ASSOCIATIONS
PLANET: The Sun, Mercury
ELEMENT: Fire
SYMBOLISM: Protection and Inspiration
STONE: Tourmaline
BIRDS: Duck, Quail
COLOR: Green
DEITY: Brigantia, Brigid, Virgin Mary, Thor
SABBAT: Imbolc, Candlemas
FOLK NAMES: Delight of the Eye, Mountain Ash, Quickbane, Ran Tree, Roden-Quicken, Roden-Quicken-Royan, Roynetree, Sorb Apple, Thor's Helper, Whitty, Wicken-Tree, Wiggin, Wiggy, Wiky, Wild Ash, Witchbane, Witchen, Witchwood
The Rowan tree is considered one of the most sacred trees of the Witches and Wiccans. It is also a favorite tree of the Druids. Rowan trees are also known as European Ash trees, however they are actually a member of the rose family. These trees are native to Northeastern North America and Northern Europe. It's a smaller dense tree that grows to approximately 50 feet. It thrives in rougher overworked soil so a lot of times you will find these trees growing around old building sites. Because of it's density in the past it has been used to make such things as ship masts, whip handles, spindles, spinning wheels, and other tools. It is a wonderful tree for carving and to use as a walking stick.
The berries of the Rowan tree are indeed edible. They are used to make jams and jellies primarily in Europe. You will find it being used as a substitute for cranberry sauce. It is also use to make wines.
Magickal PropertiesThe Rowan tree has long been known for being a magickal tree. It is used to protect against bad luck, evil and lightning. The Rowan tree is a very dense tree and has been use for many years to make walking sticks and magician's staves, as well as Druid staffs and wands. Even today is is still one of the most sought after woods for wands and amulets. It is believed to help psychic abilities and connections. If you look at the berries when you remove them from the stick you will notice the pentacle symbol where they were attached. They are used in many Wiccan rituals and traditions today.
In Wiccan traditions today the berries are dried and ground up to make magickal incenses that are used to invoke the Goddess, spirit guides, or elemental spirits. The leaves from the Rowan tree are used in love divinations and spells.
In meditation, Rowan is helpful with clearing the mind and opening our inspiration. The Essence of Rowan is used in vibrational medicine to assist in attuning us to nature, broadening perspectives, and making room for a deeper understanding of our place here in the universe.
MEDICAL USAGE
Rowan Berries are used as a laxative, for sore throats and inflamed tonsils. They have a high concentration of vitamin C.
ANCIENT TRADITIONS
Ancient vessels carried Rowan branches to avoid storms. People placed the branches on their steps to help their houses avoid lightning. They were also planted on graves to prevent hauntings. Branches were stitched into childrens clothing to help protect them and ward off evil spirits.
FINNISH LORE
In ancient Finnish lore the Rowan tree is part of their creation myth. It is believed that their Goddess, Rauni, came down from heaven when the earth was barren and took the form of the Rowan tree. She is known to have mated with Ukko, the Finnish God of Thunder resulting in the creation of all the plants and trees on Earth.
NORSE MYTHOLOGY
The word Rowan is Norse in origin and means the tree. In Norse mythology the Rowan tree is associated with the Goddess Sif. She is a Goddess associated with the Earth. She is best known for her long golden hair and being married to the God Thor.
CELTIC TRADITIONS
The Rowan Tree is the Celtic tree of life. The ancient Celts believe the Rowan tree to be the first woman and the Alder tree to be the first man. They also call the Rowan tree the traveler's tree because it is said to prevent the traveler from getting lost. They also believe it to guard against evil spirits. On Beltane it was the Celtic tradition to Rowan tree branches with string dyed from it's red berries to the tails of cows, and the halters of horses for protection. They made their sheep jump through hoops made of Rowan branches for protection. They planted Rowan trees by their doors and windows to help prevent evil from entering their house. The Celts associate the Rowan tree with Imbolc.
IRISH FOLKLORE
The Irish believed that the Rowan tree had the power to restore lost youth and that it was guarded by serpents and dragons.
"Whatever your connection to the Rowan, be sure to look out for the changes that will occur as a result of any communication with this tree. It should not be underestimated and its influence will bring about a quickening of your energy on many subtle levels. For this reason, it has always been used by the wise ones and revered as a powerful influence and should be treated with the greatest respect."
Rowan Berry Jelly3lb rowan berries strigged from their stalks, 3 firm apples, peeled, cored and chopped, 6 pints water, 6 whole cloves, a few juniper berries, sugar.
Boil fruit in water with cloves and juniper berries. Tip into jelly bag or muslin cloth, and leave to drip overnight. Next day measure juice and add a pound of preserving sugar to each pint of liquid. Heat gently to dissolve sugar, then boil hard for ten minutes. Test for setting by putting a little jelly on a cold saucer, and after a few minutes push edge with finger. If it wrinkles setting point has been reached. Decant into warmed jars and seal with butter. (Do not use metal lids.) Flavour improves with maturity (about six months)
"I am protected and indestructible."Come what may, I am loved."I accept the sweetness and abundance of Life and acknowledge my gifts. "I honor the energy of Rowan for protection against evil enchantment."I will not hobble myself with the chains of past failures."
"So mote it be. "
Reference: paganism-new-age.blogspot.com