Trees of the Season: excerpts
“At this time of year, we concentrate on blending the element of fire, which represents new thought, inspiration, and action, with the element of water, which represents emotion, feelings, and the heart. Actions are wedded to feeling, the will to the heart. The pure white flowers of the Hawthorn represent the new idea ready to be infused with spiritual fertilization, so things of worth may be born, grown, and manifested. The red haws that appear in autumn remind us to harvest that which was created from our original action.”
-The Healing Power of Trees
“Hawthorn is often planted as a hedge to provide a fence or barrier, as the thorns protect against unwanted or invading influences. This tree is the great guardian of the integrity of our interior space and is also the faerie tree. Though faeries are widely believed to not exist, Hawthorn maintains a protected sphere for the magical realm.”
-The Healing Power of Trees
Hawthorn
“Hawthorns are often guardians of sacred springs and wells, demanding the very best behavior from all mortals who are in their presence. Hawthorn’s guardianship is the reason for the tree’s association with the festival of Beltane (May 1) as it flowers during this season and is traditionally used as the crown of the May Queen, the personification of the goddess.
The hawthorn teaches that the Queen of the May is not easily won, and can only ever wed the Oak King. This ancient mystery teaching concerns the attainment of inner sovereignty and worthiness - union with the goddess. The hawthorn demands only the very best in all things. To win her as your beautiful bride entails successful completion of many tasks and the surmounting of seemingly impossible challenges. The prize is the goddess herself, the sacredness of the land, and the highest possible achievement and honour.”
-Celtic Tree Magic
Oak
“The oak tree is also inseparable from the ancient tradition of the oak king, a symbol of male sovereignty and the fertility god of the green world. From the lessons drawn from the hawthorn comes the purpose for energy, development, and the right use of the power earned from rising to the challenge of the goddess. The primary purpose of kingship is to protect and provide for the people, via the responsible use of power and energy. Sovereignty in the individual runs along the same lines. Duir means “door” as well as “oak tree,” and oak groves are places where the otherworld, the sky world, and the world of earth meet. Thus oak trees are guardian spirits extraordinaire, providing the ability of shamaic flight between worlds and encouraging spiritual development. At the same time, they provide stability and strength for the people. They are father figures and guardians of the soul’s journey.”
-Celtic Tree Magic
“Oak carries the consciousness of our ancestors, who knew how to live in harmony with the cycles of nature. These trees are noble and steadfast, and can help us center. They offer great peacefulness and are quiet watchers of the world. Oak retains all the memories of ceremony, celebration, education, ancient knowledge, and divination through the ages and through our lineages; they are the great “rememberers.”
There are many stories of doorways into huge oak trees. Through such doors, we can journey into the center of the world, or ourselves. Often, doorway visualization was an initiation process involving a task or teaching. Once a pupil had mastered the doorway, they were able to move forward in their lessons of self knowledge and empowerment.”
-The Healing Power of Trees
“The traditional maypole is an Oak tree. A group of coveners selects a tree and the appropriate thanks and gifts are given in exchange. We ask the tree’s permission and then leave tokens of fresh herbs or crystals. We use the same tree year in and year out. Our maypole winters over in my basement. The branches are trimmed, and when Beltane arrives, the tree is secured in a stand. We cover the stand with moss and ferns and flowers and decorate the pole, wrapping it in springtime ribbons. Our flower wreath is suspended from the top.”
-Celebrate the Earth
