HAZEL lore

Hazel - August 5th to September 1st. The 9th moon of the celtic year. The celtic name for Hazel is "Coll" which means 'life force within you'. Hazel is associated with the element of air, the planet of Mercury and the day of Wednesday. The bird connected with Hazel is the crane.

Hazels are often found at the border between the worlds where magickal things happen, and therefore Hazel wood is excellent to use to make all-purpose wands. Any Hazel twigs, wood or nuts should be gathered after sundown on Samhain since it will be at the peak of its magickal energy. Hazel should be cut at the waxing moon and must not be cut with a knife, but with a flint.
It is sacred to the Fey and you can call them by using a wand made of the tree.
To enlist the aid of plant fairies, string hazelnuts on a cord and hang up in your house or ritual room. in times past, the Hazel was known as The Tree of Wisdom, so is a good herb to use to use for magic when asking for wisdom. Hazel wood is one of the nine traditional firewoods that is part of the Belfire that the Druid's burned at Beltane - it was added to the fire to gain wisdom. Druids often made wands from Hazel wood, and used the wands for finding ley lines. Forked twigs of Hazel can be used to divine for water or to find buried treasure. It is said that hazel nuts gave the Druids their ability to write their poems and songs of the ancient legends. The wood can help to divine the pure source of poetry. Wearing woven caps of hazel twigs will ensure good dreams and brings wise understanding
The god of healing, Diancecht, is said to have made a porridge that would cure colds, sore throats, and worms. According to legend, it consisted of hazel buds, dandelions, chickweed, sorrel, and oatmeal. It was to be taken in the mornings and evenings. Mix powdered Hazelnuts with mead or honeyed water to help a cough. The nuts are a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, copper, protein and fatty acids.

Throwing hazelnuts into the fire at Samhain, will discern the feelings of ones betrothed. If the nut burns strong and steady then so does your partners love for you. The Hazelnut is a symbol of fertility - a bag of nuts bestowed upon a bride will ensure a fruitful marriage.

Tie two Hazel twigs together with red or gold thread and carry as a protective good luck charm. Hazel was one of the magical, protective plants brought into the house on May Day. Hazel nuts were sometimes put on window sills during storms in the hope of calming the weather. It was strongly believed that once the summer jam had been made it was vital to stir it with a hazel stick, this would ensure that the piskies didn't steal it.

I hope you have enjoyed this little piece about Hazel. Hazel sounds like something I would love to have in my garden. I would love to plant it in my sacred space under the pine tree where the faeries live. I will have to see if I can buy a few plants.. I like the idea of the good luck charm and stringing the nuts on a cord.. that is my kind of fun & ritual! I could maybe make myself a wand ... to satisfy the Druid in me. I am beginning to think I could be living on a ley line, if not on it, then quite near one!

I have been buying a few books the past week... one is Labyrinth by Kate Mosse, which Daisy was reading. I don't know if she finished it but she did say it was a page turner. The Mists of Avalon, a book that I have been meaning to read for absolute years, is on order. And the other book is Earth Magic by Clare Nahmad.. it is a great book! Full of ancient folk-lore... I cannot wait to get started on it.

And, thankyou so much to all those who have emailed or left comments about my mum. xoox. I do have a good positive feeling about her.. there is just alot going on with my sister that puts added stress on me.

I get most of my tree wisdom from here... CELTIC TREE LORE a website that Daisy shared with me

*~* I hope your day is filled with butterflies, magick, colour & fripperies! ~*~