CELTIC TREE ASTROLOGY
COLL/HAZEL - August 5 - September 1
Characteristics
The Birch Tree - Hazel people are the mediators of our society. They are keen observers of the truth around them. They are accumulaters of information and can judge an entire situation in an instant. They are perceptive and clever people and are great planners and organizers. They make wonderful scholars. They can tend to be hypercritical and cynical and at times thier inquisitiveness can be prying. They also lean towards paranoia at times and can have a tendency towards lack of self worth. They have a great deal of nervous energy that needs to be constantly channeled. It is more a mental and emotional nervous energy for Hazel people, than physical. They dislike pretense and false values. They are prone to sudden headaches and migraines if their mental energy does not have aproper channel or outlet. They have an artisitc flair that has a need to be used for practical matters, hence they will create beautiful things with practical uses. They hate waste of any kind. They are very rational people and tend to see life very clearly, sometimes too clearly. They are honest and caring lovers but may be inclined to overindulge children and spouses.
Flower
Vervain
Ancient celtic priests used Vervain in sacrificial rites and it was also used extensively by Druid magicians and sorcerers. The European Vervain was sacred to the Greeks and Romans, as well as to the Druids. It is associated in Christian tradition with the Crucifixion, being believed to have staunched the blood of Jesus Christ while on the cross and is said to have first been found on the Mount of Calvary. Because of this association, it was thought to have been an effective charm against incubi, demons and evil spells.
Gemstone
Amethyst
Also known as the "Stone of the Seventh Ray", the Amethyst is a transparent stone and the most valuable (and probably best known) of the Quartz family. The Amethyst is said to promote pleasant dreams, improve memory and provide immunity to poison (when placed under the pillow). The wearers of an Amethyst are said to become gentle and amiable people and it remains one of the world's most popular gems. Tradition dictates that it should be set in gold or silver for the strongest effect.
Animal
The Stalking Crane - At one time, the Crane was a common animal in the British Isles. According to one late Celtic tradition (apparently originated after the arrival of Christianity), Cranes were people paying a penance for wrong-doing. The Crane was associated with the Cailleach and Manannan mac Lir, who made his crane bag from the skin of this bird. The Crane, with its colors of black, white and red, was a bird of the Moon and sacred to the Celtic Triple Goddess. It symbolized magick, shaminic travel, learning and the keeping of secrets, as well as being associated with deep mysteries and truths.
The Salmon - Considered by the Celts to be the one of the most ancient and most wise of animals, the Salmon symbolized inspiration. In Irish myth, Salmon swam in the River Boyne under the overhanging Hazel tree from which the nine nuts of poetic wisdom fell. These nuts were consumed by the Salmon who absorbed the inspiration encapsulated therein. The Salmon were then eaten by Fionn mac Cumhal who subsequently acquired the knowledge of all things and later became leader of the Fianna, an Irish warband of immense strength. According to Celtic legend, Fintan the "White Ancient" was able to assume the form of animals, one of which was the Salmon. Salmon would also be the animals which would lead Gwrhyr to the Mabon and eventually toward wisdom and rebirth.
Polarity: Feminine
Color: White
Class: Peasant
Planet: Mercury
Letter Character: "B"
Ogham Association: Beith
Deity
Oghma (also known as Ogma),
Oghma, The God of Communication and Writing, as well as Literature and Eloquence, is said to have invented the Ogham Alphabet and made a gift of it to the Druids. In myth, he assumed the role of helping to escort the recently-dead to the OtherWorld. He is often equated with Heracles, Greek hero and son of Zeus.
Famous Hazel People
Lawrence of Arabia, Tennyson, Goethe, Napoleon, Madonna, Tori Amos, Antonio Banderas, Bill CLinton, Ginger Spice, Robert DeNiro
