'Two hazel nuts I threw into the flame,
And to each nut I gave a sweetheart's name.
This, with the loudest bounce me sore amazed,
That, with a flame of brightest colour blazed.
As blazed the nut, so may thy passion grow,
For 'twas thy nut that did so brightly glow.'
Gray
'Some merry, friendly, countra folks
Together did convene,
To burn their nits, an' pu their stocks,
An' haud their Halloween
Fu' blithe that night.'
R. Burns.
The hazel was long considered a Tree of Wisdom, and the felling of one, was formerly punishable by death. It was Hazel nuts were regarded as a source of knowledge if eaten, they emblems of concentrated wisdom. In Irish folklore, the Hazel tree was the home of Bile Ratha, the poetic fairy, and has also strongly associated with mediation and meditation. The Druids were the inheritors of the knowledge of measurement and calculation, skills of the earlier "dodmen" who were themselves prehistoric surveyors of the key lines and trackways portrayed in the ancient chalk-cut figure of the Long Man of Wilmington who is shown holding staves or rods. Land boundary disputes often sought the epertise of Druids, who frequently mediated on such matters, (rather like a modern-day surveyor), with twigs of hazel being used by water-diviners and other methods of divination, because of hazel's sensitivity and closeness to the element of water. At one time, the mushrooms sprouting from a hazel were thought to have the energy of 'relocating' what a person may have previously lost.
Some Druids actually preferred the Hazel over the Oak thanks to it's conductive nature, but was merely a preference however. Houses once used hazel pins as protection against fire, and Druids considered staffs of hazel as a symbol of authority. The trees themselves planted near houses, offered shelter from the sun.
Hazel nuts were also believed to possess mystical powers and could be used in divining. The nut is believed to be at its strongest on Hallowe'n night, which was traditionally called 'Nutcrack Night' in England (UK). Lovers were recommended to use this to gain foresight into the relationship.
Adorning the hair with individual twigs or with 'Wishing Caps', made of Hazel twigs is a custom followed in many countries. It was thought that if a person made a wish whilst wearing a wishing cap the wish would be fulfilled.
The medicinal side was much used; ground hazel nuts for coughs, soothing of sore throats, and relief of head colds. The dry skin surrounding of the hazlenut could be ground into powder and used to relieve heavy menstrual flows. Hazel itself was also regarded as a "reminder to trust and listen to intuition" which most will agree, is trust in onself. Furthermore, the Hazel was given the consideration of promoting thought processes and a stream of inspiration, while concurrently taking responsibility for actions.
Going back to ancient legend, which speaks after the banishment from Eden, God bestowed on Adam, the power to create any animal he wished for. For this to be be achiebed, Adam needed to strike the sea with a rod made from Hazel, with the sheep being the first, upon seeing this Eve created a wolf, which naturally attacked the sheep, necesstating the need for Adam to create the dog, which in turn overcame the wolf, with harmony being restored accordingly.
As a member of the birch family, the hazel is deciduous, hardy, quite shade-tolerant and enjoys heavy and well-drained soils, forming a shrub that can grow, in favourable conditions, to 20 feet. The hazel is very much at home throughout all of Europe and can be found throughout the British Isles, in woodlands, scrubs, hedgerows, or at the woodland edge. Each tree produces male and female flowers with the often spectacular male catkins appearing on the first warm day of spring, impressive indeed are the yellow drooping "lamb tails." The female flowers are seem on the same branch as very small pink tufts on plump buds. The develop into the well-known clusters of hazelnuts which begin to turn brown usually in October. The hazelnut is known as Corylus avellana in Latin, which comes from the Greek, Korys, meaning "helmet", (itself a reference to the calyx which covers the nut), and also avellana, commemorating Avellana the Italian town where the nuts were cultivated. Indeed, 'hazel' in all probability, derives from the Anglo-Saxon haesel, or "bonnet" which too came from Greek, korys. "Wattles" were poles of hazel woven into walls, used to construct walls for houses and to build hurdles with which to pen sheep. "Filberts" is another name for the nuts, which are favoured by the dormouse and grey squirrel, and were once burned, in the belief of enhancing clairvoyance, by priests.
Hazel has two types of individial; the "new moon" character associated with the initial two weeks of a sign, and the "full moon" character relating to the last two weeks.
"New Moon" characters are inclined to seek knowledge, in contrast the the "Full moon" character, and posses a rather inquisitive nature, which if unchecked can even by underhand. However, a "Full moon" Hazel character is outgoing in temperament and in nature, and are given to the public eye, seeking education or instructing in the arts. A full moon individual sets importance on honesty with well-defined principals. They have a tendency to be very criticical, due in great part to internal hypersensitivity, as Hazel individuals have a need to expression, particularly of their creativity, if not, morbity and introspection may reign
Generally, Hazel individuals are perceptive and intelligent, gifted with good reasoning. A sharpness of intellect suggests great debators and writers. Planners and organizers may flourish from this time, as detail is among one of their great qualities. These individuals acquire knowledge to such a degree that they become succesful scholars and experts in their chosen fields, with lively, analytical minds, imagination, radical, even idealistic. It is not unknown for such people to create works of art with practical use, and sometimes known as 'mediators of society' Hazels are followers of truth around them, with an ability to pass judgement on a situation, over a short duration of time. Their tendency for paranoia and lack of self-worth however, are negative points, held together with an abundance of nervous energy, (usually mental and physical, as opposed to physical), needs regular, even constant care and channeling, otherwise headaches, even migraines, may take hold. There is a dislike for pretense, fake values and waste in general, but they are indeed the most rational of all Celtic signs, appearing cool and reserved, enabling a peripheral role in life;s emotional sphere, which may appear healthy on the surfcae, but may disguise inner sensitivity and nervous tension.
Physically speaking, the Hazel is not especially robust, but does possess strong mental stamina. An agile mind, with the ability to deal with extremes are an asset to Hazel individuals, but again, self-critical feelings may bring about low self-esteem. It is also possible for Hazels to become embroiled in arguments of their own making, and these individuals may develop cynicism, or even underhand means, (prying), with the desire of further knowledge, which they forever seek. They are honest and caring, maybe pampering their children and spouses, though they are not demonstrative, they are certainly sincere inspiring a great loyalty from those around them.
By lauren6
\\
Month: July...ninth month in the Celtic Ogham and the mid-point between the Summer Solstice and Lughnasadh. It is named for Julius Caesar but was formerly known as Quintilis, the fifth month of the ancient Roman calendar. Due to the heat associated with July, it is believed to be an unhealthy month when dogs go mad (with fleas) and snakes go blind. It was also once considered unlucky to swim during the month of July.
\\
Gemstone: The Hazel gemstone is the Amethyst (sometimes known as "Rose d'France" or the "Stone of the Seventh Ray"), a transparent stone and the most valuable (and probably best known) of the Quartz family. Its color varies from pale lilac to a deep rich purple.
\\
Flower: The flower of the Hazel is the Vervain, also known as "Enchanter's Plant," "Herb of the Cross," "Juno's Tears," "Dragon's Claw," "Columbine" and "Pigeonweed," among others. Its name is derived from the Celtic ferfaen, meaning "to drive away a stone."
\\
Deity: The Hazel deity is Oghma (also known as Ogma), son of Boann and The Dagda. The God of Communication and Writing, as well as Literature and Eloquence, Oghma is said to have invented the Ogham Alphabet and made a gift of it to the Druids. He is often considered the Patron Deity of Poets.
\\
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 Triple Goddess. It symbolized magick, shaminic travel, learning and the keeping of secrets, as well as being associated with deep mysteries and truths.
The Rainbow 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.
[novareinna]
~~~
The diligent farmer plants trees, of which he himself will never see the fruit. [Lat., Abores serit diligens agricola, quarum adspiciet baccam ipse numquam.]
-Cicero (Marcus Tullius Cicero)
~~~
John Timpson, RIP
