The Alder Part 2

Once I get started on something I'm pretty tough to stop, and I woke up with more Alder -y plans this morning! Perhaps the tree's spirit was whispering through the curtains ... maybe!

I was reading that the Ancient Brehon Law of Ireland levied fines against anyone who cut down trees ( should we re impose this now?) and the  amount of fine depended on what type of tree was cut down according to MacManus in his 'Story of the Irish Race' the tree categories were: Chieftain/Noble, Peasant/Common, Shrub, and Bramble.

The Alder fell under the category of Peasant/Common, so this was a tree for everyone, a tree of the people.
Other attributes of the Alder to add to my list from yesterday's blog are:

• Guardianship
• Banishing
• Divination
• Transformation
• Rebirth
• Foundation
• Evolving Spirit 
• Healing

Elemental attributions: Fire, Water & Air. Alder makes awful lighting wood, but burns very well as charcoal, Alder's roots are in water, and is extremely resilient to the effects of water.
'Pan' pipes made from Alder wood, were thought to control the weather and summon the winds.

 The Ogham alphabet letter attributed to Alder is Fearn or Fearne this is the Old Irish name for the Alder tree. Here is the Ogham letter Fearne:

Alder is also the Tree of the God Bran. Other God associations are: Odin, Apollo, Manannan Mac Lir and Proteus.

Goddesses: Calleach Beara, Branwen, Freyja.

With the Bran and Odin associations I'd like to add Ravens to the animal list from yesterday's blog!
The Star sign of this tree is Pisces, but as this passes through Aries too, I'm going to use both signs as correspondences.

People born under the sign of the Alder have 'tremendous courage in the face of obstacles and the power to win disputes' according to Kim Rogers-Gallagher in the Llwellyn Witches Date book 2000.

I could go on all day with various tales and attributions, however the best way to get to know a tree and to understand it's deep and varied meanings is to get out there in the fresh air and visit the woods!
Using your intuition, head to a tree you feel drawn to in some way. Ask the tree for permission to spend time with it. If you feel permission is granted (you will just know), meditate with the tree, aline your back to it's trunk, allow the tree to commune with you.

 Each tree is unique, and you will over time get a feel for the energy, message and 'personality' of your chosen tree.

Over the next couple of weeks there will be a 2 or 3 new videos on my YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/lauraredwitch about Trees, the Alder, and also about the recent Ostara celebrations. So please subscribe if you enjoy my videos and feel free to leave comments and questions.

Happy Tree Hugging!!!
Laura x