The Rowan
Tree by Unity - Pyrus aucuparia/domestica/tourmalinis
Other names:
Mountain Ash, Quickbeam, Tree of life, Lady of the mountains, Wicken tree
Planetary ruler:
Sun
Element:
Fire
Gender:
Feminine
Deities:
Brighid
Magical
properties: Psychic powers, Healing, Power, Success, Protection, Divination,
Faeries, luck.
Rowan is a
beautiful tree and is a species of the rose family. It grows to between 10-20
meters tall and is native to the Northern Hemisphere it has Ash-like leaves and
in May-June is covered with masses of creamy-white scented flowers with 5
petals and in August with stunning clusters of bright orange/red berries with a
pentagram at their base. It is grown as an ornamental tree in parks and
gardens, but in the wild it will grow almost anywhere.
The berries
are a favourite food of birds, but shouldn't be eaten raw by humans as they can
make you very ill and are poisonous to children. Cooking makes the fruit safe
and it's used in Britain to make a bitter jelly as an accompaniment to game,
jams and preserves. They can also be used for wine making and to flavour beers
and spirits. In Austria, they have a Rowan schnapps and the Czechs make a Rowan
liquor. If you fancy cooking with Rowan berries there are many recipes out there,
they are very bitter but it's said they are a bit more palatable if picked
after the first frost.
In the Ogham
alphabet Rowan is Luis and its meaning is psychic protection, intuition and
insight.
In the
Celtic tree calendar Rowan is the 2nd month which starts on January 21st -
February 17th.
Rowan is
associated with the Goddess Brighid who carried fiery arrows made from rowan
wood.
The Rowan
has a long been seen as a magical tree of protection and was often planted near
homes to protect them from malevolent beings, sorcery, storms and lightening.
In Northern Britain rowan sprigs were also fixed above cattle barns to protect
the animals.
Rowan trees
were often planted near groves and stone circles for protection. It was
believed that the trees were guarded by serpents and dragons.
The berries
and leaves can be used in Incenses to call up spirit guides and to aid
divination and inner journeys.
Hang a small
bag of the berries over your door to protect your home from negativity.
Carry the
leaves, twigs or berries with you for personal protection, healing and luck.
They will also protect you from storms at sea.
Two twigs
made into an equal armed cross and tied with red thread are a traditional rowan
protection charm for your home.
Rowan and
Apple jelly
1kg (2lb 4 oz.)
rowan berries, taken off their stems and washed
500g (1lb 2 oz.)
sour apples washed and cut into quarters
granulated
sugar
water
Put the
rowan berries and apple pieces in a big heavy bottomed pan and cover with water.
Cook gently for 40 minutes. After this time the water will be red and the fruit
very soft. Strain the fruit through a fine sieve or jelly bag reserving the
liquid. Do not be tempted to squash the fruit it will result in a cloudy jelly. Measure the liquid, and put it in to a clean
pan. For every 550mls of liquid add 450g sugar. Bring to the boil, stirring to
dissolve the sugar. Boil until it reaches setting point and pour into
sterilized jars. – the jelly will set at around 104°C, check it by putting a bit
onto a very cold plate and seeing if it wrinkles when you push your finger
through it. Put lids on the jars as soon as soon as they are cool enough to
handle.
Unity
Herbcraft -
Anna Franklin and Susan Lavender
KitchenWitch world of magical herbs and plants - Rachel Patterson
Tree wisdom
- Jacqueline Memory Paterson
The Celtic
wisdom of trees - Jane Gifford
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