​Ash Tree - Nuin - Uisinn - Ask - Esh

Bruce Clifton

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Ash Tree - Nuin - Uisinn - Ask - Esh

​Pronunciation: (noo ah n)
Moon Phase:  5th Moon of celtic calendar (March to April) Pisces to Aries
Moon Phase: New Moon/Waxing Crescent
Moon Name: Quiet Moon, Wolf Moon, Ice Moon
Letter: N
Title: Chieftain
Height: (mature) up to 120ft - 40mtr
Influence: masculine
Age: Will span the 7 generations, it will have seen your grandparents grandparents and possibly their parents as well. Sadly todays society prevents the generations from stretching and there are fewer ancient trees than there was.
Legend: Harmony, Inner Peace, Universal Knowledge.
Arch-Angel: Gabriel
Element: Water
Chakra: Crown
Aura: Indigo
Medicinal Qualities: Leaves can be made into a tea for cleansing the kidneys, also a diuretic, can be used to aid weight loss. A pin made from ash can be used to lance a wart/corn or bunion. Its bark can be made into a tea to improve the immune system. Ash tea is also good for the liver and spleen, as an ointment it is good for rheumatism.
Totem Entities: The Ladybird, The Frog, The Unicorn, The Spider.

The spiritual meaning of the Ash tree is one of aged wisdom, inherited wisdom that is passed down through the generations. By encouraging the essence of the Ash we encourage communities to come together, troubles eased, the greater good will prevail over generations and the youth will carry us forward.

The Ash tree is like no other it is recognised as a world tree in many cultures, it's height and girth at base, also strong and straight trunk or trunks enable it to tower above and dominate most others. Odin is said to have been the father of gods the biggest, oldest, wisest and yet he is said to have hung from this tree to gain wisdom and enlightenment to the secrets of the runes. It is suspected that this is the tree that holds the hanged man in modern tarot decks and as such is often misinterpreted.

The Ash along with its sub species is the fourth commonest tree in Britain, it is native to Britain but covers continental Europe from the ice fields of Siberia to the hotter lands of modern day Turkey, such is its ability to climatise to local conditions. Myths and legends galore adorn this tree so it is no surprise that it is said to encompass the three circles of existence; Abred, Gwyned and Ceugant. (A broad interpretation is Past, Present and Future.) A world tree, connects the three circles of existence, the roots penetrate hel with the branches touching heaven, according to Nordic legend it is also known as Yggdrasil where the nine worlds exist.

This tree flourishes and flowers in late spring and is often confused in the Ogham calendar, I have placed it as the fifth tree of Ogham tree calender but it is often placed third. My reasoning is that this tree welcomes the new season with moss always growing on it's north side, it provides a cover or haven for the forest floor to flourish before protecting it with it's foliage into the late autumn. Also this tree would have kept many a home warm and made many a furnace hot as tribes would prepare for the new season. The wood used for fires, spear-heads, handles, farming equipment the versatility of this wood recognised throughout the celtic kingdoms and as such has been placed as fifth in my calendar. This tree also known as the cloud bringer and with the changing of seasons and humidity watching the moss and patterns on this tree will serve you well in divining for new ventures. This tree is single sex but also like the tadpole or newt or frog will adapt and become hermaphrodite, this tree flourishes as part of the forest but will adapt to becoming solitary.

Pliny (the elder) wrote of Ceasar and his determination to own a unicorn. It is written that Ceasar would use fair maidens to sit beneath the ash during a new moon in the hope of catching a unicorn but upon failing to attract any unicorn the maidens virtue would be questioned with the maiden then being dishonoured.

Ogham Tree Lore

Bruce Clifton

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