Tree lore and symbolism

Almond

The almond is a symbol of hope, because the tree flowers in the early spring just when the winter seems at its longest.

A Greek legend speaks of Phyllis, a princess of Thrace who was abandoned on her wedding day by the Greek Prince Demophon. After pining in hope for many years, waiting for him to return, she died of a broken heart and the Gods turned her into an Almond tree.

Mediaeval Christian symbolism used the Almond as a sign of divine approval, based on a text in Numbers 17 in which the rod of Aaron grew buds, flowers and finally ripe almonds as a sign that God had chosen Aaron and the Levites to be the priests of Israel.

Apple

The apple tree symbolizes youth, beauty, and innocence. Apple juice can be used to infer strength and beauty.

The Apple of Discord, inscribed "for the Fairest" was thrown before an assembly of the Greek gods by the goddess of Hate, Eris. The ensuing argument between Hera, Athene and Aphrodite sparked off the Trojan war.

Ash

Another Scandinavian legend speaks of the mighty Ash Ygdrasil, which had its roots in the Underworld and whose branches supported Valhalla, the Norse “Heaven” . The lower branches and trunk supported a disk, surrounded by ocean, which contained “Midgard” or the earth on which mortals lived. In this legend the first humans were created from 2 trees, Ask (ash – the man) and Embla (Elm – the woman).

Ash is an excellent wood for purification. It is good at removing and cleansing internalized strife and conflict.

Birch

The birch has particular significance in much of northern European legend. In the Finnish epic saga the Kalevala, the Birch is singled out as a holy tree destined to bring good things to mankind. This reflects its usefulness in fact, since it grows well in cold climates, is beautiful to look at, and provides all kind of useful materials – wood of course, but also sap (like maple sugar) and bark for boat-building and writing on.

Cedar

Cedar wood has an aromatic smell which deters moths if blocks are placed amongst clothing. Much nicer than moth balls!

Do not sleep under a cedar tree, it will steal your soul.

Cedar is exceptional at repulsing energies and protection. It is best used to ward or to drive off negative influences or spirits.

Cypress

The cypress tree was seen as a sad tree or tree of mourning. It was often used to build funeral pyres. Cypress wood is extremely resistant to water.

Hawthorn

Do not sleep underneath a hawthorn tree. They disguise the door to Faeryland, and you may be stolen away only to be returned years later, unrecognisable to your family and friends…

Hawhorn symbolizes strife and harshness. Hawthorn is used to dispel energies, especially negative energies or curses, and excels at banishing strife.

Hazel

In Scottish legend, the baking of bread or bannocks as fine and light as those of the fairy folk was only accomplished by one girl, fair Jenny, after much trial and tribulation and a few favours to the Little Folk. Eventually she learned the secret – barley flour, and kindling of hazel rods. Once a year on her birthday, she was given a pack of hazel rods by the fairy man she had befriended, so she could bake a single bannock which was as light and as sweet as those of the People themselves.

"Dowsers" or "water diviners" have traditionally preferred to use a forked hazel twig as an aid. You take the forked ends in your hand and walk across the land you are surveying with the twig in front of you. If you are sufficiently sensitive, you will find the hazel twig twitches upwards when you cross water under the ground. This can also work to find other features below the ground, such as buried walls, drains and so on.

This tree symbolizes attraction (the nut can be used to make an aphrodisiac), loss of inhibition or willpower, and drowsiness. It is used to make sleep potions, aphrodisiacs, and potions to inhibit the will or remove inhibitions.

Juniper

The juniper is a cheerful tree, hardy and endurant. It is excellent for cleansing, and aids in healing magic, especially to stop a disease from progressing further in the body.

Pine

Pine is everlasting (from its evergreen properties). It induces clearness of thought with its scent and often symbolizes survival as it can grow even in sub-zero temperatures. Pine wood is useful in spells of preservation.

Oak

Oak symbolizes wisdom, strength, and endurance.

Rowan

Rowan berries and red thread
Stop a witch in her speed.

Make a talisman against witches by tying a bunch of Rowan berries together with red thread.

Rowan against Lightning strike – it was believed that lightning would not strike a house where a Rowan tree grew in the garden. There is perhaps something in this, as the upright shape of the tree might indeed encourage the lightning to strike the tree rather than the house!

Sycamore

The sycamore symbolizes growth, persistance, strength and endurance. It is water resistant (though not as much as cypress) and often grows where other trees cannot. To some Native American cultures, the sycamore is a holy tree equivalent to the oak in Europe.

Willow

The willow tree is a feminine tree. It is a water-loving tree and is linked to lunar rhythms. It is often a melancholy tree and can represent sadness and quick growth leading to a quick end (some trees only live for 20 years). In magical areas, willow has a great influence over water and water elementals. It has the ability to banish depression and sadness.

Yew

The yew tree is held sacred by the Druids because of its symbolism of death and rebirth. The yew tree's branches grow into the ground. Thus when the central trunk dies, the tree lives on as the branches become trees. It symbolizes transformation, great age, and reincarnation.

Written by LadyAdaneth, Realm of Yavanna and Annúnagar, Realm of Nienna, March 2004