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SPIRIT
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Symbology
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The 27 pages in this Symbol section are below
Trees D - G
By CinnamonMoon
©Jan Harper-Whale
2000
Elder Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Time to
regenerate; wish-making and fulfillment .
Elder is one of the most common
shrubs along roadways, where it often inhabits moist ditches.
Whether the American elder or the European, it is usually best
suitable for rough areas of gardens. This is a broad and rounded
bush with bright green leaves and white flower cymes. It is
a fruit bearing tree and its berries have been used in jellies
and wine. The elder is a stemmy shrub that regenerates itself
easily. This should not be confused with the box elder, which
is actually part of the maple tree family. Elder literally translates
as "old" and its energies are sacred to the followers
of the old religions - especially those of Druid and Celtic
tradition. This is a tree of birth and death, beginning and
end. It is the tree of transition. In the Celtic calendar, it
is associated with the 13th month, a brief period just before
Samhain or Halloween. The elder links us to contact with the
Mother Goddess in varying forms. It provides energy of protection
and healing. The elder tree is the mother who protects her groves
and children. And it is always a reminder to protect our own
sacred spaces. It facilitates contact with the spirits of the
woods, the Dryads, especially at the time of the Full Moon.
Every elder has its own spirit, which shelters many other good
elves and faeries. under its roots live many tiny elves. In
fact, the elder tree has the highest elf population of all trees
and shrubs. Because of this, it always resents being cut. The
elder energy acts as a catalyst to awaken a renaissance and
contact with the fairy kingdom. A wand of elder awakens opportunities
to cast out the old and renew the creativity of the new. Elder
can serve as a catalyst for manifesting changes, and change
is beneficial, even if its benefits are not immediately recognized.
It reminds us that there is blessed protection. It brings magic
to even the slightest wish, when the wish is made around it
or while holding a wand formed from it. Magic with the elder
must be controlled or it will manifest confusion and so working
with an elder staff requires practice and care. Elder signals
a time of possible initiation. It reminds us that regeneration
is possible and encourages us to explore it in some area of
our life. Its essence helps open us to a greater understanding
of the ancient burial rites as forms of initiation. The elder's
energies and messages are dynamic and can be overwhelming at
times. It is important to understand all the significance associated
with this tree in order to balance the energies as they manifest
within your life.
*The Language of Dreams/Patricia
Telesco
Increasing personal energy and zeal for a goal or project. Frequently
elder is used to bolster fires because it has hollow branches
that catch well. Some type of ending or death. Elder is a traditional
funerary wood. In Serbia, this is a symbol of fortune and luck
smiling upon you. Carrying an elder branch in a dream represents
devotion in your relationship. Among Celtic tribes, elderberry
wine was used to inspire divinatory visions, and was only drunk
by the initiated. As such, this dream may reflect a personal
initiation into the psychic realms.
*The Master Book of Herbalism/Paul
Beyerl
Elder is an herbe for those attuned to the countryside. It may
be used to protect the livestock, most commonly by tying two
small pieces with red yarn to the barn or stable. A farm which
has Elder to be found within its reaches is considered blessed,
and the Elder growth should be considered a sacred place, free
from being despoiled. Allowing one's livestock to wander amid
the Elder-growth is a means of bringing them protection. The
magickal power of Elder is most potent, and as a result much
of the lore treats Elder with warning. It was once thought that
using a rod of Elder to punish a child would cease the child's
growth, for magickally the rod represents control, and the spiritual
energy of Elder would amplify this desire to control until it
would be out of hand. Elder will bring magick to even the slightest
wish; no wonder then it has a mixed reputation. There are various
approaches to gathering Elder, all of which would appear to
require appeasement of the Goddess as She manifests through
this tree or shrub. Grieve tells an ancient verse, "Lady
Ellhorn, give me some of thy wood, and I will give thee some
of mine when it grows in the forest." This is an herbe
never to be gathered out of selfishness, for it is said that
the spirit of the Elder will follow and plague one who does
so. Elder blossoms are gathered and used magickally as a fixative
in dry incense mixtures, for they easily attract and hold oils
which are added to the incense, releasing them with their own
when burnt upon glowing charcoal. They will increase the power
of a ritual, but require clear goals and pure ethics. There
are so many stories which associate the Elder with sadness and
grief, going so far as to say Elder was that wood upon which
the traitor Judas was hung. These are believed, in large part,
due to the natural magick of the herbe. Magick in the hands
of those with questionable motive, or in the lives of those
who understand it not and fear it, becomes confusing, disorienting,
and leads to life-shaking events. Although the cause is within
one's own heart, Elder has become the scapegoat. Those who wish
to see the spirits of the wood, known as Dryads among magickal
folk, would do well to spend the full moon night in a small
grove of Elder, making certain that there is no evil in the
heart, and that proper fasting and ritual preparation has been
made. Elder may be used in incense or oil to keep one safe and
protected. It finds occasional use in the blessings of babies,
both Christian and pagan. As a Funereal Herbe, it has been used
as the wood for the pyre, and is sometimes buried with the departed
to give protection. Its use is a growing trend among people
who study magick, and it is said to coincide with a renaissance
in the proliferation of the Fairy-Folk of old, coming back to
dance with the Earth into the New Age. Elder is the herbe which
gives one sight of these delightful and fanciful beings, and
Midsummer Night is the time to see them. Take yourself to the
grove, and wait in belief and patience. The customs Grieve includes
in her section on Elder are worth reading.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Elderberry symbolizes naturally-occurring opportunities that
are too frequently overlooked.
*Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens,
and Superstitions/Zolar
Tradition holds that an elder is a very special and magical
tree that protects man and animals. Belief in the magical powers
of the elder are said to come from the tradition that the cross
upon which Christ was crucified was made of elder wood. Likewise,
it was an elder tree from which Judas hanged himself after he
betrayed Christ. Burning elder wood in a hearth is said to prevent
hens from laying. Beating a domestic animal with an elder stick
will cause the animal to perish. Likewise, should boys be beaten
with an elder stick, their growth will cease. In Lincolnshire,
an elder tree could never be struck by lightning, according
to popular belief. In Sussex, should one wish to cure a wart,
he could simply rub it with a green elder stick and bury the
stick in muck until it rotted. Burning elder wood in one's home
was said to cause a death in the family. Carrying elder twigs
in one's pockets was said to make a horse calmer and more under
control. Wounds that have been treated with the leaves of the
elder tree, gathered on the last day of April, were believed
to heal quickly without infection. In Bavaria, it was believed
that fever could be cured by sticking a twig of elder in the
ground, without speaking. Elder wood was also believed to cure
epilepsy or at least to prevent it. Should a twig of elder be
cut into nine parts and worn as a necklace, the Irish said that
epilepsy would be cured.
Elm Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Elms have a scaly bark and can stand extreme soil conditions.
It is a strong and supple wood. Long before the Europeans made
their way to America, the Native Americans held council beneath
the elm. Elms were council trees that would become treating-making
trees between whites and reds. It has a fountain appearance.
The trunk rises up and the branches spread out, dropping just
a bit. It is said that Dutch elm disease devastated the beautiful
and stately American elms that once graced the land. Elm has
always been a favorite tree of wood elves. Sitting at night
beneath an elm, while singing and storytelling, will invite
them close. They are more likely to appear in dreams when you
sleep beneath the elm. They have a great feeling nature--sensitivity
to the connectedness of life--especially other elms. In fact,
elms will mourn cut members of their family. A staff or wand
from the elm assists the individual in "hearing the inner
call" in meditation and magical work. It is a tree strongly
associated with the elfin kingdom, and alignment with this tree
through a staff will assist you in attuning to those more ethereal
beings of the Nature Realm. It is important though not to become
lost within it or to become "fairy charmed." Elm is
a tree whose spirit is one of the kindest I have ever met. Its
essence gently lends strength to the individual. It assists
the individual in overcoming exhaustion--especially that which
has accumulated over great lengths of time. It helps the individual
to access more universal sources of strength so that your own
individual strength will not be tapped and expended. This is
the Tree of Intuition and its appearance is always a reminder
to trust your intuition. Find strength in listening to your
own inner voice. The elm serves as a catalyst to sensing, feeling
and even seeing that which is not always visible.
*Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens,
and Superstitions/Zolar
Leaves falling from an elm tree are said to predict disease
among one's cattle. Elms are said to be the "tree of justice,"
since, next to the oak, they are known for their longevity.
In Teutonic mythology, Embla was the first woman. She was believed
to have been created from an elm by the three gods--Odin, Hoenir,
and Loki--who gave the tree breath, soul, and warmth. American
folk remedies call for infusions of elm bark for prevention
of bed sores and for treatment of burns. In Devonshire, it was
said that the right time to plant barley was when the leaves
of the elm were as big as a mouse's ear.
*The Master Book of Herbalism/Paul
Beyerl
The stately Elm which one might think a common tree has some
interesting lore of its own. Meditation with this tree will
aid one in developing communication with the spirits of herbes
and with the little people. One is said to be able to develop
a rapport when choosing one particular Elm, concentrating on
it in ritual, and then spending frequent times beneath its protection,
meditation upon the plant kingdom, and doing rituals to open
communication with the Devas. The leaf of the Elm has been used
in several forms of folk divination, such as pricking it with
a pin and dreaming upon it.
Eucalyptus Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Balance emotions; explore your dreams. Eucalyptus
is also the blue gum tree, and although it originated in Australia,
it has made its way to all corners of the world. It is actually
an evergreen, and there are hundreds of varieties. They all
have the ability to absorb great amounts of water and they all
have an antiseptic property to them. Thus, they have great medical
benefits. The essential oils that are distilled from the leaves
have too many medical uses to list here, but one of the primary
uses is in aromatherapy. Literally, the name of this tree means
"wrapped, covered." its oil was used in the Ancient
Mystery Schools to wrap the aura in balancing vibrations, for
they recognized that knowledge could bring an unbalanced awakening
of the psychic energies of the individual. Its energies are
highly protective and dynamically healing on all levels. Its
influence penetrates both the physical and subtle energies of
the individual, and it stimulates an opening of the brow chakra.
Eucalyptus fragrance is very soothing to highly charged emotional
states. When I was teaching school, there were days when I did
not think I could handle the intense energy levels of the type
of students I taught. On those days, I would sprinkle a few
drops of eucalyptus oil in the heating vent so that the fragrance
filled the room. As students came in, the fragrance dropped
their energy levels down a notch or two. I didn't use it often,
so that they would not become acclimated, but it was effective
for those days when I needed a little extra help. Eucalyptus
trees are some of the tallest on the planet. Although I have
never worked with one person, I can only imagine that the spirit
is also tall as well. Staffs and wands of eucalyptus assist
us in walking in the dream world. They help stimulate conscious
out of body experiences. Eucalyptus alerts us to the importance
of our dreams. It can awaken the individual to full consciousness
while in the dream state (lucid dreaming). It clarifies dreams
and balances emotions. These dreams help to bring out healing
energies and an understanding of the causes of various illnesses
and imbalances within our life. For those dealing with nightmares,
it is one of the most calming. Four or five drops of eucalyptus
oil in a bowl of water next to the bed, facilitates deeper and
more restful sleep. Those to whom the eucalyptus comes as a
totem or messenger should also study the koala. This marsupial
has the ability to eat the eucalyptus leaves without being affected
by its poison. This animal as a totem--is usually a signal to
slow down and detoxify our life. They hold the promise of relief,
and this is reflected in the tree as well.
*Magical Herbalism/Scott Cunningham
A healing oil, very useful in recuperation after long illnesses.
Cures colds with daily application to the throat, forehead and
wrists, and by adding it to healing baths. Also used for purifications.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Eucalyptus illustrates a life aspect that has the capability
of nourishing through healing.
Fig Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Opportunities for abundance; trust intuition.
The fig is one of the oldest fruits known to humans. The trees
grow about 20 feet and they can produce two crops per year,
which is unusual among fruit trees. The first crop comes from
buds left from the previous season's growth and the second from
the new season's growth. This in itself is a reminder that we
should build upon past activities for greater abundance. The
fig tree was the sacred tree of Buddha. Under it, he found enlightenment.
Its spirit and essence awakens the intuitive insight that enables
the individual to put our life
and activities into a new perspective. It releases past life
blockages, bringing them out and into the open so those new
thresholds may be crossed (reflected in the first crop coming
from the previous season's growth). It is a tree whose energies
help the individual to link the conscious mind with the subconscious
and to do so with the correct perspective. The fig tree reminds
us to trust our intuition in order to take advantage of abundance
opportunities coming our way. Its message is one of building
upon the past.
*Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens
and Superstitions/Zolar
"Fig Sign": Making a "fig sign" is an ancient
way of warding off the evil eye. Make a fist, putting your thumb
between the index finger and the middle finger. (If you live
in an Italian neighborhood, however, it is suggested that you
don't do this. It is considered an insulting sexual gesture
and may result in you receiving a black eye.) It is said that
this sign should be used when something good has been done,
in order to distract the notice of Satan himself. Legend holds
that Barbarossa first used this after a battle, as a sign of
contempt for the people of Milan. The fig sign should be pointed
in the direction of anyone who wishes you ill or who brings
you bad luck, or in the direction of a black cat, or any other
ill-omened creature.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Fig refers to triviality. Fig Leaf pertains to a "concern"
over trivialities.
*The Language of Dreams/Patricia
Telesco
Ancient Greeks considered this a fruit that offers strength
and endurance during trying times. In Egypt, the fig was sacred
to Thoth, making it an emblem of wisdom, learning, and the moon.
Spiritual awakening. Buddha is said to have been enlightened
while meditating beneath this tree. Dreaming of a fig plant
growing in a kitchen is an omen that you will never want for
food or, more figuratively, spiritual sustenance. Fertility.
Women used to carry figs to ensure conception. In a figurative
sense, this may mean conceiving good ideas or receiving bountiful
inspiration that spreads into something remarkable.
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INDEX
Page 3
(Main Section, Medicine Wheel, Native Languages &
Nations, Symbology)
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INDEX
Page 5
(Sacred Feminine & Masculine, Stones & Minerals)
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©
Copyright: Cinnamon Moon & River WildFire Moon (Founders.)
2000-date
All rights reserved.
Site
constructed by Dragonfly
Dezignz 1998-date
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