Feb 18th to March 17
Ash - NION (NEE-uhn)- Ash Fraxinus excelsior
Tarot Key: The Hanged Man
Moon: Feminine
Name:Moon of Waters
Magick:Prosperity; Protection; Healing
Symbols : The Trident Or Sea Horse, snake, white hounds, underground rivers, cranes
Zodiac Degrees : 28º00` Aquarius - 25º59` Pisces
Ruling Planet : Neptune - Lir
Ancient Gods Associated With Neptune Greek : Oceanus, Posiedon Celtic : Lir, Manannan
Color: Glass Green
Class: Cheiftain
Letter: N
Meaning: Locked into a chain of events; Feeling bound.
Related to their Irish Gaelic word for Heaven, Nionon, the Ash has special sacred meaning. The ash can grow to one hundred and thirty feet high and is a major tree of lowland forests in much of Europe, along with oaks and beeches. The ash stops growing once it has reached 60 years old and its full potential at that time. Ash was, and still is, an important timber tree, and is a traditional material for the handle of a besom. The common ash is occasionally cultivated in North America, and similar native ash species are widely grown as street trees. Ashes are members of the Olive family (Oleaceae).The Ash tree has distinctive black buds and its seeds grow in bunches, each with a long, thin wing. It grows in all climates, but tends to do best in soil that is rich with lime. Its white wood is excellent for burning, and was often used for oars, ax handles, and was said to be a favorite of the Celts when making spears
The month of Nion begins on February 18th and ends on March 17th. It is a time of runes, incantations and music. Its symbols are the Trident Or Sea Horse (Because the Celts believed that they came from the Great Deep or the Undersea land of Tethys the Ash is associated with the sea.), snake, white hounds, cranes, and underground rivers. It represents the "opening of ways", a term for leading the soul into the afterlife. Underworld or sacrificial deities are represented by this tree, one of which being Gwyn, a Welsh god of the Underworld, who had red-eared white hounds and conducted souls to the Underworld. Gwion/Taliesin the Sweet Singer of the Bards, who obtained the knowledge of the Cauldron of Cerridwen, and was able to be reborn after she slew him. In Celtic mythology the ash is known as the tree of enchantment and it is said the Welsh magician Gwydion fashioned his wands from ash wood. In Greece Orpheus was a sweet singer, whose soothing voice brought comfort to the Underworld. The Hindu Krishna, who enchanted all with his music and peaceful ways, was also slain. Druidic wands were made of ash wood, and the stem of the Sacred Pipe of the Lakota people is also made of ash.
In Celtic cosmology it connects the three circles of existence - Abred, Gwynedd, and Ceugant - which are sometimes interpreted as the past, present and future (or as confusion, balance and creative force.)From descriptive legends and archaeological discoveries, we find that the Celts preferred Ash for making spears. By tradition, the Spear is of even greater magical power, to a Celtic shaman, than the Wand. The spear is a symbol of the Shamans power and will and was used for dealing on a purely personal level.The Ash is seen as spanning both the world as a whole and the world within you. Man and earthy things are seen as a reflection of the universe being reflected in us. So the old druid saying, "know yourself and you know the world" is reflected in the Ash. The Ash shows us how our world of family and friends is linked to the greater world around us. It teaches that your deeds have far greater impact then just your family or even home town. When the Ash shows you how to see how you are linked to others and then to the world, it brings enhanced understanding to your problems or specific problems.
The world tree is an ash, or is known as "The Cosmic Ash." It appears in Norse mythology as Yggdrasil (or the tree of Odin.) The ash tree has deeply penetrating roots and tends to sour the soil, which makes it hard for any other plants to grow around it. Its branches are thick and strong - in Norse mythology, it spans the universe, with its roots in the lower world and its branches supporting the heavens.
The ash has healing energy, and is also used as a protection against storms. Ash can be used in spells requiring focus and strength of purpose. Ash leaves were used as a poultice for snake bites, and its wood was used to make baskets and hoops.
Celtic Astrology
Ash people are uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very serious. Ash tree people have a dual aspect to their character which makes it difficult to decide their true nature and motives. While they have an artistic nature and temperament, and appear highly vulnerable or sensitive, they can suddenly switch tactics and become quite pragmatic. They understand the baser elements of mankind as well as the spiritually profound. Perhaps for that reason alone- people born under this sign have the guiding virtue of compassion. New moon people born during the first two weeks are more impulsive and demonstrative regarding emotional relationships, more apprehensive, but immensely spontaneous.
Ash people are also very ambitious in love and business whatever that may be they wish to be the best. Full moon people born during the last two weeks are natural exhibitionists who repond with great generosity of spirit, which indicates a certain gullibility or naiveté. This apparent weakness is, however, just the reverse as it denotes a humble spirit - a rare human quality.
Celtic Tree Month of Ash
