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Ash Nuin, the Tree of Life "The Ash or Nuin as it is known in the Druidic tree alphabet has represented the World tree or the Tree of Life in a variety of myths and legends from a number of different cultures throughout the ages. In Nordic mythology it was named Yggdrasil, a great Ash tree which marked the center of the universe, with its tall branches spanning the heavens and its great roots penetrating deeply into the underworld. The great Nordic god, Odin, allegedly hung himself upside down from the branches of Yggdrasil and spending nine days and nine nights in this way he eventually received divine inspiration in the form of the Runes ... "In the early history and mythology of Ireland, it is written that five magical trees protected the land, three of which were ash trees named the Tree of Tortu, the Tree of Dathi and the Branching Tree of Uisnech. The two remaining trees were Yew and Oak. (Gifford 2000). "The Ash tree produces ash 'keys' which can be seen as highly symbolic. Keys can lock and unlock and are nearly always visual symbols of access and therefore discovery and liberation ... "Although the Ash is generally seen as being governed by the sun and therefore embodies the male principle in its energies, it also has a strong affinity with the feminine principle and her element of water. "Ash was considered sacred to the Greek god Poseidon and the Roman god Neptune, both of whom are well known sea gods. Consequently ash is strongly linked with the oceans, which are symbolic of primeval maternal energy, a place of inexhaustible vitality and infinite possibilities, the fertile void. (Julien 1996) ... Ash flower fairy by Cicely May Barker"To the Druids, the Ash held the key to universal truth and the comprehension of the interconnectedness of all things; the microcosm and macrocosm ad [sic] the marriage of polarities. It told the law of Karma and cause and effect. We are all interconnected; nothing and no one exists as an island, we are all an important part of the universal order." Source: Wood Dragon Arts "MAGICAL APPLICATIONS: Garters made of green bark was [sic] worn as protectants against the powers of sorcerers or conjures. To protect the home, leaves were scattered around the property to the four directions. It is thought that snakes will not crawl over ash wood and [it] was often placed around a persons sleeping mat. A staff of ash over the door will protect against evil influences. "To prevent illness, leaves were placed in a bowl of water next to the bed and left overnight. Wands for healing or solar magic would be fashioned out of Ash wands. To heal a baby one is to Pass the sick child between a cleft of an Ash sapling that has been split for this purpose. "To heal warts, one is to prick them with a new needle and then insert them in an Ash tree chanting, 'ashen tree ashen tree, pray buy these warts off of me.' "To help with dreams, leaves were placed beneath the pillow. The ash was used in sea rituals because it represents the power of the water. For desire of a new born to be a singer, the first nail parings were buried under the ash tree. To gain love of the opposite sex, one would carry the leaves. With spells requiring focus and strength of purpose Ash would be used to help link the inner and outer worlds. Ash wood is one of the nine sacred woods and deemed suitable for burning in ritual fires especially for Yule. Brooms would be made traditionally from ash staff, birch twigs and willow bindings. Carry Ash leaves and wood to catch sight of the unicorns. The winged seed pods would be carried for fertility charms." Source: Tree Totems and Birchfire's Herbs "Of traditions and superstitious associations with the Ash there is apparently no end. Evelyn mentions the still lingering practice of passing sickly children through a split made in its stem, as a charm against various disorders; and another practice was to bury a shrew-mouse, which was supposed to bewitch cattle, in a hole in the stem, when a few strokes with a branch would cure the lameness or cramps which the mouse was believed to have caused. Many a rustic, probably, to this day believes that some dire calamity will befall the Crown or country in a year when there are no 'locks and keys' on the Ash – a belief which may have only originated in the fact that probably in no year is the tree altogether without fruit, the fruit having for centuries been known in England as 'keys' or 'locks and keys.' Popular weather-lore has various rhymes as to the probability of a wet or a dry season according as the Ash comes into leaf before or after the Oak; which, however, seem to be diametrically conflicting with one another in different counties. "It is no doubt from the green hoariness of its smooth bark that this beautiful tree derives its popular name in German and English, and few contrasts in tree coloration are more beautiful than its dead-black buds and delicately green young foliage against this ash-gray bark."
(Rated by 4 Council Members)
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