HISTORY
The word RUNE means "Tree". Trees are to Druids, what the crucifix is to Christians (no offense ... really that's true!). It's the symbol of where they come from (above/branches) who we are (physical/trunk) and where we are going (below/roots)
The original RUNES were either river stones or wood chips ... any material that naturally contained the symbol(s) through the 'course of it's life'. A Druid would spend most of his/her life collecting RUNES, because they were born of the Earth Mother, never made or carved by hand. RUNE symbols were often painted and incorporated into buildings and ceremonial circles for the purpose of calling the energy or protection of that particular tree. The teachings of the RUNES and their true power was born of the Earth Mother and came through the tree of life.
Today, I would consider only those RUNES made of natural materials to be of any real use for divination. Stones, fired clay, semi-precious gems are perfectly suited to this use.
Still, the best RUNES are those made naturally, rocks and stones that already have the symbols within them, for their connection to the Earth is vital.
Each RUNE is associated with a tree. The properties of the trees are:
- knowledge - roots into the "other world"
- healing - roots, fruits, and the bark of the tree
- life force - food, provided either from the tree such as fruit, or the birds, squirrels, etc., that may live in the tree
- spiritual guidance - the arms or branches of the tree raise to the heavens
- personage - a unique and physical attribute of the tree. Some trees are for love, some are for building because of their strength, some are for magic, etc.
Sacred Trees
| Festival | Tree | New Moon | Full Moon | Animal | Misc. |
| - | Birch | Dec 3 | Dec 21 | sow or badger | Misc. |
| Solstice | Yule Log | - | Dec 21 | - | Misc. |
| Unhewn Dolman | none | - | - | - | Misc. |
| - | Rowan | Dec 29 | Jan 12 | unicorn or bear | Misc. |
| - | Alder | Jan 27 | Feb 11 | red fox or ram | Misc. |
| Imbolc | Ash | Jan 30 | - | ewe or sheep | Misc. |
| - | Willow | Feb 26 | Mar 20 | hare or cat | Misc. |
| Vernal Equinox | - | - | - | - | Misc. |
| - | Hawthorn | Mar 27 | Apr 26 | goat or dragon | Misc. |
| Beltain | Yew | - | - | - | Misc. |
| - | Holly | May 25 | June 9 | horse | Misc. |
| Summer Solstice | - | June 21 | - | - | Misc. |
| - | Hazel | June 23 | Jul 9 | salmon | Misc. |
| - | Bramble | Jul 23 | Aug 7 | lizard | Misc. |
| Lughnased | - | Aug 7 | - | - | Misc. |
| - | Ivy | Aug 19 | Sep 6 | red boar | Misc. |
| - | Reed | Sep 20 | Oct 5 | dog or stag | Misc. |
| Autum Equinox | - | Sept 22 | - | - | Misc. |
| Michlemas | - | Sept 25 | - | - | Misc. |
| - | Yew | Oct 20 | Nov 3 | owl | Misc. |
| Samhaine | Oak | Nov 3 | - | raven | Misc. |
| New Year | Oak | Nov 4 | - | - | Misc. |
** The thirteen trees defined for magical and ceremonial use are associated with the circle of the first 13 RUNES.
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