The Compost Heap
Autumn 2005

Trees with Masculine Energies

Sacred woods are usually collected with a purpose in mind, crafting these branches or sticks into wands for directing particular energies can be a very effective way to increase the potency of rituals or spell work. Depending on your motivation, different trees can lend a variety of energies - now for the hard part - selecting a sacred wood that is just right.
Trees with masculine powers usually have projective energy; it doesn't take long to find the right tree for your magical work. Although I suggest to take your time and look for fallen wood first, if not and the only way to collect a branch is to harvest directly from the tree, make sure the cut is quickly and neatly done and always give something of yourself back, a gift for the wood you have taken.

Sacred Trees (part 2)

Rowan

The Rowan tree is sacred to the Dark Mother and Crone aspect, this may be why we see the Rowan tree growing at either the gate way to, or planted in rows around the boundary of cemeteries. Sometimes called a Mountain Ash, Witch Bane or Quick Beam its red-orangey berries and pointed leaves are striking and easily identified. Look closely at these tiny berries, marked by the pentagram on their underside holding tight through winter, they symbolise the endurance of Life through the dark of the year. The Rowan is a protective tree, twigs bound together with red thread to make a cross shape has been used as a magical amulet for centuries. A tree of astral vision and protection, particularly good for warding off evil spirits, Rowan traditionally is said to avert storms and lightning, and bring peace. Interestingly this sacred tree is associated with dragons, a wand fashioned by a Rowan branch will draw it's user into a partnership of shared Earth energy. The dragon embodies a primal power a strong force of creativity and natural ebb and flow.

Ash

Most trees are protective; the Ash also has healing properties. Wands and staves used during healing can be fashioned from Ash wood, leaves from the Ash tree placed in a bowl of water and left over night can prevent illness. The Ash tree is attuned with the element water, many references can be found connecting the two. In North America Ash wood grain was split into planks then made into ceremonial boxes to hold water. In Viking myths mortals drank form chalices made from Ash wood, they drank Ambrosia (drink of the Gods) toasting the Gods that provide immortality. Hanging upside-down on the Ash tree, Odin drank of the spring of destiny at its roots, and the runes were revealed to him. Tradition holds the Ash also to be sacred to Llyr and the Greek Poseidon, Lord of Sea, horses, and metamorphosis. The Greek goddess Nemesis carried an ash wand as symbol of divine justice. With it, she ensures that fortune (good or ill) is shared among all people and not only by the few. Nemesis is also called "Nemesis of the rain-making ash", daughter of the sea-god Oceanus. Ash carved into a solar cross can be carried as protection against drowning while travelling the sea.

Maple

Sacred to the Autumn Equinox fiery red and orange leaves through all the autumn show us why, this bold celebration of the season speaks of life the cycle of life, death and rebirth. The Maple tree can be seen in conjunction with the great horned owl who is herald of the coming feast on Samhain, all magic and mystery. Maple is a strongly masculine wood, somewhat rebellious and tough, but with a beautiful smooth, fine grain. Maple leaves are very distinctive and are used during love spells and prosperity rituals, maple can call in success and abundance. As such it is associated with the life-giving sap of the trees, providing food and sweetness for those who treat it with respect and care.

Hawthorn

The Hawthorn is tree of love and therefore sacred to Beltane, the May King and Queen are chosen to represent the God and Goddess during the Beltane rite. Clocked in green and crowned with wreaths of Hawthorn blossoms, for the aphrodisiac scent of the flowers encouraged the couple to emulate the Lord and Lady by making merry in near by fields. Throughout Western Europe, Hawthorn is greatly esteemed as a magical tree bearing protective and visionary powers. In Celtic tradition, it was believe that Hawthorn found growing with Oak and Ash was a sacred place where fairies dwelled. The wood of Hawthorn is fine-grained and suited for carving delicate items and magical objects. Hawthorn has sweetly shaped deep green foliage and berry bunches that turn dark crimson after the first frost, these berries can be used to ease the grief of a broken heart and to open the heart to new love.

Hazel

The Hazel tree is associated with knowledge and wisdom, to gain these powers simply meditate under its sweeping branches and snack upon a few nuts. Traditionally Hazel nuts where pierced, strung and placed over windows for protection from house fires and lightning or given as a wedding gift for good fortune. Hazelnuts are also connected magically to the heart charka. Although this tree is ruled by the elemental guardians of Air, forked branches of Hazel are sort after by water dowsers. Magical protection is a gift from the Hazel, if you are quickly in need of safety draw a circle around yourself with a Hazel stick.

Cedar

Sacred to the festival of Imbolc, the evergreen Cedar tree holds the promise of eternal life. Protection and preservation are aspects of the Cedar sometimes known as the Tree of Life. Cedar is especially powerful for clearing negativity from an area prior to magical work; the incense burnt from Cedar wood shavings is highly recommended in the consecration of a magical wand. For grounding purposes draw forth Earth energy from Cedar, place your finger tips upon the edge of its leaves. This is also the appropriate wood to create boxes for jewels to be kept in, especially if you have amethysts or sapphires. It is said that Unicorns house their gems in boxes of Cedar.

Linden

This Linden is sometimes called the lime or basswood tree. Linden wood is laden with the power of attraction that underlies not only love but infatuation and harmony, attracting such forces as magnetism and adhesion. The bark of the Linden can be carried to prevent intoxication, branches could be hung over garden gateways to keep vegetable thieves at bay. Linden is a very light, smooth wood excellent for carving and capable of supporting fine details.

Oak

The Oak is the principal sacred tree of the Druids, symbolizing the turning of the year. The Oak represents the trial we all go through in life while changing and becoming who we are meant to be, while also considering the greater good and moral responsibilities. The Oak rules the light part of the year while the Holly rules the dark part. Oak traditionally provided not only one of the most durable woods for construction and fuel, but also the acorn from which the early tribes fed their pigs throughout the winter. The Oak is one of the longest lived trees, thus embodying great wisdom as well as strength. The acorn is associated magically with a helmeted head and so to the crown charka, also if carried protects its bearer from all harm. Wearing an acorn in Roman times was conceded a symbol of fertility. Natural branches of Oak are often twisted and gnarly and have a coarse, dark grain producing a hard and heavy wood. The leaves of the Oak are a translucent lime green during early spring developing into a deep forest green through the summer months, changing (depending on the variety) into a dark redy-brown. To catch a falling Oak leaf in autumn bodes well for winter time.
Never gather from an Oak which is host for the mistletoe. These trees are best served by participating in rituals beneath its branches. There is no more a magical wood for wand making and the Oak is especially noted for enhancing the endurance of spells against time and counter spells.

Holly

Holly has long been regarded as a powerful protective wood, working well against evil spirits, poisons, angry elementals, and lightning. It is also associated with dream magick and fertility, and is well-suited for any magick dealing with the overthrow of old authorities and success in business. Garlands of Holly leaves decorate the home at Yule and provide good luck for the remainder of the year. Associated with the Holly King who defeats the Oak King at Midsummer each year and reigns until the Winter Solstice, Holly is one of the most fiery of woods and second only to Oak for its sacred regard by the Druids. Holly wood is very fine-grained, hard, and smooth, and almost ivory in colour if it is not stained. It is a truly exquisite wood for wand making. Berries from the Holly are poisonous for human consumption, although the leaves can be seeped in water and sprinkled over new born babies for luck and protection. While Holly has masculine associations; Ivy is the corresponding feminine plant. Holly also represents those eternal, ever-green aspects of Mother Earth.

Blackthorn

The Blackthorn is a winter tree, sometimes called the sloe or mother wood tree. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed. Hung over doorways or carried the blackthorn wards off evil and banishes negative vibrations. Guarded by Fairies, if harmed or cut on the wrong day misfortune will follow he who fells the tree. Producing sweet fruit from clustered white blossoms that are seen before leaves have grown during the spring. Blackthorn sports thick black bark and viciously sharp thorns, this is where its name originates.

Juniper

The Juniper is a hex breaker, mainly used as incense during ritual and was probably one of the first herbal incenses burnt purely for its fragrant scent. Producing tiny black berries which can be collected upon the waning moon, dried and kept to banish ill health or ground down and added to make a calming tea. Juniper comes from the conifer family and provides protective elements; needles can be gathered and burnt fresh on charcoal blocks. 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.

Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is also called Snapping Hazel, Spotted Alder or Winter Bloom, flowering only when the last leaf has fallen during autumn. The Witch Hazel is a small tree growing just over three metres high, small edible black nuts follow yellow blossoms. Witch Hazel has been used as divining rods, the bark and twigs can protect against evil influences. Witch Hazel cools the passions and can be used to mend a broken heart.

Pine

The Pine is an evergreen tree sometimes known as Wood Sweet; all parts of the Pine release the most wonderful fragrance, and as such is used frequently in ritual incenses. 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 pine cone gathered on Midsummer can be an awesome magical object. Folk lore says if you eat a nut from such a pine cone you will be immune to gunshot! The Pine symbolizes continuation and hardiness. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush the ground with a Pine branch, Pine needles are also burnt to reverse a spell or to send back a spell. In Japan it was customary to place branches of Pine above gate and door ways to ensure continual happiness and joy within, this is clearly symbolised with these ever green boughs.