Tag: Celtic

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Episode 99: The Elderberry

For the final topic episode of My Favorite Trees, we take one last look at the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar. All the way at the end is a large shrub lauded for its medicinal properties–the Elderberry. In culture, this plant represents a cycle of rebirth and the new beginnings that all endings bring. Let’s explore the unique aspects of this small tree and look at the journey it has been on throughout time.
Please send me questions for my upcoming Q&A episode! Less than two weeks to go!
Music is by Academy Garden (academygarden.bandcamp.com)
Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram
Script Editing and Social Media is by Laurie Hilburn (lhilburn.journoportfolio.com)
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast

Sources

https://extension.wvu.edu/agriculture/horticulture/elderberry

https://www.britannica.com/plant/elder-plant

https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/sambucus_nigra_l.shtml

https://realgardensgrownatives.com/?p=4031

https://www.paganpens.co.uk/the-oghma-calendar

https://chris-anne.com/portfolio/ogham-ruis-elder-tree-r/

https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/elder/

https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/history-elder-tree-deities-dryads-shakespeare-j-k-rowling-197720

https://ghostarchive.org/archive/fI41K

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7347422/

https://www.stgermainliqueur.com/articles/the-curious-history-of-elderflowers/

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Episode 66: The Yew

To cap off 2022, we are returning to the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar to look at the representative of the Winter Solstice: the Yew. This evergreen’s toxicity has led it to carry heavy death symbolism and thus is used to mark the longest night and the end of the solar year. But its importance to humans is extensive beyond this time of year, with ancient evidence of tool use and modern application in medicine. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees and on Instagram @treepodcast. Join my brand new Patreon at patreon.com/myfavoritetrees! 

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6344100/

https://www.conifers.org/ta/Taxus.php

https://www.conifers.org/ta/Taxaceae.php

https://www.iceman.it/en/equipment/

https://nhm.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10141/622351/Clacton%20Spear%202.pdf

https://ati.woodlandtrust.org.uk/how-to-record/species-guides/yew/

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_yewpage.html

https://www.bellarmine.edu/faculty/drobinson/englishyew.asp

https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/10/31/beneath-the-yew-trees-shade/

https://scotlands-yew-trees.org/history-culture-myth/yew-taxus-a-sensational-survivor/

http://bohemianbudgie.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-sacred-yew-of-yule.html

https://mountpisgaharboretum.org/learn/plant-list/taxus-brevifolia/

https://www.news-medical.net/health/Paclitaxel-Production.aspx

https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/lmh/lmh32.pdf

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Episode 40: The Birch

 We’re once again revisiting the Celtic Ogham Tree calendar to finally cover the first month, named for the Birch Tree. This tree’s symbolism of regeneration has made it a perfect tree to kick off the new year and its beauty and usefulness have made it well-loved throughout the northern hemisphere. You’ll finally learn what my very favorite tree is and hear my opinions on Birch Beer! Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees or on Instagram @treepodcast. 

Samples of Kantele Music

https://www.kantelemusic.com/music.html

Sources:

https://www.etymonline.com/word/birch

https://www.etymonline.com/word/betula

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/betula-lenta/

https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/blog/2011-07-21/aspen-birch-distinguishing-differences

https://www.thespruce.com/twelve-species-cultivars-of-birch-trees-3269660

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2017-10/12/content_33148913.htm

https://woodwidewebstories.com/2019/07/20/birch-cake-and-the-colonization-of-hokkaidos-nature-and-ainu/

http://www.thebirchonline.org/about-us/

http://www.uwosh.edu/coehs/cmagproject/ethnomath/legend/legend10.htm

https://renegadebrewing.com/birch-beer-vs-root-beer/

https://www.herballegacy.com/Birch_History.html

https://www.deccanherald.com/content/214209/kashmir-source-birch-bark-used.html

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_birchpage.html

https://www.absolutely-wild.com/images/uses-of-tree-sap-in-europe.pdf

https://ouroneacrefarm.com/2014/01/12/wintergreen-extract-birch/

https://www.hbgf.org/blog/garden-word-lenticel

The Kalevala by Elias Lönnrot, Canto 44

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Episode 31: The Hazel

This will be the last Celtic Ogham Tree I cover for the rest of this year. Hazelnuts have served as an important food source for humans since the early days of settlement on the British Isles. It now exists as a symbol of wisdom and plays a key role in the introduction of Ireland’s greatest hero. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees.

Sources:

https://www.permaculture.co.uk/articles/essential-guide-hazel

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_hazelpage.html

https://www.thespruceeats.com/why-are-hazelnuts-called-filberts-1808319

https://www.arborday.org/programs/hazelnuts/consortium/agriculture.cfm

https://www.ireland-information.com/irish-mythology/fionn-irish-legend.html

https://www.yourirish.com/folklore/aillen-mac-midgna-goblin

https://www.wildernessireland.com/blog/build-bridge-myths-legends-giants-causeway/

https://stairnaheireann.net/2016/03/17/the-legend-of-sadhbh/

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Episode 29: The English Holly

The 8th month of the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar is named for the Holly. But isn’t the Holly a symbol of Christmastime? Why do we see it represented by a summer month? Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees.

Sources:

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Aquifolium

https://myfarmlife.com/home-garden/6-tales-of-holly-legend-and-lore/

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_hollypage1.html

https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/lammas/

https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/english-holly.aspx

https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/holly.htm

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Episode 27: The English Oak

The oak is a symbol of strength—throughout time and in every culture that lives alongside it. Hear how this imposing European tree connects our ancient mythologies. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees.

Sources:

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=280706

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_oakpage1.html

https://historydaily.org/tree-gods-worshiping-mighty-oak-trees

https://www.icysedgwick.com/oak-tree-folklore/

https://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/gbr/england/kent/960_fredvillepark/1720/

https://www.wanderlust.co.uk/content/oldest-trees-in-the-uk/

https://bavipower.com/blogs/bavipower-viking-blog/oak-tree-symbolism-in-norse-mythology

https://www.thorstrees.co.uk/blog/know-your-trees/know-your-trees-series-the-mighty-oak/

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-Green-Man/

https://www.historic-uk.com/CultureUK/The-English-Oak/

http://www.fao.org/3/y4351e/y4351e06.htm

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Episode 22: The Willow

The episode celebrates the fifth month of the Celtic Ogham Tree Calendar, the Willow Moon. The Willow is a tree known throughout the world as a symbol of femininity, magic, and grief. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees. 

Sources:

http://mywalkaboutplants.com/salix-babylonica/

http://dendro.cnre.vt.edu/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=131

https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-plant-descriptions/white-willow

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-18-193/salicylic-acid-topical/salicylic-acid-for-acne-topical/details

https://academic.oup.com/qjmed/article/94/8/445/1506881

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/30156050#page/57/mode/1up

http://www.pbs.org/circleofstories/storytellers/tchin.html#transcript

http://www.csstoday.com/Item/5337.aspx

https://www.fengshuied.com/willow-trees

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_willowpage.html

https://ceylontoday.lk/news/willow-wife-a-japanese-legend

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/four-species

The Sister Fidelma Mysteries: Essays on the Historical Novels of Peter Tremayne. Edited by Edward J. Rielly and David Robert Wooten. Pgs 88-89.

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Episode 18: The Alder

We are now in month four of the Celtic Ogham Calendar, the Alder Moon! This semi-aquatic tree is tied to the Spring Equinox, fairies, the floating city of Venice, and more. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover Art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook @MyFavoriteTrees.

Sources:

http://nativeplantspnw.com/red-alder-alnus-rubra/

http://www.tree-guide.com/european-alder

https://www.paganpens.co.uk/the-oghma-calendar

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_alderpage.html

https://www.celticjewelry.com/celtic-culture/alder-april

https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_alru2.pdf

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Episode 14: The Ash

This week we continue to discuss the trees of the Celtic Ogham Calendar. Ashes are trees found across the Northern Hemisphere and have influenced culture and language heavily both in Europe and North America. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees.

Sources:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a867

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/fraxinus-excelsior

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_ashpage.html

http://www.thegoddesstree.com/trees/Ash.htm

http://www.hardwooddistributors.org/postings/ash-lumber-and-the-emerald-ash-borer

https://www.southbat.com/blog/2017/9/28/the-history-of-wood-bats

https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/ash/ash-mythology-and-folklore/

https://norse-mythology.org/tales/odins-discovery-of-the-runes/

https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/25/20976144/emerald-ash-borer-baskets-wabanaki-invasive-pest-maine-tradition-trees

https://www.jstor.org/stable/534496?seq=3#metadata_info_tab_contents

https://experi.com/journal/the-magical-manna-ash-trees-of-sicily/

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Episode 11: The Rowan

According to the Celtic Ogham Calendar, we are in the month known as the Rowan Moon. This episode is about the Rowan, its magical properties, and the role it’s played in religions across northern Europe. Music is by Academy Garden. Cover art is by @boomerangbrit on Instagram. Follow me on Twitter @MyFavoriteTrees.

https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-plants-in-the-family-Rosaceae-2001612

https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/trees/plants/eu_mtash.htm

http://www.ecoenchantments.co.uk/myogham_rowanpage.html

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/imbolc

https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/rowan/rowan-mythology-and-folklore/

https://www.babycenter.com/baby-names-rowan-463585.htm

Rauni, Finnish Goddess of The Rowan Tree