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A Primer in Dianic Withcraft
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Alder
“I am a tear the Sun lets fall”
Fearn
(FAIR-n), fern ~ Alder
The Tree - Alder
The Fourth Consonant
Place on the Hand – Tip of the Ring Finger
Bird - Faelinn- Gull
Color - Flann - Crimson, Green, Brown, Royal Purple
Goddesses
Symbols - Flowers
Planet - Saturn, Pallas
Tree of fire and resurrection
Day of the week - Saturday
metal - Lead
Planet - Saturn
Key word - utility
Good time to work magic
Numerical value - 4
Musical Note - C
Flower Essence - Genetian, larch
Word Ogham - Protection, shield of warrior bands, shelter of the heart
Alder is the tree of the Bran. In the Battle of the Trees the alder fought in the front line( shows that it is one of the first five consonants). Described as : a battle-witch of all woods, tree that is hottest in the fight." Prized for its charcoal. In Ireland if you fell a sacred alder your house could possibly burn. It's leaves and timber resist water better than other woods. It was used for making milk pails and other wood vessels. It yields three fine dyes, red from the bark, brown from the twigs, green from the flowers, typifying fire, earth and water. When the alder is cut down at first it is white then it seems to bleed red, as a man. Season of the Spring Equinox. (White Goddess p. 171-2).
"Span for me the waters of Life, Bridge for time the river of Death". (words taken from the ritual of Bran when day and night are equal - Gentle Arts of Aquarian Magic p.190)
The Man - ash (inner man) marries the Woman-Alder (inner woman) at Spring Equinox. Ash is strength, where alder is quiet resistance. Ash burns well where alder with its water resistant properties is connected with water. The alder is the tree of Bran the Blessed whose animal is the raven in Celtic myth. Also Odin's bird, from the north place. (Fruits of the Moon Tree p. 96.)
Fearn is a great strength in any situation and is powerful in any competition. The alder is tenacious and determined in its power. Alder indicates the very founding principals of all tradition. Fearn indicates that you remain steadfast in what you know to be your principles - the foundation of your knowledge and being. If you are unsure of what these principles are, then you should seek them relentlessly until they are found. You may be resistant to change. The challenge of the Alder is not being aware of danger and dispute, and to have the knowledge of when to remain steadfast and when to allow and encourage change in life. You may have a tendency to fear defeat to such an extent that your courage is impaired.
Botanical Information
The alder is found along lowland rivers, growing with aspens, poplars, and willows. Alders sprout from stumps which allows them to regenerate after heavy flooding. If protected, they may grow to 65 feet. Their leaves are blunt-tipped. It common in the mountains of Europe, and is not restricted to moist soils. European alders are not widely cultivated in North American and are are often sold as black alders. It's wood is said to resist rotting when it is wet, and was the wood of choice for pilings in many regions. Alders are members of the Birch family.
At this moon Amergin sings, "I am a tear of the sun." We are now past the Equinox and in the second half of the spring quarter. Our fire initially invoked at Imbolc finally finds fulfillment. The days are becoming longer and the sun is gathering strength. Our beautiful Earth is responding to the warmth. Here where I live, trees are leafing, although in many parts of the world this has not yet occurred. Around me, flowers are blooming and I am aware that everything is waking up, blossoming alive.
As we have come through the year we have experienced the energies of water and air and we now receive the gift of fire. Water spread itself over the land, then received direction and purpose from air, and now opens herself to the warmth of the sun's fire. At this point in the year, fire comes to warm the coolness of water, and turns potential into life. Mythically, Amergin offers us the friendly qualities of this fire in a watery form, a tear fallen from the sun.
The new plants, small in their emergence, are miniature versions of the plants they will become. Taking this into consideration we may view our creative projects and create them with our minds first, so that they can take shape as the season unfolds. Our greatest wish would be that what we create expresses our deepest desires, what it is we truly crave and what will utilize our talents and imagination, to realize our greatest potential. Let us manifest true images upon which our future growth will come manifest.
As the moon waxes, we become aware of the growing light and feel the warmth coming into our bodies. On the full moon let us become fully illuminated by the fire of the sun. Let us open ourselves to clarity, illuminating whatever is still hidden deep within. And finally, as we move through the waning of this moon's cycle, let us release these formed images of our creative mind, ready to be made manifest in our word.
I AM A TEAR OF THE SUN
Weep, weep for the sparkling stream,
Weep, weep for the great oak tree;
Weep, weep for the bright blue sky,
Weep for the memory.
Weep, weep for the sacred grove,
Weep, weep for the peaceful years;
Weep, weep for the fruitful field,
Weep for our present fears.
Weep, weep for the endless fight,
Weep, weep for the vengeance night;
Weep, weep now with all our might;
Weep for our birthright.
On the earth, in the air, Through the fire, by the water
I am CLARITY, the fourth month's daughter.
© Chris Carol 1979. © 1948, 1966 by International Authors N.Y.