Ireland isn’t known for its bountiful forests. Indeed, Ireland’s present forest cover is only about 11% of the country, comparatively less than its European counterparts, which average about 35%.
But, as with all apocryphal Irish curses, what a Celt lacks in quantity, it makes up for in magical quality. Especially when it comes to an Irishman’s wood.
One of the most magical of Irish trees is the Rowan.
While I was recently reading my latest reference volume,
I came across the following section that caught my eye
Now, of course, given these useful attributes, I got to wondering if I could grow Rowan trees on Casa Claire. I mean, when it comes to wood, we can all use a little more protection.
I started doing some research on Rowan trees, and noticed that the compound leaf patterns seemed awfully familiar.
So I went outside and checked on some of the trees along my driveway, and noticed that the copse that stands right along the corner of the front entrance – which I have referred to in my past blogs as the Ladies – has comparable paired opposing leaf patterns to the Rowan.
Now Claire and Honey spend a lot of time during the hot spring and summer months resting beneath the Ladies combined canopies enjoying the shade and watching the world pass by Casa Claire.
During the fall, as the opening photo suggests, they like to hide among the shadows found there.
And even during the coldest of winter days, they find solace lying by their trunks.
No doubt there is powerful earth energy rising from that area.
And the Ladies often draw flocks of Redwing blackbirds to the tops of their canopies.
Now, I’m not an arborist, but it appears that the Ladies may be Ash trees.
Rowans are often referred to as Mountain Ash. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan
So, while they may be distinct species, I decided to investigate how my American Ash stood up to their Irish cousins in their more important aspects.
It seems that the Ash are also are imbued with mystical qualities.
https://www.themindorchestra.com/blog/ash-tree-lore
Indeed, among those that know, the Ash has added significance among the Irish:
“Ash as an Irish Protector Tree
Irish culture was believed to be protected by five magical trees. These were the three ashes: the Tree of Tortu, the Tree of Dathi, and the Branchie Tree of Usnech, as well as a yew and an oak tree). When these trees fell, it was said that Irish paganism fell with them (Paterson, Tree Wisdom, pg. 153). “
and, in the same article I learned that the Ash has a strong association with the Fae and the Craft:
“Michael Greer in the Natural Magic Handbook notes that ash was associated both as an “elf tree” and one associated with medieval witchcraft.”
So, I was quite thrilled to learn that I have all of the mystical arboreal natural blessings I need growing right here on Casa Claire.
As long as the Ladies stand watch over the entrance to Casa Claire, all is well for this Druid.
Well, Tuesday is upon us, which might as well be Thursday, given the Thanksgiving holiday this week.
You fine, five readers finish those caffeine cuppas and take care of business if you must, but sneak away from that responsibility if (and as soon as) you can. After all, you need these lead up days to give you plenty of time to contemplate and catalogue all that is wonderful in your respective lives, for which you should and will give Thanks.
I can add the protection of the Ladies to my list this year.
But now I need to go cuddle some kitties and make my rounds.
And no matter what we individually and collectively get up to, let us make today a great one.
