Oak Tree - Duir - Der - dure - djur

Bruce Clifton

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​Oak Tree - Duir - Der - dure - djur

​Pronunciation: duir - der - dure - djur
Moon Phase:  7th Moon of Celtic calendar (May to June) Taurus to  Gemini
Moon Name:  Hare Moon, Bright Moon, Milk Moon, Grass Moon 
Letter: D
Title: Chieftain
Height: (mature) up to 90ft 30mtr
Influence: Masculine
Age: 7 Generations + This tree will see your Great Grandchildrens Grandchildren born.
Legend:  English, History, Noblity, Regal, Honesty, Wisdom, Integrity, Loyalty.
Deity: Oak King / Green Man
Element: Earth
Chakra: Heart Chakra
​Aura: Green / Purple
Medicinal Qualities: Acorn Tea is good for Haemorrhoids, (piles). But this is not their only claim to fame. lol.  
Totem Entities: Hound, Owl, Badger, White Eilid, Stag.

The Oaks growth is slow but sure and is a steady constant to any landscape, the petrified oaks of Maldon in Essex are said to be 2000 years old... Two thousand years old and they are petrified and not dead, suspended in animation, waiting. An ancient Oak on the outskirts of town just past the cemetery "big boy" is reputed to be more than 1200 years old heading a lil further out of town and you will meet a few of the children these being up to 500 years old. Spare a thought for a wonderful wise woman Colleen from Maldon should you ever look these oaks up, I don't know if Colleen introduced me to Big Boy or the other way round. I had the priviledge of meeting Colleen in 2010 she was a true Earth spirit.

As every home has an entrance, the entrance has a door made from oak. The word Druid is believed to have been derived from the Gaulish word Duir meaning door. There are more myths and legends surrounding this tree than any other tree.

The essence of Oak can be found in the most common of places as todays society falls back to the olde ways, whilst the spiritual knowledge isn't necessarily known or understood, looking around the isles of most modern supermarkets will reveal bacon smoked over oak, cheese matured in Oak wood, Cider matured in Oak barrels, spirits distilled in Oak vats. and the list goes on. Standing within the energy of the Oak and calling the ancient wisdom forward and he will reveal the knowledge and thoughts of our ancestors, Hippocrates, Asclepius and Sequoia to name but a few.

This tree is also known as the lightening tree and is often struck by lightening, each strike bringing more character to the tree. Its sap may explode, it's acorns roasted but this tree continues to grow, it is the tree that built Britain with its timbers building many a ship that has explored the world. Whilst the Hawthorn protected the boundaries, it was the Oak that marked them. They have provided refuge for many a king or bandit, King Charles is said to have hidden in the branches from Cromwells armies, whilst Sir William Wallace some three centuries earlier hid in the hollowed trunk of an ancient oak. Known to be at the centre of many a Village and where Druids would have held school, Magistrates held court, and people would celebrate the mayday festivities.

An Ancient (700+ years old) Oak with it's lower branches high from the ground have provided shelter for many a Druids school, would also provide the perfect hunting ground for the Tawny Owl, by day this tree is the perfect camouflage and by night the perfect hunting ground. Tawny Owls known for their territorial possessiveness are known to make the oak their home, in winter they will make their presence known whenever their territory is threatened with a shrill "kerrr-wicK" sound that shatters the quiet of the forest, whilst the forest dawn chorus will probably include the much softer sounds of "twit tawoo" or a deep cooing as the owl settles for sleep. It is no coincidence that the owl roosts in the Ancient Oak as together they share wisdom and memories of past life and other worlds. The oak providing amongst other things stability, strength and protection and the owl contributing knowledge, inteligence and knowing, it is also common for the badger to be close by contributing to the energies of this most sacred of groves. The icing on the cake put into enchanted terms would be "Mistletoe" within the folds of the oak. Just as all life is affected by the coming of the full moon this is when the Owl is most active, they are seen more in the winter because of less foliage, clearer skies and the moon is closer. An evenings walk during a full moon in the winter months will reveal the Oak settling down like an old man and the owl in it's glory flying long distances close to the ground.

Gathering Oak either acorn, leaves or branches should be done during a waning moon, (full moon to new moon) This will help cast out worries or woes or bad luck, to burn the wood in fires in the house will help draw illness and low energies from the house and dispersing them out of the house. Oak leaves under the mattress or in the bath will discourage wondering spirits and promote active spirits bringing good fortune. Acorns worn and tied to batches of three will bring fertility to home, household or new ventures. From the times of the ancient Greeks, Etruscans, Romans, to the more modern baltic countries of Lithuania where Perkunas is recognised as God of thunder, lightening and the Oak tree, almost every culture that has come across the Oak tree has held it in high reverence and recognised the sacred values from within.

Where the Shaman will welcome the three worlds of the past, the present and the future, the Oak tree is seen as a representative of the three worlds. The roots of the tree beneath the ground are known to be a mirror image of the tree above. Many a Shaman have used the roots of the oak to travel into the other world, just as many a wizard has used an athane to fertilise a spell, the druids used their oak staffs to bring truth and courage to a situation, even in todays modern society a gavel made of oak is used to seal the winning bid at auction and used by the speaker in the house of commons to call order.

It is one of the three pillars of Wisdom (Oak, Yew, Birch) When the three stand together a new beginning, new horizon and an imminent change is going to happen and it will be for the greater good of everyone close by.

Ogham Tree Lore

Bruce Clifton

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