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SACRED TREES ALDER This tree is sacred to Y Dynion Mwyn. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by strings or fax cord, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of "whistling up the wind" began with this custom. APPLE Another sacred tree to Y Dynion Mwyn. It is said that you may cut an apple into three pieces, then rub the cut side on warts, saying: "Out warts, into apple." Then bury the pieces and as the apple decays, the warts will disappear. Use apple cider in any old spells calling for blood or wine. Apple indicates choice, and is useful for love and healing magic. "Take an apple cut it through, contemplate what's twixt the two." ASH A Dynion Mwyn sacred tree. Dynion Mwyn wands are often made of ash because of its straight grain. Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic. Put fresh ash leaves under your pillow to stimulate psychic dreams. BIRCH Known as Lady of the Woods, Paper Birch and White Birch. Carefully gather strips of the bark at the New Moon. With red ink, write on a birch strip: "Bring me true love." Burn this along with a love incense, saying "Goddess of love, God of desire, Bring to me sweet passion's fire." The specific name of a god/goddess may be added. Or cast the bark into a stream or other flowing water, saying: "Message of love, I set you free, to capture a love and return to me." ***Remember*** It is unwise to use this incantation and ritual directed toward a specific person as that would violate the rule. If a love is to come to you, it must be of that persons free will to do so. BLACKTHORN Blackthorn is a winter tree. Its white flowers are seen even before the leaves in the spring. It is black barked with vicious thorns and grows in dense thickets. The wood is used in the cudgel shillelagh and Blasting Stick. Its thorns are used to pierce waxen images. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed. BROOM Also known as Scotch Broom or Irish Broom. It can be substituted for furze (gorse) at the Spring Equinox. The Welsh and Irish called it the "Physician's power" because of its diuretic shoots. Sweep your outside ritual areas with it to purify and protect. Burning the blooms and shoots calms the wind. CEDAR Also known as the Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae, Yellow Cedar. Ancient Celts on the mainland used cedar oil to preserve the heads of enemies taken in battle. To draw Earth energy and ground yourself, place the palms of your hands against the ends of the leaves. ELDER Also known as Ellhorn, Elderberry, Lady Elder. Sacred to the White Lady and Midsummer Solstice. Dynion Mwyns use it to both bless and curse. Standing under an elder tree at Midsummer, like standing in a Fairy Ring of mushrooms, will help you see the "little people." Elder wands can be used to drive out evil spirits or thought forms. Music on panpipes or flutes of elder have the same power as the wand. Remember the words of the Rede. "Elder be ye Lady's Tree, burn it not or cursed ye be! ELM A slightly fibrous, tan-coloured wood with a slight sheen. Elm is often associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses, and is said to be the abode of faeries, explaining Kipling's injunction; "Ailim be the lady's tree; burn it not or cursed ye'll be". Elm wood is valued for it's resistance to splitting, and the inner bark was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell. FIR Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions on the upper slopes. Fir cones respond to rain by closing and the sun by opening. Fir can see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and below. Fir indicates high views and long sights with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come. FIR (SILVER) Also known as the Birth Tree. The needles are burned at childbirth to bless and protect the mother and baby. FURZE Also known as Gorse, Whin. Its golden flowers are associated with the Spring Equinox. Wood and blooms are burned for protection and preparation for conflict of any sort. HAWTHORN Also known as May Tree and White Thorn. Wands made of this wood are of great power. The blossoms are highly erotic to men. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage spells. HAZEL Wands made of this wood symbolize white magick and healing. Forked sticks are used to find water or buried treasure. If outside and in need of maigckal protection quickly draw a circle around yourself with a hazel branch. To enlist the aid of plant fairies, string hazelnuts on a cord and hang up in your house or ritual room. Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration. HOLLY A beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain; looks very much like ivory. Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore and is important to the Winter Solstice. In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter. It is one of the three timbers used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts. It was used in spear shafts also. The qualities of a spear shaft are balance and directness, as the spear must be hefted to be thrown the holly indicates directed balance and vigour to fight if the cause is just. Holly may be used in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death. A bag of leaves and berries carried by a man is said to increase his ability to attract women. JUNIPER Its berries were used with thyme in Dynion Mwyn and Grove incenses for visions. Juniper grown by the door discourages thieves. The mature berries can be strung and hung in the house to attract love. MISTLETOE Also known as Birdlime, All Heal and Golden Bough. It was the most sacred tree of Dynion Mwyn, and ruled the Winter Solstice. The berries are poisonous! Bunches of mistletoe can be hung as an all-purpose protective herb. The berries are used in love incenses. OAK Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held in particular esteem by the Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak was the "King of Trees" in a grove. Magick wands were made of its wood. Oak galls, known as Serpent Eggs, were used in magickal charms. Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. The Dynion Mwyn Priestesses listened to the rustling oak leaves and the wrens in the trees for divinatory messages. Burning oak leaves purifies the atmosphere. It can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own special 'flavour' to the magic. PINE The Pine tree is an evergreen, its old title was "the sweetest of woods". It was known to Dynion Mwyn as one of the seven chieftain trees of the Welsh. Mix the dried needles with equal parts of juniper and cedar and burn to purify the home and ritual area. The cones and nuts can be carried as a fertility charm. A good magickal cleansing and stimulating bath is made by placing pine needles in a loose-woven bag and running bath water over it. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush the ground with a pine branch. ROWAN Also known as Mountain Ash, Witchwood and Sorb Apple has long known as an aid and protection against enchantment. Sticks of the Rowan were used to carve Runes on. Rowan spays and crosses were placed over cattle in pens and over homes for protection. Its lovely red berries feed the birds in winter. The berries have a tiny pentagram on them and are especially poisonous. The pentagram is the ancient symbol of protection. The Rowan tree indicates protection and control of the senses from enchantment and beguiling. The Rowan was sacred to Dynion Mwyn and the Goddess Brigit. It is a very magical tree used for wands, rods, amulets and spells. A forked Rowan branch can help find water. Wands are for knowledge, locating metal and general divination. WILLOW Also known as White Willow, Tree of Enchantment and Witches' Asprin. Once of the seven sacred trees of the Irish, a Dynion Mwyn sacred Tree. The willow is a Moon tree sacred to the White Lady, Its groves were considered so magickal that priests, priestesses and all types of artisans sat among these trees to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills and prophecies. For a wish to be granted, ask permission of the willow, explaining your desire. Select a pliable shoot and tie a loose knot in it while expressing what you want. When the wish is fulfilled. return and untie the knot. Remember to thank the willow and leave a gift. YEW Also known as English Yew and European Yew. Another important tree to the Winter Solstice and the deities of death and rebirth. It is a beautifully smooth, gold-coloured wood with a wavy grain. The Irish used it to make dagger handles, bows and wine barrels. The wood or leaves were laid on graves as a reminder to the departed spirit that death was only a pause in life before rebirth. All parts of the tree are poisonous except the fleshy covering of the berry, and its medicinal uses include a recently discovered treatment for cancer. The yew may be the oldest-lived tree in the world. Ancient yews can be found in churchyards all over Britain, where they often pre-date even the oldest churches. There are some convincing arguments for it being the original 'World-tree' of Scandinavian mythology. The Yew may be used to enhance magical and psychic abilities, and to induce visions. |
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Faerie Flowers Bluebell ~ The most potent plant for fairy magic. Fields of bluebells are said to be so dangerously enchanted by fairies that a child who wanders into one may be held captive there by the fae, and adults who enter bluebell patches may become so enchanted that they are unable to leave until other humans come to lead them out. Plant bluebells to attract fairies to your garden, they are called to their midnight revels by the sound of bluebells chiming. If you hear a bluebell ringing, this indicates the presence of a malicious fairy. Clover ~ Fields of clover are believed to attract fairies. A four-leaf clover is said to provide protection against the fae, and to be able to break fairy spells and glamors. Wearing a four-leaf clover in your hat supposedly grants you the power to see invisible fairies, as does anointing yourself with an ointment made from four-leaf clover, or carrying a charm made of seven grains of wheat and a four-leaf clover. Cowslip ~ Cowslip blossoms are said to be loved by fairies, who use them for umbrellas, and protect the plants. Daffodil ~ Daffodils are useful for evoking fairies and elves. Daisy ~ Daisies are used in fairy magic, for working with elves or fairies. Putting a daisy chain on a child is said to prevent fairies from beguiling the child and carrying her or him away. Elecampane ~ Elfword and Elf Dock are folk names for elecampane, an herb whose roots are used in fairy magic. Scattering the root about is said to attract fairies to your home, and growing elecampane is said to attract them to your garden. Fairy Wands ~ Fairy Wands (Dierama pulcherrima) are associated with Titania, Shakespeare's fairy queen. They are used magically to call upon the fae for help. Fern ~ Ferns are favored by pixies, who are said to sometimes be found near them. Forget-Me-Not ~ Forget-Me-Not flowers provide protection from fairies. They are said to help unlock the secrets of the fae, and pave the way to fairy treasures. Foxglove (*poison) ~ Folk names for foxglove include Fairy Thimbles, Fairy Glove, Little folks glove, Fairy Fingers, Fairy Petticoats, Fairy Cap and Fairy Weed. Foxglove is strongly associated with fairies, who are said to wear the tiny flowers as hats. Foxglove is used in fairy magic and for the evocation of elves or earth elementals. The leaves are said to grant release from fairy enchantment. Planting foxglove is an invitation to fairies to enter your garden. Wearing foxglove is a charm to attract fairy energy. The juice of the plant is said to be effective in breaking fairy enchantments. Grass ~ Small fairies are said to ride bundles of grass as horses. Heather ~ Heather stalks are said to provide food for fairies. A field of heather may contain a portal to the Fairy Kingdom. Holly ~ Holly berries are said to be a fairy favorite. Hollyhock ~ Fairies are said to love hollyhocks, especially pink ones. Lavender ~ Elf Leaf is another name for lavender, which is used in elfin magic. Lilac ~ The scent of lilacs is said to attract fairies to a garden. Mistletoe ~ Adding mistletoe to a fairy spell on Midsummer Night's Eve makes the spell more powerful. Morning Glory ~ Plant morning glories in your garden to keep away hostile fairies, especially nocturnal ones. Mushrooms and toadstools ~ Mushrooms and toadstools with knobbed caps are said to be used as stools and umbrellas by small fairies. Some of the folk names for various types of fungi reflect this belief: Fairy Club, Elf Cap, Pixie Hood, Dryad's Saddle, Elf's Stool, etc. A circle of mushroom's on a lawn is called a Fairy Ring, Fairy Circle, Fairy Dance, or Fairy Court. Fairy rings were believed to be places of dangerous enchantment that formed where fairies danced. Pansy ~ Plant pansies to attract fairies to your garden. Peach ~ Some consider peaches to be fairy fruit. Pear ~ Japanese pears were called Fairies' Fire in the old Language of Flowers. Peony ~ Peonies are a charm to bring dreams of fairies. Primrose ~ Primroses were considered fairy flowers in Ireland and Wales, where they were believe to grant fairies the power if invisibility. Eating primroses is supposed to enable you to see fairies. hanging a spray of primroses on your door is said to be an invitation to the fae to enter your home, and to draw fairy blessings; but scattering primroses outside your door is said to keep fairies away by making a barrier that they cannot cross. Touching a fairy rock with a primrose posy that contains the right number of blossoms (try five) is said to open the way to Fairyland and fairy gifts. Be cautious though, for using a bouquet with the wrong number of flowers is said to bring certain doom. Use primroses for fairy magic. Plant primroses in your garden to attract fairies to it. Be sure to take good care of them though, for allowing primroses to languish or die is said to earn you the enmity of fairies. Rose ~ Cultivate roses to attract fairies to your garden. Rose petals can be used in fairy magic, especially for love spells. Rosemary ~ Grow rosemary, or place fresh sprigs of it about, to keep malicious fairies away. Burn dried rosemary as incense to attract the fae. St. John's Wort ~ St. John's Wort is said to offer protection from the fae, and from faery spells. Thistles ~ Thistles are also called Pixies' Gloves, because the fae are said to use the tiny flowers as gloves. Thyme ~ Thyme is associated with fairies. Wearing a sprig of wild thyme, or essential oil of thyme, is said to help one to see fairies. If you place springs of thyme on your closed eyes and sleep upon a fairy mound, with will supposedly guarantee your seeing fairies. Dried, powdered thyme, sprinkled on doorsteps and window sills, is an invitation to the fae into your home. Wild thyme, gathered from the side of a fairy mound, is especially potent for use in fairy magic. Violet ~ Violets are sacred to the Fairy Queen, and my be used in fairy spells. Wood Sorrel ~ Wood sorrel is used in fairy magic, and for evocation of elves |
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| Fairy Trees and Bushes | 
| There are many 'Fairy Trees' along the roadsides and especially at the crossing of roads throughout Ireland. Usually these are gnarled old Hawthorn bushes. Also considered sacred were the Oak and the Ash. While many magic wands were made from the Rowan branch. It is considered a profanation to destroy them or even to remove one of their branches. Many different types of otherworld creatures are said to dwell in the tree or nearby. Pookas, Cluricaunes and mysterious white-clad women have all appeared near these trees and bushes. Superstitious people do not like to pass them by late at night. In the days when horses were the chief transportation there were many stories of the lone-horseman who is accosted by the lady in white as he rides along and she climbs up behind him on the horse and puts her arms around him, which are deathly cold. Then she rides along with him for a while and suddenly disappears. In Ireland if the three fairy trees, Oak, Ash and Thorn grow together it is particularly auspicious and this is venerated even more than the single tree. Source: O'Hanlon, John - Irish folklore: Traditions and Superstitions of the Country. first published 1870. republished by EP Publishing Ltd., 1973. |
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Faery Fauna and Flora:
Alder - This tree is protected by the water spirits
Apple - To ensure a good harvest the following year, leave the last apple of the current harvest for the Apple Tree man. The bark of apple trees or the fruits themselves have the power to transport a true-hearted seeker to
the Otherworld. Burn the bark as an offering to the Good Folk on Midsummer's night. Also used in faery love
spells.
Birch - If the spirit of the Birch tree (called the One with the White Hand) touches someone on the head, and it leaves a white mark, then that person will go insane. If this spirit touches the heart, then that person will die.
Blackthorn - The blackthorn is protected by the Lunantishee.
Bluebells - Said to attract faeries to dance in your garden. It is said that if one hears a bluebell ring, that person will soon die. A field of bluebells is considered woven with faery enchantments and is thus dangerous to the unwary traveler.
Clover - A four leaf clover is used to break a faeries spell. Lay seven grains of wheat on a four-leafed
clover to see the Faery.
Cowslips - They help to find hidden faery gold. They are loved and protected by the faeries.
Elder - It is thought that a witch sometimes disguises themselves as a Elder tree. Elder is said to offer protection to the faeries from negative spirits.
Elderberry - Used to make Faery wine, these berries can be burned on a fire to invite the Good Folk to a gathering. Make a homemade brew of Elderberry Wine and you are sure to have some thirsty visitors. It is said that if a human drinks the wine, she will be able to see the Faery. If a human should drink Elderberry wine from the same goblet as a Faery being, he will be able to see them forever after.
Elecampane - Also known as Elf's wort, this root can be scattered around the home to attract the Sidhe. It can be
added to any magick or spell to invoke Faery blessing.
Foxglove - The name is derived from " little folks, glove". The florets are worn by faeries as hats and gloves. Put a dried sprig of Foxglove in a talisman to keep you surrounded in Faery light.
Hawthorn - Also known as "Witches Tree", is one part of the sacred triad of trees that are said to be
sacred to the Faery. Oak, Ash, and Thorn, when growing naturally together, create a place where it is easy to
see the Fey. Hawthorns were once believed to be the transformed bodies of Witches, who had shape shifted
into tree form.
Heather - Heather is said to ignite faery passions and open the portals between their realm and ours.
Lilac - The sweet scent is said to draw Sprites to your garden.
Mistletoe - In Faery spells, use a dash of Mistletoe taken on Summer Solstice to empower your workings with Faery magick.
Oak - Oak trees are believed to provide safe havens and homes for many varieties of faery.
Pansies - This flower was thought to have been used by the faery king, Oberon, to make a love potion.
Peony - Peony seeds were once used to protect children from faeries. A garland of the seeds were placed around the child's neck to keep them safe from kidnapping. Said to invoke the faery into your dreams.
Primroses - These make the invisible, visible. It is thought that if one touches a faery rock with the correct number of primroses in a posy, that the way to faery land and faery gold, is opened. But using the wrong number will result in doom. When planted in a garden or hung dried on the front door, primroses will attract the company of Faeries.
Ragwort - Used as makeshift mounts, by the Wee Folk.
Roses - Roses attract the Faerie to a garden. Their sweet scent will lure elemental spirits to take up residence close by. Roses can be used in Faerie love spells. When performing the spell, sprinkle rose petals under your feet and dance softly upon them while asking the Faerie for their blessing on your magick.
St. Johns Wort - Used as a protection against faeries.
Toadstools - Considered to be the food of the Gods. Some of the toadstools favored by faeries are Dune Pixie-Hood, Slender Elf Cap, Fly Agaric, Dryad's Saddle, and Yellow Fairy Club.
Wild Thyme - One of the ingredients used to make a brew to see faeries. Must be collected near the side of a sidhe. Sprinkle it at the base of your door, and on window sills to invite the Faerie to enter your home.
Willow - It is said that at night, the Willow uproots itself and stalks unwary travelers, muttering at them. |
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Herbs used to protect oneself from Faeries;
Black pepper, tomatoes, mistletoe, sandalwood, wintergreen, bay, garlic, rosemary, witch hazel, St Johns Wort, spearmint, and blackberry.
Faery attraction Herbs;
Common Yarrow, New York Aster, Shasta Daisy, Coreopsis, French Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme, Butterfly Bush, Summer Lilac, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Petunias, Vervain, Pincushion flowers, Cosmos, Common Zinnia. |
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