Botanical Beltane: The Nine Sacred Trees
- Kayleigh
- May 1
- 10 min read
Beltane, also known as Bealtaine, is a Gaelic celebration of May Day that marks the beginning of summer. Traditionally observed on May 1st, it occurs roughly halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. This festival can also be viewed as the Vernal Estival Equinox, signifying the astronomical halfway point between these two seasonal milestones.
Beltane, one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, alongside Samhain (November 1st), Imbolc (February 1st), and Lughnasadh (August 1st). is a time of reassurance and protection. Celebrated on May 1st, it marks the start of the pastoral summer season when livestock are brought out to the summer pastures. During this time, rituals are performed to protect the animals and crops from both natural and supernatural threats, primarily through the symbolic use of fire.
The 'nine sacred woods' used for Beltane bonfires in Celtic tradition, including birch, rowan, ash, alder, willow, hawthorn, oak, holly, and hazel, possess unique properties. These trees are believed to create a powerful, protective fire when gathered for the bonfire.
Alder
Alder is often found growing along rivers and streams, and its association with swamps, mystery, and secrecy in mythology is not surprising.
In Irish legend, Deirdre of the Sorrows escaped the wrath of King Conchobhar mac Nessa by eloping with Naoise, the son of Usna. They fled to Alba (Scotland) and sought refuge in the alder woods of Glen Etibhe. There, they eventually settled.
The green dye derived from alder flowers continues the theme of concealment, as it was used to colour and camouflage the garments of outlaws like Robin Hood and the clothes of faeries, helping to hide them from human eyes.
Alder wood, known for its resistance to rot in wet conditions and its ability to become almost as hard as stone when submerged, has a rich historical significance. This characteristic has been utilized since the Bronze Age, particularly in constructing crannogs—wooden strongholds on Scottish lochs built on piles of alder trunks.
Such uses of alder wood persisted into the Industrial Revolution, where it was favoured for making lock gates and other canal structures. Much of Venice is supported by piles made of alder.
Ash
Yggdrasil (Ig-drah-sil), the monumental World Tree in Viking lore, thrived on an island encircled by the ocean, where the World Serpent resided in its depths. This magnificent ash tree's trunk ascended to the heavens, while its branches extended over all the lands of the Earth. Its roots delved deep into the Underworld. A squirrel scurried up and down the tree, conveying messages between the serpent that gnawed at its roots and the eagle perched in the canopy above.
A deer feasted on the ash leaves, and from its antlers flowed the mighty rivers of the world. Nearby, a magical goat grazed, and instead of milk, its udders provided mead for the warriors in Odin's Great Hall. The gods convened their councils beneath the protective canopy of this sacred tree.
In British folklore, the ash tree was believed to possess a variety of protective and healing attributes, particularly concerning children's health.
Newborns were often given a teaspoon of ash sap.
Sick children, especially those with ruptures or weak limbs, would be passed naked through a split in an ash tree or sapling as a means of healing.
This split was typically created for the ceremony and then bound together afterward, allowing it to heal in tandem with the child.
Some folklore suggested a deep connection between the well-being of the tree and the individual, indicating that harm to the tree could impact the healed person's life. As a result, people naturally became protective of “their” ash tree.
Birch
As the vast glaciers of the last ice age began to retreat, birch trees emerged as some of the first to reclaim the rocky, ice-scarred landscape. Because of this, ecologists classify birch as a pioneer species. In Celtic mythology, the birch tree represents new beginnings, renewal, and purification. Known as Beithe, it holds the position of the first tree in the Ogham, the Celtic tree alphabet. Traditionally, birch was celebrated during the festival of Samhain, now recognized as Halloween in Britain. This festival heralded the beginning of the Celtic year, a time for purification, during which bundles of birch twigs were employed to drive away the spirits of the old year.
Even today, gardeners use birch brooms, known as besoms, to "purify" their gardens. Interestingly, these brooms have also been associated with witches, who utilized them in their shamanic journeys, often following a trance induced by fly agaric mushrooms found in birch woods. Moreover, the birch tree is linked to fertility and revered in Norse mythology, closely associated with the goddesses Frigga and Freya.
Eostre (EE-ost-ruh), the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring—after whom we derive the name "Easter"—was celebrated alongside the birch tree from the spring equinox to Beltane. In Highland folklore, it was believed that herding a barren cow with a birch stick would grant it fertility, while a pregnant cow would give birth to a healthy calf.
Hawthorn
The intriguing, prickly hawthorn is called "sgitheach" (skee-ach) in the melodic Gaelic language. In the 13th century, the legendary Thomas the Rhymer, a Scottish seer known for his poetic flair, encountered the enchanting Faery Queen beneath the branches of a hawthorn tree as the cuckoo heralded the hour. She whisked him away to the Faery Underworld, and what he believed was a brief visit turned into a seven-year sojourn!
In Ireland, solitary hawthorn bushes were considered homes to faeries, and cutting one down was believed to provoke the wrath of these vengeful spirits. An interesting note: Westminster Abbey was once called Thorney Island, a name derived from the mystical grove of hawthorn trees that once adorned its grounds.
In medieval times, people believed that the sweet fragrance of hawthorn blossoms resembled the smell associated with the Great Plague in London. Botanists have since uncovered the connection—the chemical trimethylamine, found in hawthorn blossoms, is also produced in decomposing animal tissues. In those days, when bodies often remained in homes for days before burial, the scent was all too familiar, which likely explains why hawthorn blossoms were frequently unwelcome in households.
Hazel
Hazel wood has long been cherished for crafting staffs, used in ritual Druidic practices, medieval self-defense, and as favored companions for pilgrims, shepherds' crooks, and everyday walking sticks.
Historically, hazelnuts provided a plentiful and easily storable source of protein. They were often ground and mixed with flour to create bread. Cultivated hazelnuts, known as filberts, get their name from St. Philibert's Day on August 20th, when they were expected to begin ripening. Holy Cross Day, celebrated on September 14th, was traditionally a school holiday, allowing children to gather nuts—a custom that continued in England until the First World War.
The Celts associated hazelnuts with unimaginable wisdom and poetic inspiration. This connection is reflected in the similarity between the Gaelic word for these nuts, "cno," and the word for wisdom, "cnocach."
One ancient tale recounts that nine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the water for salmon (a fish revered by Druids) to eat and thereby absorb wisdom. The number of bright spots on the salmon indicated how many nuts it had consumed.
A single salmon received all these magical nuts in an Irish variation of this legend. A Druid master, seeking to become all-knowing, caught the salmon and instructed his pupil to cook it but not eat any of it. However, hot juice splattered onto the apprentice's thumb while cooking, which he instinctively put into his mouth to cool. As a result, he imbibed the fish's wisdom. This apprentice was named Fionn Mac Cumhail and became one of the most heroic leaders in Irish mythology.
Holly
The lore surrounding Holly extends beyond mere Yuletide traditions. Like many native trees, Holly was believed to possess protective properties. Taboos against completely cutting down a holly tree led many to leave them undisturbed in hedges during trimming. An esoteric belief suggested that this practice obstructed witches, who were thought to navigate the tops of hedges. Additionally, farmers utilized the distinctive evergreen shapes of Holly to establish sightlines during winter ploughing.
While many believed that cutting down entire trees brought bad luck, it was acceptable to collect boughs for decoration and to coppice trees for winter fodder. Holly leaves were especially nutritious as livestock feed during colder months; some farmers even set up grinders to make the prickly leaves more appealing.
Folklore indicated that holly wood had a special connection to control, particularly over horses. As a result, many whips used by ploughmen and for horse-drawn carriages were made from coppiced Holly, with hundreds of thousands of stems used during the eighteenth century.
Traditionally, holly trees were planted close to homes to protect against lightning strikes. In European mythology, Holly is linked to thunder gods like Thor and Taranis.
Interestingly, scientific research shows that the spines on holly leaves can act as miniature lightning conductors, safeguarding the tree and nearby objects. Sometimes, science provides insight into what was once regarded as mere superstition!
Oak
Throughout the primary cultures of Europe, the oak tree has always been highly revered. For the Greeks, Romans, Celts, Slavs, and Teutonic tribes, the oak was one of the most significant trees.
In each culture, the oak was linked to the supreme god in their pantheon, being sacred to Zeus, Jupiter, Dagda, Perun, and Thor, respectively. Each of these deities governed rain, thunder, and lightning.
It's not surprising that oak trees are more susceptible to lightning strikes than many other trees due to their high water content and their tendency to be the tallest living organisms in the landscape.
The Druids often conducted their worship and rituals within oak groves. The term "Druid" may originate from a Celtic word that translates to "knower of the oak tree." Mistletoe considered the most powerful and magical plant by the Druids, commonly grew on oak trees. Its presence was thought to indicate divine intervention, often associated with a lightning strike.
Ancient kings portrayed themselves as embodiments of these deities, assuming responsibility not only for military victories but also for the fertility of the land, which depended on rainfall.
An Irish saying reflects this connection:
"If the oak comes before the ash,
Then we'll only have a splash.
If the ash comes before the oak,
Then we'll surely have a soak!"
Rowan
The rowan tree, commonly known as mountain ash, has been associated with various folk names throughout history. Its ancient Gaelic name, derived from the Ogham alphabet, is Luis.
In Norse mythology, the rowan plays a significant role; legend has it that it once saved the life of Thor, the god of thunder. When Thor found himself being swept away by a rushing river in the Underworld, a rowan bough bent over the water, allowing him to grab hold and pull himself to safety.
Druids were known to utilise the bark and berries of the rowan for dyeing garments used in lunar ceremonies. The bark also played a part in the tanning process, while the tree's twigs were employed for divination, particularly regarding metals.
In British folklore, the rowan is celebrated for its protective qualities, which are believed to ward off witchcraft and enchantments. Its distinctive physical features may have contributed to this reputation. Each berry showcases a small five-pointed star, or pentagram, opposite its stem, an ancient symbol associated with protection. Additionally, the vibrant red colour of the berries has long been linked to safeguarding against magic, reinforcing the rowan's image as a defender, particularly during autumn when the berries are at their brightest.
Rowan berries can be used in a variety of alcoholic drinks, with different Celtic cultures having their unique preparations. In the Highlands, rowan wine remains popular, while Scots have crafted a strong spirit from the berries. The Welsh often brew an ale, and the Irish incorporate them into mead. Today, rowan berry jelly is a beloved delicacy in Scotland, traditionally served alongside game dishes
Willow
Willows are known to thrive in wet areas, and their deep connection to water is reflected in various folklore. The Moon often features prominently in these stories, with its phases believed to influence water flows. In Scotland, there was a belief that cutting down willows during the waning Moon would reduce the wood quality.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, willows symbolised the heartbreak lovers felt. It became common for people to fashion caps or crowns from willow twigs and leaves to represent their sorrow. By the 19th century, images of weeping willows often appeared on gravestones and mourning cards.
Willow has a rich history of use and has been linked with human activities for centuries. Rural communities recognised the therapeutic qualities of willow early on. They made infusions from the bark to remedy colds and fevers and used it to alleviate inflammation, such as rheumatism.
Additionally, young willow twigs were chewed for pain relief. By the early 19th century, scientists discovered that salicylic acid was the key component responsible for these healing properties. This compound is also found in the meadowsweet plant. From this, the first synthetic drug—acetylsalicylic acid, better known as Aspirin—was created.
Interestingly, beavers consume a large amount of willow, which results in the concentration of salicylic acid in glands near their tails. This substance, referred to as castoreum, was highly valued for its medicinal properties. As a result, beaver populations dwindled in many areas due to excessive hunting driven by the demand for castoreum.
As we come together to celebrate Beltane, we embrace the energy of spring and the fresh beginnings it brings. This ancient festival reminds us to appreciate the beauty of nature and the connections we share with one another. The birch and hawthorn trees symbolise new growth and protection, highlighting the importance of nurturing our relationships.
Take this time to reflect on your own journey and what you hope to cultivate in the months ahead. Whether you’re lighting a bonfire, enjoying the company of friends and family, or simply soaking up the outdoors, let Beltane inspire you to celebrate the joy of life and community. As the days grow longer and nature awakens, may we all find opportunities for growth and renewal. Wishing you a lovely Beltane!
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