Cat’s Bits for June 11-17 The Celtic Tree Month of Oak

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June Events:

June 10: Celtic Tree Month of Oak begins

Flag day: June 14

June 18: Father’s Day

June 21; Summer Solstice and Sun enters Cancer at 12:24 am EST

June 23: New Moon at 10:31 pm EST

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Celtic Month of Oak or Duir (DOO-r) runs from June 10 -July 7.

“Under yonder oaken tree,
Whose branches oft me shaded;
Elves and fairies dance with glee,
When day’s last beam hath faded:
Then while the stars shine brightly…”
(tradional welsh air circa 1870’s)

(Acorns by Nigel P L Briggs freeimages.com)OAK TREE LORE

Many cultures have held the oak tree as sacred. The Greeks and Romans saw this tree as a symbol of power and endurance. They were the associated with the Greek deities Artemis, Hecate, Zeus and Cybele. In Rome, Jupiter and Juno were Lord and Lady of the Oak and each year the celebration of their union was held in a sacred oak grove. Many early Christian churches were also located in oak groves due to the fact that they had been pagan places of worship.

The Norse god Thor was also called the Lord of the Oak. In Scandinavia this tree was called the “thunder tree and people kept oak branches in their homes to protect against lightening strikes. Germanic tribes and Anglo-Saxon people also honored the oak as did many Native American tribes.

The ancient Celts also held the oak sacred. To the ancient Druids, the oak was the most sacred tree in the grove. It was a powerful symbol of the wheel of the year, and called the king of the forest. Groves of oak trees were considered sacred ground and to damage an oak tree carried a penalty of death.

Part of the reason that this tree was given such respect was due to the trees size, life span and it’s production of an important staple food……….acorns. The acorn is claimed to be mans first food. Acorns are tasty and plentiful and can be eaten as they are or ground into flour. When needed they can also be fed to hogs and other animals. The word “door” comes from the Celtic word for oak, “Duir” . Oak doors are still popular today because they are solid and long lasting. It is also part of the bardic alphabet, Ogham.

The Druids also found help for their divination and meditation rites in these groves.
From the wind in the oak leaves and the birds that lived in the trees they were said to gain great insight and be given messages from the gods. Oak groves were gathering places, where the Druids would teach students, draw strength and hold meetings, rites and gatherings. It is also the personification of the Celtic Tree of Life as it appeared to live in lower, middle and upper worlds simultaneously. The oak tree was associated with the thunder god Taranis due to it’s ability to attract lightning.

OAK IN HEALING

In ancient healing practices the oak also had it’s uses. Antiseptic was made from the acorns, while juice from the leave could be applied to a wound for the same purpose. A decoction from the inner bark eased a sore throat, while one from the outer bark would reduce fever. The bark itself also produces “tannin” which is important in the tanning of leather.

OAK PEOPLE

People who are born during this Tree Month are generally self motivated and determined. They also carry responsibility well. They are born leaders and know how to handle a crisis. They also tend to be a bit on the serious side but are cheerful and optimistic none the less.

For a man looking for a strong magickal name Oak is a good choice. It symbolizes strength, fertility and majesty.

OAK TREE IN MAGICK

In ritual and magick oak can be used for protection, stability, strength and success. It has long been the custom to carry a piece of lightning struck oak for protection. This custom is still in use in the British Isles today.

Acorns are traditionally carried for fertility and should be gathered at night for this purpose. An acorn should be planted during the dark of the Moon to bring money, and if you catch a falling oak leaf you will be free of illness all winter. Purification can be performed by burning oak leaves and oak galls or serpents eggs are powerful talismans. Since we are coming up on Litha, it is good to point out that oak logs were traditionally burned on this Sabbat.

OAK CORRESPONDENCES

Folk Names for Oak: Jobe’s Nuts, Tanner’s Bark and Juglans
Element: Fire
Deities: All Thunder Gods (Zeus, Thor, Taranis), Lugh, the Dagda, Hecate, Herne, Rhea, Cybele, Artemis, Jupiter, Juno, Dagda, Hercules, Llyr

Ogham symbol: Duir
Associated Tree: Oak
Colors: Dark Brown and Black
Animals: Lion, Salamander, Horse (white)
Key word: Protection

Written by CatSister/LBolotin 2010 from the following resources:
The New Book of Magickal names by Phoenix McFarland
Flower and Tree Magic by Richard Webster
treetotem.com

Bright Blessings for a Magickal Week!

Cat

(C) LBolotin 2017

Laura (Cat) Bolotin has been following an eclectic pagan/spiritual path for over 25 years. She currently lives in Western Colorado where she enjoys communing with nature, desert crawling, belly dancing, nature photography, jewelry crafting and writing stuff she hopes will help others along their path. She is married and owned by 5 cats.

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Please feel free to check out my websites!

Cat’s Treasure Trove: An Eclectic Collection of Jewelry and Gifts!  http://catstreasuretrove.weebly.com

The Desert Path: The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan. https://catsister.wordpress.com

Sacred Spirals on Facebook: The Place Where All Paths Meet  https://www.facebook.com/groups/sacredSpirals/

This page may be shared with others as long as no changes are made, and ALL credits, links, photos and copyrights remain intact. All written work and are created by and copyrighted to LBolotin/Cat 2007-2017

Acting From Your Heart: Cat’s Angel Message for June 9, 2017 

June Theme: Balance – Focus – Faith

Manage the remarkable balance between acting from your heart and close to your gifts with completing the obligations that your labor and tasks require of you. ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

69: Our message and number today are reflections of this month’s theme. Balance is the key focus and it’s now time to test your skills. The goal is to create a balance between the material and the spiritual. While it’s important to spend time and energy in both areas, do your best to keep from going overboard or you will tip the scales. Maintaining balance is essential to our overall wellbeing. When we are out of balance  life can be an uphill struggle so pay attention and make adjustments as needed. The angels are also reminding us that our needs are being met and maintaining balance makes this job easier for them. Release your worries and direct your focus where it needs to be today.

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The Absence of Ego: Cat’s Angel Message for June 8, 2017 

June Theme: Balance – Focus – Faith

Happiness blooms in the presence of self respect, and the absence of ego. ~ Jonathan Lockwood Huie

68: Generating a positive flow of abundance is relatively simple once we understand how it works. To create and keep this flow moving we must learn to balance giving and receiving. We must first give of ourselves through time, money, energy, love etc. By sending good things out it helps to create new opportunities and new experiences as it circles back to us. In order to receive these blessings we must allow ourselves to receive them. Too often people refuse or fight this  process. Grateful and gracious receiving is an important part of the flow circle and is only achieved by balancing giving and receiving. Today our angels are asking us to to open our heart and spirit and allow ourselves to receive. Remember, what we send out comes back and will provide positive energy that will grow with each cycle.

Try working with the Celtic Earth Mother Aeracura today. She teaches us how to open ourselves to receive gracefully. She says: ” Playfulness and a carefree spirit  are the heart of true abundance. By sharing of yourselves it creates an energy that spreads and grows.” Our sacred Stones for today include Kunzite and Spirit Quartz, both of which will help promote positive flow in your life.Rose Quartz can also be helpful by encouraging self forgiveness , self worth and acceptance as these are needed in allowing yourself to receive.

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Seeking Within: Cat’s Angel Message for June 7, 2017 

June Theme: Balance – Focus – Faith

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.  ~The Buddha

67: We have reached a balance point today and the angels are asking us to take time for an internal review. Take a look and see how well balanced you are on your path and how this relates to material issues. If things are balanced out….. HIGH FIVE! However, if you are tipping the scale then it’s time to ground and center and make the adjustments needed to even things out. Actually, grounding and centering is a good plan either way. It clears the mind, promotes peace and sharpens your overall vision. Use meditation, walk barefoot in the grass or just sit and breathe. Remember that whatever works for you is the right way.

Our helper today is the ascended master Buddha. He is called the Enlightened or Awakened One. During his life he lived as both price and ascetic. When he achieved true enlightenment he came to realize that the key to happy living required moderation and balance  in all things. Buddha is best contacted through breathwork. Focus, listen, feel and connect to him through the heart. When he answers you you will feel a warming sensation in the heart chakra. You can ask him anything, as he helps all who come to him. Our Sacred Stone for today is Rhodonite. This gentle stone helps to balance both mental and physical energy. It clears away confusion and helps to promote confidence.

I invite you to share my work as long as no changes are made and to check out my websites: