Garden Witch's Herbal (17 page)

Birch (
Betula
spp.
)
December 24–January 20

The birch tree symbolizes the rebirth of the sun at the winter solstice. The beautiful white bark of the birch makes it a very popular wood for Yule logs. This tree symbolizes new beginnings. The goddess Arianrhod was petitioned for her aid in childbirth and initiations by way of the birch tree. In Norse mythology, Thor, Frigga, and Freya were all linked to the birch tree as well.

In olden times, hanging birch branches inside of your home was thought to protect you from infertility, the evil eye, and lightning. The silver birch, a popular wood for a woman's ceremonial broomstick, is sometimes called the “lady of the woods.” This is a feminine tree and one of enchantments. The elementary association for the birch tree is water, and the planetary ruler is Venus. In some traditions, the birch is linked with a Maiden Goddess such as Eostre. This Anglo-Saxon goddess was celebrated as the birch leaves grew from her time of the Spring Equinox until Beltane.

The birch is associated with faerie magick and Beltane, for the trees were popularly used as Maypoles. In addition, the birch has been linked with the sabbats of Samhain and Lughnasadh, the final and the first harvest festivals, respectively. In some northern countries, the leafing out of the birch tree signals the start of the agricultural year, but in truth, the magickal birch is venerated practically year-round. The Irish name for the birch is Beith.

Rowan (
Sorbus aucuparia
)
January 21–February 17

The rowan is also known as mountain ash and is a sacred tree for all earth religions. Some old folk names for the rowan are quickbeam and quicken. A rowan growing near a stone circle was believed to be especially protective and powerful. Rowan tree day is celebrated on May 3. The Celtic goddess Brigid was associated with the rowan tree, which makes sense, as the sabbat Imbolc/Candlemas (also known as Brigid's Day) is celebrated during this Celtic month on February 2. Brigid, a triple goddess of fire, smithcraft, and poetry, is still a wildly popular goddess with modern Witches.

All parts of the rowan are utilized in magick: the leaves, blooms, twigs, and berries. The berries are especially sought after by songbirds. In the garden, the rowan, or mountain ash, is a small tree that has four-season interest, from the springtime blooms to the lush green summer foliage. In the fall, it shows off golden scarlet leaves and finally produces red berries for the birds in the winter.

The rowan has the planetary association of the sun and the elementary correspondence of fire. As a tree of old magick, and considering its protective qualities, the fire association seems appropriate. Groves of rowans were preserved and protected as visionary sanctuaries. The rowan/mountain ash is a Druid's tree and one of the holy trees of the ancient Celtic forests. It is rumored that the faeries may adopt a solitary rowan tree, taking it over as a home and a sort of magickal safe house. Any earth magick can be enhanced by working beneath a rowan tree or by fashioning a wand out of a fallen branch. Other associated sabbats include Lughnasadh, Beltane, and Midsummer. The Irish name for the rowan is
Luis
.

Ash (
Fraxinus excelsior
)
February 18–March 17

The ash is part of the faerie trinity of trees (the oak, ash, and thorn). The ash is rumored to be a tree of enchantment and is a very suitable wood for a wand or staff, as it is a strong, supple wood. In Norse mythology, the ash plays a significant role. The sacred ash tree Yggdrasil was the divine frame that supported the entire world. It was a tree of life and also a popular tree with the faeries. It is thought that if you make a heartfelt request for healing and protection and tie a strand of your own hair onto the branch of an ash tree, the faeries will grant your request. This tree is associated with Woden, Thor, Neptune/Poseidon, and the Greek goddess Nemesis, who was thought to carry an ash branch as a symbol of divine justice.

The ash is associated with the element of water, and its planetary ruler is the sun. Carrying ash twigs fashioned together in a solar cross was thought to protect you from accidents on the water. (If you own a boat, perhaps you could tuck the amulet somewhere inside of the boat.) The element of water relates to emotions and psychic gifts. If you place an ash leaf beneath your pillow, it is said to encourage psychic abilities and cause prophetic dreams.

The leaves of the ash tree may be used as an offering while you cast a circle. As you call each quarter, scatter a handful of ash leaves to the winds. By doing this, you tap into the vast elemental powers of the trees and the earth. Wands made from ash wood are used for healing, prosperity, and protection. Displaying a staff made out of ash at the entrance of your home, perhaps hung over the inside front door, wards the home from negativity and theft.

Also, placing an ash leaf at each of the four corners of your home was thought to help protect your home from unwanted astral visitors and manipulative magick. It also denotes a magickal safe house. Its Irish name is
Nuin
.

Alder (
Alnus glutinosa
)
March 18–April 14

The alder tree is reported to be popular with the undines and water spirits. A tree native to Europe, the alder is an unusual tree in that it is the only broadleaf tree that bears cones. The alder is often linked to the willow, as they are both water-loving trees and were thought to bless pools and springs by growing nearby. The alder is associated with beginnings, birth, and healing. It has links to mystical white faerie horses and to the unicorn. An alder was also a way to gain access to the faerie lands.

An old alder spell was to place a leaf in each shoe when traveling. This was thought to cause the faeries to bless you while on your journey. Try casting alder leaves at each quarter of your circle on the eve of the Spring Equinox, or the festival of Ostara, if you care to try to communicate with the faeries. Please remember to thank the nature spirits when you have finished your ritual, and leave them a small token such as a crystal point or a small, plain cake (in other words, a cookie). In the Italian tradition, the alder is associated with spring fire festivals.

Alder's further correlations with the element of fire may seem contrary, and they are a little intense. In old Ireland, it was believed that if you purposely cut down an alder, it would cause your house to burn down. The alder has links to the god Bran, a beloved Pagan god whose totem animal was the raven. The raven is a bird of wisdom whose appearance often signifies change.

The alder is ruled by the planet Venus. It is also associated with the autumnal equinox and the sabbat of Samhain. The element of water is associated with the western direction as well as the season of autumn, as the west is the direction of the setting sun, the waning year, and the direction of the Summerland. The Irish name for the alder tree is Fearn.

Willow (
Salix
spp.
)
April 15–May 12

A willow is a tree of the element of water and is ruled by the moon. It is incorporated into lunar magick, prophecy, healing, and women's mysteries. The wood of the willow makes a powerful healing wand for a woman. There are many goddesses associated with the willow tree such as Hecate, Lilith, Persephone, Morgana, and Cerridwen. The sorceress Circe was thought to have cared for a cemetery planted with the willow and dedicated to Hecate. Hecate, the only Titan who kept her powers after Zeus took over, was a willow and dark moon goddess. This three-faced goddess guarded the crossroads, and it was believed that when dogs howled at night, they were answering Hecate's call. Hecate is a powerful deity to call upon, for she rules the earth, the sky, and the sea—all three magickal realms. The willow tree, Hecate's tree, has been a popular tree for magick and enchantments for centuries.

The strongest times of the year for working willow tree magick would be at the full moons and the sabbats of Beltane and Samhain, those two nights when the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is the thinnest. Working with willow leaves or burning them on a bonfire at Samhain was thought to call spirits forth. While this is an intriguing notion, be sure that you are working within a cast circle and that you actually know how to send a spirit back to the other side before you try this. (If you're not sure, then leave this type of magick alone.) Remember who is associated with the willow, after all; if you work with Hecate carelessly, you'll get more than your fingers slapped. Consider yourself warned.

On a lighter note, it was thought that if you gently tap your knuckles on the trunk of the tree three times, it would ward off bad luck: “Knock on wood.” The faeries are also linked to this tree, and you should feel their presence if you meditate under a willow tree on Beltane eve. An old charm is to stand under a willow's weeping branches and gaze up at the full moon. Make an unselfish wish, and then gently tie a loose knot in the supple branch of the willow tree. Breathe upon it, and blow a kiss to the moon. Your request is sure to be granted. Its Irish name is Saille.