August 5 to Sept 1
Coll
Botanical Name: Corylus avellana
Symbols: The Rainbow Salmon
Zodiac Degrees : 12º00` Leo - 8º59` Virgo
Alternate names:
Old English hæsel; Old and Modern Irish Gaelic coll; Scottish Gaelic calltunn, calltuinn,Manx coull; Welsh collen; Cornish collwedhen; Breton kraoñk-levezenn
Tarot Key: The Hermit
Ruling Planet : Mercury - Mugher
Ancient Gods Associated With Mercury :
Greek : HermesCeltic : Ogma, ManannanOther:the White Goddess and Macoll. Moon: Moon of the Wise; Crone Moon
Polarity: Feminine
Magick: Manifestiation; Spirit Contact; Protection; Fertility
Color: Brown
Class: Chieftain
Letter: C, K
Meaning: Creative energies for work or projects.
The hazel is a pioneering plant because it was often used to prepare the ground for the plants that would come after it, often in soils that were unable to grow anything else. This is surprising because although it succeeds in most soils it is, in general, more productive of seeds when grown on soils of moderate fertility. It does less well in rich heavy soils or poor ones. It is suitable for an alkaline soil but it dislikes very acid soils. Plants are fairly wind tolerant. Members of this genus bear transplanting well and can be easily moved even when relatively large. It grows best in a mixed forest and away from beech, pine and firs. When propagating this particular plant it is best sown as soon as it is harvested in autumn in a cold frame. Germinates in late winter or spring. Stored seed should be pre-soaked in warm water for 48 hours and then given 2 weeks warm followed by 3 - 4 months cold stratification. The germination time of this tree is in 1 - 6 months at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame or sheltered place outdoors for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early which is very easy since they can be planted out straight into their permanent positions.The Hazel has to be 9 years old before it can produce it's nuts. In Central Europe the hazel is widespread. It is often trimmed to maintain a bush like apprearance and for this reason is a favorite for its easily attained nuts. Hazels can be found as trees or as small trees with many trunks. Hazels are considered deciduous shrubs and small trees frequently coppiced and used for hedges when kept trimmed. When not trimmed they can reach 30 feet in height. The Hazel's wood has been used in past for shade, cask hoops, basketry, walking sticks, hurdles, thatching, and spars and it also makes very good firewood (although because it was considered a fairy wood it was taboo to use as such in times past). Coppiced hazel was used for making sheep hurdles (fence panels for penning sheep in prior to dipping or shearing).The hazel produces a nut that is very delicious and nutritious and ripens 9 months after the catkins first appeared, usually in September and October. The male catkins come in the first weeks of spring and are called 'lamb's tails'. The small, red, star-shaped, female flowers which sit on the buds without stalks, are called 'red-styles' and the nuts develop from these. (you can see a photo of these here: http://www.fishing-in-wales.com/_pics/plantpic/treepics/hazel2.jpg and others here: http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/R31199.HTM).
The leaves appear after the catkins. They have a few soft hairs on the upper surface and are more hairy beneath, and they alternate along the stems. Hazel nuts often grow in clusters of two, three or four, and are usually between 1 and 1.5 cm across. Cultivated variants, such as filberts (Corylus maxima) and Kentish Cobs have larger nuts.. The hazel is clearly a self-fertile plant, since male and female organs can be found on the same bush, so the plant can fertilize itself. For this reason it is often used in fertility rites and magick.
Hazel twigs were used for divining because of their pliancy and affinity with water. Hazel leaves and nuts are found in early British burial mounds and shaft-wells, especially at Ashill, Norfolk. The place-name story for Fordruim, an early name for Tara , describes it as a pleasant hazel wood (forest).
The Sacred Salmon is associated with the Hazel tree in legend and was said to be caught by Fionn mac Cumhaill . Hazels of wisdom grew at the heads of the seven chief rivers of Ireland, and nine grew over both Connla's Well and the Well of Segais, the legendary common source of the and the Shannon. The 9 nuts of poetic wisdom were said to have fallen into the water from the over hanging trees, causing bubbles of mystic inspiration to form and were then eaten by . The Salmon the acquired 9 spots upon its back de denoting the number of nuts eaten. In Irish Lore it is the Hazel was the Bile Ratha where in which the poetic Fairy lives. It was a capital crime to fell a Hazel tree. Ogma, who is credited with creating writing, is associated with great "knowing." It is he who is credited with mandating that the Oral tradition of the Celts be closely guarded and preserved, yet through his creativity he created the alphabet based on tones and sounds.
Initiate members of the Fianna had to defend themselves armed only with a hazel stick and a shield; yet in the Fenian legends the hazel without leaves was thought evil, dripping poisonous milk, and the home of vultures.For these reasons the hazel symbolizes wisdom, intelligence, meditation, inspiration, poetic inspiration, and wrath. Interesting facts and folklore: The nuts can be ground up and used to sooth sore throat and head cold symptoms. The dry skin covering the nut can also be ground up into a powder and used for the relief of heavy menstrual flows. The Hazel nut is an emblem of concentrated wisdom. It was thought that one could gain knowledge simply eating nuts. In England, all the knowledge of the arts and sciences were bound to the eating of Hazelnuts.
Other interesting facts:
Until the seventeenth century, a forked Hazel-stick was used to divine the guilt of persons in cases of murder and theft.
The seed contains up to 65% of a non-drying oil, used in paints, cosmetics etc and the whole seed can be used to polish and oil wood.
The twigs are used as dowsing rods by water diviners.
The wood also yields a good quality charcoal, used by artists. The mistletoe that grows on hazel protects against bewitching.
If you sleep under a hazel bush you will have vivid dreams.
Hazel is associated with fairies and entrances to magical realms.
In the ogham alphabet of early Ireland, the letter C was represented by hazel [OIr. coll].
Heralds carried hazel wands as badges of office.
Witches' wands are often made of hazel, as are divining rods, used to find underground water.
In Cornwall the hazel was used in the millpreve, the magical adder stones.
In Wales a twig of hazel would be given to a rejected lover.
The name of the Irish hero "Mac Cuill" means 'son of the hazel'
W. B. Yeats thought the hazel was the common Irish form of the tree of life.
Druids were said to have chewed hazelnuts as a means of attaining knowledge and inspiration.
The use of hazel trees, and hazelnuts is beneficial during Otherworld journeys, when in search of wisdom.
Celtic Astrology
Hazel tree individuals are perceptive, clever people endowed with good reasoning powers. This sharpness of intellect promotes excellent debaters and writers. Hazel people have the soul of a pioneer, but they waste too much energy on competitive thoughts and in fighting abuses instead of letting their own gifts and skills ripen. They are also great planners and organizers, down to the smallest detail. The urge to acquire knowledge promotes scholars and experts in their fields. Hazel people can be too impatient and hurry things when they should sit back and let things take their own course. They find it hard to learn the value of old teachings and things. Don't miss something special by ignoring those things that have withstood the test of time. They are sometimes too intent on running around trying everything "new" that they forget the older values that would help them. When Hazel people listen to their own natural rhythms, they find they are happier and more prepared spiritually and physically.
People born during the first two weeks are associated with the new moon impulse of seeking knowledge and denotes an inquisitive nature which can become prying or underhand. But the positive aspects endorse a more impartial response. People born during the last two weeks come under the full moon phase which denotes a more outgoing nature and temperament. They are also inclined to become public figures who seek to educate or instruct people in the arts. Their positive traits are shown in their regard for honesty and they have well - defined principles. The negative traits are revealed in their hypercritical attitudes which stem from an inbuilt hypersensitivity.
Celtic Tree Month of Hazel (Chestnut)
