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Symbology
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The 27 pages in this Symbol section are below
Trees H - J
By CinnamonMoon
© Jan Harper-Whale
2000
Hawthorn Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Patience brings creative success and fertility.
The hawthorn trees and shrubs have a scaly bark and usually
thorns. They bear a berry or nutlet. The berry has been used
as a cardiac tonic, helping with blood pressure and even strengthening
other aspects of the heart. The thorn apple variety often plays
host to a wide variety of birds -- from sparrows to doves to
warblers and finches. Beneath its branches, grow wonderful and
dainty wildflowers, often considered the personal gardens of
the hawthorn faeries. Hawthorn translates as "garden thorn."
It is known as the May Tree in Europe, and it was an important
part of most European May Day celebrations with ties to the
fertility rites of Beltane. It is a tree symbolic of the energies
of fertility and creativity. The hawthorn's essence will stimulate
and manifest opportunities for growth on all levels within the
individual's life. It is a tree sacred to the fairies. The hawthorn
has long been considered an elf tree, and cutting one will bring
misfortune from the elves that lived within it -- especially
if it is blooming. On the other hand, hanging a branch of it
on the high point of a structure would prevent harm through
lightning. The hawthorn staff helps manifest opportunities for
cleansing and the development of chastity that strengthens the
individual's inherent energies and allows them to draw upon
greater reserves. It provides protection against the inner magical
realms, but the individual
will have to learn not to act too hastily or the new doors will
not be opened (and life may bring a thorn prick to remind you).
This is a tree of special magic. Those of the Faerie Realm living
near it hold the knowledge of its magic. Its message is a reminder
of our own fertility. And it often speaks many opportunities
for new expressions of creativity and fertility that are available
if we pursue them in the appropriate manner.
*The Language of Dreams/Patricia
Telesco
If the hawthorn appears in bloom, this represents happiness.
In Europe this tree has somewhat divergent meanings, being both
chastity and fertility. For the purpose of dream interpretation,
this might mean maintaining your devotion to someone or something
for a productive outcome. Along with the oak and ash, this is
a sacred fairy tree, and may represent a subconscious connection
to Devic realms and messages.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Hawthorn exemplifies unrecognized benefits.
*Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens,
and Superstitions/Zolar
Since the Roman occupation of Britain, various virtues have
been attributed to the hawthorn. In Ireland and Scotland the
rowan or mountain ash was thought a natural deterrent against
witches and fairies; in England and France, the hawthorn assumed
this same role. To the ancient Greeks, the hawthorn was a symbol
of betrothal; hence, its boughs in bloom were often carried
by attendants at weddings. In some places, even today, modern
Greek brides will wear hawthorn wreaths. In various May Day
festivities, hawthorn trees were often cut down and set before
houses. Since May Day was considered one of the best moments
for engagements, it is not surprising that the hawthorn is often
used on this day. In the south, young girls carry out a tradition
in which they bring branches of the hawthorn home and remain
silent in the belief that to utter a word will mean that they
will not marry during the coming year.
The following is a sampling of the
many superstitions and traditions that involve the hawthorn:
Anyone who cuts the hawthorn on May day will be protected only
by having a Bible close by, offering a prayer, or by asking
permission of the fairies. One should not bring hawthorn flowers
into the house, or death will follow. Witches gave hawthorn
to their husbands as part of a sleeping potion on those nights
when they wished to attend a meeting of the coven. In Ireland,
a single hawthorn is often planted above holy wells at which
offerings are left to ensure recovery from illness or fulfillment
of wishes. In France, a sprig of the hawthorn tree is worn in
the caps of Norman peasants in remembrance of the crown of thorns
worn by Christ.
Yet another tradition surrounding
the "crown of thorns" is the "Glastonbury thorn,"
which flowers in late December, as well as in May. tradition
held that its Christmas flowering occurred because it had been
the "crown of thorns." Still another legend held that
Joseph of Arimathea thrust his magic hawthorn staff into the
ground when he reached Glastonbury.
In Herefordshire, a traditional farmers'
custom was to make a hawthorn globe, which was hung on New Year's
Day and replaced each year before dawn by a new one. While women
made a new one, men took the old globe to the fields, carrying
it aflame or burning it as a bonfire. In so doing, they believed
it would drive away the Devil, especially in the form of wheat
smut disease. The hawthorn is thought to be a protective plant.
It is often offered to newlywed couples and is placed near the
cradle of newborns. Witches are said to get caught on it and
to be torn by its points. When in bloom, it is believed that
no lightning will strike its growing place, and hawthorn is
also believed to cure fevers. Should one place a hawthorn branch
in front of a cavalry, good luck in gambling is assured. According
to the Irish, if you cut down a hawthorn tree, you are risking
great danger to yourself. Hawthorn boughs fastened on May Day
against the walls and windows of houses, and especially the
barn, are said to cause cows to produce a great deal of milk
during the summer. Generally held is the belief branches of
hawthorns on doors and windows will keep out witches.
Hazel Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Time for transformation; act on inspiration.
The hazel tree bears sweet flavored nuts or filberts on an easily
maintained tree. It is often used for erosion control and for
medicinal purposes. Of course, all nut trees reflect something
about fertility and the fruit of our life -- or lack of it.
All fruit and nuts associated with trees are symbols of hidden
wisdom, and this tree and its energies can bring out the opportunity
to acquire and express hidden wisdom in a unique manner. It
is a tree whose name is also a common name used in society by
peole. It comes from the "hazel nut tree" and indicates
the quality of "quiet spirit." This is a very magical
tree. In the Celtic tradition, it was associated with sacred
wells, springs and the salmon, which should be studied also
by anyone for whom the hazel tree is a messenger. In an Irish
legend, the salmon ate the nuts as it swam by a hazel tree next
to the shore and it became transformed with wisdom. Salmon is
an animal that transforms itself, and this is one of the messages
of the hazel tree. It is time to transform ourselves. Hazel
twigs and even the staffs were often used as powerful dowsing
instruments, being very sensitive to the electrical-magnetic
fields of the earth and individuals. Hazel tree staffs and wands
help us awaken the inner intuition and insight, and it is a
powerful tree for stimulating artistic and poetic skills. It
is often associated with "skaldcraft" of Teutonic
lore. The hazel tree encourages us to pursue meditation to develop
a greater concentration of innate talents. It alerts us to act
upon our inspirations if we wish to transform our life or some
part of it.
*Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens,
and Superstitions/Zolar
In Wales, if you make a cap of hazel leaves and twigs and wear
it, anything you wish for will come about. From ancient times,
hazel was one of the main plants used for the manufacture of
wands and royal scepters. References to its use in this way
are found in Hebrew, Greek, Roman, and Nordic mythology and
in that of other cultures. To the Scandinavians, it was sacred
to the god Thor and held as protection against lightning. According
to Roman mythology, Mercury was given a hazel rod by Apollo,
which was used to calm human passions and to improve virtues.
Christian pilgrims often carried hazel rods throughout their
lives and willed them to be buried alongside their bodies. The
forked hazel twig was often used for dowsing in the belief that
it would assist in finding buried treasure. Likewise, it was
used for divining water. Another name for the use of hazel in
this way was "Moses's rod." When hazel wood was used
to manufacture wands needed for magical practices, requirements
were that they be made on holy days--Good Friday, St. John's
Day, Epiphany, or Shrove Tuesday, during the evening hours.
They sometimes were made on the first night of a new moon. The
cutter had to face east. The wood had to be cut from the eastern
side of the tree and then presented to the rays of the rising
sun. The use of a "virgin branch" (a young growth
with no side shoots upon it) was said to be most effective.
In Germany, hazel is symbolic of immortality, since it flowers
at the end of winter. In Black Forest weddings, the leader of
the procession would often carry a hazel wand. In Medieval England,
the hazelnut was said to symbolize fertility. In Sweden, hazelnuts
were believed to make one invisible, whereas in Bohemia it was
thought that they would cure fevers. In Scotland, double hazelnuts
were often carried in case they had to be thrown at witches.
One tradition holds that carrying a piece of hazel (cut at midnight
on Halloween) in one's pocket will prevent its owner from becoming
drunk, no matter how much is consumed. In Ireland, it is believed
that St. Patrick used a hazel rod to drive all the snakes into
the sea. Cutting a hazel rod on Good Friday, or St. John's Eve,
and swishing it through the air while naming one's enemies was
said to cause them pain, wherever they might be. In Prussia,
a rod cut in spring, during the first summer thunderstorm, was
used to make the sign of the cross. This was believed to bless
all rain stored for the year ahead. Some believed that hazel
would hatch a golden bough each Christmas night. The hazelnut
was often seen as a symbol of a child in its mother's womb.
Those years in which hazelnuts are especially prolific are held
favorable for fertile marriages. In some parts of Europe, however,
these same years are also said to produce prostitution. Should
one find a double hazelnut, it is said that wealth or twins
will soon appear.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Hazel (color) means cheery, down-to-earth personality or attitude.
Hazelnut implies common sense.
*The Language of Dreams/Patricia
Telesco
Victorian: Assured devotion. Hazelnuts were predominantly used
for love divination to determine if one's mate was true. Among
the Celts, the nut of this tree represented wisdom, being something
sweet that is buried beneath a sturdy obstacle. Psychic abilities,
specifically object location. Hazel branches were favored for
water witching and treasure finding.
Hickory Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Balance strength and flexibility; persistence.
This is a hard and tough tree with compound leaves and often
a scaly bark. It is deciduous and a nut bearing tree, and as
with all nut trees, it reflects hidden wisdom and messages afoot.
There are many types of hickory, and in fact, the pecan is a
hickory tree. (The pecan is also related to the peach tree.)
The wood of hickories is tough, heavy and resistant to impacts.
It has been used to make brooms, skis and sulkies. In fact,
the early years of sulky racing was somewhat dependent upon
the strength of hickory, which was used in the hubs and was
resistant to vibration. It is this same reason that among wood
skis, skiers often favor hickory. Hickory is known as a pushing
species, in that it is able to succeed other hardwoods in ecological
events, generation after generation, on the same land. This
means it can endure poor soil and drier situations better than
other hardwoods and it can re-grow in the same area faster than
other hardwoods. Because of this alone, hickory speaks to us
of our persistence. Are we persisting in our efforts? Are we
giving up too soon? One of the more common deciduous forests
is the oak-hickory. In fact, oak-hickory forests comprise more
than 1/4 of the forests east of the Mississippi River. Both
trees produce nuts, which are always symbolic of seeds and potentials.
The hickory speaks to us of persisting in the seeds we are planting.
Strength and flexibility will usually get us through difficult
times. Hickory reminds us that there is potential in our endeavors,
but we must push through and persist for success. But we must
also balance this. Are we just being stubborn? If we are unsure
if the message is to persist or to quit being so stubborn, the
hickory spirit always sends us another sign in the form of an
animal. As you sit near the hickory, what animal stands out?
Your message will be clarified through
it.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Hickory emphasizes the "strength" and enduring
characteristics of one's natural abilities as they are used
and developed.
Holly Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Time to become the spiritual warrior; be clear
about purposes. Technically, holly is a bush, but it has all
the power of a tree. It is one of my favorite evergreens, providing
color throughout the year with its leaves and berries. It has
closely packed spiny leaves, white flowers and red berries.
And as an avid birdwatcher, the berries always draw them. Even
deer like the leaves in winter. Holly has often been used as
decorations. A crown of holly and crown of ivy was placed on
the heads of male and female newlyweds respectively. It is one
of the most recognized plants associated with Christmastide.
Holly has often been used as a drink or an herbal infusion.
Native Americans made a drink from the leaves of a holly, called
the yaupon or cassina. They believe it is a gift of the Great
Spirit. It was consumed like coffee in the morning for its stimulating
effect and it became known as the black tea. A stronger version
was sometimes taken to cleanse the body and mind, providing
energy, stamina and clear thinking. Holly was also sacred to
the Druids. They kept it in their homes during the winter to
provide a haven for the "little people." Its spirit
and essence manifests energy of protection for them and those
who treat them with respect.
Holly is powerful to use for wands,
staffs and prayer sticks. It is magical and can successfully
be used by anyone with little effort. It is one of my favorite
plants to use for magical wishes, for protection and for connection
to the Faerie Realm. Holly wil stimulate an opening of the heart
so that true love can be experienced. It awakens compassion,
and it assists us in understanding "misunderstood"
emotions. It reminds us of the importance of proper emotional
expression in our life - especially with those we love. Do we
need to be more expressive of our feelings? It has the archetypal
energies of love, with its ability to overcome anger and hate.
This is a tree whose energies can help the individual to awaken
the Christ energies within, and can open one to angelic and
faerie contact with time and effort. Often considered a masculine
tree, it holds the energy of the spiritual warrior, an energy
that can be drawn upon in times of fighting and disruption.
It activates the masculine energy of the individual in a creative
manner. It is important for those who align with its energies
not to scatter their own energies. Any lack of direction may
create problems. And this is always part of its message when
we encounter it in Nature. This is a plant whose energies need
to be honed, pruned and watched in order for the highest expression
of it to manifest. Once done, it can stimulate a dynamic healing
capability, one that can be expressed in many avenues. The message
of the holly is usually clear. It centers around issues of protection
and asserting energies necessary for protection. Holly reminds
us to be clear about our endeavors and to pursue them. Are we
hesitant about what we are involved in? Do we need to be more
assertive? Are we protecting our endeavors and our creative
energies? is it time to assert new efforts in working with the
spirits of the woods?
*Encyclopedia of Signs, Omens,
and Superstitions/Zolar
The ancient historian Pliny held that holly was able to keep
away lightning spells and evil, if planted near one's house.
Should a branch be thrown at any creature, it was said to cause
it to like down and obey the thrower. Holly was also believed
to protect one against poison, and it was believed that its
flowers would freeze water. During the ancient Roman saturnalia,
holly and ivy were often used as decoration. When the birth
of Christ was celebrated at midwinter by early Christians, these
same traditions were maintained. The tradition of "first
footing"...the first visitor arriving on New Year's Day
brought bread, coal, and salt, and carried an evergreen branch,
often a holly, as a token of life. The holly bough carried was
required to be a male holly, for female holly would bring bad
luck. Leaves of a "she" holly placed under the pillows
of North Country girls and boys were said to bring them dreams
of their future partners. Nine leaves had to be collected at
midnight on a Friday and died with nine knots in a three-cornered
handkerchief. The charm would work only if no words were spoken
until the following dawn. Yet another tradition held that holly
should be used in a "witch's chain" of juniper and
mistletoe berries that were tied with acorns and wound around
a branch. This was burned by three unmarried girls. As the last
acorn went up in flames, each girl was said to see the image
of her future husband. According to one belief, holly was supposedly
created by Satan, who wished to mimic the laurel God had just
invented. It has long been a symbol of eternity, and some think
of its red berries as a symbol of the crucifixion. A young girl
who picked a holly leaf and counted it's prickles, saying "girl,
wife, widow, nun," did so in the belief that the last prickle,
and the corresponding word, would confirm her future. Holly
used in Christmas decorations should be removed on the 12th
night and burned, according to one tradition. More superstitions
include these: Bad luck will attend anyone who steps on a holly
berry. A child can be cured of rickets by passing it through
a cleft holly bush. Never take holly into a house before Christmas
Eve or quarrels will attend. When the holly's branches were
heavily laden with berries, it was long held to indicate a hard
winter with much snow ahead. In the language of flowers, holly
stands for foresight. Last, it must be mentioned that some believe
Christ's cross was made of holly wood. Since it was used to
crucify Christ, as punishment it was turned into a scrub. Yet
another tradition holds that Christ's crown of thorns was made
of holly. According to this legend, the berries were yellow,
until after the crucifixion, when they were turned red from
his blood.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Holly corresponds with a "fresh" spiritual idea or
concept.
*The Language of Dreams/Patricia
Telesco
Heroism. In the Druidical alphabet, this bush is represented
by the tau cross, often equated with the Tree God, whose strength
and endurance stands for all to see. The red berries of this
bush are an alternative blood emblem. Long lasting results or
impressions from your efforts. Ancient people associated this
plant with longevity, immortality, and the immutable soul due
to its ability to stay green through the winter. If seen as
planted around a home, this represents safety to all who dwell
within. The well-being of a newborn child. This plant got its
name from the Teutonic goddess Holle, whose dominion is protecting
babies.
*The Master Book of Herbalism/Paul
Beyerl
Holly was a sacred herbe of the Druids. When winter would come,
they would keep Holly in their homes, and thus would all of
the little people and woodland spirits have a safe refuge against
the cold and snow. Holy may be sent with a gift to a friend,
as the Romans did during the festival of Saturnalia. It is also
an ideal herbe to fashion into a wreath, to celebrate the welcome
of a new Priestess or Priest into the community.
Honeysuckle
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: The new is coming so learn from your past; adapt
and endure. Honeysuckle is a shrub that many argue about its
worth. it is flowering, fragrant, and long lasting. It is a
vining plant and vining plants contain clear messages. Are we
becoming entwined in things we shouldn't? Do we need to be entwining
ourselves in something else? Are past attitudes and experiences
entwined and inappropriately impacting our new activities? Honeysuckle
is an adaptable and enduring plant. Some species are considered
"weedy", seeding into woodlands and out-competing
native plants. But some of the species are wonderfully aromatic
- their fragrance filling the air through spring and summer,
alerting us to the presence of the nature spirits.
The flower faeries and elves of honeysuckle
are powerful. They hold much knowledge about aromatherapy, especially
in overcoming the past. Contact with them often stimulates powerful
dreams and they awaken greater psychic energy. They can teach
how to develop charms for "glamour" so that others
are more drawn to you. Honeysuckle is a shrub with energy that
reminds us to learn from the past (present life or past life)
so that mistakes will not be repeated. It may even manifest
similar situations we experienced in the past, to enable us
to deal with them more productively and to eliminate the karma
of such situations. Honeysuckle blossoms are powerful. They
remind us it is time to overcome the past and their fragrance
and energy will assist us in doing so. They awaken the power
in our lost dreams.
Honeysuckle balances the hemispheres
of the brain, enabling the individual to draw upon greater power
and potential. When aligned to, it creates within the aura an
air of confidence that affects others within your life. It helps
awaken psychic energy and the ability to become magnetic in
avenues desired. Its gentle spirit encourages a strong energy
of change, and it sharpens the intuition. The fragrance will
open the psychic energies of those who work with it. It can
bring revelations of hidden secrets, and assist the individual
in developing sureness, while overcoming any tendency toward
faltering. Opportunities to develop strong discriminatory abilities
are awakened - especially in distinguishing the true from the
false. The honeysuckle wound about a staff, which we use in
meditation and magical practices, will help us follow our own
beliefs safely. The tree awakens greater versatility and confidence,
and its fragrance is "attracting" to those of the
opposite sex. It helps the individual to balance the hemispheres
of the brain for more powerful expressions of creativity. It
increases understanding of non-physical realities and has ties
to the Celtic goddess Cerridwen.
*The Master Book of Herbalism/Paul
Beyerl
Honeysuckle is an Herbe of Immortality. No doubt it gained this
reputation from its ability to grow in nearly any condition
and to flourish even when severely cut back. It is most easily
used by the practitioner as an oil, the commercial varieties
which are pure being the best, for they have the scent. Worn
as an oil, it will aid in understanding non-physical realities.
It may also be added to rituals being performed to pass through
the mysteries of the Caluldron of Cerridwen.
*Magical Herbalism/Scott Cunningham
As an oil of the mind, it promotes quick thinking and is often
used as a memory aid by dabbing the temples. Also used in prosperity
rituals.
*On Dreams/Mary Summer Rain
Honeysuckle denotes earned graces.
Joshua Tree
*Nature-Speak/Ted Andrews
Keynote: Resilience; beauty and survival through perseverance.
Tradition has it that the Mormons gave this tree its name. To
many, the shaggy bark and twisted branches give the appearance
of an Old Testament prophet. the Joshua tree resides in the
high desert environment and only in the United States. In the
US, it is confined mostly in or near the Mojave Desert. It is
often the pride of the high desert, an important ecological
factor to the surrounding environment. This twisted and spiky
tree is slow growing - only about an inch a year. They are known
for their creamy white flowers, but they do not bloom every
year. Joshua trees also do not branch until they have bloomed.
it is actually a giant member of the lily family, in fact it
is also a part of the family of plants that includes grasses
and orchids. it is such a tree like plant though, that I decided
to place it in this grouping. The tree has shallow roots and
top-heavy branches. And since the trunk is made of small fibers,
it is difficult to tell its age, unlike other trees, it does
not have annual growth rings. Although it is not a strong tree,
if it survives the rigors of the desert, it can survive up to
a hundred years. It also produces steroid-bearing sapnin. Although
it provides no shade through the high desert, it gives the environment
great expression. One cannot help but be moved by it in some
way. And it is a home to a wide variety of animals. Burrowing
owls are frequently found near it, as are a variety of other
birds. The desert night lizard rarely leaves the protection
of this tree, and so it is an animal that should be studied
as well. The Joshua tree is an important part of the desert
ecological system and the desert landscape should be studied
as well by anyone for whom the Joshua tree is a messenger. The
Joshua tree reminds us that if we persevere we will not only
survive, but we will grow in unique ways. Our beauty, though
slow in manifesting, will express itself more with each passing
year.
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Libraries
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INDEX
Page 3
(Main Section, Medicine Wheel, Native Languages &
Nations, Symbology)
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INDEX
Page 5
(Sacred Feminine & Masculine, Stones & Minerals)
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©
Copyright: Cinnamon Moon & River WildFire Moon (Founders.)
2000-date
All rights reserved.
Site
constructed by Dragonfly
Dezignz 1998-date
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