Flower

Dandelion

Also known as "Priest's Crown" the Dandelion only grows in the Northern Hemisphere. The Dandelion holds an important place among the honey-producing plants, furnishing a plentiful quantity of both pollen and nectar in the early Spring. The first mention of the Dandelion in a medicinal sense was during the Tenth and Eleventh Centuries when it was employed by Arabian physicians.

Gemstone

Jet

The word "Jet" originates from Gagas in Asia Minor where it was first discovered. A grounding and balancing stone said to carry a negative electrical charge, Jet was believed to be excellent in the drawing of power and in providing knowledge to the wearer. When combined with Amber, Jet was one of the traditional stones of the High Priestess who, in some cultures, was the only person allowed to wear both stones together. Traditionally known to be a "one person" stone, Jet was thought to ward off evil (especially magickal evil), lift fear and cure depression. These stones were considered a link between the physical and the spiritual and employed to balance the emtions, as well as to repel plague, fever and negativity and offer protection from thunderstorms.

Animal

The Black Raven - A symbol of healing and protection, it was cautioned that great care should be taken when dealing with this important totem animal of the Celts. In Ireland, the Raven was associated with the battlefield and such Goddesses as the Morrigu or later Welsh Morrigan (as was the Crow). This bird was also connected to Bran the Blessed...in Welsh, "Bran" means "Raven." Although its reputation was sometimes dubious, the Raven was considered an oracular Bird, often representing the upsets and crises of life which were deemed necessary for anything new to be created.

The Black Horse - A popular Celtic totem animal, the Horse was sacred to the Goddesses Epona and Rhiannon. Thought to be a faithful guide to the Otherworlds, it symbolized stamina, endurance and faithfulness.

Polarity: Masculine

Color: Red

Class: Shrub

Planet: Saturn

Letter Character: "R"

Ogham Association: Ruis

Deity

Son of The Goddess Rhiannon

The Elder deity is Pryderi, son of Pwyll Penn Annwn and the Goddess Rhiannon. Traditionally, Pryderi represented the dark forces in opposition to (and as part of) the light. He was defeated in the Battle of the Trees and is equated with King Pelles who lost the Grail to the archetypal forces of light. According to legend, Pyderi met his death at the hands of Gwydion, son of Don, in a single combat. He is said to be buried at Maen Tyriawg, above Y Felenrhyd.

The Cailleach

Also associated with the Elder is The Cailleach, also known as Cailleach Beara, An ancient Goddess of the pre-Celtic people. Depicted as a blue-faced hag who was reborn every October 31 (Samhain), she was thought to control the Seasons and the Weather, as well as being the Goddess of Earth, Sky, Moon and Sun. She is said to have died fighting the Tuatha de Danaan in the Milesian invasion and thought to be buried near a dolmen (a primitive stone altar) in County Kerry, Ireland.

Famous Elders

Mary Queen of Scots, Sir Winston Churchill, Beethoven, Woody allen, Tyra Banks, Kim Basinger, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Frank Sinatra