Ash Moon February 18 - March 17
The third Moon of the Celtic Tree calendar - the month of storms, floods and rains that fertilize the earth.
The Celtic name of Ash is Nion, pronounced knee-un, and is one of three trees sacred to the Druids (Ash, Oak and Thorn), whilst to Anglo-Saxons it was Aesc. The wood from Ash is perfect fuel for the fire and was traditionally used as the Yule log at the Winter Solstice.
The Ash is a majestic tree and among the largest of the northern hemisphere. Despite its outward strength, it is sensitive to frost and so is reluctant to unfurl its new leaves before all danger of sudden cold snaps has passed. It is therefore an image of maturity and insight. If an Ash tree is cut down but the stump left, it will send up new shoots around the stump.
In the Norse eddas, Yggdrasil, the world tree, was a gigantic Ash that stands at the centre of the Universe and forms the bridge between the realm of the Gods, our world, and the world below, where the souls of the dead reside. Ash is sacred to Odin, who spent nine days and nights hanging from Yggdrasil's branches in a shamanic initiation rite, and by doing so was given the wisdom of the Runes. It is said that the spear of Odin was made from a branch of Ash.
Ash is also considered sacred to Neptune, so it was often used in ships to provide protection from drowning.
Wands made from Ash are believed to be useful for weather magic, to both disperse rain clouds or to gather up energy for a storm.
Magically Ash can be used in spells for –
Divination
Knowledge/truth/wisdom
Strength/courage
Self esteem
Transformation
Protection
Prophetic dreams
Shadow work
Emotional stability
Astral travel
Healing
For more information about Ash, see the blog written by my friend Sue Perryman –
www.kitchenwitchhearth.net/post/ash-by-sue-perryman
Source:
The Woodland Trust
Image: Wikipedia
