Oracle Card Descriptions

Celtic Tree Oracle by Sharlyn Hidalgo

BEITH BIRCH

Northern Hemisphere Dates: November 1–28 (Southern Hemisphere Dates: May 1–28). Totems: Snake, Phoenix, Eagle. Deities/Guides: Macha, Morgan, Cerridwen, and Hecate (the Crone aspect of the Goddess). Letter: B. Class: Peasant. 1st Lunation. Celebration: Celtic New Year, November 1 (May 1).

Keywords: endings and new beginnings, cleansing and purification, releasing old patterns, overcoming difficulties, shedding the old, new growth and renewal, pliancy in the peaceful resolution of conflict, higher perspective, return to innocence.

The Beith Birch initiates the first lunation. At this time of year, as we prepare for winter and seek deep transformation, we honor the Crone aspect of the Goddess. Although crones are harbingers of death, they are also responsible for birth and new life. They are our midwives. After a period of emptying and releasing old patterns, acknowledging disappointments and regrets, and embracing our achievements, we listen carefully to the quiet voice within and set our intentions for the year to come. In this way, we plant the seeds of future possibilities and establish the foundation for the year ahead, which heralds what we call the dark half of the year, when the new gestates in the dark. Birch will also help in the peaceful resolution of conflict. She provides a higher perspective and spiritual understanding. She will return you to a state of innocence and non-judgment. The ogham for this tree is Beith and the letter B.

In a Reading: When you draw the Birch card, you can expect new beginnings. However, in order to move ahead, you may have to tie up loose ends and let go of what is no longer needed. Therefore, Beith Birch also stands for cleansing and purification. Old patterns are released, and you can shed unhelpful influences now, just like this tree sheds its bark. This is a time for forgiveness of yourself and others. There is the promise of new starts, renewal, and new life. This is the time to set new intentions now that you have let go of last year's energies. Sit quietly so that you can listen deeply. From your heart, begin to formulate new plans and intentions. This is the time to decide what seeds you will plant and cultivate for the year ahead. Birch also offers healing, peace, and resolution in times of conflict. Her branches are pliant and supple. Take a Birch leaf or twig with you—or imagine her in your mind's eye—when you must resolve a conflict. She brings in the power of peaceful reconciliation. Take a look at your new year with a higher perspective. Allow your higher self to inform you. Breathe in her deepest message, which is love and light. Let Birch's heart-shaped leaves remind you that your true wisdom comes from the heart. Allow yourself to look at your life and the world around you with new eyes. Lay aside your judgments and return to a state of innocence.

Reversed: Perhaps you are reluctant to let go of that which is keeping you from moving forward—afraid to release old patterns and unhelpful influences. You may not be ready to forgive or to deal with conflicts. Perhaps you are hanging onto the old, and it is not serving you. Think about where you are not allowing your life to flow naturally. What are you holding onto so tightly that nothing can change? You are encouraged to let go so you can move forward. Set your house in order. This is probably not the best moment to begin something new, as you have work to do to prepare first. When your thoughts and feelings are aligned with your highest good, then you will be able to clear the way and begin. If you find that you are overly judgmental, now is the time to let such habits of thought go. Judgment only creates separation, and in truth there can be no separation. Make an effort to return to innocence and to your connection to all that is. Play a game, take a run, or do something fun to remind you what it feels like to be a child again. From this place, you can let go of your resistance and move into your heart space.

Message: I am the beautiful Birch tree. I wear bright gold and red leaves in the autumn. My branches grow long and slender; my many heart-shaped leaves dance and whisper in the wind. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds of my leaves rustling in the autumn winds. Listen to my encouraging messages. See how I love to grow tall and straight? Look up and see the sky. Look all the way to the tip of my highest branches. Look to the light, and as you do so, allow yourself to lighten up. Imagine you are the eagle landing on my highest branch. Seek a higher perspective. You can see the whole picture—the exact opposite of not seeing the forest for the trees. What do you notice? I encourage you to open your eyes and allow your innocence to come forward. Let go of any need for separation and judgment. Allow yourself to remember how it feels to enjoy yourself and feel as one with everything and everyone. Come into my field, my aura, and we will start over from this moment. We will begin a whole new story that is set in this very moment, where everything is already given. Keep facing the light and allow me to bring you the awareness of my higher perspective.

LUIS ROWAN

Northern Hemisphere Dates: November 29–December 26. Southern Hemisphere Dates: May 29–June 26. Totems: Horse, Centaur. Deities/Guides: Chiron, and Horse Goddesses like Epona and Rhiannon, the Great Mother and Her Sons. Letter: L. Class: Peasant. 2nd Lunation. Celebration: Winter Solstice, December 20/21 (June 20/21).

Keywords: protection, intuition, discrimination, spiritual strength, ecstasy, astral travel, connection with the mystery, magic.

The Luis Rowan initiates the second lunation of the year. It is during this portal that we celebrate the winter solstice, also known as Alban Arthuan, Yule, and Midwinter. At this time we celebrate the rebirth of the sun and honor the great mothers who gave birth to inspired sons. This represents the longest day of darkness; now the sun begins to return. Rowan advises us to seek protection from enchantment or control of others. We are also reminded about our ability to astral travel. We are encouraged to connect with ecstasy, universal unconditional love, and higher consciousness. The ogham for this tree is Luis or the letter L.

In a Reading: Rowan offers you protection. This may refer to protection from actual enemies or imply protection from people or situations you do not trust. Luis Rowan will make you aware of others' manipulation or power plays and also may alert you to your own manipulations. She asks you to keep your wits about you and allows you to discriminate between what is good for you and what is not. Rowan strengthens your intuition, especially in business ventures or new relationships. If you receive this card in relation to such situations, heed her warning: things may not be what they appear. She provides the spiritual strength to help you turn away from anything that threatens your serenity and purpose.

Rowan also asks you to connect to ecstasy. Make time for creative endeavors and quiet time. Take guided journeys to communicate with your totem animals and spirit helpers. Include music, dance, ritual, and ceremony in your life. Pay attention to your dreams. Look for messages in synchronicities. Read inspiring books or take a class that reconnects you to spirit. Cultivate a relationship with the Divine. Luis Rowan assures you that bliss and ecstasy are your birthright. Open up to the magic and the mystery all around you. You may not be able to see the unseen realm, but you can communicate with it. The result is regeneration and joy.

Rowan asks you to mother yourself well. She asks you to weed out thoughts, emotions, and actions that do not reflect your higher self. This is like taking out the garbage on a daily basis and is especially important when something powerful needs to be resolved. She reminds you that you are a magnificent spiritual god or goddess, and that by being intentional you can take responsibility for everything you create. With love and forgiveness, you can be assured that you are creating the very best.

Reversed: If you are down in the dumps or feeling especially pessimistic, remember that you can change your mind and thus affect your emotional state. By changing a negative thought to a neutral or more positive one, you can change your feeling state. You have a choice, even though you might not believe you have any power in the matter.

Luis Rowan reversed can also indicate that you are not taking enough time to connect with source or spirit or creativity. Stop for a moment and consider what you need to do to fire up your inner flame and keep it burning bright. Are you ignoring your intuition when it waves a red flag letting you know that, regarding certain situations and people, something is not right?

Message: I am the lovely Luis Rowan tree. I am a tree that invites you to write down your dreams, listen to music, make art, play with collage, build something with your hands, or simply sit quietly and be in silence.

Winter is a beautiful time of year, and the extra hours of darkness allow you to enter your internal world, where riches await your discovery. Feed your heart with love. Imagine a purple flame there that increases with every breath of love you offer it. Let this loving fire expand and warm every part of you. Let it sweep away your fears and limitations. Let it rekindle the heat of your imagination. You are indeed a genie. You have access to everything you need.

Imagine that you are complete and perfect and allow this realization to nourish you. Get on your magic horse and fly above the clouds. Travel where you will. Gather what you need. Enjoy what I offer you, as it is your birthright to feel joy and happiness. Embrace your creativity, inspiration, joy, and enthusiasm. Spread the good news.

I ask you to feel safe as I offer you protection. I strengthen your ability to discriminate and assess situations and people. I strengthen your intuition. I help you choose the path of health, joy, and vibrancy. Allow the Great Mother to love you and support you. Allow the nurturance, care, and nourishment to flow into every cell of your body. Allow this love to penetrate every situation.

FEARN ALDER

Northern Hemisphere Dates: December 27–January 23. Southern Hemisphere Dates: June 27–July 23. Totems: Kingfisher, Raven, Wren, Dragon. Deities/Guides: Bran and Branwen of Welsh Mythology, Merlin. Letters: F, V, and GW. Class: Chieftain. 3rd Lunation.

Keywords: guidance, prophecy and divination, strength in a dispute or battle, spiritual protection, balance between the masculine and feminine energies.

The Fearn Alder initiates in the third lunation and represents guidance and initiative. This tree also represents leadership, power, and strength. If you need backbone in a dispute, this tree offers you strength and resolve as well as protection. Alder holds both male and female powers and shows us how to balance these aspects within us. Alder encourages us to seek the oracle to help us update our intentions and assert our plans. We set these renewed intentions for a new solar year. There is a quality of self-sacrifice for the good of the community with this tree. The ogham for Alder is Fearn and the letters F, V, and GW.

Fearn Alder in a Reading: Alder is especially connected to prophecy. Alder reminds you of your bird and animal totems, as well as your guardian spirits and allies, and asks you to listen to their messages. When this tree appears in a reading, reconnect to your own ancestors or spiritual lineages for guidance, information, and support. Be alert to synchronicities in your daily life. Look to your dreams and record their wisdom. (If you set this intention, they will inform you.) It may also be time to use your divination tools or consult a trusted friend or psychic. What does your intuition tell you? What does your gut say?

If you are involved in a dispute or conflict, this tree offers you spiritual strength and protection. Alder possesses a strong male energy that offers you backbone and strength. Alder provides a bridge over troubled waters.

When you get Alder, you are asked to address your balance of masculine and feminine energies. What is the best use of these energies? Perhaps you are being overly assertive or aggressive. Or perhaps you are being too passive or dependent upon others right now, and giving away your power. Alder asks you to work from your own inner sense of authority. Trust your feelings, thoughts, and visions. Fearn Alder offers you support as you delve into your own inner knowing.

Alternatively, you may not be listening to others. Is it possible you are being too ruthless and ignoring ethical considerations? Either way, Fearn Alder invites you to return to the middle path and create a more balanced life. You have help and are never alone.

Reversed: You may be too dependent upon either your masculine or feminine role or energy. Rowan asks you to address any imbalances in this area. Remember, you are not confined to any role. You have full choice in how you create your life.

You may be denying access to spiritual messages and guidance. Perhaps you are ignoring the fact that you require help and healing. Check in and see if you are being overly resistant. Help is available, but you must ask for it before your guides can come forward. They need your permission to assist you.

Similarly, you may be unaware of your need for protection, especially within a situation that involves a dispute or controversy. All that is needed is for you to invite your spirit helpers and they will come forward for you with protection and guidance.

Message: I am the Fearn Alder, and I am delighted to speak with you today. What is your question? Take a moment to really contemplate what you want to know. Now, listen deeply. Sit in the silence at your heart center. Take all the time you need. When you feel ready, look out the window or go for a walk. Notice which birds you see. A raven or crow can bring a message from your ancestors or loved ones that have passed over.

There is no one on the planet that has your specific signature energy, expression of divinity, and soul purpose. How do you connect with your purpose? Look to what brings you joy — and if you don't know, experiment! See what makes your heart sing. This is the road that leads to your fulfillment and sense of purpose.

If you seek renewal, I am here to help you. I provide the nutrients for new growth, even after difficult challenges. I am here to help you begin again, to help you build a new foundation, and to help bridge your physical identity and your spiritual identity and your ego desires and your soul aspiration.

Just for today, breathe in balance. Breathe in calm. Know that you don't have to do anything. Listen and wait and the information you seek will come. You will know the answer. I am always here listening to you and helping you. Your dreams and visions are important, and I will help you manifest them. Take a moment to find that place within that is in true balance. From this place you are regenerated and encouraged. You are ready to begin again.

SAILLE WILLOW

Northern Hemisphere Dates: January 24–February 20. Southern Hemisphere Dates: July 24–August 20. Totems: Bee (shared with Gorse, Heather, and Honeysuckle), Dove. Deities/Guides: Brigit (the Maiden aspect of the Goddess). Letter: S. Class: Peasant. 4th Lunation. Celebration: Imbolc, February 1/2 (August 1/2).

Keywords: the feminine principle, cooperation, fertility, intuition, the moon and her cycles, water, emotion, creativity, community.

The Saille Willow initiates in the fourth lunation of the year. This tree represents the feminine principle and is associated with the celebration of Imbolc and Candlemas. This is a period of the quickening of the creative principle and the element of fire. We celebrate the magic that sparks the seed deep within the earth to begin to grow. The teaching of this is about enriching our community, cooperating with others, and learning to share power and resources with others. Willow teaches us to embrace our emotions and to express them. She encourages peace and harmony with others and with the natural world. She supports our dream life. Many wonderful plans and ideas come to us in this way. The ogham for this tree is Saille and the letter S.

Saille Willow in a Reading: When you draw Willow, you can expect a meeting with the mysteries, the power of enchantment, magic, and the moon. You can expect to have a psychic or intuitive encounter. Dreams and synchronicities are important. Pay attention to your own intuition. Meditation and contemplation time is important. Make some personal time for quiet reflection. Ask yourself where you are in the cycle of things. If you are wondering about a creative endeavor, you can expect a visitation from the muse.

You may also feel moodier than usual. If this is an emotional time, remember that it is okay to cry. Tears are healing; they release pent-up feelings. Allow even negative feelings to arise. Express them and let them go, as they have no power over you unless you ignore them or stifle them.

Willow has everything to do with the feminine energy. This card may come up when you are going through issues that have to do with sexuality, fertility, reproduction, birthing, or mothering. You may need the physical support of friends, family, and your community as you move through these issues in your life. Be willing to ask for help. If you are going through grief or loss associated with these themes, Willow offers you healing.

Willow encourages you to do something creative. Draw, sing, dance, or write a poem. Leave the critical part of your thinking aside and just allow the expression. Enjoy it. She asks you to partake in your community, too, to be receptive and to participate in a cooperative endeavor. Also, women are important to your process now. Don't forget to support your own feminine side as well.

Reversed: You may not be aware of your underlying feelings and emotions, or you may be afraid of your feelings and be repressing them or cutting yourself off from them. If this is the case, it is time to allow yourself to feel.

On the other hand, perhaps you give your power over to your emotions and now they are running your life. If so, it is time to get back in the driver's seat. If you continue to experience difficult emotions over a long period of time, investigate your thinking and weed out thoughts and beliefs that are driving those feelings. It may also be time to seek help.

When Saille Willow appears reversed, you may not be receiving the benefits of your relationships with others and your community. Perhaps you are feeling alone and isolated. It may be hard to find any sense of peace within your current experience. You may be dealing with anger, fear, or loss. Grief may have its hold on you. It is time to talk to a trusted friend or counselor. It is time to set your mind to creating honey in your life and attracting help and love.

You may also have a deep soul need for the quiet and contemplation in which you can find the reassurance, comfort, and nurturance that the Divine Feminine and the Great Goddess can provide. It is possible that you are out of spiritual balance. Turn to your feminine side, to your dreams, and visions.

Message: I am the majestic Saille Willow. I am a tree that supports you in honoring your feelings. When you are having an emotional moment, be kind to yourself. Treat all of your emotions with kindness. Once they have your attention, they will diminish. That is all that they want. Your unconditional love and attention is everything. In this way, you are acting like the perfect mother — to yourself. The feminine principle is about love, kindness, care, appreciation, and calming attention.

I represent the Great Mother of all, and I send my healing love. I am here to hug and hold you. You can seek comfort in my great arms. I am an umbrella of love and protection. You are a child of the vast universe, and you are precious. I am here to reassure you that all is well and that all is returning to balance. Forgive yourself and allow healing to take place. In time, you can lay down your grievances and forgive others. All acts of forgiveness are really for your own healing.

NUIN ASH

Northern Hemisphere Dates: February 21–March 20. Southern Hemisphere Dates: August 21–September 20. Totems: World Tree, Dolphin, Mermaids, Undines (Water Sprites), the Runes. Deities/Guides: Odin, the Three Fates or Morae, the Muse, Oracle of Delphi. Letter: N. Class: Chieftain. 5th Lunation.

Keywords: the microcosm and the macrocosm, reflections, mirrors, uniting inner and outer worlds, "As Above, So Below."

The Nuin Ash initiates in the fifth lunation of the year. This tree represents the world tree, Yggdrasil, from which the Norse god Odin hung for nine days and nights and was rewarded with the runes. Surrender and compassion are this tree's message, as it teaches us about receptivity and intuition. Ash invites us to dive deep into our own inner wisdom. It is here that we meet the mystery. This is the place of enchantment and magic. We have the influence of water and the magic of the water sprites and mermaids. We follow the cycles of the moon. We drift into dreams and visions and reverie. The ogham for this tree is Nuin and the letter N.

Nuin Ash in a Reading: When you get Ash in a reading, expect to connect with your own inner tree, which represents your center and connects you with your inner world and the outer world. Here you experience the meaning of the axiom "As above, so below." This is a place of great guidance. It links you to universal knowledge and can help you understand yourself — your thoughts, feelings, and actions. To access this knowledge, pay attention to your dreams. Seek communication with your higher self and with divinity. Follow your intuition and the dictates of your higher heart and mind.

The Nuin Ash is less about doing and more about being — and about noticing. Therefore, pay attention to what is showing up in your life. Your outer world reflects your inner world. If you see things that you are not happy with, begin to make changes. Changes within will reflect in the outer world; changes without will reflect in the inner world.

You are also encouraged to participate in ritual and ceremony, so consider seeking spiritual community. If you are immersed in grief, reach out to your community for help so that you don't drown in your own sorrows. Know that this will pass too. On the other hand, if you are involved in a project, you may have to put in long hours in seclusion to complete your work; you might need to block out the world for some time. If so, you may feel lonely, but it is worth it to bring your work to fruition.

Perhaps it is time to help someone else. This is often a great balm for one's own sadness.

Embrace your feminine side and your intuition, your deep sympathetic nature, your empathy, and your ability to feel. Choose healing and spiritual experience over indulgence and escapism.

Reversed: Perhaps you are struggling with an addiction that has gotten you into trouble and have hit your bottom. If you have been attempting to medicate your pain rather than face it, know that there are great riches awarded to those who are willing to finally deal with their own demons. It is time to think about a strategy for healing and to ask for help. None of us are meant to go it alone.

You may be feeling isolated. Your loneliness can become incapacitating. In truth, you are not separate and never can be. Take a walk in nature, looking with your inner eyes and listening with your inner ears. This will help you to understand that you are part of a greater whole, and that there is much to receive and much to offer.

Sometimes we suffer because we feel so much. Sometimes life is beyond our understanding. If you are psychic and sympathetic it can be hard for you. This is a good time to learn some basic strategies for psychic protection. Tears can be a release when you feel the pain of the world. Prayer, meditation, and connection to your source can relieve suffering and bring renewal and a greater sense of understanding.

Finally, ask yourself if you are saying "yes" too often and self-sacrificing for others. Are you acting like a doormat or a martyr? If so, receiving Nuin Ash reversed may be a call to set up boundaries and practice saying "no."

Message: I am the stately Nuin Ash. I have come to tell you that it is safe to dive into your interior world. Here you can receive guidance, healing, and assurance. If you find that you are not moving forward, try to practice patience and keep your intentions dear. Sometimes you are asked to wait for the perfect alignment between the right moment and what you desire. Check in. When you create a strong and loving field, you draw to you what it is you desire, because like attracts like.

Sometimes restraint is necessary as the Universe lines up the building blocks for what you want to manifest. I am here to teach you patience and faith. Sometimes you are asked to mend fences or clean up your act before things can fall into place. Forgiving self and others is important. Try to find the time to help someone else. This is the best medicine for a broken heart.

HUATHE HAWTHORN

Northern Hemisphere Dates: March 21–April 17. Southern Hemisphere Dates: September 21–October 17. Totems: The Fairies, White Stag. Deities/Guides: Persephone (Maiden Aspect of the Goddess), the Horned God Cernunnos, Herne the Hunter. Letter: H. Class: Peasant. 6th Lunation. Celebration: Spring Equinox, March 20/21 (September 22/23).

Keywords: cleansing and purification, chastity and abstinence, sabbatical, preparation, magic, protection of the sacred, sacred marriage.

The Huathe Hawthorn initiates in the sixth lunation. It is during this portal that we celebrate the spring equinox, which heralds in the planting season. Persephone returns to her mother, Demeter, now, and a new cycle of life begins. This period is for cleansing and purification. We are called to protect the inner realm and ready ourselves for Beltane on May 1 (November 1). We prepare our gardens for the seeds we want to plant. We clear the fields. The Hawthorn teaches us to purify ourselves as we prepare for the sacred marriage, which calls for the union of male and female, as well as the union of intellect and mind with feeling and intuition. This marriage establishes true power and wholeness. The ogham for this tree is Huathe and the letter H.

Huathe Hawthorn in a Reading: Hawthorn asks you to spend some sacred time in preparation for a meaningful birth experience. You are encouraged to clean up your act, let go of what no longer serves you, and treat your body, mind, and soul with sacred respect. This is a time for spring cleaning, which not only applies to your home and work environment and your garden, but also to your inner environment. Take time to put everything in order. Clean out your closet. Clean the house. Clean up your files on your computer. Let go of that which no longer has meaning for you or that you no longer use. Have a garage sale. Donate unwanted things to a charity.

Let go of old stories that are painful. Forgive. You are encouraged to set aside quiet time and go within. Clean out old and unnecessary thought patterns and unhelpful emotional patterns and let them go. You may be ready to let go of behavioral ruts or habits.

You may be asked to protect your inner truth from something outside you. Attention to your relationships with yourself, with nature, and with the Divine are essential to maintain self-sovereignty. Ask Hawthorn to encircle and protect your sacred space. Clean up your altar and spend some time recreating the energy. This tree supports chastity, and so it can represent a time-out for purification. This can have to do with fasting, prayer, meditation, and abstinence from sex or overindulgence.

Huathe Hawthorn also speaks of reconnecting to the magic and mystery of nature. Do you believe in fairies? You can reconnect to the unseen realms of the elementals. You can reconnect to the mythical world of dragons and unicorns. Close your eyes and go within and recall what it felt like to be a child and see the world through innocent eyes and with a joyful heart. Magic is real and is only waiting for your invitation.

Reversed: Perhaps you are holding on to things for too long. If you find you have too many material goods, then it is time to share some of that abundance to make psychic space for the new. If this feels impossible, ask a trusted friend to help. Perhaps, on the other hand, you are overly attached to the past. In that case, the energies of Hawthorn will assist you in letting go.

Are you so busy that it feels impossible to create time for introspection? Are you hanging out too much in either the masculine energy of the mind or the feminine energy of dependence? If so, Hawthorn can assist you to balance these energies, as her domain is the sacred marriage within. If you have shut yourself off from the magic and mystery of the unseen realms, you may be missing out on the regeneration that is offered. Perhaps you are trying to push something ahead without giving it grow-time. Sometimes we have to wait for things to align. If you are overindulging, it is time to cleanse and detoxify.

Message: I am the Huathe Hawthorn and am often referred to as the fairy tree. Do you remember when you believed in magic and the world of fairies and unicorns? Can you remember how it felt to be an innocent child full of awe and wonder? It is time to renew your belief in the unseen realm of nature, as this realm is as real as the high whistle that your dog can hear, but you cannot. Your eyes and ears are awesome indeed, but they are not so highly attuned that they can see or hear all that surrounds you.

Bring your attention to the eyes and ears within. There, through your psychic abilities, you'll discover dimensions of great love, care, and unity. Close your eyes and remember. See the fairies dancing and singing amidst the flowers and trees. Enjoy the babbling brook and the little animals that live at the foot of the tree. Return to the natural world of magic. Return to the slow and steady beat of the heart of Gaia. Return to the paradise that she is. Return to the secret majesty that lives within and without you.

DUIR OAK

Northern Hemisphere Dates: April 18–May 15. Southern Hemisphere Dates: October 18–November 15. Totems: Bull, Flowers, Budding Plants, Seeds, Thresholds and Doorways, the Fairies. Deities/Guides: The Cow Goddess Hathor, the Sky Goddess Nut, Gaia, Blodeuwedd (the Maiden Aspects of the Goddess), the White Moon Goddess, the Horned God Cernunnos, the Green Man. Letter: D. Class: Chieftain. 7th Lunation. Celebration: Beltane, May 1 (November 1).

Keywords: fertility and sexuality, strength and stability, grounding and endurance, ancient knowledge, doors and thresholds, boundaries.

The Duir Oak initiates in the seventh lunation and includes the celebration of Beltane. The sacred marriage is enacted now between the community's representation of the Great Goddess and Cernunnos, which ensures fertility for another season. This is the holiday of sexuality and sensuality and represents a threshold which the maiden aspect of the Goddess crosses into the Mother aspect. We celebrate the blood mysteries and the young women's first menarche. We celebrate fertility and the magic of the green earth that sustains us. This is a time of conception and the beginning of new life with the returning of the sun. This tree offers strength, stamina, and is a symbol for generation. The ogham for this tree is Duir and the letter D.

Duir Oak in a Reading: Oak, in a reading, gifts you with strength and endurance, stamina and grounded stability. This tree offers you practicality, common sense, and an ability to bring things to completion. There is a desire to make things beautiful and to create. You may choose to work in the garden now, as this is the card for a green thumb. It signifies a time to notice nature and spend some time outdoors. It is time to take a hike or go to the park. Take in the beauty of the green earth.

Oak also is an indication of fertility, whether you are conceiving a child, project, business, or other creative endeavor. Oak celebrates sensuality and sexuality and the sacred act of creation and progeny.

This tree also promises you knowledge, information, guidance, and wisdom. Expect synchronicities. Situations, people, dreams, and books may appear for your benefit and growth. Doors are opening up for you, and thresholds are meant to be crossed. This is a time to feel strong and secure as you build toward the manifestation of your dreams.

Reversed: You may feel powerless or weakened when Duir Oak appears reversed. You may be called upon to depend upon others for your protection now because you feel weaker than usual and require more security. You may feel overly excited, manic, anxious, or nervous and ungrounded. You may be carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. This may indicate that you are in need of support and assistance. Is it time to get practical and schedule an appointment with your doctor, therapist, minister, or spiritual advisor?

Perhaps you are feeling stagnant, bored, or stuck. Are you saying "no" too often? Are you stopping your growth because of too-comfortable habits and routines? Although these may make you feel safe, they can keep you stagnant, and you may feel discontent because of a lack of flow and positive activity in your life. It is time to get off the couch. Only so much security can come from things. Real security comes from presence. Leave the past and drop your worries about the future. Be in the now and feel the love.

Message: I am the steady, faithful Oak. Seek me and sit with me. I am old and strong and grounded. I will take your troubles and let them flow into Mother Earth for their transmutation. She knows what to do with the energy. I am the promise of spring. You can see my energy in the budding flowers. I am the daffodils and the tulips come to life. I am all of the little wild animal creatures in nature — the squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and possums. They all come together under my sacred space.

Come and sit in my grove, which is the most ancient of temples and churches. Nature is your home; you are safe here and nurtured. Breathe me in and breathe me out. I will help you remember your true nature. You are loved and you are beautiful. You are perfect already. You have everything you need to manifest your dreams and desires. It is time to begin.

This beginning is like the acorn that is a mighty symbol of growth and regeneration. What you begin has the potential to grow into a great oak tree of your own manifestation.

TINNE HOLLY

Northern Hemisphere Dates: May 16–June 12. Southern Hemisphere Dates: November 16–December 12. Totem: Swans. Deities/Guides: Leda and her twins Castor and Pollux, Lugh and Lucina, Holle and Pluto, Thoth, Ma'at. Letter: T. Class: Peasant. 8th Lunation.

Keywords: justice, protection, fighting strength, assertion and action, vigor, direction and purpose, balance, relationship, father and paternity.

The Tinne Holly initiates in the eighth lunation. This tree is about justice. Its energy helps protect the weak and vulnerable. There is a warrior energy with Holly. The vindication of rights and clarification of claims and grievances is important. Holly protects against injustice, harm, and negativity, while increasing love and offering encouragement. This tree supports us as we work with polarity and duality, instructing us so we may create unity and wholeness. Holly encourages right relationships and partnerships that are fair and balanced. The ogham for this tree is Tinne and the letter T.

Tinne Holly in a Reading: When you get Tinne Holly in a reading, you are offered the ability to defend yourself and defeat your enemies. Holly also represents the fighting involved in the soul's battles. If push comes to shove, this tree offers you the strength that you require to meet aggression. Holly is your inner warrior. This tree offers you backbone.

In a disagreement or battle, before you attack or blame another, be sure to distinguish between your opponent's attitudes and your projection of your own shadow onto him or her. Once you are clear, speak your truth as respectfully as you can. Thoth, the Egyptian god of communication, is a good ally in this. He will help you take the high road. Your highest success will be in forging win-win outcomes.

You may hear a clarion call to a crusade of some kind. You long to create justice and are willing to fight for a cause. You may need to seek protection for yourself or for another. You stand up when you see someone taking advantage of another. The energy of Holly allows you to argue your position strongly. Holly helps you to be on purpose without being destructive or overly aggressive. Holly protects against self-generated negativity, as well as that which comes from others.

This tree symbolizes paternity and fatherhood, as it is a male tree. It may be time to heal the father wound. Perhaps this is the time for forgiveness. If you are a father, make sure you are representing the best qualities of this role. If not, move toward changing your behavior. Be the kind of father that you would like to have yourself.

Holly also supports right relationships that are founded on cooperation, love, balance, and understanding.

Reversed: Is it possible that you are shirking your responsibility by avoiding conflict? Perhaps you are trying to sweep problems under the rug. Is there injustice in your life? Are you witnessing a situation in which a perpetrator is bullying or otherwise harming a victim? Are you that victim? If so, it is time to get help. Stand up for yourself before the situation gets entirely out of hand. If things are not in balance, attend to the process of returning to balance. You may not be prepared to take on a fight now and may need some time to develop your strategies and strength. Ask others to help you.

Do you find yourself immersed in fights in your important relationships? It is time to make room for difference and let love move you into wholeness rather than duality. You might have to seek help in order to encourage this process.

Message: I am the sturdy Tinne Holly, and where I grow you can expect my protection. If you find yourself in need of safety, imagine my shiny, sharp leaves. In your mind, grow a hedge of my trees around you. Allow me to protect and guard you. And if you feel dispirited, imagine my bright red berries and evergreen leaves that promise life, even in the dead of winter. I am a tree that promises renewal. I am here to remind you that this too shall pass.

I also represent wholeness. In the Egyptian temple at Kom Ombo, there is a seat placed at the building's very center. One side of the temple is dedicated to Horus, the god of light. The other is dedicated to Sobek, the god of chaos. But from that central seat, the seat of neutrality, you can begin to understand wholeness, which allows you to move through situations with less judgment and attachment. Try sitting in this seat while you consider your situation. If you are placing your attention on the darkness in your life, return your mind to neutral. Breathe in unity. Breathe in wholeness.

COLL HAZEL

Northern Hemisphere Dates: June 13–July 10. Southern Hemisphere Dates: December 13–January 10. Totems: Hare, Scarab, Tortoise and Turtles, Crab, Salmon. Deities/Guides: Gaia and the Great Mother Goddesses like Sophia and Isis, and Fintan, the White Ancient One. Letters: C, K. Class: Chieftain. 9th Lunation. Celebration: Summer Solstice, June 20/21 (December 21/22).

Keywords: water, the moon, bounty and abundance, intuition, wisdom, insight, knowledge, sage advice, divination, poetry, creative pursuits, higher perspective, clarity.

The Coll Hazel initiates in the ninth lunation and includes the celebration of the summer solstice, also known as Alban Heruin, Midsummer, and Litha. Here we give our gratitude for the abundance of Mother Earth. Hazel is about compassion and love for our friends and families, as well as safety and protection, which are important aspects of mothering and nurturing. Hazel supports our emotional life. She honors the moon and the waters of our planet. She supports creative expression in the form of story, poetry, art, song, and dance. Hazel brings clarity when we seek advice. The ogham for this tree is Coll and the letters C and K.

Coll Hazel in a Reading: Your feminine nature, the changing of the moon, the lunar principle of receptivity and mystery, and the Goddess Sophia of higher wisdom are all relevant now. Your female lineages have something to say to you, as do your spiritual heritages. Take some quiet time to tune in and listen for their nurturing messages. Take your intuition seriously. Find time to sit by a body of water near your home — a lake, the ocean, a river, or a stream. This tree suggests appreciation. Appreciate cycles. What cycle are you in right now? This tree suggests acceptance of where you are right now, as it is impossible to push the river.

It is a time to give gratitude for all that you have and to honor the earth. Notice the abundance around you. This is a time for family time and family reunions. This card invites you to find gratitude for all the mothers in your life. If you require nurturing, cultivate friendships that can support you. Nurture others. Mother each other with compassion. It may be time to heal the mother wound. Perhaps this is the time for forgiveness. If you are a mother, make sure you are representing the best qualities of this role. If not, move toward changing your behavior. Be the kind of mother that you would like to have yourself.

Spend some time in nature and follow the course of the moon. Consider poetry, divination, and meditation. Call up your inner muse, as you can find inspiration here. Pay attention to your dreams and creative urges.

You are offered wisdom that can be applied to any situation. Creative solutions are possible. Seek the advice of elders. If you seek clarity, this card will offer you sage advice. Go within and ask the ancestors for a specific message for you.

Reversed: Are you ignoring your intuitive knowing? Perhaps you don't like what you are sensing, as change is indicated. Even so, it is time to pay attention to the wisdom that is offered to you. Are you resistant to advice?

Are you cut off from other women? From the mother in your life? Perhaps it is time to heal a mother wound. Perhaps you are cut off from your family or your connection to Mother Earth. How do you mother yourself? It is time to cease repeating habitual negative messages to yourself. Instead, begin giving yourself the nurturing you require.

Offer this to others as well. Too much criticism separates us from ourselves and others.

Perhaps you are experiencing a creative block. Is it time to learn new skills? Would it help you to work with others to overcome creative obstacles? If so, look to your community. Or it may be that you feel stymied in your pursuits and goals because you are not heeding your intuition. If so, go within and reconnect with your own inner knowing.

Message: I represent your own inner wisdom. I am that small, still voice inside that is sometimes hard to hear. I stand up for the heart wisdom that ensures life and health for you, your situations, and your mother planet. You'll find me speaking in a babbling brook or a dense forest. You'll find me in the fullness of the summer sun. I am part of the paradise in which you live.

I produce the hazelnut of wisdom and ancient knowledge. Please take care of me and of yourself and the children of this world. I am the birth of your own dreams and visions. Now is a good time to use your divination tools. It is also a great time to support others and act as a guide or helper.

QUERT APPLE

(Shares the month with Hazel)

Northern Hemisphere Dates: June 13–July 10. Southern Hemisphere Dates: December 13–January 10. Totems: The Fairies, the Pentacle, Female Lineages, Glastonbury (the Apple Isle). Deities/Guides: The Mother Aspect of the Goddess, Gaia, Female Ancestors. Letters: Q, CC. Class: Shrub. 9th Lunation. Celebration: Summer Solstice, June 20/21 (December 21/22).

Keywords: female lineage, decision, choices, beauty, abundance, regeneration, fertility, motherhood.

The Quert Apple shares the ninth lunation with the Coll Hazel, but brings in its own perspective to this sunny time of the year. She offers us such sweet fruit and in such variety, it is fitting that she is concerned with beauty and making choices among many good things. She also reminds us of the unseen helpers that minister to the plant world. With Apple, we honor the fairies, as well as the devas and nature spirits that play a central role in the organization and proliferation of plant life on our planet. Apple represents the mother aspect of the Goddess, our connection to our female lineages, and to our ancestral homelands. Glastonbury is sacred to this tree, as is the symbol of the pentacle, which can be seen at the core of an apple that has been sliced horizontally. The ogham for this tree is Quert and the letters Q and CC.

Quert Apple in a Reading: Abundance is associated with this card. Therefore, you are granted many boons and blessings. You are reminded to be grateful and to count those blessings. Appreciation is in order. Look to the paradise that you live in and do what you can to protect her. Give your gratitude to all the unseen helpers of nature. Perhaps you can leave a corner of your yard or garden wild so that the nature spirits have a safe place to dwell.

Apple invites you to rest and heal from strife, illness, fatigue, or injury. You are granted the unconditional love of the Great Mother.

When you get this card in a reading, you may also be offered a choice between two equally beautiful things. It is not an easy choice to make. It may be time to place your attention on one thing at the expense of other choices. If so, home in on your talents. Choose, and enjoy the sweetness of the apple that you picked.

Apple also connects you to your homelands. Is it time to make a spiritual pilgrimage? If this is not possible, you can study the ancient spirituality of these places and find out more about your own lineage. Immerse yourself in some study of ancient wisdom.

Reversed: Perhaps you are perceiving the glass as half empty. You might be looking at what is wrong in your life rather than enjoying the good things you have. Are you avoiding taking care of yourself? Perhaps you need better nourishment and healthy exercise. Summer asks us to participate in outdoor activities. Are you making time to connect with nature? Consider this a gentle reminder to enjoy life in your body.

Are you so busy that you do not enjoy the beauty around you? Stop and take a moment to breathe. Move from judgment to gratitude. Also, now it is not in your best interest to avoid making choices, even if you must choose between many attractive alternatives.

Message: I, the Great Mother Apple Tree, send you the full sun of summer and the sweetness of my fruit. Notice that there are many kinds of apples to choose from. As a species, I represent variety. Your species is the same. Each of you is a unique and wonderful gift from the universe. I represent beauty and choice. I represent the Goddess in all her manifestations. Think of healing when you focus on me. Think of magic and the unseen fairies and devas of the nature kingdom, who secretly go about their work of caring for the flora on the planet. Think of the realms of imagination and myth, where dragons and unicorns still live. Take a moment to close your eyes and remember the innocence of childhood and the awe of mystery. Take a day off from worries and concerns. Travel to Glastonbury in your mind's eye and have a conversation with the Goddess. Choose a variety of apples and bake a pie!

Close your eyes and imagine a beautiful apple tree full of beautiful apples. Look at each apple as if it has a particular choice written on it. Let the many choices you are contemplating appear. Look carefully, and when you are ready, choose an apple that represents a choice. Take a bite. Enjoy it thoroughly. Then go ahead and move toward that beautiful choice. Be willing to fully taste and experience it.

MUIN VINE

Northern Hemisphere Dates: July 11–August 7. Southern Hemisphere Dates: January 11–February 7. Totems: Lion, Sylphs, Nymphs, Elves, Fairies. Deities/Guides: Dionysus, the Green Man, Pan, Lugh, the Mother Aspect of the Goddess. Letter: M. Class: Chieftain. 10th Lunation. Celebration: Lammas, August 1 (February 1).

Keywords: bringing things to fruition, abundance, harvest, community, prophecy, psychic, enjoyment, celebration, laughter, abundance, summer, intoxication, ecstasy.

Muin Vine initiates in the tenth lunation and the celebration of Lammas or Lughnasa (also known as the Day of the Bread), which honors the first fruits of the harvest. Here all vines and brambles are honored, including the blackberry. What is important now is gratitude for the outcome of fertility and for the cornucopia of fruits created through the cooperation of the sun, the flora, and the elements with the cooperation of the Earth Mother. Celebration is encouraged. The sun at its fullest power is celebrated. This is a time for song, dance, and storytelling. Prophesying and consulting an oracle are encouraged now. We enjoy our abundance. The ogham for this tree is Muin and the letter M.

Muin Vine in a Reading: When you get Vine in a reading, you are promised abundance and fulfillment. You harvest what you have worked so hard to create. You can expect results and tangible manifestation. Pat yourself on the back, take your bows, and enjoy the recognition and applause. However, you are also asked to watch for signs of arrogance and hubris. Do not take this fulfillment for granted. Rather, sing praises of gratitude and count your blessings.

This card suggests a celebration. This can be simply shared gratitude for the bounty available at this time of year. Get together with others and celebrate your community. Be grateful together for all you have.

This is a card for creative expression through the arts, theatre, writing, and performance. You know this is a time for something big. Tap into this bigger-than-life energy and expect expansion, creativity, and generosity. This is also a time to seek the oracle, as Vine encourages prophecy. Find a good reader or select your own favorite tool.

Reversed: Perhaps you are too uptight or overly controlling about a situation in your life. If so, let go and allow yourself some downtime — allow your inhibitions to relax.

Alternatively, you may be overly proud or condescending now. Watch any tendency to lord it over others or feel superior. Others may see you as selfish or ego-centered. You may feel a need for ego aggression, or you may look for too much attention or recognition from others. You may not be open to the flow of creative energy and the energizing fire element. If you are stagnant, move your body to enliven your spirit. Try dance or yoga.

If you feel unworthy or frightened of attention directed your way, perhaps feeling you will owe someone something or will be taken advantage of, the energy of the lion may help. If you are feeling timid and unworthy or fearful, look to the lion, who radiates courage and strength, as well as willpower.

Message: I am the Muin Vine, and I bring you the fruits of your labor. I promise you the rewards of completion, and I hope you have been cultivating the very best. Take a moment to give gratitude for that which is good in your life and for the mysteries and magic of Mother Nature. Share something with others, be it your time or your resources. Plan a celebration. Honor your community, your family, your friends. Laugh and sing together.

Take a moment also to thank yourself. Think about what you are proud of. Take a moment to sit in the sun and draw from the solar power that feeds us all.

GORT IVY

Northern Hemisphere Dates: August 8–September 4. Southern Hemisphere Dates: February 8–March 4. Totems: Spider, Wolf. Deities/Guides: The Weaver aspect of the Goddess, like Spider Woman, Arachne, and Neith, the Three Fates. Letter: G. Class: Chieftain. 11th Lunation.

Keywords: labyrinth, inner knowing, steady growth, determination, soul searching, spiral dance, DNA, spiritual journey.

The Gort Ivy initiates in the eleventh lunation. Ivy often grows in spirals and always towards the light. It offers us a pattern to model for individuation and soul growth. It can grow almost anywhere, even pushing through concrete and walls. It never gives up. It is thought that there were once thirteen astrological signs — that Virgo may originally have been divided into two signs, one of which was named for Arachne, an aspect of the Great Mother as spinner and creator of the physical world. Ivy promises growth, resurrection, and renewal, and Wolf is our guide and protector as we move into our shadow to gain insight. Ivy promises triumph. The ogham for this plant is Gort and the letter G.

Gort Ivy in a Reading: When you get Ivy in a reading, you are called into the labyrinth of your own inner knowing. You are asked to spiral into yourself and spend time at your very core. It is here that you can merge with the universal life forces of regeneration and rebirth. Here, you can expect to receive new direction and guidance from spirit. The answers lie within you, but to access them, you are asked to journey to your soul's inner light. You can enter this internal realm through meditation, by listening to uplifting spiritual music, via ceremony and ritual, by taking quiet time for reflection, or through dreams and journaling. This is a great time to hire a spiritual coach or therapist to help you in this process. Ivy reminds you that you are created perfectly and that you can trust yourself.

Because Ivy grows in a spiral, you may be revisiting old stories and wounds at this time. Ivy reassures you that you are indeed growing towards the light. You are encouraged to look at these recurring themes from a new perspective. You are traveling through these tender places for another level of healing in your soul growth. Ivy brings you persistence and determination towards your goals. She encourages you not to give up but to keep going, keep growing.

She reminds you that you are incarnated to create and to enjoy your life. Look at the fabric that you are creating in your life. If you don't like something, understand that you are the creator. Simply take out those strands and weave in new strands of self-love, self-appreciation, and gratitude — or whatever qualities you feel in need of. Remove strands of beliefs or old programs that are creating problems in your life.

Reversed: You are avoiding inner work that will lead you to a higher level of consciousness and development. Perhaps you are over-reliant upon others for your identity and self-worth. Ivy reversed might also indicate a lack of soul growth. If you find you have little self-knowledge — that is, limited insight into your own motivations, your shadow side, or even your talents and resources — this is a time to begin your journey into yourself. Consider hiring a therapist or seeking a teacher to help you understand your true essence and your inner world.

Because Ivy can grow anywhere, it sometimes breaks things apart. Therefore, if you've drawn Gort Ivy reversed, consider your intentions. Look for selfish methods or unconsciousness in your dealings with others, and check your ego needs at the door. Ivy can stick to things, so make sure you are not overly invested in others or overly enmeshed. It is time to grow towards the light.

Message: Hello, I am Ivy, and it is my greatest pleasure to assist you to know yourself and evolve your consciousness. Please don't be afraid to slow down as you begin the journey of self-discovery. I ask that you be as truthful as possible with yourself now. Take yourself seriously. What are your special dreams and desires? I ask you to feel your feelings, not run from them. Sit quietly. Even though they may be difficult or painful, you honor yourself by admitting that your feelings are part of you. Once you feel them, they have less of a hold on you.

Imagine that you are reweaving your life, taking out old stories that hold you back and weaving in new strands of courage, play, love, and creativity. You are the master of your own story, so write it well. Ask Mother Spider to help you; she has many wonderful ideas for you, as she can see into your heart and soul and understands what you are here to do. She will help you move towards your blessed destiny.

NGETAL REED

Northern Hemisphere Dates: September 5–October 2. Southern Hemisphere Dates: March 5–April 2. Totems: Owl, Pike. Deities/Guides: Goddesses of the Hunt, like Athena and Artemis, and the Crone Aspect of the Goddess, like Hecate and Lilith. Letter: NG. Class: Shrub. 12th Lunation. Celebration: Autumn Equinox, September 20/21 (March 20/21).

Keywords: direct action, movement, focus, intention, conviction, on purpose, progress, skill, becoming a hollow reed.

The Ngetal Reed initiates in the twelfth lunation of the year and the autumnal equinox, also known as Mabon and Alban Elved. We celebrate the harvest now. Thus, we honor completions and also prepare for the coming of winter. This portal calls for direct action toward the fulfillment of our intentions, dreams, and desires. This is a threshold month in which we can set and deliver our last intentions for the year's ending. The double helix of our DNA is a symbol for this portal. Reed includes grasses, bamboo, cattails, and other plants with long, hollow shoots. The ogham for Reed is Ngetal and the letter NG.

Ngetal Reed in a Reading: When you get Reed in a reading, it is time to focus on a desired outcome and take action. If you are looking for a job, make calls and set up appointments. If you are working on a project, set up your itinerary and get busy. Today is the day.

Set your intentions and back them up with daily affirmations. Ask your community for help and seek out those who will support you. Call upon those who are in a position to lend you a hand up. It is time for strong, determined action. Go for the bullseye. Use your energy to make your dreams come true.

This card also asks you to either reset your intentions and goals to make them more current or more realistic, or to re-energize them. Take stock. Write down ways you can implement your dreams. It is time to take concrete actions toward your goals. Even small steps can make a big difference. This is a great time to seek out a friend who can act as a support and a witness, helping you launch your ideas into reality.

Reversed: Perhaps you are avoiding taking responsibility for your situation. You cannot win now by simply biding your time. Don't let life pass you by; get busy and get going. Perhaps you are too sedentary. If so, get off the couch and start walking. Tidy up. Use your energy in a positive way. Begin to move little by little, baby step by baby step. You have some work to do before you can reach your goals and inspirations. You need more practice and skill and knowledge.

Ask for the energy of Reed if you are stuck or blocked. Imagine that you are the archer — take your bow and arrow, and with great skill and purpose, shoot the arrow to your bullseye. Allow the intention of your focus to carry you forward. Ask spirit for help. Set your intention to be a hollow reed for spirit to work through you as you focus on your intention.

Message: I represent action. No more apathy, please. Align with spirit and ask for direction. Align with the power of the owl or the pike. They know how to stalk and hunt. What do you want? It is time to go for it. Stick to your resolve. Set your intention and take steps toward outcomes. I ask you to take yourself seriously. Believe in yourself. I send you courage and fortitude and the belief in a positive outcome, no matter what. You are here for a purpose: to fulfill your own choices. Do so with creativity and a spirit of fun.

Straif Blackthorn

(Shares the month with Reed)

Northern Hemisphere Dates: September 5–October 2. Southern Hemisphere Dates: March 5–April 2. Totems: Grim Reaper, Scapegoat, Vulture. Deities/Guides: Pluto, Seth of Egypt, Hades, the Crone Aspect of the Goddess, like Nekhbet and Holle. Letters: SS, ST, Z. Class: Chieftain. 12th Lunation. Celebration: Autumn Equinox, September 20/21 (March 20/21).

Keywords: protection, boundaries, fate, strife, negation, outside influences, disruption, learning from challenges, drawing on spiritual strength, new direction or opportunity, renewal.

Straif Blackthorn shares the twelfth lunation with Reed, but represents different themes and energies. Blackthorn's main question is this: How do we deal with seemingly negative situations? Do we see them as purposeful? Does it matter how we approach them? A difficult and disruptive period often marks the beginning of a necessary, deep change. We face the death of another year of life as we approach winter. This tree gives us clues on how to best go through difficult times and hard challenges. Blackthorn advises us to make adversarial forces our allies. The ogham for Blackthorn is Straif and the letters SS, ST, and Z.

Straif Blackthorn in a Reading: When you get Blackthorn in a reading, you are in need of protection. Energetically, the spike-like thorns of this tree can help, especially when you visualize a Blackthorn thicket springing up around you to shield you. This tree can help you to set clear, strong boundaries about what and whom you will let in and what and whom you will not.

Although you may not have a choice about what is happening in your life, you do have a choice about how you relate to any challenges. Drawing this tree can remind you to choose the equanimity that will help you move through these difficult times.

You are in a process of growing your character; if you are never challenged, you are unlikely to grow. For this reason, you can look at opposition and adversarial forces as allies. Difficulties are teachers, and negative situations bring lessons to learn. When one door closes, another opens.

When you get Blackthorn in a reading, you are being told that it is time for some heavy-duty changes. In order to grow, you are asked to let go of people and situations, as well as self-defeating beliefs and attitudes. You might not be able to change others or the situation you are in, but you can change yourself. It is a time to let go of the need for revenge, or lashing out, or destructive behavior toward yourself or others. Let go of animosity, judgment, and resentment. Let go of habits that are not working for you.

Ask your guides for support and spiritual strength. They are here for you and will answer your need. They cannot help you without your invitation, though, as they would never interfere with your free will.

Reversed: Reversed, Straif Blackthorn indicates that perhaps you are feeding your difficulty and letting it overcome you. It is possible that you are feeding the negative by your words, thoughts, and actions. If this is the case, the negativity in the situation can only increase. If you focus on what you don't like or what you don't want, you only get more.

You now have the opportunity to turn things around. Focus on the positive, or at least get to the neutral. Sometimes all we can do is weather the storm, so batten down the hatches. Remember, your attitude is everything. Are you blaming others? Self-responsibility is the way out of difficulty. Change yourself. Become what you want to be. Create the world you want to live in. Forgiveness is a place to begin.

Message: I am the strong and impenetrable Blackthorn. I challenge you to see any difficulty you may be experiencing as an opportunity to let go of a pattern that is harmful to you or is holding you back from growth and maturity. You may resist, but the sooner you look to your own attitudes and beliefs, the sooner you can get on with your life. When you run into trouble, look into your own mind, heart, and soul. Put your attention on what you are learning and what is required of you. Seek the higher road. Apply patience and be kind to yourself and others. Breathe deeply and know that this, too, shall pass.

RUIS ELDER

Northern Hemisphere Dates: October 3–October 30. Southern Hemisphere Dates: April 3–April 29. Totems: Cranes, Storks, Ibis, Crow. Deities/Guides: Thoth, Ma’at, Hecate, the Crone Aspect of the Goddess. Letter: R. Class: Shrub. 13th Lunation.

Keywords: renewal, transformation, release, regeneration, cauldron, death, birth, and rebirth, cycles, endings and beginnings, ancestors, elders, sages, transmutation.

The Ruis Elder initiates in the thirteenth lunation and the portal that rules the ending of the Celtic Year. Therefore, Elder is concerned with transformation and the death of the year. We gather the last of the harvest now and store the seeds for the next year’s growth. The Elder encourages us to use this time for personal withdrawal, retrospection, and release. Death and rebirth and the passing of the soul from the physical realm to the spiritual are all sacred to Elder. This tree encourages us to connect with the ancestors and to converse with those loved ones that have passed through the veil. The ogham for this tree is Ruis and the letter R.

Ruis Elder in a Reading: The Elder represents a threshold, a doorway that you are approaching. As you stand at the door, take time to review your year and to honor it. Ma’at, the Egyptian goddess of balance and discernment, is available to you, as is Hecate, the crone, for the healthy composting of what no longer serves you. It is time to clean up after the harvest, that which you have created in this last year. Let go of that which is no longer relevant, but save the seeds of new hopes and new potentials that you will care for over the winter.

It is time to seek knowledge of ancient indigenous ways and to reconnect with your ancestry. The veil between the worlds is thin now, which makes this a time to communicate with your ancestors and others who have passed over. They have much to share; they can infuse you with new life and hope and magic. Seek out your elders for wisdom and guidance.

Elder’s theme is “the end in the beginning and the beginning in the end.” It marks a time for personal withdrawal, retrospection, and release. It is a time to surrender old ideas, projects, outworn patterns, or stagnant relationships. As you take stock of your year, look at the themes. Give yourself credit for what you accomplished. Let go of your disappointments and forgive yourself for mistakes. You are not the person you were last year at this time. You have transformed, and you will continue to do so. Allow the regenerative energy of Elder to infuse you with energy for the new.

Reversed: Our culture has a disdain for death and for the aging process. Although there is much that we can do to remain active and healthy, we do well to honor our elders. You might be avoiding the deeper questions of life just now, or you might be caught up in meaningless activity that keeps you on the surface. Are you ignoring the part of the cycle that takes you deeper and asks you to question your life choices and face your mortality? If so, fear is the usual culprit. If you are currently over-identified with your ego, you are invited to visit the spirit realms and deepen your experience, question your beliefs about death, and take a more spiritual approach to life.

Do you tend to ignore the elders in your life, thinking they have little to teach you? Do you have much contact with older people? Do you know much about your family heritage? This may be a wonderful time to do some research about your lineages. Take a moment to think about how you stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before you. They are your greatest cheerleaders. They are there for you if you but ask.

Message: I am the Ruis Elder and I draw close to you as I represent completions. I am here to guide you as you let go of the past and review what has been created. I hold you as you look at everything that has been created up to this point. I thank you for your endeavors and hard work. I see your joys and disappointments. I honor you for everything that you have experienced in this ending cycle of growth. I support you totally as you bring things to an end, and I offer you encouragement as you look to the future and to bright new horizons. It is time to begin a whole new chapter in your life at a whole new level. I am here to guide you and support you to plant new seeds and make new choices. I stand with the elders and the ancients—we are here for you. We offer you our wisdom.

It is time to release something so you can move ahead. Perhaps the pond you are in is too small. Perhaps you need a leap of faith. You may find a whole new life ahead of you if you take the jump. Go ahead. You have contemplated change long enough. You have thought about consequences and sought advice. Be kind to your fears, but don’t let them block you. Move forward and embrace the new.

AILIM SILVER FIR / PINE

Totems: Eagle, Owl. Deities/Guides: The Great Mother in her many forms. Letter: A. Class: Shrub.

Keywords: foresight, higher perspective, inner vision, the higher self, higher dimensions, unseen realm, clear vision, progress, insight.

The Ailim Silver Fir represents clear-sightedness. She helps us see the big picture. We are encouraged by her to learn from our past mistakes and make new choices based on a higher perspective. She asks us to take the longer view. This tree offers us a spiritual infusion of understanding and brings us insight and expanded awareness. Fir holds the love of the Great Goddess. She can heal and support us through any situation. The wisdom of this tree encourages us to take the high road and to apply the words and ways of spirit. This tree is especially helpful as we make resolutions of any kind and speaks to the turning of the wheel after the Winter Solstice. The ogham for this tree is Ailim and the letter A.

Ailim Silver Fir / Pine in a Reading: Ailim Silver Fir asks you to imagine climbing the tallest fir or pine on the highest mountain and become the eagle looking out from its branches. From this wide perspective, your personal worries and concerns seem comparatively small. From here, you can see your situation from the larger view of spirit. Take it in. How do things look from this perspective? Fir reminds you that you have a choice as to how you respond to your life situations, the rewards and challenges. Fir encourages you to take the high road, to rise above the mundane and seek a higher understanding. In order to do this, you are encouraged to spend some time in silence as you seek clarity. The words and ways of spirit are not the ways of the world. You can become the expression of these higher words and ways. The test, of course, is applying them to your daily life with all of its ups and downs. And are you willing to do this? Are you willing to share your wisdom with others?

You are promised divine assistance. This tree offers you spiritual understanding, the unconditional love of the Great Mother, and healing. Close your eyes, breathe, and receive this infusion of love. You are encouraged to let go and allow spirit to show you the way. This does take some humility, but it also takes courage to follow the path of love. This is not a religious set of rules or requirements. The question is: What would love do here?

Reversed: You are currently unable to see the forest for the trees. You need to get some distance from your situation or problem, or you will not be able to move towards clarity. Take time away from your problems to gain perspective. Look up towards the light, not down at the ground. Seek the advice of some sage person in your life. Look to your dreams as well as to synchronicities in your waking life, as these may offer guidance. Spend time looking at mistakes made, and resolve to learn from those mistakes. Put arrogance aside and be willing to dismantle misplaced ego. Choose humility.

Remember, it is not all on you to solve the problems of the world. You cannot do it alone. You need community, friends, family, and others devoted to healing. If you are alone in your difficulties and cut off from others, are you willing to reach out and take a risk of receiving help?

Message: I am the stately Silver Fir (or Pine). See how I sit on a tall mountain and look out over beautiful valleys and hills? See how I grow towards the heavens and stand tall? I encourage you to take a look at your life from the top of my branches. Here you can see the past, yes. But you can also look ahead to the future. In the future, you may see many choices. Which one attracts you? Imagine yourself having made that future choice. What are you doing? What do you love? Who are you with? Now, look back at yourself at the top of the tree. Allow your future self to speak. What does it have to say to you? Allow the wisdom from your future self to dream you and reawaken you. Let your future self inform you as you make new choices and new resolutions, which, in turn, will move you towards the future that pleases you.

Message: I am the stately Silver Fir (or Pine). See how I sit on a tall mountain and look out over beautiful valleys and hills? See how I grow towards the heavens and stand tall? I encourage you to take a look at your life from the top of my branches. Here you can see the past, yes. But you can also look ahead to the future. In the future, you may see many choices. Which one attracts you? Imagine yourself having made that future choice. What are you doing? What do you love? Who are you with? Now, look back at yourself at the top of the tree. Allow your future self to speak. What does it have to say to you? Allow the wisdom from your future self to dream you and reawaken you. Let your future self inform you as you make new choices and new resolutions, which, in turn, will move you towards the future that pleases you.

OHN FURZE / GORSE

Totems: Honey Bee; Magpie (with its eye for shiny, golden treasure). Deities/Guides: Lugh, Persephone (the Maiden Aspect of the Goddess). Letter: O. Class: Chieftain.

Keywords: fulfillment and abundance, sweetness, hope, persistence, links the inner and outer worlds, gathering together what you need to ensure progress.

The Ohn Furze/Gorse is all about fulfillment and abundance. We are encouraged to share what we have with others and to practice sweetness in our lives. The day before the spring equinox is often called the Day of the Gorse. Persephone returns to her mother Demeter, and new growth begins a whole new cycle. The gorse, or furze, continually blooms with bright golden-yellow flowers that represent hopefulness. This plant differs from broom in that it has sharp thorns. It is a persistent bush that can grow almost anywhere. Thus, our attitude of gratitude and appreciation can be applied to any situation, as well. Its connection to the god Lugh and his bright light of inspiration brings a fire aspect to this ogham. The ogham for this bush is Ohn and the letter O.

Ohn Furze/Gorse in a Reading: Furze/Gorse in a reading represents abundance. Its hallmark is generosity. You are encouraged to share what you have with others now. Giving is the best way to receive. It is all about sweetness: How do you create the nectar of honey in your life? Cultivate an atmosphere of light and cooperation; work with others to create good. This is a perfect time to give gratitude for what you have, to count your blessings. Be willing to stand as a light for others at this time. Share your illumination.

Besides the renewal promised at the spring equinox, Gorse links the inner and outer worlds. This link is a doorway through which we receive abundance and love and maintain connection with the mysteries that keep our hopes alive—no matter what trials or tribulations come our way.

This bush suggests you develop the skill of collecting. You are gathering around you what you need to reach your goal or destination. You are collecting what you need to reap results. Like the magpie who is attracted to golden treasures, you too are gathering together what is valuable to aid you in your pursuits. Consider what you are creating, what you are collecting about you. Do you cultivate sweetness or distress and drama? If you have a goal, collect good people around you for support.

The Gorse ensures fertility and the renewal of the life force. You are connected to vision and inspiration. It is a time of new ideas and plans. Keep to the golden hue of hope. Persist with faith.

Reversed: You may be isolating yourself or hiding your light. You are encouraged to share of yourself. Perhaps you are holding on to things, hoarding your possessions. Share what you have. It is time to join with your community and use your talents in cooperation with others.

Perhaps you are focusing on the negative. Instead, count your blessings. Look to see where in your life you are holding back. Are you saying “no” too often, or refusing to share? Look at those around you. Are they expressing a positive view of the world or a negative view? What are you expressing out into the world? If you are spending time on what you don’t like, criticizing others, and gossiping, understand that you are attracting that same kind of energy. If you want a lighter life of love and joy, begin to express these and gather around you books, events, places, and people that express this as well. Your life story will change.

Place a golden flower in a vase to remind you of that which is good. Gather what you need to move you towards your goals. If you are depressed or burned out, it is essential that you seek help and relief. If you find yourself manic or out of control, seek help for balance and inner equilibrium.

Message: I am the Furze/Gorse bush, and there is no month in which I do not retain my blooms. I am a needle-bearing evergreen. I am here to remind you that you, too, are evergreen and everlasting. I encourage you to be ever blooming as well, sharing your abundance and gifts with the world. I link the inner and the outer worlds with the promise of fulfillment and joy.

Consider what it is that you must collect in order to manifest your goals and aspirations. Do you need support, love, and encouragement? Or do you need actual physical help? Ask for what you need and collect that which will aid you. Write down your goals and aspirations and imagine the color of my blossoms flowing onto the page. Allow my bright yellow-gold to saturate you with hope and faith. I will help you to attract a combination of positive forces and possibilities into your life right here, right now.

If you find me, take some of my branches to make a broom and sweep away confusion, obstacles, and old patterns that no longer serve. Sweep away the barren time of winter and sweep in the new beginnings of spring. Life is indeed precious, and this is a most joyful time of year. Return to your youth, be you a woman or a man. Return to innocence. Your sweetness attracts good things. And so it is!

UR HEATHER / MISTLETOE

Totems: The White Stag, Bees, Raven. Deities/Guides: The Pregnant Mother Aspect of the Goddess, Pan, the Green Man. Letters: U, W. Class: Peasant/Chieftain.

Keywords: healing, spiritual development, making contact with the spiritual dimensions, fertility, solid foundations, the spiritual path, all heal.

Ur Heather represents healing and spiritual development and acts as a gateway between the worlds. She will help us manifest our wishes and stimulate our dreams. She is protective and promises good luck. Mistletoe is known as a panacea and represents the invisible life essence shared with its host, the Oak. Thus, this plant brings in the essence of divinity and supports survival and immortality. Together, Heather and Mistletoe represent a closer relationship with the spirit world and promise healing. They represent the continuity of life and the promise of the eternal life of the spirit. The ogham for these plants is Ur and the letters U and W.

Ur Heather / Mistletoe in a Reading: Heather/Mistletoe represents a link between our earthly plane and the spirit world. Thus, when you receive this card, communications with the spirit world—via divine intervention—can result in healing. Pay attention to dreams, visions, and synchronicities. Prayer or meditation is helpful here, as is ritual. Spend time in nature. When this card appears in your reading, it may be time to address an issue that needs healing, whether the healing necessary is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.

The Heather/Mistletoe also signals a time of fertility. Perhaps you are pregnant, whether physically or metaphorically, and preparing to give birth to a child or product or service. Whatever you have planted is now growing to fruition. Soon it will be time to reap what you have sown. In the meantime, care for what you are growing; cultivate it well. Protect and nourish it so the results of your manifestation can be magnificent. To do so, focus on the positive, feed that which is beneficial, and let the rest go.

Apply spiritual principles to your aspirations and goals. If you have need of a stable and solid foundation, Ur will help you. Keep a steady rudder. This is a time to enjoy yourself and nurture that which you are creating. Signs of abundance, growth, and beauty are all around you. Breathe in this bounty. Allow the sun to fill you with its summer warmth and light. Enjoy the truth that you were born to create and give birth.

Reversed: Summer is a time of fullness, but you may feel you are not in the flow. Perhaps you are blocking messages and help from other dimensions, be it from guides, helpers, totems, ancestors, or divinity. This is a time to open up to love, dreams, and possibilities, but you may feel that you are in a hopeless situation and are on your own. This is simply not true. Gratitude for what you do have can bring you back to a sense of connection. You are advised to begin a healing journey into your inner self and the unseen realms. Don’t put off the need to go to the doctor, visit your therapist, or talk to a trusted friend or relative. You are not alone.

It is time to get back to nature and the simple pleasures of life. Take some time to sit by a tree and observe the birds, the bees, and the butterflies. Simply be and allow the healing that you need to take place. You are invited to drop negative thoughts and feelings and cultivate healthy ones. With your intention, you can turn things around.

Message: We, the Heather and the Mistletoe, bring you healing energy. We represent the summer sun of abundance, beauty, fertility, and growth. We come to you with joy and exuberance.

I am Heather, and I come to you with my purple and white flowers to remind you of your own potential and possibility. Like me, you are evergreen, ever creative, ever fertile, ever growing new ideas and new adventures. I am here to remind you that you create the beauty of your life, the flowers of your life, through your thoughts, beliefs, emotions, actions, and activities. Cultivate beautiful thoughts, and beautiful creations will bloom into your life. It can be no other way. This is the law of manifestation in this dimension that I share with you.

I am the Mistletoe, and I ask you to take time to commune with spirit and enrich your soul. Healing is offered to you in this sacred silence. Behind all visible form is an invisible power that can be relied upon and which you can intuit. Imagine this power as a life force that flows into your body. Because it is all-wise, it knows exactly what to attend to. Allow this flow of light and love and perfection to restore the perfect blueprint of health to your body, to your mind, and to your emotions. Ask this life force to align you to your soul’s purpose. Let every cell of your body fill with this light and vibrate to the frequency of health. Be assured that this interaction with us is real, and that this life force is always available to you.

Together, we, the Heather and the Mistletoe, offer you protection, energetic cleansing of the negative, abundance, and good luck. We can help you manifest your wishes and can come to you in your dreams. Like the Great Mother, we are here unconditionally for you. Breathe in our love and let the magic of the unseen world wash you clean. Bring the bright full summer sun into your life—right now, right here. There is no need for doubt, as you were born to grow, to expand, and to evolve. This is your nature. And so it is, dear friend, until we meet again.

EADHA WHITE POPLAR / ASPEN

Totem: Horse (particularly, the horse that pulls the sun across the sky), the White Stag. Deities/Guides: The Crone Aspect of the Goddess, the Green Man, Herne the Hunter, Cernunnos. Letter: E. Class: Shrub.

Keywords: adversity, endurance, determination, spiritual strength, the small voice of God, guidance, encouragement, courage, protection, rebirth, sacrifice.

These trees are hardy, fast-growing, and strongly resistant. They offer courage and endurance to help us overcome our troubles. These trees also provide protection and shielding from death, injury, and misfortune. The sound of the leaves of these trees carries messages from the spiritual realm. We celebrate the fall equinox, and we recycle and compost what is left of the harvest. The cycle of this year of life is coming to a close. We give our gratitude for the sacrifices of the Green Man, and we honor the sacred relationship between the hunter and the prey that offers its life for our sustenance. Life dies so life can continue. The ogham for these trees is Eadha and the letter E.

Eadha White Poplar / Aspen in a Reading: When you get this card in a reading, you know that you are dealing with adversity. The Poplar and the Aspen offer you the strength to endure any adversity and promise success after your difficulties have ceased. Troubles are like storms; they eventually end. Sometimes you just have to hunker down and wait the tempest out. Afterwards, when the sun comes out again, you leave your shelter to see how everything fared, see what survived. You may find trees down and houses blown apart. Still, you are alive and can begin again. You can rebuild. It is said that our challenges encourage us to build character, that difficulties help us to develop strength and resolve.

In the midst of your troubles, when you are on your knees, you are more likely to ask for guidance and support. Your guides and helpers are waiting for your invitation. Go within and listen to that small voice you will find there. This is where you will find solace, support, courage, and wisdom. Ask for what you need.

You are offered protection and shielding as you move through difficulty. You are encouraged to let go of that which is no longer yours, of that which has ended. You are reminded that challenges, loss, and endings are part of the great round of life. Old dreams end, and you are asked to begin to build new ones. Rebirth is just around the corner.

Reversed: You may be tempted to give up and give in. You may feel that the cards are stacked against you, and that there is absolutely nothing you can do to turn the tide. This card offers you a reminder of the endurance of the Poplar/Aspen. These two trees have come to assure you that this sense of helplessness will not last. You only have to get through this time of stagnation or of loss, and indeed things will change. Change your sense of gloom by allowing the leaves of the Poplar or Aspen to speak to your heart. Go out in nature and listen to the trees. Cycles are part of the nature of our lives. This period of distress cannot stand forever. Spring will return.

You may feel that this pain and grief is more than you can stand. It will pass. Let go of that which you can no longer hold on to. It is already gone. Allow the feelings of loss to move through you. Allow them to fallow the field of your heart to prepare for a new cycle.

Message: We are the Poplar and the Aspen. Our leaves whisper to you in the breeze. When our leaves turn colors in the fall, they are flames against the sky. We burn with intent. Take a moment to enjoy the experience of autumn before we lose all of our foliage and stand barren in winter’s cold. Now, take a moment to notice what cycle you are in within your own life. Is it fall or winter for you right now? Challenges, loss, and endings are part of the cycle of life. Perhaps this is a time to let go of what has no further use in your life. Perhaps it is time to let go of regret and loss. Let go of that which hinders and harms. Let go of relationships and dreams that are over or complete. Let go of your leaves, like we do. You will grow new ones.

Go into the silence as you prepare for winter. Take stock of your life. You have produced so much. Now let it all go so you can begin again. Be in the present moment. What is there left to do? Tie up loose ends. Forgive yourself and others. Now is the time to prepare the garden by raking out the refuse and the dead. Make a clean space and leave it fallow so you can begin to contemplate what you will plant. We represent preparation for the new cycle, which will always come.

IOHO YEW

Totems: The Grim Reaper, Vulture. Deities/Guides: The Crone Aspect of the Goddess, Pluto, Anubis, the Ancestors. Letters: I, J, Y. Class: Chieftain.

Keywords: death and rebirth, legacies, ancestors, transition, transformation, transmutation, reincarnation, endings and beginnings, regeneration.

The Ioho Yew lives for a very long time, and you will often find them in the cemeteries of Great Britain. They maintain the silence for the souls that have crossed the veil. With them, we move toward winter and the winter solstice, as the Yew marks endings and rebirth. This tree also stands for silence, contemplation, and meditation. The Yew links us to the ideas of rebirth and reincarnation. This tree brings us to the threshold that leads into the dead of winter and the long darkness before the light. There is the promise of regeneration here, but we have to get through the winter first. This tree’s ogham is Ioho and the letters are I, J, or Y.

Ioho Yew in a Reading: When you get this card in a reading, expect some sort of ending. What are you done with? What have you completed? What have you had enough of? What is asking you to let it go? You may not know where you are going, but you don’t need to. The Yew asks you to embrace change, to follow the process. Something is dissolving so something new can be birthed.

If you are dealing with the death of something or someone, grief is appropriate, of course. But also be open to messages from those who have passed through the veil. Yew is here to assure you that death is only a threshold into another dimension of existence. Communication is possible with those who have passed over. Your loved ones are not lost to you. Look to synchronicities and dreams.

Transformation and transmutation involve evolutionary changes. We become something new; we are rebirthed at a new level of awareness and consciousness. It is time for prayer, silence, and the contemplation of the mysteries and the unknown. Are you truly living your life? Can you create a bigger life? Are you willing to have source work through you to create beauty, harmony, and peace for the world?

Yew will connect you to your ancestors and to the places from which they came. There is much ancient knowledge here to access. Are you open to their guidance?

Reversed: You might be fighting the inevitable and delaying a necessary decision. You may be avoiding releasing something out of fear. Grief may be so overwhelming that it is hard to function, but remember, grief is a process, and in time you will return to your life. You are being asked to embrace change, but you may be fighting it instead. Willpower isn’t relevant right now. Patience is the only way through this period. Love yourself through the changes. Surrender to what is. Don’t fight the process. Seek solitude. Feel your feelings. Winter will pass and the thaw will come.

Perhaps you feel that there are no apparent answers or solutions to what you are enduring or facing. This tree can provide you with information that you hadn’t even considered. A tree that has lived so long and witnessed so much is a wise source. Simply request help. Consider where the innovative ideas that support the sacredness of life come from.

Message: I am the Ioho Yew. I connect you to the aspirations of your lineage and your ancestors. I connect you to your homelands. I hold ancient spiritual teachings and knowledge. I am full of the hope of your people. I connect you to loved ones who have passed over. I am here to remind you that space and time are inventions, not the true foundation of reality. Be patient. I offer you courage and inner knowing.

Do not be afraid of change or death. They are just portals into new beginnings. Breathe deeply. Listen to the inner silence, in which you can hear what has gone before and that which endures for all time. You are part of an important legacy; you are a steward of Mother Earth with work to do. Protect her, as she is a paradise. And be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with love and respect. You are a holy being of great potential. Grief will deepen you. Allow us to fill you with hope and trust and belief that the light will return, and you will burn even brighter than you could have imagined. You are loved.

KOAD GROVE

Northern Hemisphere Date: October 31. Southern Hemisphere Date: April 30. Totems: Angels and Guardian Spirits. Deities/Guides: Unity Consciousness, the Universe, God, Goddess, All That Is, the Ancestors. Letters: EA, CH, KH. Celebration: Samhain, October 31 (April 30).

Keywords: all knowledge, silence, meditation, prayer, initiation, Great Spirit, Source, the Mystery, the temple, sacred places, unity, oneness, community, tree teachings, divinity, recommitment to spiritual path, communication with ancestors, connection with spirit, unity consciousness, universal intelligence, totems, guides, and deities on the spiritual plane, loved ones and animals who have passed over.

Koad Grove represents the most important holiday in the Celtic cosmology: The Day, which falls on October 31st (April 30th) and marks the end of the Celtic year. Other names for this celebration are Samhain, Hallowmas, All Hallows, and Halloween. This is a day that we give gratitude for and make space to connect with our guides, totems, and our ancestors. If we follow a particular religion, it is time for prayers or perhaps going to the temple, church, or synagogue. Here we stand within the protection of the grove and enter sacred space. The Grove is representative of all knowledge, of the temple, the holy of holies, and the great silence. The ogham for the Grove is Koad and the letters EA, CH, and KH. It is symbolized by shears.

Koad Grove in a Reading: When you receive the Grove in a reading, you are asked to reconnect to what is spiritually meaningful to you and to give your gratitude. This is the time to consider the sacred and connect with spirit/source. Take time to sit in silence and review your year.

Listen for messages from the ancestors. Meditate. Contemplate death. The Celts readily made space for the dead and believed they sent healing, guidance, and support for the living. What messages are they sending you? Remember that these beings are your support team and that you are loved and cherished. Perhaps your relatives were limited within their personalities while they were alive, and your history with them is not that positive. In spirit, however, they are open to a greater sense of wisdom and love to share with you.

The Grove represents your community. Spend time with like-minded others in ritual and ceremony. Reconnect with your source together in celebration and with gratitude. Do you have a place that is sacred to you? Do you have a spiritual group, or temple, grove, center, or church that is meaningful to you? Do you have a spiritual practice that supports you? What spiritual lineages have relevance for you?

It is time to seek answers to these questions. If you have no answers, it is time to include the spiritual within your life. Explore what has true meaning for you. It is time to develop a spiritual practice.

Reversed: Your isolation may be cutting you off from important regeneration. Perhaps you are too busy to go within. Have you become so enamored with the world outside of you that you have forgotten about your inner world? Perhaps you fill every moment of your life with noise, drama, and activity. You cannot address spiritual matters until you discover your own spiritual needs. Consider your priorities. Set boundaries to support your inner life accordingly. Make room for silence and for contemplation.

Perhaps you have forgotten that you are innocent, that you are a powerful spiritual being. If so, it is time to return to your own authentic hopes and desires. It is time to open to new possibilities and new opportunities and to the vast field of unending potentialities. You may have to go outside your comfort zone to discover your own unique spiritual inclinations. Once there, you may be surprised to learn about your authentic interests and needs.

Message: We are the Grove, and we send you love. We hold you and ground you. What is your favorite grove? Wherever it is, a grove of trees is a holy place. Make time to find a group of trees and sit among them, feeling their sacred energy. Or simply close your eyes and imagine yourself standing in a grove of your favorite trees. Attune yourself to the inner silence and open the portal of the grove with an invitation. Ask the trees if they will spend some time with you.

We appreciate such an invitation. We lead you straight into your heart and into the realm of no space and no time and the dimensions of higher love, understanding, insight, and possibility. Feel into this dimension. From here, we can direct you towards people, places, and situations that will bless you. We can guide you towards your own expression of divinity.

We can help you contemplate the mysteries and the magic of existence. This place is always available to you. We invite you to come and sit with us any time you so desire.

Here, at the portal of the grove and within your own heart, we invite you to open to the light. We come from expanded awareness, and we return to expanded awareness. This is available to you as well. Do not fear. Sit quietly, and we will help you recognize and align to your sacred purpose. We will help you to stay on your true path and know your power as a spiritual being. Here in the holy darkness of the closing of the Celtic year, breathe in the deep, chilling air, and give your gratitude. Light a candle and know that you are a flame of love and purpose. We will help you to grow in your resolve. We will help you know exactly what is right for you in the next moment, and all the moments to come.

OIR SPINDLE

Totems: Thunder Beings, Light Beings, Thunderbird. Deities/Guides: Brigit, Lugh, Lucina, Thor, the Three Fates, Spinning and Weaving Goddesses. Letters: OI, TH. Class: Peasant.

Keywords: fulfillment, delight, light, sudden insight, thunder and lightning, release, energy, illumination, your best efforts, completion of a task.

Oir Spindle represents sudden flashes of insight and brings illumination and clarity. She is about fulfillment and delight—in particular, the fulfillment that comes after the completion of tasks. Therefore, this tree encourages us to put aside our excuses, evasions, and denial. We are encouraged to get to work and complete our goals so we can fulfill our aspirations. Spindle helps us to fulfill obligations so we can move forward. She rewards us for doing the very best we can. The ogham for Spindle is Oir and the letters are OI and TH. It is represented by the helmet and is formed by the index fingers and thumbs touching at their tips.

Oir Spindle in a Reading: This card offers you sudden insight and clarity. This tree is about enlightenment. You are asked to remember that you are a being of light and to see the light in every person you meet and every situation you enter. This tree brings illumination and insight.

When you receive Oir Spindle in a reading, you are promised fulfillment. But the key is that you must do the work. Lay aside your reluctance and your excuses. Get busy. Success is promised, but first must come labor. Spindle will help you to fulfill the necessary steps and give you the energy to complete your work. Choose to do your best and apply your energy to the tasks at hand. True sweetness comes from fulfilling these tasks to the best of your ability.

If you are trying to make a decision, you are advised to investigate. Get all the relevant facts. Do your due diligence. When you have gathered the information, you can make an informed decision, choose, and begin.

Spindle is a good wood for making pegs, bobbins, and spindles—all practical tools. You may have a project that has to do with woodworking. What practical tools do you need to create or gather to fulfill your task at hand? What expertise do you need? Who can you go to for guidance or help? What skills do you need? Make a practical plan. Consider time, money, and practicalities.

Reversed: You may have to wait for your fulfillment. Keep to the task at hand. Don’t lose faith. Are you feeling impatient and impulsive? Practice patience. Your rewards will come through your determination and persistence.

This is a time to carefully evaluate the situation. What must be addressed before right action can be undertaken? Let the transformative forces do their work. You stand on a threshold and may feel stymied, but in truth, it is time to consider all that has brought you to this gateway. Don’t bluster your way through things now. Rather, take your time and avoid hasty decisions that may bring you more difficulty. Pause before you step through and begin your next action or activity. Count your blessings. Ask for help as you need it.

If you are uninspired, allow the light to penetrate your being. Rest. If you can’t see the forest for the trees, ask Spindle for sudden revelation and clarity. Breathe in the teachings of Spindle.

Message: I am the Oir Spindle, and I bring you hope for the future. I sustain you with new light as you move towards your goals. I bring clarity and insight. I illuminate new possibilities. I am the promise of that which you long to create. I offer you the strength and encouragement to fulfill your goals. I offer you sweetness and delights.

Gather what you need to complete a task or project. Get busy. I offer you sustenance to do the work that will ensure the fulfillment of your goals. We are partners in the business of applying energy to ideas and bringing plans to fruition.

Notice what you already have that is full of beauty and contentment. Pat yourself on the back for all that you have completed, for a job well done. Take some time to enjoy the fruits of your labor before you plunge into the next project or endeavor.

I am the candle within you. What inspires you? How can you keep that inner light burning, even in great darkness? I help you embrace change and appreciate your own insight and sudden flashes of knowing. I help you awaken, take yourself seriously. I am your hope and your inner light, and I am here to remind you of your awesome potential and creative nature. Let me inspire you. Let me fill you with a sense of contentment and the realization that you have done well.

UILLEAND HONEYSUCKLE

Totems: Lapwing, Peewit, Hummingbirds, Moths, Bees, the Labyrinth, DNA. Deities/Guides: Merlin, the Crone or Hermit Archetype, Medicine Man or Woman. Letters: UI, PE, P. Class: Peasant.

Keywords: seeking, hidden secrets, the lantern that lights the path, the need to protect something important, soul, discovery, bringing light to the darkness, hidden treasure, illumination, clarity, restoration, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

This Uilleand Honeysuckle represents hidden secrets that we are meant to discover. The winding ways of this vine represent the labyrinth and the pathway into the inner life. The hermit or ancient medicine woman holds the lantern for us as we make our way into ourselves. There is a store of great treasure and knowledge there for us to discover if we will but begin the journey. We are encouraged to heal that which has been denied or repressed. We are invited to proceed with caution and enlist our spiritual helpers, so they can help light the darkness and illuminate the path of enlightenment. The ogham for this plant is Uilleand and the letters are UI, P, and PE. It is represented by bones, which are formed by crossing the index and middle fingers of each hand.

Uilleand Honeysuckle in a Reading: Uilleand Honeysuckle in a reading has to do with the search for inner knowledge. This flowering vine helps us discern false from true and choose that which is worthwhile. This woodbine is an ally. It provides protection and reminds you to stay true to yourself. Although you may find many distractions as you travel your path, this vine symbolizes a focused journey into the self and the soul. It signifies your spiritual journey and encourages you to keep learning, expressing your true nature, and evolving.

Honeysuckle may also come to let you know it is time to shine the light for others, so that they, too, can look into the mysteries and discover the treasure of their inner lives. By offering encouragement and insight, you may bring light to others' darkness and empower them to embark on their own inner journey.

Discovery is emphasized. Be willing to learn about and explore your own inner world. See yourself as an archaeologist, investigating the layers of your own inner world. There is much hidden treasure to find there. Although you may dig up hidden things that disturb you, you also bring light into the dark hidden places, and light brings the healing. You also reconnect with your own gifts and talents and empower your own expression.

Remember that it is your environment that affects the DNA. Light and love encourage the healthy patterns within your genes to be activated. Learn to apply positive thoughts, feelings, and actions to old habits of negativity. Become responsible for creating an environment of joy and health.

Reversed: Reversed, Honeysuckle indicates insecurity. This is a state of mind that must be addressed. True security has nothing to do with failure or success in the world, but with recognizing your true nature, which is already perfect and whole. If you are feeling “less than,” it is time for prayer or inner renewal. If you feel burned out or lost, circle around again into yourself.

Take a class, or seek a spiritual teacher, or choose books that remind you of who you truly are. If you have lost track of your inner life, it is time for inner reflection. If you are afraid to begin the journey of self-knowledge, work with a therapist, healer, or coach at the start. Turn the corner on old stories, habitual negative patterns, and unhealthy programming.

Message: I am the Uilleand Honeysuckle, and I offer you the lovely scent of my flowers. I attract beauty and offer sweet nectar for the hummingbirds and the bees. I am here to remind you of your own sweetness and your own ability to attract good things into your life. You attract beauty when you choose beautiful thoughts, feelings, actions, and activities.

You are growing new things. Allow yourself to develop naturally; cultivate your inner garden with seeds of love and intention. Follow the spiraling pattern that I create as I grow and know that this is how you, too, grow. Follow the spiral into your center and out again. What is hidden can be found. Pay attention to synchronicities and dreams. These are your allies in discovering your own inner knowing and true essence.

At the center of your heart lie desires and dreams and aspirations. Great treasure is available within you. Bring these inner resources to the light so they can be shared. Bring them forward for activation. They hold the secret to your soul’s purpose and your spiritual journey.

PHAGOS BEECH

Totems: Keys, Ancient Texts or Spell Books, Snake. Deities/Guides: The Great Goddess in all Her Forms, Archangels, Merlin, Thoth, Ascended Masters, Ancient Ancestors. Letters: IO, PH. Class: Chieftain.

Keywords: ancient knowledge and teachings, generations, books, texts, and scrolls, guidance from the past, wisdom, ancestors and lineages.

The Phagos Beech is associated with ancient wisdom keepers. The teachings from the past are stored in old objects, special power places upon the earth, and writings. This tree offers guidance from the past and can support new insight and sustenance. Beech is the mother of the woods and is queen to the king, Oak. She provides grounding and a strong foundation for any area of study or research. It is interesting to note that the words “beech” and “book” have the same origins. The ogham for this tree is Phagos, and the letters are IO or PH. This ogham is represented by the hook.

Phagos Beech in a Reading: When you receive the Phagos Beech in a reading, you are asked to study, do research, or gather information. You might be drawn particularly to ancient information and seek guidance from the ancient past. You might seek lost wisdom or guidance and information from your elders. Perhaps you feel drawn to research your own lineages or travel to distant lands and sacred sites or countries that were home to your ancestors. You may feel drawn to write your own book to share such knowledge.

The Beech is full of the ancient mysteries of the British Isles. When this card appears in your reading, you may fulfill a desire to visit a place connected with your past. You may have stories about your ancestors or lineages to share. You may receive information when handling old objects. If so, spontaneous stories and characters may come into your consciousness, which you will feel compelled to write down and share.

Perhaps it is time to go back to school and do serious research and study. What have you always wanted to learn more about? When you get this card, you may want to commit to a plan. This can either be study on your own, classes, or a full program.

This tree also offers you grounding and is able to create sacred space for you. Call in the energy of Beech and ask for guidance and wisdom. The information you need may come from a wise person, a book, a dream, or your intuition. If you are beginning a project, this tree offers you a strong foundation and stability. You may be involved with a project for a full year and have to be diligent to bring it to completion. Beech will help you stay with your task.

Reversed: You may discount advice, especially if it comes from older people in your life, such as your parents and grandparents. Think twice about dismissing insight from your elders, as they know things you don’t. Knowledge from the past may help you avoid mistakes. Arrogance does not serve you. Also, be open to receiving input from your environment. If you rush at this time, you might miss vital information. Honor the process of any project that requires determination. You have more in you than you might imagine. Patience is a virtue. Seek wise counsel and cultivate support. This is not the time to be overly independent.

Perhaps you feel shaky and uncertain. Beech can offer you strength and stability. She will help you to build a stronger foundation for yourself. Imagine yourself as the Beech tree and feel the stability that she gifts you with.

Message: I am the Phagos Beech tree. I am a book to you, and I encourage the learning of wisdom. You may be involved in a project or endeavor that will take an entire year to complete. Thus, you will be working through a whole cycle. It may involve schooling or higher education, with a specific goal or degree in mind. You may have an idea for a scholarly project or for writing a book.

Whatever your project, it may take great effort to complete. I encourage you to work hard and be diligent, and I ask you not to give up. This is your soul work. I am your solid foundation and your resolve. Connect to me for strength and guidance. I am the voice of your ancestors, whose aspirations are your own dreams and intentions and desires. I am evolution dreaming through you. I am your lineages sharing their wisdom with you. Do not be discouraged. What is it you require? State your needs and invite our help, for we are the ancient ones and we are here to support you.

MOR THE SEA

Totems: Undines, Water Nymphs, the Fairies. Deities/Guides: Moon Goddesses, Manannan mac Lir, Great Mother Goddesses, Female Ancestors. Letters: AE, XI, X.

Keywords: journey or pilgrimage, maternal ancestors and original homelands, ocean, water, mother and female lineages, the mysteries, emotion, healing.

Mor The Sea represents our maternal links, our yearning to travel, and the element of water. With Mor, we honor all the waters on the planet—including that in our own blood and bodies—and the unconscious and inner child. The sea represents hidden knowledge and our ancestral lineages. The Sea encourages us to take spiritual pilgrimages to learn about our roots and experience gratitude for them. Mor also encourages the inner journey into the depth of our own souls. The ogham for the sea is Mor, and the letters are AE, XI, and X. Its symbol is the warp and weft of a shirt.

Mor The Sea in a Reading: Do you feel called to take a pilgrimage? Perhaps it is time to take a trip or journey, one that connects you to your ancestral homeland or your spiritual home. Are you intrigued by sharpening your language skills in preparation for such a trip? Do you feel drawn to a spiritual pilgrimage to ancient power places and sacred lands? Or you may be called to make an inner journey to reconnect with your deepest, most authentic self. Is it time to plan such a journey?

You may be called to help protect the waters of the planet. This card indicates that it is time to offer your gratitude for the rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, waterways, and oceans. It is time to contemplate the water cycle that renews the earth with rain and moisture. It is time to offer your gratitude for your own emotions and your tears. What ways can you protect the waters where you are?

Mor The Sea might also indicate a time to delve into learning more about the mysteries and the power of the unconscious. You might want to learn shamanism or a form of spirituality that is connected to your own original ancestry, or one that fits with your deepest heart’s desires. Mor is an invitation into the healing provided via the unconscious and the higher self. She invites you to dive deep and learn about healing practices to heal the emotional body.

Whichever message Mor The Sea has for you, be sure to take time to connect with your ancestors and ask them for guidance and help as you travel your chosen path. Especially consider your maternal links. This is a time to honor the powers of the feminine and to honor the miracle of the female body and the miracle of birth. Women and men are asked to connect with respect and veneration for the divine feminine.

Reversed: You may have strayed from your origins, but it is now time to realign with your ancestors. You may feel that you are at sea. If so, take a time out. Stop moving so fast. Listen to your own inner guidance. If you are separated or estranged from your family or loved ones, it might be time to reconnect. If your connection to your mother is in need of healing, Mor asks you to embark upon a healing strategy.

If you do not feel good about your own body, it is time for healing. It is time to come to acceptance of your own shape, form, and size.

You may live your life on the surface but fail to dip into the depths of your inner life. Within the deep ocean of your being, you will find regeneration and a deeper connection to the sacred. Mor calls out to your deepest nature and supports your courage in entering the process of inner discovery. She offers you healing for your deepest wounds.

Message: I am Mor The Sea. I am the river, the lake, the pond, the brook, the stream, the waterway, the sea, and the ocean. I am the well. I am the water within your body and in your blood. I am the rain and the storm and your tears. I am life. I am your past, present, and future. I am all time and beyond time. I am your soul’s journey. I am with you at the beginning, at birth, and remain with you to your ending, at death. I never cease to be. I go on forever, from form to form. I am consciousness and the formless. I am the God and the Goddess, and I sustain you.

I am the source and the animating mystery and power of life. You are a vessel for me. You are an expression of me. I am in love with you. I am without judgment, as I can only give you unconditional love. Allow your life and love to flow. Allow my spirit to love through you so that you can forgive yourself and others. Allow this flow to nurture you and nourish you. Drink deeply at the well of your soul and know that you are on purpose. Take shelter in my love, in my wisdom, and in my guidance. Let me fill you with refreshment and allow me to quench the thirst of your soul. I am always here. I am always everywhere. I am the center and the circumference, and I bless you. I am here to remind you that you too are indeed a loving god or goddess with great power and potential, here as a steward to Mother Earth to create healing and beauty. It is only but one choice away from manifestation at any moment.

Notice what stands out to you—there may be more to explore.