Ash
Nion, (Nee-uhn)
The Letter
The Tree ~ Ash
Third Consonant
Place on the hand
- Tip of the Middle Finger
Color ~ Necht ~Clear or Blue
Stone - Sea Green Beryl
Bird ~ Naescu ~ Snipe
Goddesses - Nine Maidens and The Norns
Symbols - Wind, Breath, Awen
Planet - Mercury, Juno
Metal - Mercury
Message - Feelings ~ Emotions ~ Awaken
Note ~ a
Word Ogham - support, connection, boast of women, contest of beauty, weaving
Flower Essence - Impatiens, Vervain
"I am a wind on the deep waters
I fled vehemently... on the foam of the water.
I am a wind on the sea."
Ash is the third tree following the return of the light. It is sacred to Poseidon in Greece. In Ireland Ash is the third of the five trees of magic. It was used as charm against drowning. Emigrants in Ireland took ash with them when leaving to go to America after the Potato Famine. In Britain it is the tree of birth. Druid wands were made of ash. The Great Ash Yygdrasill, sacred to Oden, was taken from Triple Goddess in Scandinavian legend and used to dispense justice. In ancient Wales and Ireland oars were made of ash. The shade of the ash tree is said to be harmful to plants because ash roots will strangle other roots. It is called the Tree of Sea Power (resident in all water) and is the Tree for the winds over deep seas.
Burn at Yule for prosperity, do not use on house or stand under it, as it attracts lightning.
Ash is a tree of strength and maturity. It is a tree of rebirth and also the power of water. It is the last tree in the season of Spring to leaf out. Ash is often placed in the South in sacred space as it is the place of feeling. During the Ash Moon cycle is not a good time for major decisions.
Ash is the link between the inner and outer worlds. We are able to function in deep, watery places, in the realms of the underworld. Ash is flexible, psychic strength and is the weaving of fate and the guardian of peace. All actions have their reactions and note how you affect the world with your actions, physical and spiritual. Look for hidden influences. Things are not always as they seem. Use your perception and inner wisdom to see what is noble. Do not separate yourself or be cut off from the world.
Botanical Information
The common ash is a major tree of lowland forests in much of Europe, along with oaks and beeches. It grows to 130 feet in open sites, with a broad crown reminiscent of American elm trees. Ash was and still is an important timber tree, and is a traditional material for the handle of a besom. The common ash is occasionally cultivated in North America, and similar native ash species are widely grown as street trees. Ashes are members of the Olive family. The Ash flower is born on the bare branch before leafing occurs.
I AM A WIND OF THE SEA
In the moonlight, the crystal bright
Of our names is glowing clear;
Dragon stones stand alone
On the sand as we draw near..
Wave on wave, wave on wave,
Wave on wave of the sea mares rave,
Tides are high as we ride by,
Embrace the tide and with the sea mares ride.
Foaming, frothing at maddened mouth,
Hooves churning in the brine,
Tails flailing, ranting, raving,
We gather line on line.
Wave on wave, wave on wave,
Wave on wave of the sea mares rave,
At the spring tide, swell with pride,
Embrace the tide and with the sea mares ride.
Mighty now, we too must bow
To Time’s mightier hand;
Comes the ebb tide, we subside,
And graze the golden sand...
Wave on wave, wave on wave,
Wave on wave of the sea mares graze;
One and all heed Rhiannon’s call,
Embrace the tide and with the sea mares ride.
On the earth, in the air, Through the fire, by the water,
I am DEPTH, the Ash moon’s daughter.
© Chris Carol 1979