the ROWAN TREE
(Sorbus aucuparia)
identifying the Rowan:
With her orange or sometimes red berries the Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) is as powerful as she is beautiful with large amount of folklore and magic surrounding her berries and wood.
The Old English name of the rowan is cwic-beám, also known as quickbeam or the quicken-tree. Eventually it was reinterpreted as having a connection to the word witch as a dialectal variant wick for quick and names such as wicken-tree, wich-tree, wicky, wiggan-tree, giving rise to names such as the witching-tree. I think this name by far is my favourite.
In the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, this species is commonly referred to as a "dogberry" tree which can be helpful in identifying, especially if you know the tree by it's more local name.
The Rowan likes to grow up high on the sides of mountains and is often found sprouting and growing from the tiniest of crevices.
Having said that, where we live they grow all over the city, as they are most likely planted for their beauty in the fall.
Leaves:
Rowan leaves have 6-8 pairs of small leaflets, each about 3-6 cm long with toothy edges.
They are usually hairless, and dark green, and they turn yellow and red in autumn not usually falling off of the tree until November.
Berries:
The berries are easy to identify as they have a small star on the bottom and when squished are white in the middle and quite mealy.
An interesting about the flowers is that the rowan is hermaphrodite, meaning each flower contains both male and female reproductive parts. Flowers come in dense clusters, each one bearing five white petals.
An other interesting fact is that rowan is also known as the mountain ash, because it grows well at high altitudes and its leaves are similar to those of ash, however, it is important to note that the two species are not related
The Old English name of the rowan is cwic-beám, also known as quickbeam or the quicken-tree. Eventually it was reinterpreted as having a connection to the word witch as a dialectal variant wick for quick and names such as wicken-tree, wich-tree, wicky, wiggan-tree, giving rise to names such as the witching-tree. I think this name by far is my favourite.
In the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, this species is commonly referred to as a "dogberry" tree which can be helpful in identifying, especially if you know the tree by it's more local name.
The Rowan likes to grow up high on the sides of mountains and is often found sprouting and growing from the tiniest of crevices.
Having said that, where we live they grow all over the city, as they are most likely planted for their beauty in the fall.
Leaves:
Rowan leaves have 6-8 pairs of small leaflets, each about 3-6 cm long with toothy edges.
They are usually hairless, and dark green, and they turn yellow and red in autumn not usually falling off of the tree until November.
Berries:
The berries are easy to identify as they have a small star on the bottom and when squished are white in the middle and quite mealy.
An interesting about the flowers is that the rowan is hermaphrodite, meaning each flower contains both male and female reproductive parts. Flowers come in dense clusters, each one bearing five white petals.
An other interesting fact is that rowan is also known as the mountain ash, because it grows well at high altitudes and its leaves are similar to those of ash, however, it is important to note that the two species are not related
Red and orange Rowan Berries.
Harvesting and carving Wood and Gathering Berries:
As always, only cut from a living tree only after you have asked the tree for permission and told it of your wishes. Always waited until the tree gives you it's consent, and if it does not, say thank you and step away.
Making a deep connection of thanks to the tree is also very important and will ensure that anything you harvest from it does not carry any residue of unhappiness with it from a tree that was stolen from.
If you wish to take all or some of the bark off, it is best to do so soon after you have cut it, as it peels off easily at this stage. Carving is easiest at this point too and you can then leave the wood to dry out before carving in fine lines and sanding.
The rowan is an easy, softish wood to carve and can be used for small sacred objects.
When carving talismans and other sacred objects try to keep awareness of the sacred task you are undertaking and feel your way into connection with the energy of the Rowan, which you must honour.
When harvesting berries always ask permission and leave a gift for the tree, as her connections with the fae are deep and you may find yourself loosing keys of glasses and other important objects more often then you wish!
The berries are always gathered in the fall anytime after the 1st of September and before the first rains or real wetness sets in and rots them, or the birds get them all.
While working with the Rowan be alert for an increase in your psychic connections, Sleep with a piece of Rowan under you pillow to bring inner knowledge to the surface.
A quick video on the leaves and different kinds of berries:
As always, only cut from a living tree only after you have asked the tree for permission and told it of your wishes. Always waited until the tree gives you it's consent, and if it does not, say thank you and step away.
Making a deep connection of thanks to the tree is also very important and will ensure that anything you harvest from it does not carry any residue of unhappiness with it from a tree that was stolen from.
If you wish to take all or some of the bark off, it is best to do so soon after you have cut it, as it peels off easily at this stage. Carving is easiest at this point too and you can then leave the wood to dry out before carving in fine lines and sanding.
The rowan is an easy, softish wood to carve and can be used for small sacred objects.
When carving talismans and other sacred objects try to keep awareness of the sacred task you are undertaking and feel your way into connection with the energy of the Rowan, which you must honour.
When harvesting berries always ask permission and leave a gift for the tree, as her connections with the fae are deep and you may find yourself loosing keys of glasses and other important objects more often then you wish!
The berries are always gathered in the fall anytime after the 1st of September and before the first rains or real wetness sets in and rots them, or the birds get them all.
While working with the Rowan be alert for an increase in your psychic connections, Sleep with a piece of Rowan under you pillow to bring inner knowledge to the surface.
A quick video on the leaves and different kinds of berries:
Folklore and Magic:
Working with the tree ogam's
The tree ogam's were an ancient Celtic Alphabet {pronounced Oh-wam} which means 'grooved' that was in Ireland from the 5th Century AD but also existed even longer then before that n the symbolic form of notched grooves carved into rocks and most likely the trees themselves, but since trees grow or die we have no living evidence of that. Some say that the Ogam was the first attempt at the written word native to the British Isles. The tree Owan's consisted of around 2o straight lines which in essence were symbols one for each tree as well as forming letters. {Later another 5 were added and not all of the entire set are trees}
Each one is the first letter of the tree.
These tree Ogam's were first carved into stone in a long line running from bottom to top. as you can see in the image above taken of standing stones in Ireland. Along this line vertical line the ogams were placed going horizontally, each one carrying a different tree essence.
it is said that the druids also used hand signals tin order to communicate with each other, touching different fingers together and placing them in different positions so that they could spell words and communicate.
"There is no definitive proof about the origin of this alphabet, but it can be certain that the Druids, in the late Iron Age and beyond - last century BC and the first and second centuries AD - used this system in the form of a calendar, based on the thirteen cycles of the Moon, and the celebration of the four Solstices.
The word 'Druid' itself comes either from the Celtic name for the oak - 'duir' - or from the Welsh - 'derwydd' - meaning oak-seer." vcsinden2010/19
Much later these ogams were carved onto sticks or stav's and used in divination, each one carrying a different meaning depending on the tree.
We have included information here for each of the trees that are in the classic ogam sets, beginning with the Rowan.
The Rowan Ogam:
Each one is the first letter of the tree.
These tree Ogam's were first carved into stone in a long line running from bottom to top. as you can see in the image above taken of standing stones in Ireland. Along this line vertical line the ogams were placed going horizontally, each one carrying a different tree essence.
it is said that the druids also used hand signals tin order to communicate with each other, touching different fingers together and placing them in different positions so that they could spell words and communicate.
"There is no definitive proof about the origin of this alphabet, but it can be certain that the Druids, in the late Iron Age and beyond - last century BC and the first and second centuries AD - used this system in the form of a calendar, based on the thirteen cycles of the Moon, and the celebration of the four Solstices.
The word 'Druid' itself comes either from the Celtic name for the oak - 'duir' - or from the Welsh - 'derwydd' - meaning oak-seer." vcsinden2010/19
Much later these ogams were carved onto sticks or stav's and used in divination, each one carrying a different meaning depending on the tree.
We have included information here for each of the trees that are in the classic ogam sets, beginning with the Rowan.
The Rowan Ogam:
Within the Tree Ogam system the Rowan or Luis{ Lweesh} carries with it a strong association with protection magic and defence. Protection from not just those that would curse or harm but also from negative thoughts or ways of thinking as well. if you want to further cleanse your space try making an infusion or tea out of the boiled bark, berries and leaves and and use it to wipe down any area of your home or magical tools etc, that require extra cleansing.
You can also burn the dried leaves and use the smoke as a cleanse, this is best if you add Juniper to the mix.
If you feel the need to extra protection in your personal realm carry with you a sprig of rowan, better yet if it has the ogam carved onto it .
You can also burn the dried leaves and use the smoke as a cleanse, this is best if you add Juniper to the mix.
If you feel the need to extra protection in your personal realm carry with you a sprig of rowan, better yet if it has the ogam carved onto it .
Rowan Folklore and Magic:
Brigid and her Rowan berries..
The Rowan and it's red berries is a sure marker as a tree of the otherworld, as it is said that any red coloured fruit or berries was the food of the gods and considered sacred and thus by default taboo for any others to eat.
Red is the colour of death and re-birth and so to take any red fruit is a thing of great risk but also of great reward, to be careful when asking permission and when leaving offering of thanks behind making sure to always follow this protocol.
The Rowan tree is often associated with Brighid, the Celtic goddess of hearth and home, which is traditionally celebrated February 1, at Imbolc{Feb 1st} Imbolc, in the Celtic seasonal calendar marks the beginning of the spring of new birth and the stirrings of new life.
The original word Imbolg means 'in the belly' marking the time of the year when lambs are born and all is pregnant with the possibility of the next season coming...
As we work with Rowan we can take this time to think about what needs to get cleaned out as we work to let go anything that no longer serves and clearing out the old, to make way for the possibilities that the spring holds for us.
Imbolc is also the great festival and honouring of Brigid the Goddess of healing, poetry, fire and smithing. She is a Goddess of the Hearth and brings fertility to the land as she is closely connected to midwives and new-born babies. She is the Triple Goddess, but at Imbolc she is in her Maiden aspect.
During this time it is important to get outside and sit with the trees, reading any patterns you may notice in the bark as a divination or speaking with them for guidance and support.
Sprigs of Rowan were often placed over doorways and fixed to cattle sheds to protect the animals from harm. Similarly, farmers would drive their sheep though hoops of Rowan branches, and in Wales, Rowan trees were planted in churchyards to watch over and protect the spirits of the dead.
It is said that rowan wood is wonderful for helping us to focus our intentions when speaking to the underworld and in helping us understand them, this is why wearing a Rowan talisman, or carrying a piece of Rowan touchwood is helpful.
In more recent times, in druidism, they hold the rowan as a "portal tree", as it is considered to hold the threshold between this world and otherworld, another reason why carrying or working with a small piece of rowan wood is a helpful talisman to work with, as it is a powerful ally with helping us to open up communication with the spirit realms whilst keeping us safe.
Another interesting aspect is that the name rowan is linked with the Norse word 'runa' meaning 'a charm' and rune staves were commonly carved out of rowan wood. The Sanskrit 'runa' means magician and that when spoken softly and with great care it is a mystery or bring with it a council--perhaps from the otherworld?
Of course in the old Celtic Tree Ogham, Rowan is the second of the Ogham letter, 'Luis' which is the quickening of energy set in motion by the first tree, the Birch, which is said to open up communication with the Spirit Realms.
Red is the colour of death and re-birth and so to take any red fruit is a thing of great risk but also of great reward, to be careful when asking permission and when leaving offering of thanks behind making sure to always follow this protocol.
The Rowan tree is often associated with Brighid, the Celtic goddess of hearth and home, which is traditionally celebrated February 1, at Imbolc{Feb 1st} Imbolc, in the Celtic seasonal calendar marks the beginning of the spring of new birth and the stirrings of new life.
The original word Imbolg means 'in the belly' marking the time of the year when lambs are born and all is pregnant with the possibility of the next season coming...
As we work with Rowan we can take this time to think about what needs to get cleaned out as we work to let go anything that no longer serves and clearing out the old, to make way for the possibilities that the spring holds for us.
Imbolc is also the great festival and honouring of Brigid the Goddess of healing, poetry, fire and smithing. She is a Goddess of the Hearth and brings fertility to the land as she is closely connected to midwives and new-born babies. She is the Triple Goddess, but at Imbolc she is in her Maiden aspect.
During this time it is important to get outside and sit with the trees, reading any patterns you may notice in the bark as a divination or speaking with them for guidance and support.
Sprigs of Rowan were often placed over doorways and fixed to cattle sheds to protect the animals from harm. Similarly, farmers would drive their sheep though hoops of Rowan branches, and in Wales, Rowan trees were planted in churchyards to watch over and protect the spirits of the dead.
It is said that rowan wood is wonderful for helping us to focus our intentions when speaking to the underworld and in helping us understand them, this is why wearing a Rowan talisman, or carrying a piece of Rowan touchwood is helpful.
In more recent times, in druidism, they hold the rowan as a "portal tree", as it is considered to hold the threshold between this world and otherworld, another reason why carrying or working with a small piece of rowan wood is a helpful talisman to work with, as it is a powerful ally with helping us to open up communication with the spirit realms whilst keeping us safe.
Another interesting aspect is that the name rowan is linked with the Norse word 'runa' meaning 'a charm' and rune staves were commonly carved out of rowan wood. The Sanskrit 'runa' means magician and that when spoken softly and with great care it is a mystery or bring with it a council--perhaps from the otherworld?
Of course in the old Celtic Tree Ogham, Rowan is the second of the Ogham letter, 'Luis' which is the quickening of energy set in motion by the first tree, the Birch, which is said to open up communication with the Spirit Realms.
Cultivating a relationship with Rowan:
To cultivate a deeper relationship with Rowan Plant one near your house as they seem to grow well in cities and add greatly to the beauty of any garden.
Of course this has many different benefits as the planting of rowan trees near homes has been done for centuries as a ward for negative influences as well as the attraction of birds to the berries in the fall and hummingbirds to the flowers in the spring.
Another use was as the handle and cross of the butter churn as a protective measure from it being bewitched and the mild curdling before the butter could be made.
It is said that in old times in Scotland that there was an old custom of using rowan trunks for the beams of the chimney because t was protective from lightning and fire, and of course anything malicious that may have come looking down the chimney.
Rowan wood is easy to carve and is good for making wands which can be inscribed with runes or other protective symbols, as well as carving small talismans or even a walking stick, which would be particularly good for use when walking at night.
The use of rowan wood talismans over time supports us with honing in our psychic abilities and communication on all levels.
The berries themselves also carry wonderful medicines as they each have a tiny five-pointed star on their bottoms.The five pointed star has all sorts of meanings from the pentagram with each of its arms representing the elements of Earth, air, fire and water and even to the stars of Inanna and her associations with the underworld. It is said that because of this pentagram the berries are the most protective part of the tree.
It is also known to the Slavic peoples that branches, leaves and berries are useful in removing curses and hex'es. To do this For thisHave the person who have been cursed pay on the ground and surround them with rowan branches, after a time they can sit up and drink some hot tea prepared with the berries. After three hours the branches are removed, having absorbed the curse and they are burned or buried.
In ancient times all throughout Europe, but most especially in Ireland and wales, the Rowan was viewed as food of the fae.
Rowan berries were seen as the magical food that, should you ever stumble into the hill of fae and should they offer you food, beware, for one rowen berry is said to have the power to sustain a human for nine meals, and eating three berries would keep you the same age for over a hundred years.
Thus the saying that if one enters into the land of the Tuatha de Dannan, while they think it has only been three days actually 100 years passes in the land of the humans!
Conversely, it is said that you can pull a person back from the land of the fae using a rowan branch by placing one of if it into the middle a faerie ring.
Then holding onto the top of the other end, and waiting until the feeling of a tug happens on the other side, two large men should pull with all their might, thus pulling the person from the other side of the fairy land onto the side of the humans!
However, although the berries were very much liked by the faeries, the wood was not, and so carrying, wearing or having a rowen cross made of wood was a protection such dealing with the fee such as the capture of changlings and other such shenanigans.
My way though has always been to give respect, and so far there has been no need of protecting.
Now humans and other beasties on the other hand, well I have my rowen strings over all doors in my house and dried berries in a small pouch that I wear when in need.
The berries can be made into a variety of different drinks such as wine and liquors as well as, jams and medicines. Cut the clusters of berries off the trees in October while they are still firm (leave some for the birds!) and dry them by hanging them upside down in brown paper bags. This is best done in a warm, airy place or airing cupboard. When they are completely dry, keep them in brown paper bags or dark jars. The juice from the berries is mildly laxative and makes a good gargle for sore throats and hoarseness. To extract the juice from the dried berries, soak one teaspoonful in one cup of cold water for 10 hours or overnight, strain and use as a gargle.
It is said that rowan bark and berries can make a good a black dye used for dying wool, and that the Druids used it for dying their ceremonial black robes, but I have not tried it myself.
To cultivate a deeper relationship with Rowan Plant one near your house as they seem to grow well in cities and add greatly to the beauty of any garden.
Of course this has many different benefits as the planting of rowan trees near homes has been done for centuries as a ward for negative influences as well as the attraction of birds to the berries in the fall and hummingbirds to the flowers in the spring.
Another use was as the handle and cross of the butter churn as a protective measure from it being bewitched and the mild curdling before the butter could be made.
It is said that in old times in Scotland that there was an old custom of using rowan trunks for the beams of the chimney because t was protective from lightning and fire, and of course anything malicious that may have come looking down the chimney.
Rowan wood is easy to carve and is good for making wands which can be inscribed with runes or other protective symbols, as well as carving small talismans or even a walking stick, which would be particularly good for use when walking at night.
The use of rowan wood talismans over time supports us with honing in our psychic abilities and communication on all levels.
The berries themselves also carry wonderful medicines as they each have a tiny five-pointed star on their bottoms.The five pointed star has all sorts of meanings from the pentagram with each of its arms representing the elements of Earth, air, fire and water and even to the stars of Inanna and her associations with the underworld. It is said that because of this pentagram the berries are the most protective part of the tree.
It is also known to the Slavic peoples that branches, leaves and berries are useful in removing curses and hex'es. To do this For thisHave the person who have been cursed pay on the ground and surround them with rowan branches, after a time they can sit up and drink some hot tea prepared with the berries. After three hours the branches are removed, having absorbed the curse and they are burned or buried.
In ancient times all throughout Europe, but most especially in Ireland and wales, the Rowan was viewed as food of the fae.
Rowan berries were seen as the magical food that, should you ever stumble into the hill of fae and should they offer you food, beware, for one rowen berry is said to have the power to sustain a human for nine meals, and eating three berries would keep you the same age for over a hundred years.
Thus the saying that if one enters into the land of the Tuatha de Dannan, while they think it has only been three days actually 100 years passes in the land of the humans!
Conversely, it is said that you can pull a person back from the land of the fae using a rowan branch by placing one of if it into the middle a faerie ring.
Then holding onto the top of the other end, and waiting until the feeling of a tug happens on the other side, two large men should pull with all their might, thus pulling the person from the other side of the fairy land onto the side of the humans!
However, although the berries were very much liked by the faeries, the wood was not, and so carrying, wearing or having a rowen cross made of wood was a protection such dealing with the fee such as the capture of changlings and other such shenanigans.
My way though has always been to give respect, and so far there has been no need of protecting.
Now humans and other beasties on the other hand, well I have my rowen strings over all doors in my house and dried berries in a small pouch that I wear when in need.
The berries can be made into a variety of different drinks such as wine and liquors as well as, jams and medicines. Cut the clusters of berries off the trees in October while they are still firm (leave some for the birds!) and dry them by hanging them upside down in brown paper bags. This is best done in a warm, airy place or airing cupboard. When they are completely dry, keep them in brown paper bags or dark jars. The juice from the berries is mildly laxative and makes a good gargle for sore throats and hoarseness. To extract the juice from the dried berries, soak one teaspoonful in one cup of cold water for 10 hours or overnight, strain and use as a gargle.
It is said that rowan bark and berries can make a good a black dye used for dying wool, and that the Druids used it for dying their ceremonial black robes, but I have not tried it myself.
Rowan berries in small coffins awaiting their red strings..
Druids of Ireland also lit fires of Rowan wood before battles and incantations were spoken over the flames to summon spirits to take part in the fight and to combat evil forces. Bewitched horses and animals were controlled by Rowan whips.
Early medieval scribes of Old German and Old English say that the word—helliruna, helrun, helrune, helrynegu, and hellraun, for a “sorceress or witch” with oracular powers, in touch with the earth and spirits of the dead.
it is also said that charcoal from burned rowan wood was used for inscribing such things as runes and other magical charms to ward off any unwanted influences.
Even to this day we have evidence that rowan trees were planted in the near the ancient stone circles to assist in communication with the otherworld.
It was also known that the Druids built special platforms made from interwoven Rowan twigs known as 'The Wattles of Knowledge' that the Druid would lie on in order to gain hidden knowledge or wisdom.
One of my most favourite pieces of lore is around the growth of a rowan tree out of the stump of another, as it is said that these were called Flying Rowans and revered as growing the most protective wood and that when harvested in mid-summers eve it is the most protective charm--especially against trolls. Now we do have know of any real trolls these days, but I can certainly think of some on-=line ones, which is why I have a small piece of flying rowan near my computer!
Another old piece of folk lore is the use of Rowan berries for protection by stringing them onto a piece of red string and hanging them over each of the doors to your home. This will protect your home from unwanted visitors be they human or fae...
Early medieval scribes of Old German and Old English say that the word—helliruna, helrun, helrune, helrynegu, and hellraun, for a “sorceress or witch” with oracular powers, in touch with the earth and spirits of the dead.
it is also said that charcoal from burned rowan wood was used for inscribing such things as runes and other magical charms to ward off any unwanted influences.
Even to this day we have evidence that rowan trees were planted in the near the ancient stone circles to assist in communication with the otherworld.
It was also known that the Druids built special platforms made from interwoven Rowan twigs known as 'The Wattles of Knowledge' that the Druid would lie on in order to gain hidden knowledge or wisdom.
One of my most favourite pieces of lore is around the growth of a rowan tree out of the stump of another, as it is said that these were called Flying Rowans and revered as growing the most protective wood and that when harvested in mid-summers eve it is the most protective charm--especially against trolls. Now we do have know of any real trolls these days, but I can certainly think of some on-=line ones, which is why I have a small piece of flying rowan near my computer!
Another old piece of folk lore is the use of Rowan berries for protection by stringing them onto a piece of red string and hanging them over each of the doors to your home. This will protect your home from unwanted visitors be they human or fae...
Hedge Crossing with Rowan:
We have included this section as suggestions based on our own experience with the trees to give some guidance for your own work and help ground you in some of the possible answers that may come up with each tree, as they are all so very different.
Hedge crossing, or spirit flight, meditation or journey whatever language you use to call it, the best way to communicate and discover the wisdom of the trees is through sitting as near as possible to the tree, asking permission to communicate and then ask for any wisdom teaching it might have to offer.
Each person will approach this differently, but in a nutshell, hedge crossing is allowing your spirit to move either out of your body and into the other world, although some feel that they are able to do this while still in their body especially because this kind of work is what one would consider to be in the middle realm, which is the here and now space...
Basically one only needs to be open to communication with the tree.
Working with the Rowan:
Rowan is a gentle tree to work with and very much carries the essence of the fae realm, while at the same time being grounded, if that is even possible? When working with the Rowan tree we found that the connection was deeper and much more intense when placing a crushed berry into the mouth before the journey.
Fortunately we have access to many rowan trees in this area so we were able to sit leaning back against the tree for all communication.
The rowan that I {Nikiah} often work with easily gave permission to take some berries and to come back for visits and was quite talkative so we have established a wonderful working relationship over the years, and my gift back to the tree more often then not looks like pruning branches that are growing at odd directions or untangling vines growing and chocking it, or even offering water--practical needs of the tree rather then scatterings of tobacco or lavender, which I have given over the years along with strands of my hair in a pinch.
Hedge crossing, or spirit flight, meditation or journey whatever language you use to call it, the best way to communicate and discover the wisdom of the trees is through sitting as near as possible to the tree, asking permission to communicate and then ask for any wisdom teaching it might have to offer.
Each person will approach this differently, but in a nutshell, hedge crossing is allowing your spirit to move either out of your body and into the other world, although some feel that they are able to do this while still in their body especially because this kind of work is what one would consider to be in the middle realm, which is the here and now space...
Basically one only needs to be open to communication with the tree.
Working with the Rowan:
Rowan is a gentle tree to work with and very much carries the essence of the fae realm, while at the same time being grounded, if that is even possible? When working with the Rowan tree we found that the connection was deeper and much more intense when placing a crushed berry into the mouth before the journey.
Fortunately we have access to many rowan trees in this area so we were able to sit leaning back against the tree for all communication.
The rowan that I {Nikiah} often work with easily gave permission to take some berries and to come back for visits and was quite talkative so we have established a wonderful working relationship over the years, and my gift back to the tree more often then not looks like pruning branches that are growing at odd directions or untangling vines growing and chocking it, or even offering water--practical needs of the tree rather then scatterings of tobacco or lavender, which I have given over the years along with strands of my hair in a pinch.
Rowan can be a bit of a trickster tree, but not in any kind of harmful way, but more like an old friend who likes to play pranks and is not often prone to getting too serious or taking themselves too seriously.
Having said that, the Rowan is fiercely loyal and will protect those it gives its berries to for forever.
I have found that the protective qualities of Rowan are fierce to say the least and have often asked for the rowan to make me invisible when other hikers get too close to my sitting spot and not once have they seen me while I was communicating with the tree.
Having said that, the best medicine comes from a tree that we have established a relationship with, spoken to and are in reciprocal relationship with.
Good questions to take to the Rowan tree have to do with protecting oneself from energetic harm, and how to become more connected to the otherworld and tap into the spirit of the fae.
The questions really are limitless, but I find that when looking for tree wisdom it helps to be direct with questions and understand that each tree is different so asking the Rowan questions about things such as cooking and hearth work that are better suited to the apple or to the Elderberry, dont get me very far.
Either way, stay open, ask permission and enjoy!
Having said that, the Rowan is fiercely loyal and will protect those it gives its berries to for forever.
I have found that the protective qualities of Rowan are fierce to say the least and have often asked for the rowan to make me invisible when other hikers get too close to my sitting spot and not once have they seen me while I was communicating with the tree.
Having said that, the best medicine comes from a tree that we have established a relationship with, spoken to and are in reciprocal relationship with.
Good questions to take to the Rowan tree have to do with protecting oneself from energetic harm, and how to become more connected to the otherworld and tap into the spirit of the fae.
The questions really are limitless, but I find that when looking for tree wisdom it helps to be direct with questions and understand that each tree is different so asking the Rowan questions about things such as cooking and hearth work that are better suited to the apple or to the Elderberry, dont get me very far.
Either way, stay open, ask permission and enjoy!
Recipe and Magic Making:
Rowanberry Apple Jam recipe:
This Jam is essentially food medicine, for no matter how much sweetness you put in, or how many apples you use, the bitter astringent aspect of the rowen comes through, ands this is how it is meant to be. The rowan berry is a good digestive, but if too much is taken it can have the opposite affect. {Not that anyone wold ever accidentally over eat too many Rowan berries!} It has been used to get rid of worms, ward off scurvy and as a blood cleanser.
However I like to share and eat small amounts of it in the fall with rich cheeses and meats.
This is a recipe I created this year and it worked like a charm, much better then any recipe I have used in the past and it is as simple as it is powerful!
I also added dried Hawthorn berries from last years harvest, as well as honey from my hives and rosehips for added medicine--and I encourage you to do the same, as what we have in our back years and forests can be always added to create an even more nourishing food medicine.
Ingredients:
4 cups of chopped apples--any kind.
4 cups Rowan berries--best after a frost or even frozen and then thawed for a bit.
Red berries tend to be sweeter then orange, but either will do.
1 tsp cinnamon
1 finger length of ginger.
4 cups of granulated sugar
Process: Pick the Rowan Berries from the little stalks and wash them.
Peel and cut the apples.
Put both into a pot together with some water enough to cover--I used 3 cups.
Cook the fruits until everything is soft about 1/2 an hour, stirring a bit here and there. I also added cinnamon and a finger length of ginger which I highly recommend doing!
{I also at this point added my extra medicines, such as the dried hawthorn berries etc..}
In the meantime prepare your jars by either boiling them or running them through the dishwasher.
Pour everything into a blender or food processor and blend it all up.
Now pour it all into a cheese cloth--ideally after it has cooled a bit.
Now press everything through the cheese cloth leaving behind only the seeds and peels etc...
I used a small food processor and did it in 3 batches.
Now pour the puree back into your pot and add your sugar and keep boiling until everything starts gets thick and jammy. The apples have natural pectin and so it will firm up in no time--I promise!
Once this is done you can pour your Jam into jars, seal, and enjoy!
This Jam is essentially food medicine, for no matter how much sweetness you put in, or how many apples you use, the bitter astringent aspect of the rowen comes through, ands this is how it is meant to be. The rowan berry is a good digestive, but if too much is taken it can have the opposite affect. {Not that anyone wold ever accidentally over eat too many Rowan berries!} It has been used to get rid of worms, ward off scurvy and as a blood cleanser.
However I like to share and eat small amounts of it in the fall with rich cheeses and meats.
This is a recipe I created this year and it worked like a charm, much better then any recipe I have used in the past and it is as simple as it is powerful!
I also added dried Hawthorn berries from last years harvest, as well as honey from my hives and rosehips for added medicine--and I encourage you to do the same, as what we have in our back years and forests can be always added to create an even more nourishing food medicine.
Ingredients:
4 cups of chopped apples--any kind.
4 cups Rowan berries--best after a frost or even frozen and then thawed for a bit.
Red berries tend to be sweeter then orange, but either will do.
1 tsp cinnamon
1 finger length of ginger.
4 cups of granulated sugar
Process: Pick the Rowan Berries from the little stalks and wash them.
Peel and cut the apples.
Put both into a pot together with some water enough to cover--I used 3 cups.
Cook the fruits until everything is soft about 1/2 an hour, stirring a bit here and there. I also added cinnamon and a finger length of ginger which I highly recommend doing!
{I also at this point added my extra medicines, such as the dried hawthorn berries etc..}
In the meantime prepare your jars by either boiling them or running them through the dishwasher.
Pour everything into a blender or food processor and blend it all up.
Now pour it all into a cheese cloth--ideally after it has cooled a bit.
Now press everything through the cheese cloth leaving behind only the seeds and peels etc...
I used a small food processor and did it in 3 batches.
Now pour the puree back into your pot and add your sugar and keep boiling until everything starts gets thick and jammy. The apples have natural pectin and so it will firm up in no time--I promise!
Once this is done you can pour your Jam into jars, seal, and enjoy!
Stringing Rowan berries for house Protection:
The Rowan Charm'
original illustration © milena synek 2010
Another old piece of folk lore is the use of Rowan berries for protection by stringing them onto a piece of red string and hanging them over each of the doors to your home. This will protect your home from unwanted visitors be they human or spirit.
This is a fun activity for kids to do as well as adults and I did this a lot when my children were little, Now a days I make a new set every two years or so to renew the workings.
I also like to work with sets of three as that number is a magical number for any spell working and it is often finished with a small and simple incantation: Three by three, by three, so mote it be...
Or you can try this one:
"Rowan tree, red thread,
Hold evil spirits all in dread."
This year I had both red and orange berries, with the red berries coming from a tree that had grown out of an old cedar log making it doubly auspicious! I strung 9 red berries in amongst the orange ones, and always on red string as red is also a strong colour for protection, especially for women.
Some practical tips for stringing rowen berries:
Use a thin but longish needle so that it is easy to get a thicker thread through it like embroidery thread. If you have very ripe berries stick them in the fridge for 3 hours or so to firm them up, this makes the stringing much easier.
Also ideally harvest as soon as you see them ripe Sept through to mid-Oct is the best time depending on where you live!
This is a fun activity for kids to do as well as adults and I did this a lot when my children were little, Now a days I make a new set every two years or so to renew the workings.
I also like to work with sets of three as that number is a magical number for any spell working and it is often finished with a small and simple incantation: Three by three, by three, so mote it be...
Or you can try this one:
"Rowan tree, red thread,
Hold evil spirits all in dread."
This year I had both red and orange berries, with the red berries coming from a tree that had grown out of an old cedar log making it doubly auspicious! I strung 9 red berries in amongst the orange ones, and always on red string as red is also a strong colour for protection, especially for women.
Some practical tips for stringing rowen berries:
Use a thin but longish needle so that it is easy to get a thicker thread through it like embroidery thread. If you have very ripe berries stick them in the fridge for 3 hours or so to firm them up, this makes the stringing much easier.
Also ideally harvest as soon as you see them ripe Sept through to mid-Oct is the best time depending on where you live!
Lady of the Mountain
By Jessica Rose Booth
Do you know the fetching hymn,
The Lady of the Mountain Sings?
The tongue-tart tang of flame-tinted bitter fruit,
Hanging from the ethereal witching tree.
Follow her call to the twilight spaces Where visions and sight reveal,
The secret homes of fae and glittering ore,
the liminal truth of the wild heart song.
Dance under her blade-like leaves
Held safe in the Lady’s shielding embrace.
Do you know the music of the Rowan tree,
This sacred sweet spark of Brigid’s eye?
By Jessica Rose Booth
Do you know the fetching hymn,
The Lady of the Mountain Sings?
The tongue-tart tang of flame-tinted bitter fruit,
Hanging from the ethereal witching tree.
Follow her call to the twilight spaces Where visions and sight reveal,
The secret homes of fae and glittering ore,
the liminal truth of the wild heart song.
Dance under her blade-like leaves
Held safe in the Lady’s shielding embrace.
Do you know the music of the Rowan tree,
This sacred sweet spark of Brigid’s eye?
A Rowan's Cross and Red Thread Charm for Protection
There is an old tradition of tying two small Rowan twigs of together with red thread similar to a Brigid's cross for using as a protective amulet, which is said to be good luck for both people and animals.
These rowan charms are designed to be placed above a door, a window,or any place in your home that you feel could use protecting.
It is often said that brides to be would place a tiny rowan cross or berry in the hem of her dress for good luck upon her marriage, although these days such things do not need to be hidden and i have heard of brides incorporating them into their wedding bouquet's.
A small travel one is always nice too and these can be hung from the rearview mirror of your car or even placed into a suitcase for travel.
To make these is easy, take two small twigs of rowan wood and tie them together in the middle using red thread or yarn until they feel secure.
Then storng a few rowan berries using a needle and red thread and tie them together into a circle, which you then attach using the extra thread to the rowan cross.
This can now be hung over your doorway or window for protection.
If you wish you can say this charm as you place them:
These rowan charms are designed to be placed above a door, a window,or any place in your home that you feel could use protecting.
It is often said that brides to be would place a tiny rowan cross or berry in the hem of her dress for good luck upon her marriage, although these days such things do not need to be hidden and i have heard of brides incorporating them into their wedding bouquet's.
A small travel one is always nice too and these can be hung from the rearview mirror of your car or even placed into a suitcase for travel.
To make these is easy, take two small twigs of rowan wood and tie them together in the middle using red thread or yarn until they feel secure.
Then storng a few rowan berries using a needle and red thread and tie them together into a circle, which you then attach using the extra thread to the rowan cross.
This can now be hung over your doorway or window for protection.
If you wish you can say this charm as you place them:
A charm for Protection.
I place the rowan and red thread over the door,
A charm between our home and any harm;
Against any spirits of malace
Against any humans of malace,
Against envy or ill will,
A charm to protect and keep good will in,
To keep in joy,
To keep in Peave,
To keep in love.
I place this charm between our house and harm,
Under sky, over sea,
I make it my will,
Blessed be....
I place the rowan and red thread over the door,
A charm between our home and any harm;
Against any spirits of malace
Against any humans of malace,
Against envy or ill will,
A charm to protect and keep good will in,
To keep in joy,
To keep in Peave,
To keep in love.
I place this charm between our house and harm,
Under sky, over sea,
I make it my will,
Blessed be....
Resources:
1 Under the Witching tree by Corrine Boyer.
2 Bennett, ‘From Local Memorate to Scottish Legend’, p179 in Fantastical Imaginations, edited by Lizanne Henderson, 2009.
5 Maclagan, Evil Eye in the western Highlands, 1902, p114.
6 Charm inspired by Spell of the Eye in Carmina Gadelica Volume II, 1900, p64-65.
1 Under the Witching tree by Corrine Boyer.
2 Bennett, ‘From Local Memorate to Scottish Legend’, p179 in Fantastical Imaginations, edited by Lizanne Henderson, 2009.
5 Maclagan, Evil Eye in the western Highlands, 1902, p114.
6 Charm inspired by Spell of the Eye in Carmina Gadelica Volume II, 1900, p64-65.