The Hazel was a favored tree of the Druids, some of whom preferred its wood over that of the Oak for their staffs, given its conductive nature. This was, however, purely a matter of preference. Staffs made of Hazel were once considered as a sign of authority among the Druids. Pins made of Hazel were once used to protect houses from fire and the trees planted as shade from the Sun. Ground Hazel nuts were often employed in the curing of coughs, the soothing of sore throats and the relief of head cold symptoms. The dry skin covering the nut was once ground into a powder and used to relieve heavy menstrual flows. The Hazel was said to be a reminder to trust and listen to intuition which, in essence, is trust in the self. It was believed to promote thought processes and the flow of inspiration while accepting responsibility for actions.

Ancient legend tells that after the banishment from Eden, God gave Adam the power to create any animal he wanted. In order to do this, Adam had to strike the sea with a rod made of Hazel. The first animal Adam created in this fashion was the Sheep, but Eve saw this and created a Wolf, which immediately attacked the Sheep. Thus, in order to control the Wolf, Adam created the Dog. The Dog overcame the Wolf and harmony was thereby restored.

A member of the Birch family, the Hazel is a small deciduous tree, hardy, moderately shade-tolerant and grows best on heavy but well-drained soil. It forms a shrub which can grow to be 20 feet tall. Native to almost all of Europe, the Hazel is found everywhere in the British Isles, inhabiting open woodlands, scrubs, hedgerows and the edges of forests. Both male and female flowers grow on the same tree, the male catkins opening with the first warm day of Spring forming bright yellow, drooping "lamb tails." The female flowers on the same branch appear as tiny pink tufts on plump buds. The flowers develop into the well-known clusters of nuts which turn brown around the month of October. The tree's Latin name, Corylus avellana comes from the Greek word korys which means "helmet" (a reference to the calyx which covers the nut) and avellana which commemorates the town of Avella in Italy where the nuts were cultivated. "Hazel" is probably derived from the Anglo-Saxon haesel or "bonnet," which itself came from the Greek korys. Poles of Hazel were once woven into panels called "wattles" which were used to construct the walls of houses and used to build hurdles with which to pen sheep. The nuts (also known as Filberts) are a particular favorite of the Dormouse and Grey Squirrel and were once burned by priests in order to enhance clairvoyance.

There are two distinct types of Hazel individuals (a division which relates to all Celtic Tree Signs). The "new moon" character is associated with the first two weeks of a sign and the "full moon" character is associated with the last two weeks.

The "new moon" Hazel individual is more inclined to seek out knowledge than his or her "full moon" counterpart. These people possess an inquisitive nature which can, at times, become prying or underhand. The "full moon" Hazel individual is more outgoing in nature and temperament. These people are also more inclined to become public figures who seek to educate or instruct people in the arts. The "full moon" Hazel sets a high regard on honesty and has well-defined principles. Such people can, however, be very critical in attitude...usually stemming from an inbuilt hypersensitivity. Hazel individuals need to express their creativity or they could easily become morbid and introspective.

In general, Hazel individuals are perceptive and clever people, endowed with good reasoning powers. This sharpness of intellect makes for excellent debaters and writers. They are also wonderful planners and organizers...even down to the smallest detail. The desire to acquire knowledge often leads to Hazel individuals becoming adept scholars and they are frequently experts in their chosen fields. They have lively and analytical minds, possess a great deal of imagination and are radical and idealistic thinkers. Their artistic abilities often lead them to create beautiful things which have very practical uses. Sometimes known as the mediators of society, Hazels are keen observers of the truth around them and able to judge an entire situation in a very short period of time. There is, however, a tendency for Hazel people to sometimes become paranoid and lack self-worth. Their abundance of nervous energy (more mental and emotional rather than physical) needs to be constantly channeled or they may become prone to sudden headaches and migraines. Hazel individuals dislike pretense, false values and waste of any kind. They are probably the most rational of all the Celtic signs and always appear to be cool and reserved, which enables them to remain outside of life's emotional sphere. Such personal emotional surface control, however, may simply be a cover for a highly sensitive nature and they are prone to suffer from nervous tension.

Physicially, the Hazel is not necessarily robust, but is possessed with a strong mental stamina. Hazels individuals are blessed with agile minds able to cope with any extremes, but they have a tendency to be most critical of their own shortcomings and may suffer from low self-esteem. At times, Hazels have been known to become argumentative or even cynical and may resort to underhanded means (such as prying) in order to attain the knowledge they are always constantly seeking. As mates, Hazel individuals are honest and caring, but may be inclined to overindulge their children and spouses. Though not particuarly demonstrative people, they are sincere and inspire great loyalty from others.

Physical Goal: To inspire others to increase their capacity in the arts of poetry, divination and mediation...and to be aware that example is the best teacher.

Mental Goal: To allow the prompting of intuition to bring ideas to the surface.

Spiritual Goal: To follow intuition to the source, where the reward will be wisdom and the soul will ring with poetry.

Amergin Verse: "I am a Salmon in a Pool"

Ogham Association: Coll

Polarity: Feminine

Color: Brown

Class: Chieftain

Letter Character: "K" and "C"

Month: July...ninth month in the Celtic Ogham and the mid-point between the Summer Solstice and Lughnasadh. It is named for Julius Caesar but was formerly known as Quintilis, the fifth month of the ancient Roman calendar. Due to the heat associated with July, it is believed to be an unhealthy month when dogs go mad (with fleas) and snakes go blind. It was also once considered unlucky to swim during the month of July.

Alias: "Moon of the Wise" and "Crone Moon"

Magickal Properties: Manifestation, Spirit Contact, Protection and Fertility

Some Famous Hazel People: Tori Amos, Lawrence of Arabia, Antonio Banderas, Bill Clinton, Robert DeNiro, Madonna, Napoleon and Lord Tennyson

Flower: The flower of the Hazel is the Vervain, also known as "Enchanter's Plant," "Herb of the Cross," "Juno's Tears," "Dragon's Claw," "Columbine" and "Pigeonweed," among others. Its name is derived from the Celtic ferfaen, meaning "to drive away a stone." Ancient priests used Vervain in sacrificial rites and it was also used extensively by Druid magicians and sorcerers. Vervain is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region with a woody stalk and several stiffly-erect stems. It flourishes best in waysides and waste areas. Its flowers come in a variety of colors...white, pink, purple, scarlet, blue and lavender...and grow in slender spikes, blooming from June to October. The European Vervain was sacred to the Greeks and Romans, as well as to the Druids. It is associated in Christian tradition with the Crucifixion, being believed to have staunched the blood of Jesus Christ while on the cross and is said to have first been found on the Mount of Calvary. Because of this association, it was thought to have been an effective charm against incubi, demons and evil spells. Its bright flowers were once belived to be an indication that the plant could cure eye problems. The Vervain was formerly used for many medicinal purposes...as an astringent and diuretic...as well as being employed for relief of whooping cough, dropsy, jaundice and problems associated with the kidneys and the liver. An infusion or decoction was said to help heal wounds and it was once thought to be a powerful aphrodisiac which could secure the favor of ladies. Until relatively recently, it was hung around the necks of children to avert infection.

Celestial Body: The celestial body associated with the Hazel is the planet Mercury ("Mugher"), named for the Messenger of the Roman Gods.

Deity: The Hazel deity is Oghma (also known as Ogma), son of Boann and The Dagda. The God of Communication and Writing, as well as Literature and Eloquence, Oghma is said to have invented the Ogham Alphabet and made a gift of it to the Druids. He is often considered the Patron Deity of Poets. Oghma was also the champion or designated warrior representative of the Tuatha De Danaan and fought with Llugh against the Fomorians (ancient Irish Sea Gods). In myth, he assumed the role of helping to escort the recently-dead to the OtherWorld. Credited with more personality than many of the old Irish deities, Oghma was given two nicknames. The first was "Cermait" which means "honey-mouthed" and is related to the Irish gift of the gab also known as blarney. The other was "Grianainech," which means "the sunny-faced," believed to come from Oghma's great wisdom. Oghma was married to Etan, daughter of Diancecht the Irish God of Medicine, and three of his sons eventually became co-rulers of the Tuatha. In the final battle at Mag Tuireadh, Oghma managed to wrestle the sword from the King of the Fomorians, but was obliged to pay for this mighty accomplishment with his life. He is often equated with Heracles, Greek hero and son of Zeus.

The Hazel is also sacred to Manannan mac Lir, a chameleon-like Sea-God who was a shape-shifer and master of disguise. Son of the Sea-God Llyr, Manannan dressed in a green cloak and wore a gold headband. The Isle of Arran (also known as the "Land of Promise") in the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Man (which was so named in Manannan's honor) once fell under his particular protection. His palace at Arran (called Emhain of the Apple Trees) housed Manannan's swine which constantly renewed themselves and were the chief food of the Tuatha De Danann, preventing them from aging. Manannan possessed many famous weapons, as well as a self-propelled ship and magickal armor which staved off wounds and had the power to make the Tuatha invisible. Manannan was not a popular God until the Celts (chiefly a herding people) took to the sea. There are many legends associated with Manannan in mythology (several of which are contradictory). It is believed that Manannan was the one who decreed that the world of faery and world of humans should forever remain separated when Fand, one of his many wives, fell in love with Cuchulain the Hero of Ulster.

Animals:

The Stalking Crane - At one time, the Crane was a common animal in the British Isles. According to one late Celtic tradition (apparently originated after the arrival of Christianity), Cranes were people paying a penance for wrong-doing. The Crane was associated with the Cailleach and Manannan mac Lir, who made his crane bag from the skin of this bird. The Crane, with its colors of black, white and red, was a bird of the Moon and sacred to the Triple Goddess. It symbolized magick, shaminic travel, learning and the keeping of secrets, as well as being associated with deep mysteries and truths.

The Rainbow Salmon - Considered by the Celts to be the one of the most ancient and most wise of animals, the Salmon symbolized inspiration. In Irish myth, Salmon swam in the River Boyne under the overhanging Hazel tree from which the nine nuts of poetic wisdom fell. These nuts were consumed by the Salmon who absorbed the inspiration encapsulated therein. The Salmon were then eaten by Fionn mac Cumhal who subsequently acquired the knowledge of all things and later became leader of the Fianna, an Irish warband of immense strength. According to Celtic legend, Fintan the "White Ancient" was able to assume the form of animals, one of which was the Salmon. Salmon would also be the animals which would lead Gwrhyr to the Mabon and eventually toward wisdom and rebirth.

August 5-August 13: Those born between these two dates also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Poplar, whose motto is "Overcome Doubt" or "The Uncertainty." Poplar individuals have a decorative appearance but tend lack self-confidence. They are prone to mature very quickly and assimilate things equally as quickly. Displaying courage only when absolutely necessary and hostile only toward extremists, the narrow-minded or hotheads, Poplar people prefer the goodwill of others and pleasant surroundings. This individual can be somewhat choosy, is often lonely and may harbor great animosity toward others. Artistic by nature, they are good organizers who lean toward philosophy. Reliable in almost any given situation, Poplar people cherish their friends and surround them with love. They take partnerships very seriously but are inclined to be generous only toward those who are generous in return. The life of a Poplar individual is made of judicious transactions and all manner of exchanges. If the Poplar perceives a warm and friendly atmosphere, then the heart and spirit opens...if not, then he or she will withdraw.

August 14-August 23: Those born between these two dates also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Cedar, whose motto is "Moral Greatness" or "The Confidence." Cedar individuals are often possessed of rare beauty. They know how to adapt, have a love of luxury and are usually blessed with good health. Not in the least shy, Cedar people are prone to sometimes look down on others, they themselves brimming with self-confidence. Determined and often impatient, Cedar individuals like to impress. They have many talents, are industrious and possess a healthy optimism and inner strength. Alert and usually thoughtful, the Cedar lives in enlightenment, responding to precise self-imposed requirements. Neither success nor failure can erode the serenity or the determination of a Cedar individual. Otherwise able to make quick decisions, Cedar people seem to constantly be waiting for their one true love.

August 24-September 1: Those born between these two dates also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Pine, whose motto is "Father of Wisdom" or "The Particular." Pine individuals are very robust and active, and also tend to be cautious, provident and hard-working people. They are idealists, being trustworthy and practical by nature. They love agreeable company and know how to make life comfortable without being selfish...if Pine individuals have a benefit, it will almost always reflect on those around them. They make for good companions, though not always overly-friendly to those they do not know. Pine people fall in love easily, but with a passion which is prone to burn out quickly. They have a tendency to give up without much struggle and may suffer many disappointments in life.