The Forever Trees of the Ancient Forests

The historical forests have been lush and thick. The bushes grew to towering heights and their branches stretched large.  Multi-layered canopies with differing kinds of branches interwoven like fingers.  This sample allowed simply sufficient daylight to penetrate and nurture the flowers under.  With little or no human disturbance outdoors of passing hunters or gatherers, the bushes have been wholesome and dominant.  Yet, as the time of mankind grew extra dominant, issues started to alter.  At first, when extra people interacted with the forest, it was in a non-destructive approach.  Some would even see it as helpful.  Fallen timber was gathered for firewood, conserving the threat of hearth at a minimal.  There have been some robust green branches that have been lower for arrow shafts and spears, however to not the diploma of doing actual harm.  And a small quantity of bushes have been felled for building functions, however once more, to not a harmful stage.  There was an incredible steadiness with folks solely taking what they wanted to outlive.  The forests shortly regenerated and continued to prosper.  It went with out saying that everybody anticipated that the forests would stay intact for so long as they lived.

The Trees and the Druids

To add a degree of reference, this evaluation begins with the historical European forests.  There, the bushes themselves have been magnificent in all methods.  Over time, every species was embraced and understood for its pure and magickal traits.  Of all teams, the Celtic Druids have been one of the first and most vital teams that really acknowledged the significance of bushes.  They noticed that some have been symbolic, others has medicinal makes use of, and nonetheless others have been thought-about houses for the spirits of their land.  Druids would usually enterprise deep into the dark forests to meditate and commune with the bushes.  In reality, the phrase Druid originates as an historical phrase for oak (dru), mixed with (wid) – to know.  Hence the Druids got here to be generally known as folks with data of the oak bushes.  Those who possessed data of the oak have been believed to own data of all the bushes.

Other cultures throughout the outdated world, outdoors of Celtic affect would additionally place values on their forests and their native bushes.  Some have been prized for the fruits they produced; primarily the apple. pear, and plum, but in addition many others.  Some positioned larger worth on hardwoods akin to maple, hickory, and of course the many species of oak.  Some societies prized the nut bushes akin to the pecan or black walnut.  Unofficially, it appeared that every tradition would rank them on significance and total worth.  This might be confirmed by finding out outdated manuscripts, by which there are numerous similarities.  Trees have been copiously written about and for that we’re grateful because it gives us with a wealth of data.  However, it ought to be famous that each outdated world record had 4 bushes in widespread.  These are, in no particular order, the ash, the oak, the birch, and the yew.  These are the eternally bushes of the historical forests.  Their historical past, worth, and longevity appear to have lasted eternally.

Ash Trees

The widespread ash is a tall and really dapper tree, simply identifiable by its mild grey bark.  It is kind of easy in youthful bushes however turns into scaly and rougher as the bushes age.  One distinctive high quality about ash bushes which makes it straightforward to determine are its opposing branches.  This trait is unusual even when the total world is taken into account.  Common tree sorts with opposing branches are the ash, maple, dogwood, and horse chestnut.  The leaves of an ash tree are compound, that means every leaf has multiple leaflet whereas the total leaf, as outlined, has a bud at its stem base.  Ash bushes sometimes have roughly 5-9 leaflets per leaf.  The illustrations under present each options.

There are 65 species of Ash bushes.  In our fashionable world, most varieties develop to between 50 and 80 ft., with canopies that unfold as much as 50 ft.  Historically these bushes have been thought to develop bigger, however sadly there aren’t any information level to evaluation for comparability.  Ash bushes are dense and the wooden is difficult but in addition elastic.  Also, they grew very straight and had lengthy lengths out there for wood-workers. They have been used extensively in building of oars, furnishings, instruments and handles of all kinds; together with brooms and weaponry.  The leaves of an ash tree are dark green in spring and summer season. As the season shifts to autumn, the cooler temperatures result in an exquisite shift in the foliage.  First the leaves flip a spectacular yellow earlier than turning a purplish-red earlier than dropping off as winter units in.

Medicinal Use of Ash Trees

The Ash tree is seen as a logo of long-lasting life, and in lots of cultures deemed sacred attributable to its healing properties.  The leaves have been used continuously as a laxative and diuretic.  Additionally they have been used to deal with arthritic joints, and rheumatism and gout.  This was attributable to the anti-inflammatory properties they’ve.  The resin was extracted to make a type of chewing gum which was utilized in complete physique cleaning.  It was additionally utilized in smaller portions as a sweetener.

Ash Trees in Myth, Magick, and Folklore

The most well-known reference to the Ash tree might be present in Norse lore.  The World Tree, was generally known as Yggdrasil, and it was an Ash. Allfather Odin, the ruler of Asgard, hung from the world tree for 9 days and nights in alternate for knowledge.  From that second ahead, the Ash was related to divination and data.  In Greek mythology, the Meliae nymphs made their houses in Ash bushes.  In historical Irish mythology, there have been 5 bushes which stood guard over the island.  Three of them have been Ash bushes.  In Great Britain Ash leaves have been used for divination and to supply prophetic goals.  In some Celtic legends the God Lugh and his warriors have been mentioned to have carried spears made solely of Ash wooden.  Additionally, Odin’s spear was made of Ash wooden.  Traditional Witches broom handles have been additionally mentioned to be made of Ash wooden.

Ash wooden has been cited in lots of historical spells and rituals for divination, astral projection, and as a approach to connect with different worlds.  Across what’s now the United Kingdom, infants in historical occasions have been fed Ash sap once they have been very tiny because it was believed to forestall illness and demise.  Ash berries have been positioned in cradles to guard kids from being snatched by a malevolent Fae and changed with a changeling.  The Celtic Tree Calendar has the Ash Moon from February 18th by means of March seventeenth.

Oak Trees

There are over 600 species of oak tress and they’re discovered throughout the total world.  The reside from 50 to 150 years. They are available many sizes and shapes and might usually be categorized into subgenus classes.  The most typical fall into two sorts, white oaks, and red oaks.  Red oaks have leaves with pointed lobes tipped with tiny bristles.  Their acorns take two years to mature and sprout the spring after they drop to the floor.  White oak tree leaves are rounded and easy. Their acorns mature in a single year, and so they sprout quickly after they fall to the floor.  Another sort, the ring-cupped oaks have acorns with distinctive cups bearing rings of scales that develop collectively.  The one defining issue that makes all oaks half of the household is the acorn.  Regardless of how they appear, their dimension, or their leaf construction, a acorn classifies them as an oak.

Oaks are the solely tree species which produces acorns.  Technically acorns are thought-about fruits since they comprise a seed.  But attributable to the reality they’ve a tough shell, they get categorized with nuts.  The “oak nut” incorporates a single seed which might mature shortly anyplace between instantly as much as two year.  The acorn performs an vital position outdoors of tree copy. It serves as a nutritious meals supply for a lot of animals of the forest.  Larger sport animals akin to deer and wild boar eat an amazing quantity of acorns.  Smaller rodents and mammals additionally feed on acorns.  Acorns comprise excessive quantities of protein, fat, and carbohydrates and might be saved for consumption at a later time.  Human beings additionally eat acorns in soups, floor and dried as flour, and as a kind of espresso substitute.

Medicinal Use of Oak Trees

The Oak tree has an incredible pure medication software.  Parts of the tree have been used as an antiseptic, an astringent, and an anti-inflammatory.  A tonic of boiled Oak bark was used for diarrhea and different bowel points akin to poor digestion.  The identical tonic was used as a mouthwash to deal with bleeding gums.  Boiled leaves have been used leaves topically as an antiseptic, to scale back swelling and sooth broken pores and skin.  The interior bark can be dried and floor to wonderful powder and inhaled to cease nosebleeds.  Decoctions have been additionally used to deal with vaginal infections and as a delicate feminine cleanse.

All of these therapeutic properties are potential as a result of the Oak incorporates excessive ranges of Tannins.  Tannins bind with proteins in human tissue to create a barrier which is proof against micro organism and an infection.  Tannins additionally cut back irritation, strengthen blood vessels and tissue.

Oak Trees in Myth, Magick, and Folklore

The mighty Oak tree has the distinct accolade of being related to extra Supreme Gods than another tree.  The Greek God Zeus, the Slavic God Perun, the Celtic God Dagda, the Roman God Jupiter and the Viking God Thor have been all related to the Oak.  The Druids had a particular relationship with the Oak tree as famous earlier.  They held their rituals in Oak groves and sourced mistletoe, their strongest plant, from Oak bushes.  In Baltic mythology, it’s the sacred tree of Pērkons, the thunder god who directs his thunderbolts in opposition to evil spirits.

Because Oak bushes grew larger than each different sort of tree, they have been susceptible to being hit by lighting.  In historical occasions, this was seen as highly effective magic.  In Celtic custom the Oak King guidelines the mild half of the year, whereas the Holly King guidelines the dark half.  Many cultures related the Oak tree with Oracles and that they have been inhabited by sacred spirits and creatures.

Birch Trees

Birch bushes are smaller than the Oak or Ash, rising from 30′ to 50′ tall.  Canopies can vary from 35′ to 60′.  They reside between 50 and 200 years, relying on circumstances.  They have light-colored, nearly silvery bark which frequently is seen peeling away from the trunk and triangular formed leaves.  The leaves have serrated edges and are yellowish-green in summer season turned to all yellow in autumn. Birch bushes tend to develop in what appears like clusters.  The clusters can have three or extra foremost trunks rising from the root system.  Additionally they’ve shallow, sprawling root programs that usually break by means of the floor of the floor.

Birch wooden burns simply, even when moist and the bark is a good hearth starter.  It is dense and powerful and used for establishing many issues like cupboards.  The leaves and sap from the Birch tree are edible and nutritious.  Birch bushes look much like Aspen bushes, however there may be one distinct distinction.  The Birch tree has peeling bark.  During the summer season months, lengthy clusters of flowers generally known as catkins dangle from the branches.  Each tree produces about a million seeds yearly.

Medicinal Use of Birch Trees

Fresh leaves have been gathered in the spring and dried to be used in infusions. They have been additionally dampened and used as an astringent and utilized to to pores and skin eruptions and different pores and skin circumstances.  The bark was boiled and brought as a stimulant and tonic for digestive points. Birch bark incorporates substances akin to betulin and betulinic acid that give it medicinal properties.   Also, soaked bark can be utilized as a solid for the damaged arm.  Alcohol steeped birch leaves and twigs are an incredible anti-inflammatory analgesic ache reliever.  Making a tea of  Birch leaves may very well be used to cleanse the blood and as a diuretic.  Birch bushes are host to Chaga mushrooms. These mushrooms have been utilized in cooking and made into teas.

Birch Trees in Myth, Magick, and Folklore

In Celtic Mythology, the Birch represents femininity, grace, purity, household connections, safety, therapeutic and new life.  They have been personified as a White Goddess.   Cradles produced from Birch wooden have been believed to guard infants from malicious spirits. The birch was sacred to the Goddesses Frigg and Freya in Norse legend.  In historical Welsh legend, the Birch tree was related to Blodeuwedd, the spouse of Lleu Llaw Gyffes.  Maypoles have been normally made of Birch, and Birch branches have been used mild the Beltane fires.  The conventional Yule log is Birch.

Druids held that the Birch was the Keepers of Tradition and honored them as such.  Birch twigs have been utilized in conventional Witches besoms or brooms.  Birch wands have been utilized in cleaning rituals.  Burning Birch twigs was seen as a method to hold evil spirits away and for fertility rituals.  Cattle herded with a Birch workers have been thought to supply more healthy offspring.  Planting a Birch tree at the entrance entrance of property will present safety and repel evil influences and spirits.

Yew Trees

The Yew is sacred amongst many historical cultures.  They can attain heights of as much as 65′ and might reside 400 to 600 years. There are a minimum of 10 particular person bushes in Great Britain alone which can be believed to be greater than a thousand years outdated.  They are almost indestructible and are thought-about the most long-living tree in Europe.  They are very sluggish rising with skinny purplish-brown bark and flat dark green leaves.  The leaves are organized in spiral type, as are many different evergreens.  They stay green year-around.

Yew wooden has a really tight grain which makes it extremely robust and sturdy.  It is decay resistant and has an exquisite orangish-crown shade.  The wooden is known from army historical past as the wooden used to make the Longbow.  It could be very versatile however very robust.  It was mentioned that demand for these bows was so robust that it almost introduced the Yew tree to extinction.

Medicinal Use of Yew Trees

All the components of a Yew tree, apart from the berries, are toxic to people.  Even the seeds discovered inside the fruit are thought-about a hazard as they’ve a excessive stage of taxine alkaloids which may very well be deadly if consumed.  Some say that even touching the Yew or inhaling the air round them is harmful.  There are some animals, like the rabbit and deer and plenty of birds, who can eat the seeds and evn the needles with no ill-effects.

In historical occasions, components of the Yew tree have been made into an abortifacient, however the recipe has been misplaced to historical past.  It was additionally diluted considerably and used to deal with tapeworms, points of the urinary tract, and delicate seizures.  The taxane alkaloids are utilized in fashionable laboratories to create anti-cancer treatment.

Yew Trees in Myth, Magick, and Folklore

Yew bushes have an extended historical past of being related to demise. Yew potions have been used as a suicide drug much like Hemlock in some cultures.  Older Yew bushes branches droop and get in touch with the floor, the place they will type new roots and later new vehicles.  The Druids and the Celtic folks related them with each demise and resurrection.  Yew bushes are present in a whole lot of graveyards, usually on high of graves of plague victims.  Some suppose it was a purification ritual, however there isn’t any proof.  Hecate. the Greek Goddess of the underworld is related to the Yew tree.

Yew bushes have been seen as symbols of immortality, but in addition seen as omens of doom.  Wine barrels made of Yew staves have been known as, ‘the coffin of the vine’.  Yew wooden was used for wand making and dowsing rods.  Other than bows, Yew wooden was additionally used for arrows (which had some poisonous results), and different weapons to display bravery and energy.  It was believed that the longevity of the tree can be transferred to the one who wielded a Yew wooden weapon.  Those who wished to induce visions would sit close to a Yew tree on a sizzling day and inhale the hallucinogenic vapor emitting from the tree.  Also standing in the cloud of wonderful golden pollen is claimed to shift consciousness.

Conclusion

This article merely scratches the floor on these 4 majestic bushes, however gives a base for extra exploration.  These bushes are timeless and have been a vital half of the historical past of humankind since its starting.  Without these bushes, who can actually inform the place our world can be at this time, or if it could even exist.  The subsequent time you’re in the forest, thank a tree.  Take time to alternate energies with it and share in the magic of historical past.

Additional Reading

The Sacred Tree Calendar of the Celtic People

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