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From the Branch ~
A Primer in Dianic Withcraft
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Rowan
Luis (LWEESH)
The Letter
The Tree - Rowan, Quicken, or Quick Beam
Third Consonant
Place on the hand - Tip of Index finger
Color - Liath - Gray
Stones
Bird - Lachu - Duck
Goddesses - Sequana, Brighid, Boann
Symbols – The Three Phases of Goddess
White blossoms - Virgin (the Maiden
Red berries - Menstruating Woman (the Mother)
Black bark - The Old, Wise Woman (the Crone)
Planet - Vesta
Musical Note - d
Message - Vision ~ Magic
Word oghams ~ flame, herb, delight of eye, sustenance of cattle
Flower Essence - Clematis, Elm
Rowan is also called mountain ash and quicken. It is a small delicate Goddess tree found in mountainous areas as well as gardens. Like elder, it is a witch tree and is often planted as a guardian, showing its moon symbolism with creamy white flowers in spring and brilliant red berries in fall. A traditional way of protecting a house or barn was to cut two twigs from a rowan tree you had never seen before, tie them into a cross with red wool and weave it into a diamond shape between the four arms. Rowan wands are used not only in magic but to drive horses and cattle and ward off evil influences. In the autumn, this elegant tree looks most colorful with red and gold leaves. The ancient people called it Luis.
Also called "Delight of the Eye". Rowan is related to the powers of the sun and its element is fire. Its powers are a healing, psychic power, associated with success. Its color is red and its bird, the duck, known to sustain and extend life.
Because the Rowan gives special insight, it can be seen as a tree of protection against enchantments. It provides forewarnings for things of which we may not be aware. Luis tells us to look within and seek the insight necessary to overcome our problems. It lets us know that the inner vitality necessary to us is available. Luis describes a vast sea of flooding vitality waiting to be tapped. Know that there may be some “flooding, but this state will only be temporary. Your challenge is to avoid being overly influenced by those forces outside yourself.
Oh Rowan tree
Oh Rowan tree thou'lt aye be dear to me
entwined thou art wi' mony ties O' hame and infancy
Thy leaves were aye the first of spring,
thy flowers the simmer's pride
there was na sic a bonnie tree in a' the country side.
Oh Rowan Tree
How fair wert thou in simmer time, wi'a'thy clusters white;
How rich and gay they autumn dress, wi' berries red and bright!
On thy fair stem were mony names which now nae mair I see,
But they're engraven on my heart, forgot they ne'er can be.
Oh Rowan Tree
We sat aneath they spreadin' shade, the bairnes round thee ran,
They pu'd they bonnie berries red, and necklaces they strang;
My mither, oh ! I see her still, she smil'd our sports to see,
Wi' little Jeannie on her lap, and Jamie on her knee.
Oh Rowan Tree
Oh! there arose my father's pray'z, in holy ev'ning calm,
How sweet was then my mother's voice, in the Martyrs' psalm!
Now a'are gane! we meet nae mair aneath the rowan tree,
But hallow'd thoughts around thee twine o' hame and infancy.
Oh Rowan Tree
Botanical Information
The red berries of the Rowan, or Mountain Ash were historically used to lure birds into traps. Birds are also responsible for dispersing the seeds. Rowans live well in poor soil and colonize easily in disturbed areas. In some parts of Europe they are very common around ancient settlements, possibly through cultivation. The bloom in May and can grow up to 50 feet tall. They are members of the Rose family. They do grow in North America, mostly in the northeast.
At this moon Amergin sings: "I am a lake upon a plain." Many ancient peoples had stories of floods in which water was both honored as a life bringer and as a destroyer. Water was seen as something that “escaped” from the realms of the gods. In many of the stories it seemed to be a female who was involved when water would move through some disaster, come to the land bringing growth and abundance though turbulence.
Probably the most famous version of this myth in Celtic tradition is the Irish story of the Well of Segais. Growing around this well were nine hazel trees of wisdom, whose nuts fell into the water and gave it the quality of divine illumination, much sought-after by those seeking this wisdom. Only the owner of this well and his three cupbearers were allowed to approach the well. Then the goddess Boann desired to drink from the well to increase her power. She came to it secretly, but the well exploded flooding the land, flowing to the sea as a river, later named Boyne, which has been thought to contain her spirit ever since. Through this story, rather than being the tragic victim, Boann became the nurturing, life-enhancing goddess of the people.
Imbolc occurs during this lunar cycle and the goddess, Brighid has been given honor at this time. The conjunction of fire and water, which appear to be polar opposites, are actually the main symbols for fertility and healing. Brighid kindles the fire in the earth as well as being the life-giving power of the sun, but she is also the one who sends the rivers and springs out to the land. Because of this she is the mistress of Fire and Water, and bringer of fertility to the Land. She is "Fire in Water.” The fire symbolism of Imbolc is placed right in the middle of a time when we are surrounded by water in the form of great floods.
This last, long ending of winter is usually is often a time of heavy rains and snow. Because the sun is beginning to offer longer periods of light and warmth, frost is no longer holding deeply in the soil, but is now melting and seeping into the earth, bringing texture to the land and getting it ready for the new growth soon to emerge. This is the “quickening” that will soon give us the early signs of spring with bulbs pushing themselves up into view. For us that means it is time to thaw out our spirits and warm ourselves, allowing a thaw from the winter’s cold darkness, and preparing for our own new growth.
So, in the movement of this cycle’s energy, we first become aware of the growing water of emotion, feeling its pressure upon our quiet spirits, so long in the dark. We find ourselves yearning to begin a time of conscious manifestation. Then at the Full Moon, we may allow the well or our emotions to spill over and observe how this loosens our hearts and spirits and brings us a period of fertile growth and possibility. It is time for us to thaw, release our spirits and find new growth and exhilaration in fresh, life bringing waters.
I AM A LAKE ON THE PLAIN
All on a plain there stands a lake,
A magic mirror doth it make;
And gathered on a wintry night,
Ye may behold a wondrous sight.
For in that lake reflected are the Lady Moon and Morning Star;
Across the sky they journey on, And to her son she sings this song.
Cradled in my loving arm,
Your dream unmarred by fear of harm,
Swift be your ride in the heavenly Boat,
As on the Milky Way we float.
Where turns the Crown of the Northern Wind
A silver island shall you find
And on that isle a castle white
Wherein is peace and calm delight.
Inside that castle’s silver wall
There stands a dark majestic hall,
And in that hall a Lady fair,
The end of all desire is there.
So slumber deep thou Heavenly Twin,
And so thy journey soon begin;
For they who in Lobe’s flames will die,
Shall rise again, I promise thee.
On the earth, in the air, Through the fire, by the water,
I am BREADTH, the Rowan moon’s daughter
© Chris Carol 1979