua-Ildak, Hecate, Egeria,

Planet:       Jupiter; Saturn and The Sun

Animals:     Whistling Swan;

Colour:      Rufous (Reddish-Brown or Rust Colours)

Crystals:    Amber; Citrine; Sapphire; Swan Fluorite

               

Medicinal & Herbal Uses:

  ·        Stew poplar leaves into a tonic which can be used to treat a fever. This infusion has also been used in treating chronic diarrhoea

  ·        The spring buds of a ‘Balm of Gilead’ can also be made into a tonic or stimulant. Developing this tonic further into a tincture to aid ailments of the chest, stomach and kidneys. This tincture can also ease the symptoms of rheumatism and scurvy.

   ·        There is a sap excreted from the buds which can be boiled down with oil to create a healing ointment effective against bruises, swellings and skin disorders.

   ·        Poplar buds steeped as a tea can be used to ease the aches and pains of rheumatism and arthritis.

Magickal Uses:

   ·        Poplar buds can be used to make charms to aid if financial struggles and attract money.

   ·        Flying ointments, which are used to glide on the back of the wind in astral travel can be enhanced with Poplar buds. There is a recipe from Medieval times which consisted of Cinquefoil, Poplar leaves, soot and Bat’s Blood obtained in the wake of New Moon.

·        Associated with the rune ‘Berkano’.

·        Leaves that tremble, their whisperings bring messages from the God & Goddess to be divined by those hear it, it is therefore considered an oracle by many.

·        Known as ‘the shield-maker’, Poplar would make an excellent protection wand or the leaves and buds scattered as a circle perimeter.

·        Plato inferred that the Black Poplar can be used in conjunction with the Silver Fir to aid in divination. The Silver Fir being a tree of hope; the Black Poplar, a representation of loss of hope.

·        Enlist the help of Poplar for magicks involving transformation, passage and success.

·        Use Poplar for ritual fires (including the Belfire) as its pretective qualities will add to the ritual significantly.

·        Protection being possibly the most prominent of the ability of Poplar, all magicks requiring a protective air can be greatly enhanced by its properties.

·        The Balm of Gilead can be used in magicks to help cure grief, homesickness and the blues in general.

·        Help to mend a broken heart by using Balm of Gilead buds in a red charm bag. Keep such a charm close to your heart. These buds can also be kept under the pillow to aid in healing the heart of love forsaken.

·        Balm of Gilead resin is useful when added to a tincture to ‘fix’ the scent more permenantly.

·        Carry Poplar to increase your resolve and determination against the pressures of daily life.

·        An aspen leaf placed under the tongue is said to encourage eloquence in language, traditionally a gift of the Faerie Queen.

Other Information:

·        Latin names: Common Poplar (Populus Balsamifera); Trembling Poplar (Populus Tremuloides); Balm of Gilead (Populus Candicans)

·        Folk names: All Poplar – Popple, Alamo, Aspen; Trembling Poplar – American Aspen, White Poplar or Quaking Aspen; Balm of Gilead – bombagillia.

·        Known as the Tree that Transcends Fear and the Tree of Heroes.

·        In the Lakota nation the Poplar is known as the sacred World Tree. The Sun dance ceremony is a custom whereby a Poplar is carefully cut and lowered, then is re-erected at the centre of the dance circle. The tree is never tot ouch the ground when being carried, then green branches, a buffalo skull and eagle feathers were used to decorate the tree for the ceremony.

·        Heracles wore a crown of poplar leaves in honour of his victory over giant Cacus and retrieving Cerberus from Hades. The darkened surface of poplar leaves is therefore said to be coloured by the smokey fumes of Hades.

·        The Black Poplar is considered a funeral tree, sacred to Hecate as a Goddess of Death, to Egeria and to Mother Earth.

·        The Grove of Persephone, located in the Far West was said to contain Black Poplars and old Willows. The coffin makers of ancient Ireland used a measuring rod made of Aspen; apparently to remind the souls who have departed this life that death is not the end.

·        It is told, in Christian Lore that ‘quaking’ Poplar/Aspen was used to construct the cross on which Jesus sacrificed himself and the leaves of the tree quiver when they remember this.

The Celtic Year - Heather

There is something very magickal about this herb, which even if you do not study the magickal arts, can be sensed or witnessed. The various colours of red, white, purple and yellow almost give the impression that this wonderous herb can change its mood and it’s properties. It is the bringer of passion and a gateway to the realms of the fae – what other reason in required to love it.

Associations

Polarity:     Feminine

Element:     Water

Sabbat:     Litha

Symbols:    Unbridled passion (and the consequences of it); Protection; Luck

Deities:       Isis; Venus-Erycina; Uroica; Garbh Ogh; Cybele; Osiris; Venus; Guinevere and Butes

Planet:        The Sun; Venus

Animals:      Lark; Honey Bee,; Red Grouse

Colour:       Resin colours; Red; White

Crystals:     Amethyst, Peridot, Amertine, Garnet   

    

Medicinal & Herbal Uses:

   ·        The flowering shots can be used to treat insomnia, stomach aches, coughs and skin ailments.

   ·        As fresh or dried, Heather can strengthen the heart and raises her blood pressure.

    ·        A decoction of flowering tips, when added to your bath can addist in toning muscles and soothing rheumatic pain.

    ·        Made into a tea, this marvellous plant can aid in healing both constipation and urinary infections.

    ·        Use Heather as a solitary to go within and help heal yourself.

   ·        In conjunction with mistletoe, heather can create a powerful healing medicine both physically and spiritually.

Magickal Uses:

·        Charms made with Heather will protect against danger, rape and other violent crimes when worn or carried.

·        Lucky charms made of Heather are particularly potent – White heather is said to be lucky for both the giver and receiver; red heather, however, is said to be dyed by the blood of heathens killed in battle with the Christians.

·        Use in weather magick: burn outside with ferns so the herbal smoke can attract the rain. Also, bouquets of Heather and Fern can also be dipped in water to call rain.

·        Wearing blossoms sacred to the month of your birth is said to bring wonderful good luck – therefore those born during the month associated with Heather (August) should wear it as a charm.

·        Heather is connected to the Otherworld. A sprig of White Heather in a place of a sacred meditation will help you to manifest beings from the spiritual planes.

·        Lore explains that Heather ignites the passions of the fey and opens portals between their world and ours.

·        Carry red heather for passion or white heather to cool the passions of unwanted suitors.

·        A charm bag of heather can be carried to decrease egotism or self-involvement.

Other Information:

·        The Latin name of Heather is calluna vulgaris.

·        Folk names: Common Heather; Lyng, Scottish Heather; Heath

·        White Heather was often considered unlucky by Scottish loyalists due to its connection with banishment of Bonny Prince Charles.

·        Home to a type of Fey called Heather Pixies – beings with a golden aura, delicate, translucent wings and a pranksterish nature. Attracted to moors and the Heather which covers them. They do not avoid human contact but neither do they seek it out.

The Celtic Year - Furze

I find it utterly enchanting that each of the major seasonal sabbats has a dedicated tree. The Furze/Gorse is categorised as a shrub/herb rather than a tree but is particularly sacred to this celebrated Spring day because it is associated particularly with the young sun due to its ability to bloom yellow almost all-year round. I therefore see it, and I hope the ancient Celts would agree, as representation of eternal life and rebirth, reflowering throughout the endless cycle of the Wheel of the Year.

Associations

Polarity:      Masculine

Element:      Fire

Sabbat:      Spring Equinox/Ostara/Eostre

Symbols:     Aries, Fertility, Money,

Deities:       Jupiter, Thor, Onn, On-Niona

Planet:        Mars

Animals:      Cormorant

Colour:       Yellow, Dun

       

Medicinal & Herbal Uses:

• Make a decoction from Furze flowers to be used as a tonic against jaundice, to invoke urination and to cleanse the kidneys of  ‘gravel’ or ‘stones’.
• Parts of the UK once cultivated it to be cut down as burnable fuel for bakers ovens. The ashes from this burning process would then yield a generous supply pf alkali; this was combined with clay and rolled into balls to form a primitive form of soap, used for washing and cleansing.
• The flowers, being a rich sun-like golden yellow, make an excellent yellow dye.

Magickal Uses:

• Both the wood and blooms can be burned for protection or as a preparation for conflict.
• Use Furze in financial magicks to attract gold.
• Plant hedges of the prickly Gorse to protect your home from ‘dark fairies’ who, according to lore, cannot penetrate the hedge.
• Give Furze as a gift to bring luck to the recipient.

Other Information:

• The Latin name for this tree is ulex europaeus
• Folk names: Broom, Frey, Furze, Fyrs, Gorst, Goss, Prickly Broom, Ruffet and Whin
• Sacred to the Druids.
• There is a school of thought which infers giving Gorse as a gift to the one you love will bring anger. An old rhyme that refers to the all-year flowering habits:

When Gorse is out of bloom

Kissing is out of season

• Rich in nectar and pollen making it a wonderful resource for the 6-legged, winged population.