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identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-18 11:17] – rasa | identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-19 17:24] – [* Silver birch, zilverberk, le bouleau verruqueux, betula pendula] rasa | ||
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Please meet the witch of the forest. | Please meet the witch of the forest. | ||
- | Down through the ages the Hazel has always been considered magical, and was used primarily for its powers of divination. | + | |
+ | Down through the ages the Hazel has always been considered magical, and was used primarily for its powers of divination. | ||
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+ | In August this Hazel forms a roof of branches and leafs in collaboration with its collaegue hazels. They form a network for the red squirrels, who jump as acrobats from one branch to another. Often they can be heard above, where they cut off the hazelnuts with their sharp teeth, and parts of the nutshells happen to whirl down on you. | ||
It was believed that hazelnuts contained a concentration of wisdom and poetic inspiration. There are several variations on an ancient tale that nine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the water to be eaten by some salmon (a fish revered by Druids) which thereby absorbed the wisdom. The number of bright spots on the salmon were said to indicate how many nuts they had eaten. | It was believed that hazelnuts contained a concentration of wisdom and poetic inspiration. There are several variations on an ancient tale that nine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the water to be eaten by some salmon (a fish revered by Druids) which thereby absorbed the wisdom. The number of bright spots on the salmon were said to indicate how many nuts they had eaten. | ||
Hazel has long been a favourite wood from which to make staffs, whether for ritual Druidic use, for medieval self defence. Hazel shafts were used for water divining, and this practice evolved into the making of pilgrims’ staffs, shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks. | Hazel has long been a favourite wood from which to make staffs, whether for ritual Druidic use, for medieval self defence. Hazel shafts were used for water divining, and this practice evolved into the making of pilgrims’ staffs, shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks. | ||
+ | The wood burns well and offers great charcoal useful for drawing. The branches are extremely flexible and can be used for weaving baskets and fences. Thousands of years ago, fishermen boats were made of hazel, covered with peltry. The woven branches were also the basis of clay huts, attached to poles and covered with clay and hay. | ||
+ | Hazel was also used for hoops. | ||
- | // While you walk on to meet the next tree, think of your house and all the things made of wood.// | + | // Look at trees as if they were individuals and think of their variety in race, age, … // |
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- | roots in water | + | // While listening to the Alder, think of all the things humans construct with wood under water // |
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+ | The Alder Tree (Old Irish “Fern,” genus Alnus) is a somber deciduous tree with dark bark, which is most comfortable along waterways and streams. It is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and survive when grown in infertile soils. Alder roots enrich the soil, and its timber resists decay. | ||
+ | When immersed | ||
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+ | When cut, alder wood turns from white to red and felling of a sacred alder was considered taboo. Dyes were made from its bark, twigs and flowers. | ||
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+ | Alder bark treated inflammations, | ||
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+ | Alder was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of " | ||
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+ | “The Alder is a tree that supports and protects physically, emotionally, | ||
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+ | // When you walk on, think of what trees are missing here in the forest // | ||
- | // think of different ways of reproduction // | ||
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- | Duties: | + | // Observe, touch and peel some of its skin, it is harmless and it allows you to start a fire when there is no dry paper available // |
- | character: Lady of the Woods, symbol of light, new spring, elegance | + | |
+ | The birch is said to be the Lady of the Woods, the tree of the future. It is a pioneer tree that does not demand for high maintenance, | ||
+ | It symbolizes the idea 'from cradle to cradle': everything | ||
+ | The skin can be used to light a fire in a wet place, or for shoes, coats, canoes; | ||
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+ | About 2000 years ago the birch was mentioned in teachings | ||
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+ | The name would also find its origins in the Ghotic ' | ||
+ | Criminals and psychic patients would be beaten with birch rods to chase bad spirits. | ||
+ | In Wales, the birch is a tree of love and wreaths of birch are woven as love tokens, its trunk used for the maypole. Like many trees with protective properties, birch boughs over cradles and carriages protect infants against the glamour of the Little People. | ||
- | // what trees are missing? | + | // When you walk on, think of the different ways trees reproduce |