Celtic Lunar Year

Willow for love, Oak for strength
by Edain McCoy

Many mystical and magical  uses have been found for the thirteen trees which symbolize the months of the Celtic lunar year, and it is likely, considering the popularity of Celtic Paganism, that many more will be discovered.  However you choose to observe the lunar months,it can be helpful to first imbibe a magical brew designed to attune your body and spirit to the occasion.
Following are the recipes for thirteen teas which will accomplish just that. The measurments given are approximate, and for making one eight-ounce mug full you should use no more than  a single heaping teaspoon of dry herbs placed inside a teaball or cheesecloth strainer.  All liquid measurements should be added to taste.  Allow the tea to steep for at least two minutes, longer if you prefer a stronger flavor.
As always, when ingesting untried substances, be sure to test for any allergic reactions first, and remember no herbal preparation should be taken over the long term without consulting an expert pharmacologist or botanist.
Though very few of the recipes actually contain any part of the trees to which they are attributed, they work quite well because the iringredients rely on using herbs and juices which share magical affinities with the properties of the tree.  These properties are listed after the name of each  tree so that, if you choose to, you can make substitutions based upon this knowledge.  Depending upon the particular Celtic tradition you follow, the  lunar year starts with either the first full moon closest toSamhain or the one just before Yule.

BIRCH MOON
Matters of beginnings and children; purification.
3 partsginger, 1 part lemongrass, pinch of dill, splash of lemon juice.

ROWAN MOON
Empowerment, clairvoyance,air magic, exorcism.
1 part valerian root, 3 parts peppermint, pinch of eyebright, pinch of ginger.
NOTE Valerian is a powerful sedative that affects each person differently.  You may wish to use a very small amount of this herb at first to determine how it affects your body chemistry.

ASH MOON
Matters of the intellect; magic, healing.
2 parts angelica,1/2part sage, 1/2 part black cohosh, pinch of rosemary.
Note:black cohosh can cause a uterus to contract so women who are pregnant should not injest it.

ALDER  MOON
Spirituality; wholeness of being.
1 part linden, 1 part hibiscus, 2 tablespoons of cream or milk, splash of cranberry juice.

WILLOW MOON
Matters of the Otherworld; healing, love, water magic,feminine mysteries.
2 parts willow bark, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract,1/2 part dried apples or a splash of apple juice
Note: willow bark is what aspirin is made from

HAWTHORN MOON
Peace, sleep, dreams, prosperity, happiness.
1 part hawthorn, 1part catnip, 1/2 part rue, 1/2 part chamomile.

OAK MOON
Lust, strength, energy, endurance, fertility, fire magic,malemysteries.
1  1/2 parts white oak bark, 1/2 part mint, 1/2 part orange peel, pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.

HOLLY MOON
Matters of animals; magic, prophecy.
1 part kelp, 1/2 part rose petals, 1/2 part raspberry, pinch of yarrow.

HAZEL  MOON
Manifestations, protections, healing, fertility.
2 parts ginseng,1/2 part mugwort, pinch of savory,  splash of any non-citrus juice.

VINE MOON
Earth magic; sex magic, overcoming difficulties.
1 part blackberry, 1  part dandelion, splash of currant wine or grape juice, pinch of hibiscus

IVY  MOON
Healing, cooperation, binding.
1 part mullien, 1/4 part eucalyptus, 1/2 part barberry

REED MOON
Fertility, love, protection.
1 part red clover, 1 part hyssop, 1part boneset, pinch of slippery elm.

ELDER MOON
Exorcism, prosperity, astral travel, finding fairies.
1 part valerian (see> > note under Rowan Moon), 1 part spearmint, pinch of anise (may
substitute extract), pinch of allspice.