Garden Witch's Herbal (18 page)

Hawthorn (
Crataegus
spp.
)
May 13–June 9

The hawthorn is the second part of the faerie trinity of trees. The hawthorn represents the element of fire and is ruled by the planet Mars. This tree stands for magickal secrets, fertility, and eternal life. The hawthorn also made an appearance in our hedgerow chapter. This tree in its many varieties is a wild and bewitching tree. Some folk names include whitethorn and may. An amulet to protect against fire can be made from the twigs of a hawthorn tree; bind the twigs together with red thread into the shape of a pentagram, then hang up the star in the kitchen with a white ribbon. This will protect against household fires. An early hawthorn goddess was Olwen. Wherever this goddess walked, white flowers would spring up beneath her feet. Because of this, she was called Olwen of the white track, or path.

It was thought that if you gathered together hawthorn blooms and sat quietly and serenely beneath the tree on any of the following evenings—Beltane Eve, summer solstice, or Samhain—your patience would be rewarded by a visit from the nature spirits and the faeries. The blooms from the hawthorn were fashioned into garlands and swags for celebrations as well as bridal bouquets. Try floating a few hawthorn blossoms on the water, and make a request to the Lord and Lady for fertility and prosperity. The Irish name for the hawthorn is Huathe.

Oak (
Quercus
spp.
)
June 10–July 7

The oak is the final companion in the faerie trinity of trees, and as you would expect, the oak is compatible with faerie and nature spirit magick. The elemental correspondences for this tree are earth and fire. A sentinel oak is often used as a marker to denote a magickal place. It is a protective and wise tree and one well worth growing on your property. The oak tree has an ancient and knowing spirit. The rustling of oak leaves is thought to be the whispers of the old gods. Meditate on that sound; what do you think they are trying to teach you? As acorns drop down in September, what little nuggets of wisdom do you think may be falling into your life?

There are many different species of the oak; however, the magickal associations are typically the same. The oak is associated with sky gods and, of course, the Oak King and the Holly King. Many goddesses of fire and fertility have ties to the magickal oak such as the Celtic triple goddess Brigid. The oak is the favored sacred tree in the Druidic tradition. In this magickal tradition, the gods were usually celebrated at the solstices and the equinoxes, and the goddesses were celebrated at the cross-quarter days of Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.

The oak is associated with the element of fire and the sun. Magickally, the oak and the acorn are worked into charms for fertility and prosperity. The acorn may also be a natural symbol for the God. Work with the oak's leaves in your spells and charms to encourage valor, truth, and strength. The Irish name for the oak is Duir.

Holly (
Ilex
spp.
)
July 8–August 4

Both the oak and the holly are symbolized by the summer and winter solstices. The holly is a symbol of the life force. It is a lucky tree to grow at home in your garden, as it is believed to protect the home and its occupants from lightning, negativity, and bad luck. A popular plant with the winter nature spirits, this shrub (or standard tree, depending on the variety) is one to consider adding to your gardens. The male holly was thought to be auspicious for men, while the female holly was a good-luck charm for women.

How do you tell a male from a female holly? Well, the female holly produces plenty of berries, and the male holly produces small, pale green flowers (for pollination) and only a few berries. Also, if you have a female holly in your yard but there is no male to pollinate it, it will not produce any berries. You will need at least one male to fertilize all your female holly plants. Also, look at the names of the shrubs at the nursery such as ‘China Girl' or ‘China Boy'.

Some of the older varieties of the holly feature smooth leaves that are variegated, smooth, and lobed (female) or that are solid colors with prickles (male). The elemental correspondence for the holly is fire, and its planetary influence is Mars. Magickally, the holly is used for protection from angry spirits. The holly features prominently in winter solstice celebrations and is used to decorate Yule logs, wreaths, and midwinter altars. The Irish name for the holly is Tinne.

Hazel (
Corylus avellana
)
August 5–September 1

The hazel is associated with the Celtic star goddess Arianrhod. Arianrhod was thought to have blessed the hazel tree with wisdom, knowledge, beauty, and fertility. Hazel is also a popular choice for hedgerow planting, and it is a tree of wishes, magick, and Witchcraft. Hazel is a popular wood for divining rods. White hazel wands were thought to have been carried by the Druids as a symbol of their authority. Planting a trio of hazel trees on your property was rumored to encourage the faeries to live there. In this miniature grove, all earth magick was thought to be doubly blessed.

Weather omens were sought by looking at the shells of the hazelnut. If the shells were thin, then a mild winter was predicted. If the shells were thick, then a long, cold winter with many storms was expected. The elemental correspondences for the hazel tree are both air and fire, and its planetary association is Mercury. The nuts, which become ripe in the fall months, are worked into charms for fertility, knowledge, and divination. Try painting a rune for inspiration on a hazelnut, and carry that with you as an amulet or charm.

If you'd like to protect your home from fire and misfortune, then bundle together a small bunch of hazel twigs on the spring equinox, the sabbat of Ostara. Tie these little twigs together with a white satin ribbon and bless these in the name of Arianrhod. Hang them near your home's fireplace to ward off chimney fires and accidents in the home.

Sabbat associations for the hazel tree are Ostara, Beltane, and Mabon. Weaving sprigs of hazel into a chaplet for your hair and wearing this on Beltane eve was thought to grant you good luck for a year and possibly the power of invisibility. Hazel branches cut on Midsummer's eve are often used for divining rods. The Irish name for the hazel is Coll.

Vine (
Vitis vinifera
)
September 2–September 29

The grapevine symbolizes emotions, sensuality, the harvest, and prosperity. Prophecy, truth, and intuition are also associated with the vine. Although there are many varieties of vines, the usual reference in sacred or magickal art and symbolism is the grapevine. Grapes were cultivated by the Egyptians some 6,000 years ago and were most likely introduced into Britain by the Romans. This fruit-bearing plant has the magickal associations of the moon and the element of water. The grapevine also corresponds to the sabbat Mabon, the autumnal equinox.

The wine god Bacchus/Dionysus is traditionally entwined into the grapevine mythology, as well as a few harvest goddesses such as Ceres/Demeter. In some magickal traditions, the elm tree and the grapevine are looked upon as magickal partners, as elm trees were often planted in the vineyards to help provide shade and to shield the grapes.

The grapevine wreath is a standard base for many decorative wreaths today. Try using a little magickal creativity and work in the ancient symbolism of the harvest. You could add silk grape leaves and artificial grapes and embellish your prosperity wreath with deep purple ribbons. If you want something less harvest-oriented, you could cover the grapevine wreath with an assortment of magickal herbs, rosehips, or even dried chili peppers. Either way, it would create a great-smelling, practical magick wreath to hang up in the kitchen. In the Druid's alphabet, the letter for the vine is M; the Irish name is Muinn.

Ivy (
Hedera helix
)
September 30–October 27

The evergreen ivy is a symbol of the faerie. Ivy represents visions, inner knowledge, and the enigmatic and mystical. The ivy vine may be worked into spells and charms to call in the faeries and for magickal protection, bindings, and to ward off psychic attack.

Wherever ivy grows or is strewn, it guards against negativity and adversity. There is an old charm that tells a young woman to gather a leaf from the ivy vine and hold it close to her heart to divine who her future husband will be. Here is a more modern spin on that old herbal charm: gather the ivy leaf on the evening of a waxing crescent moon. Tie a small piece of white ribbon in a bow around the ivy stem as you imagine the personality qualities that would make for a good partner (remember not to focus on a specific individual). Face west, and watch the moon for a few moments as it sets. Then repeat this charm three times:

Ivy leaf, ivy leaf, I love you

Pray show me now a love so true

The first young man who speaks to me

My future husband he shall be.

Keep the leaf with you until the moon waxes to full, then keep the ribbon as a token of the spell, and return the leaf to nature. The variegated ivy actually symbolizes fidelity, which helps explain its popularity in bridal bouquets.