Tree Medicine Tree Magic

Tree Medicine

Tree Magic

Ellen Evert Hopman

Published by Pendraig Publishing Inc at Smashwords

Copyright © 2018 Ellen Evert Hopman

Smashwords Edition

This book is available in print at most online retailers.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by reviewers, who may quote brief passages in a review.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

Edited by Raven Womack and Ellen Evert Hopman

Front Cover Illustration by K. Lynn Leader

Cover Design by Ted Venemann

Book Design by Raven Womack

Pendraig Publishing Inc PO Box 8427

Green Valley Lake CA 92341

www.pendraigpublishing.com

The ideas, procedures and suggestions in this book are meant to replace the medical advice of a trained medical professional. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Consult your physician before adopting any of the suggestions in this book as well about any condition that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any applications of the treatments set forth in this book are at the reader’s discretion. The author and publisher disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all our relations who live on the Earth Mother;

to the mineral kingdom and her living soil,

to the plant kingdom and her green medicine,

to the winged ones who fill our days with song,

to the ones who swim and crawl,

to the four-leggeds and two-leggeds who give us their lives and share their hearts,

to the Devas who build our world,

to the star nations and to the great Archangels who guide the galaxies,

I send love and gratitude in four directions.

Acknowledgements

A big thank you goes to Doug Brown of Phoenix Publishing who gave me my first chance as a writer and so lovingly crafted the original version of this book. And I could not have managed the present edition without the brilliant editing help of Ari Kinehan, fellow Druid of Tribe of the Oak.

Thanks, Ari, for the White Oakleaf wine recipe!

Foreword

I never set out to be a writer. When I moved to New England in 1986, I was struck by the shortness of the growing season and the long, icy winters and I just couldn’t imagine how local Native Americans and settlers got through it all with no fresh vegetables, fruits or greens to sustain them. Then one day I looked out the window, and it struck me. It must have been the trees!

I reasoned that people were somehow eating the trees and using them for food and medicine, and then I started looking for a book that would show me how to do that. In those days, I didn’t

have a computer, and I spent many hours at the University of Massachusetts science library and other local libraries trying to find such a tome. But I had no luck.

I was in grad school at the time, working towards a Masters in Counseling and employed part time at the main library at U Mass. As I shelved books, I began to notice volumes about trees floating before me, almost as if I didn’t have to do anything. Every day one or two would enter my awareness and I would stop and take notes. Then I made the supreme leap of illogic; deciding to write a tree book myself.

This little volume was the first book in what would become my writing career, and I am thrilled that it is making its way back into print. After all these years, I have had quite a few experiences with the trees, and I have added some new insights, formulas, and recipes to each chapter. As I like to say; Trees are the people who stand still, and humans are the trees who walk around. It is my honor to share a little more tree wisdom with you.

- Ellen Evert Hopman Full Moon in April 2016

Please Note

In the event of a medical situation, readers are advised to seek the assistance of a competent health professional. Many of the remedies described in this book are based on herbal tradition, and they have not necessarily been empirically proven. Persons on medications pre- scribed by a health professional should seek advice before ingesting herbal preparations. Some of the formulas and recipes are based on research rather than personal experience. Feedback is always welcome and encouraged.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Forward

The Great Tree

Introduction

The Seneca Tradition

Some Herbal Basics

Oak Faerie-folks are in Old Oaks

Pine Evergreen Pine, the Tree of Immortality

Ash Supple Ash, the Unicorns’ Friend

Willow Watery Willow, Tree of the Moon

Holly Holly makes a Haven for Spirits of the Wood

Hawthorn Hawthorn, the May Day Flower

Hazel Hazel, Tree of Immortal Wisdom

Birch Shining Birch, the Lady of the Woods

Rowan Woe to Those with No Rowan Tree Near

Apple Apple, the Tree of Love

Eucalyptus Cool Eucalyptus, Tree of Blue Fire

Elm Elm, Friend of the Elves

Maple Sweet Maple, Tree of Friendship and Desire

Chestnut Wise Chestnut, the Tree of Quiet Mind

Cedar Fragrant Cedar, Tree of Cleansing Smoke

Poplar The Tree that Transcends Fear

Larch Larch, the Tree of Sanctity

Walnut Walnut, the Spell Breaker

Elder Elder Mother, Compassionate Forest Spirit

Useful Things

-Power Bundles

-Tree Meditation

-Tree Calendars & Tree Alphabets

Sources and Resources

List of Tree Recipes

The Great Tree

I am the Great Tree.

My roots go deep to delve the dark places.

The sound of the waters,

the compact wisdom of the rocks, I know their secrets.

I am committed, steadfast.

I experience joy where I stand.

I know the inexpressible glory of the moment.

I worship in faultless bliss and I am singing.

My hair is filled with sunlight and

I feel the winds of change-

They flow through me,

I am moved but

I stay where I am.

I know my place is perfect

This moment,

this moment is perfect.

And I am singing.

I stretch my arms to receive them,

the lives, all who come,

I offer them shelter.

They nourish me with their sweet droppings,

their leavings,

they come and go, and I stay

singing the story,

weaving the threads of

Earth and Sky, Earth and Sky,

Earth and Sky and

Sky and Earth.

And I am singing.

-at Temenos, in Western Massachusetts, July 1988

Introduction

My purpose in writing this book is twofold. First, I wish to remind the world of the beauty and poetry of the large trees that are being decimated everywhere to make room for parking lots and shopping malls, to make paper and wood products, and through the destruction of rainforests and wildlands. My second intention is to bring to public awareness how useful natural medicines are, how easy they are to prepare, and how available they are year- round in our own back yards.

I have chosen to incorporate both herbal and magical lore in this text to add to the mystery of the trees and because our ancestors would have done it that way. By keeping alive the rich body of tradition surrounding valuable trees and herbs our ancestors hoped to ensure that future generations would continue to honor and respect the healing and life sustaining virtues these trees and herbs offer.

Magic is a misunderstood art in this day of scientific rationalism, and it has been turned into a subject of derision and fear by religious bodies who claim exclusive authority over the mysteries of life and death. For me, magic is the conscious application of imagination and focused attention to bring about the desired goal through visualization. The guidelines are clear; harm others, and it comes back to you, perform a kindness, and a similar rule applies.

Modern medicine is only beginning to explore the power of visualization for enhancing the immune system and for over- coming illness. Traditional magic teaches that through visualization all aspects of life can be transformed.

Our society is beginning to appreciate the ancient remedies of our fore-mothers. In a world that pushes new foods and drugs on the public at an increasing rate, many people are starting to question the long-term effects of synthetic medicines. There is evidence that our own body’s defense mechanisms are being compromised.

If we are concerned about chemical pollutants in our food, air, and water we must ask ourselves what the effect will be of the continual drugging recommended by the pharmaceutical industry. Doctors, too are victims. They are taught that drugs and surgery are the tools of their art. Few are aware of the precious life-strengthening powers inherent in natural foods and plant medicines.

Our churches are undergoing a radical transformation as congregations dwindle, and the general population either seeks new religious traditions or gives up religion altogether. In a time of climate crisis, many people are adopting anew the ancient Earth Religion of their ancestral heritage. This book represents a turning towards Great Nature and a way to renew respect for the creatures of the Earth, including the trees.

Ancient cultures were inextricably tied to the cycle of the seasons; the planting time, the period of growth, the harvest, and the fallow sleep of winter. Our society is waking up to the fact that terrestrial resources are limited and that we should pay closer attention to Mother Nature and what she is trying to tell us.

The ancient religions of Western Europe and the Americas placed an extraordinary emphasis on trees as symbols of the Divine Presence. Native American tribes based entire cultures on their uses of a particular tree. To the Northwest coast people, cedar was Long Life Maker and Rich Woman Maker because it supplied canoes, houses, carvings, basket materials, matting, clothing, rope, and medicine. Similarly, our pre-Christian European ancestors attributed spiritual powers to trees and spun elaborate traditions around them. Archaeology has provided us with evidence of the powerful religious significance of trees to our early kindred. Boughs of oak and sprays of mistletoe have been found in ancient coffins. Celtic place names sometimes incorporate the word Nemeton (sacred grove). Nanterre in France was once called Nemetodurum. Vaison (Vaucluse) was called Nemeton. We find Nemetacum in northeast Gaul and Nemtobriga in Spanish Galicia. Nottinghamshire was known as Vernemeton in Roman days, and Medionemeton was located near the Antonine Wall in Scotland.

Eyewitness accounts state that during the Roman occupation of Britain and Gaul the Druids used groves of trees for their ceremonies because they believed that it was a sacrilege to worship in man-made structures. We know, too, that assemblies were held under the canopies of ash and yew trees and that it was forbidden to harm those trees in any way.

There are ancient Gaulish altars that have the image of a tree as their only decoration. Sometimes the God Erriapus is shown emerging from the foliage. The name of the Gaulish God Olloudios meant Great Tree.

The famous Gundestrup Cauldron of Denmark shows warriors in an enigmatic relationship to a fallen tree. Some say they carry the tree impaled on their spears. As it is a sacrificial scene that is depicted, perhaps the fallen tree symbolizes a life cut down? Large and deep wells were sometimes dug into which offerings were thrown, and sometimes the offering was an entire tree!

At his death, the Welsh God Lieu transformed himself into an eagle and took refuge in the branches of an oak. This mighty tree could neither be flooded by rain nor burned by fire. In this tree, Lieu suffered many tests and trials. Similarly, the Germanic God Odin was said to have endured great suffering in the ash tree Yggdrasil as he underwent a voluntary self-sacrifice and discovered the runes. The Christian tradition holds that the Son of God died on a tree for the good of humanity, and the Lord Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment while meditating under a tree.

From the apple trees of Avalon to the golden apples of the garden of the Hesperides, we have stories of sacred trees whose magical fruits are often the goal of heroic legends.

In Scott’s Gaelic, a great hero is often complimented by comparing him to a mighty tree. Craobh a b’airde de n’abhall thu

(You are the tallest tree in the orchard). An early Irish heroine is named Caer Ibormeith (Yewberry).

In this book, I have tried to bring back to life the spiritual, practical, and medical traditions developed by our ancestors, the celebrants of the trees.

The Seneca Tradition

From time to time, I will make reference to the Seneca tradition. The Seneca are northeast American woodland people who have lived in harmony with nature for thousands of years. Called the people of the great hill they were one of the original five nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.

As Americans, we are indebted to the many who helped frame our constitution, but the idea for the document seems to have come from the Iroquois Confederacy. According to one tradition, a Peacemaker appeared among the nations at a time of great inter-tribal bloodshed and terror. Their mission was to unite the people under the Great Law of Peace. Having convinced each tribe that the others would join if they did, he led the tribal leaders in a ceremony. He unearthed a tree of the long leaves (a White Pine) and had the people throw their weapons into the hole so that the underground rivers could carry away any bad thoughts contained in them. Then he replanted the tree and taught the people to meet under the protection of the tree.

Pine needles grow in clusters of five, and this represented individual families. Each branch symbolized a clan and all the clans were joined to one trunk that was rooted firmly in the earth and that reached for the sky. At the top of the tree, the Peacemaker placed an eagle (the-one-who-sees-far) to warn the chiefs of any approaching danger. The tree was said to have four great roots growing north, east, south, and west. People of every nation were invited to follow these roots to the source and to sit with the Iroquois under the Great Tree of Peace.

Some Herbal Basics

A Word of Caution!

If you are facing a medical situation, please get a diagnosis from a competent health professional. How can you possibly treat yourself or others if you don’t know what’s going on? And once you have a clear picture, make sure to check for contraindications and herb and drug interactions if you are on any allopathic medication.

Flower Essences

Flower essences are made by placing newly opened flowers in a crystal bowl, covering them with water, and allowing them to be exposed to full sunlight on a cloudless day for four full hours. After straining, the essence is preserved by mixing in natural brandy (without artificial colors or flavors available in liquor stores), to about forty percent of the total volume. It is then stored in brown or blue glass containers.

To take the essence, this Mother Tincture is then diluted with water; two drops of essence per one ounce of water. The dose is four drops, four times a day, under the tongue, but not with meals.

It is very helpful to use spiritual affirmations during the twenty-one days of dosing with flower essences. The ideal is to use just one essence at a time because that sends a clear message to the body-mind. Three essences are the usual limit.

Infusions

(For leaves and flowers) Bring spring water to a boil in a non-aluminum pot. Remove it from the stove. Place two teaspoons of herb in the water for each cup boiled and steep for twenty to forty-five minutes. Strain and store for up to a week in airtight containers under refrigeration. The dose is generally one-quarter cup, four times per day, not with meals.

Decoctions

(For roots, twigs, and barks) Place two teaspoons of plant matter for each cup of water