Trees were important to the druids. The celtic zodiac was based of trees. The 13 trees have corrisponding Oghan letters/ruins. The trees haver properties.
Tree and "month"
Tree and magical properties.Celtic Tree Approximate Gregorian
name: name: dates:
Beth (Birch) Dec 24-Jan 20
Luis (Rowan) Jan 21-Feb 17
Nuin (Ash) Feb 18-Mar 17
Fearn (Alder) Mar 18-Apr 14
Saille (Willow) Apr 15-May 12
Huath (Hawthorn) May 13-Jun 9
Duir (Oak) Jun 10-Jul 7
Tinne (Holly) Jul 8-Aug 4
Coll (Hazel) Aug 5-Sep 1
Muin (Vine) Sep 2-Sep 29
Gort (Ivy) Sep 30-Oct 27
Ngetal (Reed) Oct 28-Nov 24
Ruis (Elder) Nov 25-Dec 22
Secret of the Unhewn Stone (intercalary day): Dec 23
Tree, month, and "zodiac" propertiy.ALDER - This tree was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice the Air elementals.
APPLE - Another sacred tree to the Druids. Use apple cider in any old spells calling for blood or wine. Apple indicates choice, and is useful for love and healing Magick.
ASH - A Druid sacred tree. Druid wands were often made of ash because of its straight grain. Ash wands are good for healing and for general and solar Magick. Put fresh ash leaves under your pillow to stimulate psychic dreams.
BIRCH - Also known as Lady of the Woods, Paper Birch and White Birch. Carefully gather strips of the bark at the New Moon. With red ink, write on a birch strip: "Bring me true love." Burn this along with a love incense, saying "Goddess of love, God of desire, bring to me sweet passion's fire." Remember-- It is unwise to use this incantation and ritual directed toward a specific person as that would violate the rule. If a love is to come to you, it must be of that person's free will to do so.
BLACKTHORN - Blackthorn is a winter tree. Its white flowers are seen even before the leaves in the spring. It has black bark with vicious thorns and grows in dense thickets. The wood is used in the cudgel shillelagh and Blasting Stick. Its thorns are used to pierce waxen images. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed.
BROOM - Also known as Scotch Broom or Irish Broom. It can be substituted for furze (gorse) at the Spring Equinox. Sweep your outside ritual areas with it to purify and protect. Burning the blooms and shoots calms the wind. Be cautious if you plant Broom however, it will quickly multiply....
CEDAR - Also known as the Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae, Yellow Cedar. Ancient Celts on the mainland used cedar oil to preserve the heads of enemies taken in battle. To draw Earth energy and ground yourself, place the palms of your hands against the ends of the leaves.
ALDER - Also known as ELKHORN, ELDERBERRY, Lady Elder. Sacred to the White Lady and Midsummer Solstice. The Druids used it to both bless and curse. Standing under an elder tree at Midsummer, like standing in a Faery Ring of mushrooms, will help you see the "Little People." Alder wands can be used to drive out evil spirits. Remember the words of the Rede. Elder is the Lady's Tree, burn it not or cursed ye be!
ELM - A slightly fibrous, tan-colored wood with a slight sheen. Elm is often associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses, and was said to be the abode of Faeries. Elm wood is valued for it's resistance to splitting, and the inner bark was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell.
FIR - Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions on the upper slopes. Fir cones respond to rain by closing and the sun by opening. Fir can see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and below. Fir indicates high views and long sights with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come.
FIR (SILVER) - Also known as The Birth Tree. The needles are burned at childbirth to bless and protect the mother and baby.
FURZE - Also known as Gorse, Whin. Its golden flowers are associated with the Spring Equinox. Wood and blooms are burned for protection and preparation for conflict of any sort.
HAWTHORN - Also known as May Tree and White Thorn. Wands made of this wood have great power. The blossoms are highly erotic to men. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage spells.
HAZEL - Wands made of this wood symbolize white Magick and healing. Forked sticks are used to find water or buried treasure. To enlist the aid of plant Faeries, string hazelnuts on a cord and hang up in your house or ritual room. Magickally, Hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration.
HOLLY - A beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain, it looks very much like ivory. Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore and is important to the Winter Solstice.Holly may be used in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death. A bag of leaves and berries carried by a man is said to increase his ability to attract women.
JUNIPER - Its berries were used with thyme in Druid and Grove incenses for visions. Juniper grown by the door discourages thieves. The mature berries can be strung and hung in the house to attract love.
MISTLETOE - Also known as Birdlime, All Heal and Golden Bough. It was the most sacred tree of the Druids, and ruled the Winter Solstice. The berries are poisonous! Bunches of mistletoe can be hung as an all-purpose protective herb. The berries are used in love incenses.
OAK - The oak is the "King of Trees" and is been considered sacred by just about every culture.The Celts held the oak in particular esteem because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. Magick wands were made of its wood. Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. The Druids and Priestesses listened to the rustling oak leaves and the wrens in the trees for divinatory messages. Burning oak leaves purifies the atmosphere. It can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own specialties to the Magick.
PINE - The Pine tree is an evergreen, its old title was "the sweetest of woods." It was known to the Druids as one of the seven chieftain trees of the Irish. Mix the dried needles with equal parts of juniper and cedar and burn to purify the home and ritual area. The cones and nuts can be carried as a fertility charm. A good Magickal cleansing and stimulating bath is made by placing pine needles in a loose-woven bag and running bath water over it. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush the ground with a pine branch.
ROWAN - Also known as Mountain Ash, Witchwood and Sorb Apple has long been known as an aid in protection and control against enchantment and beguiling. Sticks of the Rowan were used to carve Runes on. Its lovely red berries feed the birds in winter. The Rowan was sacred to the Druids and the Goddess Brigit. It is a very Magickal tree used for rods, amulets and spells. Wands made from the rowan are for knowledge, locating metal and general divination.
WILLOW - Also known as White Willow, Tree of Enchantment and Witches' Aspirin. Once of the seven sacred trees of the Irish, a Druid sacred Tree. The willow is a Moon tree sacred to the White Lady. Its groves were considered so Magickal that priests, priestesses and artisans sat among these trees to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills and prophecies. For a wish to be granted ask permission of the willow, explaining your desire. Select a pliable shoot and tie a loose knot in it while expressing what you want. When the wish is fulfilled. Return and untie the knot. Remember to thank the willow and leave a gift.
YEW - Another important tree to the Winter Solstice and the deities of death and rebirth. It is a beautifully smooth, gold-colored wood with a wavy grain. The Irish used it to make dagger handles, bows and wine barrels. The wood or leaves were laid on graves as a reminder to the departed spirit that death was only a pause in life before rebirth. All parts of the tree are poisonous except the fleshy covering of the berry. The Yew may be used to enhance Magickal and psychic abilities, and to induce visions.
BETH (Birch) December 24 to January 20 - Born under this sign, you have unwavering inner strength and gladly lend support to those who rely on you. Purity of thought and a knack for realistic evaluation and quiet determination are also associated with this tree sign.
LUIS (Rowan) January 21 to February 17 - Born under this Magickal sign, you use your intuition and higher understanding to enchant and protect. Quite often you are seen as unusual by others, mainly due to your ability to envision the future.
NION (Ash) February 18 to March 17 - Born under this sign are those who have a knowing of the connection between ourselves, our planet, and our universe. You feel the pain and joys of all living creatures, which makes you most compassionate.
FEARN (Alder) March 18 to April 14 - Born under this sign, you have tremendous courage and power to win in disputes. But be careful not to dissipate your strength in meaningless debate.
SAILLE (Willow) April 15 to May 12 - This tree is associated with the Moon in all phases. Born under this sign you are an instinctive creature, reacting to gut responses rather than intellectual information. Be careful of the rhythm of your moods and pay close attention to your dreams - they will help you navigate thru life.
UATH (Hawthorn) May 13 to June 9 - A sign of fertility and death. If born under this sign you have an innate understanding of the importance of process and the necessity for change.
DUIR (Oak) June 10 to July 7 - Born under this sign, you have strength of character and purpose to endure, no matter what your challenges. Direct your energies wisely.
TINNE (Holly) July 8 to August 4 - Those born under this sign have a strong connection with the Earth and posess amazing physical strength. Your matter-of-fact solidness and generous spirit are respected and admired by others.
COLL (Hazel) August 5 to September 1 - Born under this sign, you are wise and have the ability to communicate ideas, making you capable of transforming the thoughts and opinions of others.
MIUN (Vine) September 2 to September 29 - Those born under this sign are natural socializers, with keen abilities to restore balance to all situations. You are instinctive and amazingly perceptive.
GORT (Ivy) September 30 to October 27 - Born under this sign your abilities further your personal goals and your personal causes. Be sure to use this talent productively.
NGETAL (Reed) October 28 to November 24 - Born under this sign you have secret strengths, as well as secret motivations. Use your detective abilities wisely.
RUIS (Elder) November 25 to December 22 - Those born under this sign are able to live and prosper under any conditions. You live many lives during your time here and will carry memories into every venture. You are a gypsy and a student gathering experience and knowledge to eventually become a great teacher.
December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the traditional day of the proverbial "Year and a Day" in the earliest courts of law.
Trees and letters.
This image shows tree/month with alphabetic symbol.The Druid Alphabet was used for communication, sacred purposes and divination. Each consonant of the Alphabet represented a moon cycle; therefore, the Druid year was comprised of thirteen months. The extra day was a "non-calendar" day of ritual, used to "renew"
![Image](http://tarot.com/images/product/en_us/85100/85100-intro-graphic.jpg)
A bit more.
Links- Beth, the Birch Month (December 24th - January 20th)
L - Luis, the Rowan Month (January 21st - February 17th)
N - Nion, the Ash month (February 18th - March 17th)
F - Fearn, the Alder Month (March 18th - April 14th)
S - Saille, the Willow Month (April 15th - May 12th)
H - Huath, the Hawthorn Month (May 13th - June 9th)
D - Duir, the Oak Month (Jun 10th - July 7th)
T - Tinne, the Holly Month (July 8th - August 4th)
C - Coll, the Hazel Month (August 5th - September 1st)
M - Muin, the Vine Month (September 2nd - September 29th)
G - Gort, the Ivy Month (September 30th - October 27th
Ng - Ngetal, the Reed Month (October 28th - November 24th)
R - Ruis, the Elder Month (November 25th - December 23rd)
The five vowels I, A, O, U, and E have corresponding tree names to the nights of the solstices and equinoxes:
I - Idho, the Night of the Yew, Winter Solstice Eve
A - Ailm, the Night of the Silver Fir, Winter Solstice
* - Herb too sacred to have a Celtic name, the Night of Mistletoe, Day after Winter Solstice
O - Onn, the Night of the Gorse Bush, Spring Equinox
U - Ura, the Night of the , Summer Solstice
E - Eadha, the Night of the White Poplar, Alban Elfed or Autumnal Equinox
http://pages.prodigy.net/groovyskye/11.html
http://www.angelfire.com/wizard2/celticoghamtrees/
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... N%26um%3D1
http://dutchie.org/Tracy/tree.html
Sorry for it being mostly copy and paste. I'll say more latter. Any questions? Ogham thread comming soon. The most important are, Oak, Ash, and (Haw)Thorn... Mistle Toe...