Recommended Reading 

BIRCH 24 Dec-20 Jan

Be close to the birch tree, it will give you strength to cope with life changes. If you were born under the birch moon you are the new broom that sweeps clean. Born at a time when the daylight starts to increase you are good at new beginnings, change is easier for you than for others.

Celtic Symbol: The White Stag. Deities: Venus, Frigga

ROWAN 21 Jan-17 Feb

If you were born under the rowan moon you are at ease with all types of people. You are unprejudiced and love to mix with people regardless of skin colour, culture or social strata. You are also eclectic in your taste of food, and with your decorating. Lastly, you have an inner strength and are protective of those around you.

Celtic Symbol: The Green Dragon. Deities: Mercury, Odin, Thor, Brigantia

ASH 18 Feb-17 Mar

You have a dual personality, being both artist and critic, but beware that the critic doesn't tell you that your ambitions are merely fancy and daydreams, because you can reach for the sky. The ash moon made you tough. There is a resilience about you and you bounce back from every set back undaunted. If you can hold the critic back then this should be the key to your success.

Celtic Symbol: Seahorse or Trident. Deities: Poseidon, Neptune, Odin, Mercury

ALDER 18 Mar-14 Apr

The alder makes you a leader. You never go along with the herd or act impulsively. You sit on the fence for as long as it takes to see the big picture and form your own opinions, then lead others to action in defence of what you think is right. You choose your friends carefully and enjoy watching them succeed and grow in inner strength.

Celtic Symbol: Hawk or Pentacle Deities: Bran, Pan, Verdani, Mars, King Arthur

WILLOW 15 Apr-12 May

If your moon tree is the willow you are pliant and bend to avoid obstacles rather than crashing through them. Because of this you would make an excellent diplomat. The willow is a poet's tree and your eloquence and clarity of thought also lead you in this direction as you fight with words rather than fists.

Celtic Symbol: Sea Serpent Deities: Hecate, Persephone, Kaun Yin, Selene, Diana, Orpheus

HAWTHORN 13 May-9 Jun

The hawthorn moon makes you a great defender of everyone around you, family, freinds and even those you have never met. Also, you are always surrounded by abundance, whether it be material wealth, ideas - your imagination is fertile, or just the good things in life that are free. It is very hard to dampen your enthusiasm for life as others will not bring you down.

Celtic Symbol: The Chalice Deities: Vulcan,, Thor, Mars, Hera

OAK 10 Jun-7 Jul

The oak symbolises longevity and in terms of your moon this gives you maturity beyond your years. You stand out in a crowd and others, recognising this will follow you should you choose to take the lead, which you do not always choose to do. You have a warm and friendly nature and show others respect which is returned to you as your due.

Celtic Symbol: White Horse or Golden Wheel Deities: Zeus, Jupiter, Juno

HOLLY 8 Jul-4 Aug

If your birth tree is the Holly, then you bring warmth and light into your relationships and lift the spirits of those around you. Although you are the life and soul of the party you have too much depth to be a socialite. You become attached to people and places, so when abroad you think of home with a especially strong feelings.

Celtic Symbol: Flaming Spear and The Unicorn Deities: Saturn, Thor, Mars, Hodur

HAZEL 5 Aug-1 Sep

You have an aura of energy about you that attracts others. As a leader you foster change and take the rough with the smooth. In fact, you love life rain or shine and move past obstacles in your life easily using an inner wisdom that you had even as a child.

Celtic Symbol: The Rainbow Salmon. Deities: Mercury, Hermes, Woden, Aengus

VINE 2 Sep-29 Sep

If the vine is your moon you love tradition and are happiest returning to places where you had good times in the past. You are sensual in nature and can defend your ideas and ideals passionately. You care about nature and the preservation of the natural world and will risk life and limb in its defense.

Celtic Symbol: The White Swan. Deities: Venus, Branwen, Aphrodite, Apollo, Osiris

IVY 30 Sep-27 Oct

If the ivy is your moon you are steadfast and constant, even tempered and easy going, even whimsical. You do not take sides in disputes unless you feel a threat to your basic beliefs. Take care not to treat love attachments to lightly, it is easy for you to move on, but if you love long, you will love better.

Celtic Symbol: The Butterfly Deities: Osiris, Dionysus, Bacchus, Persephone

REED 28 Oct-24 Nov

If you were born under the reed moon then you enjoy making yourself usefull to others - you will often be found organising charity or other events. You also love to use your hands and have always been good at handicrafts. Others are attracted to you by your artistic, imaginative streak.

Celtic Symbol: The Stone or the White Hound Deities: Pluto, Persephone, Pan, Syrinx, Hermes

ELDER 25 Nov-23 Dec

If the elder is your moon tree you have a fertile imagination. You can make something beautiful out of the rawest of materials, so you always feel wealthy no matter how little you have. Above everything you know that love is free. You are likely to be happiest in a caring profession and make an extremely caring parent.

Celtic Symbol: The Black Horse or the Raven Deities: Venus, Hela, Cerridwen

Myths of the Sacred Tree, by Moyra Caldecott

The Magic and Mystery of Trees - A Beginners Guide´, by Teresa Moorey

The Enchanted Forest, by Yvonne Aburrow

Tree Wisdom, by Jacqueline Memory Paterson

The Tree of Wisdom. The definitive guidebook to the myth, folklore and healing power of Trees, by Jacqueline Memory Paterson

Contains a wealth of information about each tree, classified into sections.

• Botanical.
• Custom and Legend
• Healing
• Magic
• Inspiration

You will find, for example, in the "Botanical" section that the bark of the silver birch is thin and paper-like but is infact, incredibly strong. If it is blown down the inner wood decays, but the bark remains as a hollow tube. Whilst in the "Magic" section of the same tree, this bark when burned gives a clear blue flame and scents the air - ideal for small magical fires. And in the "Custom and Legend" section, "When seen by moonlight it presents its most outstanding feature, a gleaming silvery bark, which legends throughout Europe describe as the hallmark of faerie."

This book is full of fascinating facts. It is the most comprehensive guide I have found. I came across it in my search for the mythology of trees and it had so much information to offer. I felt like I had found a gem when I first leafed through this book, because it was just what I had been looking for.

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