Oak - The Stabilizer
June 10 - July 7

Those born under the time of the Oak have a special gift of strength. They are protective people and often become a champion for those who do not have a voice. In other words, the Oak is the crusader and the spokesperson for the underdog. Nurturing, generous and helpful, you are a gentle giant among the Ogham zodiac signs. You exude an easy confidence and naturally assume everything will work out to a positive outcome. You have a deep respect for history and ancestry, and many people with this sign become teachers. You love to impart your knowledge of the past to others. Oak signs have a need for structure, and will often go to great lengths to gain the feeling of control in their lives. Healthy Oak signs live long, full, happy lives and enjoy large family settings and are likely to be involved with large social/community networks. Oak signs pair off well with the Ash and Reed, and are known to harmoniously join with Ivy signs too.
Your trusted authority in Health,
Under the Elm, Ian ​

Sun Blazing on high and clouds draped all around, 
You won't stay dry 'less shelter is found! 
Yet with clouds overhead and sunshine all around,
The rain that is shed will not soak the ground. 

Do watch this beautifully made film about someone who is really making a difference. Since the 1970’s Majuli islander Jadav Payeng has been planting trees in order to save his island. To date he has single handedly planted a forest larger than Central Park NYC. His forest has transformed what was once a barren wasteland, into a lush oasis. A story about creating a Paradise one step at a time.

The sea roars and the eagle soars,
Up into the heavens to view the world beneath.
The trees sway amidst the grey haze,
Spotting the moon and the lightning sky.
Its time to seek the warriors mate,
It's time to build the goddesses state.

Happy Easter,

Or should I say East Star. In older times we celebrate the East Star rising. The east Star which is Venus which symbolises the feminine and in particular fertility.
Fertility and birth of the land. The bunny rabbit symbolic of the masculine energy and the chocolate egg of the feminine energy.
So take sometime today to celebrate Easter in all its forms for life around us - our children and in a greater sense the lands rebirth.

Under the Elm,
ian
www.oghamtrees.com
​

Oh little Blackthorn you happily 
Gleam with your striking flower
Brightening up the days when the 
Sun is only waking.
Soon the other thorn will
take over your mantle.
But for now - It's your time. 

The Trailblazer
March 18 - April 14
If you are an Alder sign within the Ogham tree astrology system, you are a natural-born pathfinder. You’re a mover and a shaker, and will blaze a trail with fiery passion often gaining loyal followers to your cause. You are charming, gregarious and mingle easily with a broad mix of personalities. In other words, Alder signs get along with everybody and everybody loves to hang around with you. This might be because Alders are easily confident and have a strong self-faith. This self-assurances is infectious and other people recognize this quality in you instantly. Alder Ogham tree astrology signs are very focused and dislike waste. Consequently, they can see through superficiality and will not tolerate fluff. Alder people place high value on their time, and feel that wasting time is insufferable. They are motivated by action and results. Alders pair well with Hawthorns, Oaks or even Birch signs.
Under the Elm,
Ian
www.oghamtrees.com

 Welcome to the Spring or Vernal Equinox
Equinoxes are the other half of the solstices - when there are equal hours of light and dark. The word equinox is Latin for "equal night". The vernal equinox is the real beginning of spring. Each day the light will grow giving everything hope! The Druids recognized that the Gorse is a voracious light seeker and governed this time of the yearly cycle.
They also understood it was an opportunistic plant, observing the seeds flinging off the parent (mostly on the warmest, brightest days) distancing themselves as far as possible in order to begin a new colony free to have more sun to themselves without the crowding branches of the parent nearby.
We may translate this behavior in our own lives when we feel we are being overshadowed or staunched into a certain pigeon hole. It may be time to leap out on our own and find our own sunny trails. When conformity becomes the norm, the Gorse reminds us to always seek the higher road, the path of light.The bright golden flowers come most strongly around this time so the hillsides do indeed seem to burn with gold. The flowers blossom just in time to feed the newly woken bees - and bees are sun-beings and spirit carriers.
For the deeper delvers - The GORSE Oracle says - It’s time to gather your thoughts and come to a better understanding of your resources. You might be trying to force an issue – Transformation happens when you least expect it.
Yours under the Elm,
Ian
www.oghamtrees.com

You flourish in constant cycles -
grow in tender times.
You reach for the heavens -
touching the farthest stars.
You whisper in the wind -
speaking to the silent beings.
You thread softly in your mother -
awakening to her love.

You will often find a faery Tree at an ancient site, or a holy well. They are usually hawthorn trees, but not always. People leave prayers, gifts or a personal token of some kind attached to the trees branches in the hope of receiving healing, or good fortune, or having their prayer answered. 

The lone hawthorn standing in the middle of a field is also treated with much respect, and some suspicion by farming communities. Whilst it was thought to be auspicious, bringing good fortune and prosperity to the landowner, it was also thought to belong to the magical faery folk of the Otherworld, the Sidhe. As such, it was never to be cut or harmed for fear of bringing their wrath upon the perpetrator.

But how did the hawthorn come to be regarded as a fairy tree? Well, maybe because it flowers in the Spring, it was associated with the festival of Bealtaine, a sacred time to the ancient Irish and to the Sidhe.

In Irish, the hawthorn is known as Sceach Gheal, from sceach meaning ‘thornbush/ briar’ and geal meaning ‘bright/ lumnious/ radiant’. According to the ancient Brehon Law, it was classified as a Peasant tree. In Ogham,  the Tree Alphabet, the hawthorn is represented by the sixth symbol called Huath (pronounced Hoo-ah).

According to Druidry.org, this is what can happen when one destroys a fairy tree…
“Earlier in this century, a construction firm ordered the felling of a fairy thorn on a building site in Downpatrick, Ulster. The foreman had to do the deed himself, as all of his workers refused. When he dug up the root, hundreds of white mice – supposed to be the faeries themselves – ran out, and while the foreman was carting away the soil in a barrow, a nearby horse shied, crushing him against a wall and resulting in the loss of one of his legs.
“Even as recently as 1982, workers in the De Lorean car plant in Northern Ireland claimed that one of the reasons the business had so many problems was because a faery thorn bush had been disturbed during the construction of the plant. The management took this so seriously that they actually had a similar bush brought in and planted with all due ceremony!”

Consider yourself warned!

Yours under the Elm,

Ian 
www.oghamtrees.com

The Enchanter
February 18 - March 17

Those born under the Ogham tree astrology sign of the Ash are free thinkers. Imaginative, intuitive, and naturally artistic, you see the world in water-colour purity. You have a tendency to moody and withdrawn at times, but that’s only because your inner landscape is in constant motion. You are in touch with your muse, and you are easily inspired by nature. Likewise, you inspire all that you associate with and people seek you out for your enchanting personality. Art, writing (especially poetry), science, and theology (spiritual matters) are areas that strongly interest you. Others may think you are reclusive, but in all honesty, you are simply immersed in your own world of fantastic vision and design. You are in a constant state of self-renewal and you rarely place a value on what others think about you. Ash signs partner well with Willow and Reed signs.
Yours under the Elm,
Ian
www.oghamtrees.com

With the days noticeably lengthening and the sun's rays beginning to make an effect, one of the first edible greens to appear is Wild Garlic.
Renville woods in Oranmore is a damp woodland and becomes carpeted with the welcome sight of these fresh greens and the air is filled with its unmistakable odour, strong enough to send any lurking vampires scurrying back to the dark!
As with most plants, it's best to pick the leaves before the white - star like flower appears in April. Crush them up and add them to butter for wild garlic butter or just pluck a leaf and enjoy the snack as you walk!
Yours under the Elm,
Ian
www.oghamtrees.com

Watch this video on how forests heal people: Watch “How Forests Heal People” on Vimeo:
Beautiful and so powerful in this day and age.

A traditional method for cleaning rugs was to give them a good beating to remove as much dust as possible and then lay them face down in fresh snow to draw out residual dirt and freshen the colours.
​
In Ancient times, a mix of damp tea leaves and lavender heads were sprinkled over rugs and left to absorb dirt and odours before being brushed off. 

Yours under the Elm,
Ian 

BY MYSTIC MAMMA 

We are being called to come together as a people of a new time, with wise hearts and an inclusive and united vision for the future. Our strength and our unity lies in our diversity.
We have our voices, we have our creativity and we have our sensitivity. These are powerful agents for change.
The pangs of animosity and division we have been witnessing and experiencing in the outer world have been rattling. 
Know that this is our collective rattle/shaker, made from the bones of our ancestors and from the roots and crystals of the Earth. It’s awakening us, reverberating through our collective energy fields, shaking us loose from our indifference.
Let us now on this exceptional FULL MOON SuperMoon in Taurus, ground into our knowing and remember the feeling of belonging that Mother Earth offers us.
Spend time in places where the land is untouched and wild and you can align your heartbeat with that of Mother Earth. Allow her energy to soothe our souls, ground us and remind us of what is eternal and true.
We all belong. There is work ahead, but we are in this together.
We are the bridge, and we must each individually and collectively continue to work on healing the divides.
Here are the MYSTIC MAMMA Astral Insights from our beloved featured astrologers. First from LEAH WHITEHORSE from her LUA Astrology:
“This Moon is a supermoon and is the closest the Moon has been to Earth for 68 years.
“The close proximity of our satellite seems to highlight its energies, magnifying them, so that we can get up close and personal to this tactile Taurus Moon…”
“During this Full Moon, it’s time to consider what you hold most dear, what really matters to you.
“Even with the opposing Sun in Scorpio spotlighting the profound transformation we are going through, this is a time when we can relinquish control and simply surrender to the moment, especially as the Moon is trine to Pluto.
“We’re empowered when we enjoy the present, neither mourning the past nor dreading the future.
“We’re stronger when we let go of the toxic need to be drawn into intrigues and power plays.
“This Moon is a leveller that brings us home to ourselves and our physical body. The world out there can wait says Taurus. Be patient. Reconnect with Mother Earth.
“Black Moon Lilith is conjunct the Sun which means there are still old ghosts stirring in the psyche. The Taurus Moon can see them but isn’t going to get scared off the playing field.
“This Moon knows that the more grounded we are in reality, the easier it is to deal with our fears, turning them into raw, creative potential…”
“Taurus reminds us that the Earth is abundant…make the effort to appreciate what we have. Gratitude is key to our evolution as Venus trines the North Node…”
“Gemstones and crystals are created deep within the Earth, in darkness, under pressure.
“This Full Moon in Taurus, gives us a chance to appreciate the treasures gained from difficult circumstances, the beauty that is born from the Scorpionic depths of death and despair.
“Each life trauma unearths a jewel for the rich crown of wisdom.”
Copyright 2016 LEAH WHITEHORSE.  All rights reserved.
From astrologer KELLEY ROSANO:
“There is a purging taking place. Release what no longer serves you.
“Be open to new opportunities. There is great reward now for your effort to transform. There is a strong healing energy with this Moon. Allow the energy to heal and empower you.
“The Taurus energy encourages you to align with your True Values. Make right choices. Create choices that support you…
“Get clear with what you want. Focus your intention on what matters to you…What needs to change for you? What does your heart desire?”
Copyright 2016 KELLEY ROSANO All rights reserved.

And from astrologer PAT LILES from The Power Path.com:
 “Let’s look to some bigger cycles here… 
“Saturn has been in Sagittarius since the election season of the USA began in fall 2015.  Many of our lessons have come through that lens. 
“Sag brings up issues of moral and ethical behavior and ideals. What is the truth?
“… Big lessons about who we are, what we stand for and a transformative time in our identity. 
“Some deep soul searching, trolling of our shadow as a nation and huge power struggles are taking place. 
“One can’t emphasize enough how important it is to hold the vision or shoot the arrow of the Sagittarian archer’s bow in the direction you want it to lead us…”
“Slow-moving Neptune’s Piscean energy is so strong now as it joins the South Node just days after Full Moon.  It is readying to move direct after five months of retrograde…
“Letting go of deep sorrow, blame and victimhood buried deep within the unconscious parts of ourselves is our true work.  
“Forgiveness, compassion, service have always been Neptune/Pisces’ most powerful tools. 
“Our reward is greater access to our creativity, imagination and profound intuitive abilities.
“Clearing those vestiges from the past allows the opening of channels leading directly to the spiritual realms where you begin to work in tandem with all the help of Spirit. 
“Do not underestimate the negative pole of Neptune:  illusion, denial, escapism, and deceit.  They will try to block you from your true relationship to Spirit and your own essence.  Neptune conjunct South Node is a rare and powerful occurrence!  Also a mandate! 
“Asteroid Psyche also sits exactly at this 9º Pisces point bringing in the element of testing to burnish the soul so it can be worthy of the unity of love. 
“It’s the elevating of the mortal to the immortal of the feminine soul in all of us.  The dance of the masculine and feminine continues as the feminine awakens and evolves in the spiral of life.”
Copyright 2016 PAT LILES All rights reserved.
From astrologer DIVINE HARMONY:
“The ruler of this lunation is Venus who just moved into Capricorn…”
“Venus in Capricorn is a grounding influence- so that the revolution (within and without) is not a flash in the pan but isdeeply grounded in our being.
“Now is the time to set the foundation for big changes coming in!”
“….When we look at the Dark Goddess we see her ALL OVER the chart…With the fierce Dark Feminine who shines a Light on the shit and shadow and sees through the darkness conjunct the lower will (Mars) and Higher Will (Pluto) we are challenged to raise her frequency up to the Highest level.
“Steering clear of power/control dynamics, playing the victim or the tyrant, being manipulative and/or controlling, and/or hiding in the dark for fear of being witch-hunted for speaking the Truth is so key.
“There’s a lot of powerful energy in the Dark Goddess archetype and she must be honored and channeled wisely.
“With Black Moon Lilith in Scorpio on the Sun as well- this Full Moon is a veritable Dark Goddess lunation!”
“I leave you with Ellias Lonsdale’s Star Sparks meditation for 23 Taurus…” Copyright 2016 DIVINE HARMONY All rights reserved.


STAR SPARKS 23 taurus
by Ellias Lonsdale
Taurus 23 A salamander glowing red-orang
“The fire in the belly of the earth.
“The kundalini flames. Sparking that which will never go out once it is truly and firmly lit.
“An overwhelming sensation coming out through every pore that the creative fires are stoked, the situation is crucial, everything is gathering toward the need to embody what lives within in everything we say and do.
“A destiny imperative to acknowledge and honor and sustain the inner flames in outward life, whatever this takes, even if we have to make up for lost time and do it all now.
“A dominating force. Taking through us the earth’s call to awaken to ourselves as her most active and forthcoming power of evolving beyond previous limitations.
“Yet prone to excess, susceptible to ego aggrandizement, tempted by every variant on the theme of becoming self-important and buying into the sheer dynamism of earth existence, without rightful discernment and tapping the well-springs of deeper wisdom.
“The inflation of the archetype. The dazzling opportunity to bring into ourselves and through ourselves the will of the whole.
“How we deal with this kind of power is so very decisive for the future.
“It is crucial for us to learn the lesson that the spirit flame is itself a threshold presence, a force from beyond, which we must express through us without getting stuck on our vision of our own special magnitude.
“Sometimes it is very subtle, the distinction between this self and all that we carry into the whole.
“And we are often here absorbed in grosser, more dramatic factors.
“The juggernaut of collective cycles and personal cycles converging and gathering momentum toward breakthroughs, breakdowns, whatever needs to happen, so that the fire in earth’s belly comes alive.”
Copyright 2016 Ellias Lonsdale All rights reserved.
And speaking of the the Earth’s call to awaken, if you live in the US it’s time to show our numbers and physically show up in solidarity with our brothers and sisters and elders who have been on the front lines at Standing Rock protecting our Mother Earth and our sacred waters.
On Tuesday, November 15th, join a massive day of action in solidarity with those at Standing Rock, and demand the Federal government and the Army Corps reject this pipeline. This is a movement-led day of action, taking leadership from indigenous groups active in the Standing Rock struggle including Indigenous Environmental Network and Honor the Earth. FIND OUT WHERE TO GO
*SUPER MOON* Blessings of love and light to all~~~

Water is the blood of the trees. When the water flows the energy moves. At this time of the year as the energy stagnates the water slows in the system of the trees and the leaves stop and start to fall to the earth.
When you look at the human and relate it to the water systems - we want to see what is being blocked? What is causing the stagnation? We must delve deeper into the problem and remove the blockages. We have to find the why in the situation.
By releasing and realising the blockages we can help open the system and help support the body with its natural ebbs and flows.
Tree essences can help open these systems and remove the blockages that cause emotional unease and stresses.