We are so grateful to be able to work in woodlands and gardens along side magnificent trees. It is no coincidence that we chose to mark the launch of Made on a Hill under the bows of a near by ancient Oak tree. ( see Lantern Tree )
Here are a few practical, historical, medicinal and magical uses of the woods that have found their way into our little workshop.
Sapele Mahogany
(Entandrophragma cylindricum)
Spirituality, healing, divination and growth.
European Beech
(Fagus sylvatica)
Wisdom, knowledge, focus, divination, healing, meditation and protection.
Norse legend says the very first Runes were made of Beech wood.
American Black Walnut
(Juglans nigra)
Cleansing, healing, spirituality, focus, insight and protection.
Apple
Ash
Berberis
Blackthorn
Box
Cotinus
Laburnum
Lavender
Rose
Escallonia
Elaeagnus
Horse Chestnut
Pyracantha
Magnolia
Cherry
(Prunus Avium)
Favoured by furniture makers Cherry wood is hard and strong with a beautiful golden honey tone. The tree is an important food source for Blackbirds, Song Thrush's and mammals such as the badger, wood mouse, yellow necked mouse and dormouse. Bees make their way to these beautiful trees in the spring for their abundant flower blossoms.
Love & Divination
European Oak
(Quercus robur)
Strength & Endurance, Generosity & Protection, Justice & Nobility, Honesty & Bravery
connected to the Summer Solstice December 21st
Widespread throughout the British Isles and part of the ‘Sacred Triad’ of Oak, Ash and Thorn, and the Irish ‘Seven Noble Trees’, the Oak has long been thought of as the King of the Woods. The tree of endurance, strength and triumph. The adjective 'durable' comes from the ancient celtic name for the oak - Duir.
As the month of Duir has the summer solstice in it, the Oak is a powerful symbol and deeply connected to the summer solstice.
The word "Duir" comes from the Sanskrit "Dwr" which means "Door". It is the door to the three worlds of the Shaman.
Holly
(Ilex aquifolium)
Tree of Sacrifice, Love, sacrifice, reincarnation, protection
Holy is known to most of us as decoration around Christmas time. The Druids belived it to be a very powerful protective tree and encouraged people to take a piece of Holly into their homes in Winter. Romans exchanged gifts of Holly during their Winter Solstice celebrations.
Purpleheart
(Peltogyne pubescens)
Spirituality, divination, knowledge, healing and protection.
Yew
(Taxus baccata)
Tree of Resurrection, Tree of Eternity,The Tree of Life, Immortality, Rebirth, Protection, Longevity, Change, Strength
The last Letter of the Ogham alphabet, connected to the Winter Solstice December 21st
Yew has been used for many centuries. Longbows were made from Yew in the middle ages. Pegs or 'treenails' were cut for Viking ships. Furniture makers use Yew to form the bent parts of Windsor chairs. Pre-Christian cultures regarded the Yew tree as sacred. Possibly because of their longevity they became symbols of immortality. Drooping branches of a Yew can root and form a circle of new trunks around the original tree. Later the Yew came to symbolise death and resurrection in Celtic culture. Thanks to research into the properties of the Pacific Yew bark, and a subsequent discovery that the European Yew holds similar properties called alkaloids in its leaves, we now harness these alkaloids for treating ovarian and breast cancer. It remains one of the longest-lived trees on earth. One of the world's oldest surviving wooden artifacts is a yew spear head, found in 1911 in Essex, UK. It is estimated to be about 450,000 years old.
Mullberry
(Morus)
Knowledge, Divination, Wisdom, Protection, Strength, The will
Seven Irish Noble Trees
Daur – Oak
Coll – Hazel
Cuilenn – Holly
Ibar – Yew
Uinnius – Ash
Ochtach – Scots Pine
Aball – Wild Apple