Saturday, January 8, 2011

Legend of the Oak


The Little Oak trees are growing and so far surviving.
I will need to transplant them soon.

The King Oak has a remarkable legend.
It's kinda confusing cause these trees are also known as the Mother tree and mankind was said to have come out of the oak.

Oak relates to the sun and the element of fire.

Many Gods are associated to it like Jupitor, Zeus, Erato, Thor, Janus,
and it has other legendary powers which inspire people.

The Oak has powers of protection health money healing potency fertility luck wisdom and strength.

The Oak give shelter and protection and is looked upon as a sacred tree.

The Celts and the Norse loved it for the acorns and for its size.

The Druids liked to meet by Oak trees to do their ceremonies.
They believed if they carried an acorn they would stay young lol
If you want to protect yourself from evil, try putting two twigs together in a cross and tie it with red thread.

If you fear lightening try putting acorns in your windows.

Catching a falling leaf will protect you from colds all winter and if you burn the wood it also will chase away illness.

Wands are made out of Oak and used in sacrificial rituals in a full moon and the oak represents the 7th moon.

Legend has it that when it came time to choose a tree to crucify Jesus all the trees agreed to split so as not to be used except for the oak and as a result Grecians do not want anything to do with the oak.

Another legend has it that when Cain murdered Abel, he had to carry his body 700 years and then bury him. Cain stuck his staff into the ground to mark the burial place and seven oaks sprang forth in a row, announcing the 7 oaks of Palestine.

Still another legend has it that when King Harold was in Rouen with William, William made him swear an oath under the oak tree. The king broke his oath which made the oak leaves fall so everyone knew what happened.

If you dip two acorns in the same bowl of water people will get some news.

If the acorns float together, then the couple will marry.

Another interesting story had to do with Zeus. Greece had a festival called Daedala.
Hera, Zeus's fiancee, got mad at him for deceiving her.She saw he carried a wooden image of Daedala. She later forgave him but for the festival the image was carved out of Oak to remember the deceit.

To choose the tree , they placed meat at the foot of many trees and the one the ravens ate from, was the one they cut down to make the carved image.

In Ireland, the oak is taken very good care of because they believe that if the tree falls, it will be the end of Earl of Howth's direct line. So when they see an ailing oak they put supports to keep it erect.

On the practical side oak is excellent firewood and building material and is used for tanning, dying cloth, and acorns for bread.

And so my lovely little Oak trees are being treasured in this house hold but I only have three
and two have two stems each.

I hope more pop out but so far they haven't. I will need to transplant them soon so the roots do not get disturbed.











12 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

I love the oak. My childhood home was surrounded by them. They were tall and straight and strong. Even in the worst weather, I felt safe around them.

A Free Spirit Butterfly said...

I love this post. I have a poem about being an Oak Tree. It's my favorite Tree and then the Maple. I printed this very informational peiece of news. You so challenge my mind when I need it most. I am going to try the floating acorn when I meet someone special and see if they float ;-)

Love you!
Make it a great Sunday!
FSB

Akelamalu said...

May your little acorns into mighty Oaks grow!

Some interesting facts and myths about the oak there. :)

A Lady's Life said...

Teuvo Vehkalahti: I did not understand your comment in Finnish lol so I removed your comment.Thanks for commenting anyway lol

A Lady's Life said...

Sandy we have one in our yard and it seems to be a favorite.
The kids love it and sit in it and I always chase them away in fear they will harm my tree lol

A Lady's Life said...

Buuterfly Thanks I always wished to have a garden that speaks to me.:)

A Lady's Life said...

Akelamalu - thanks. I am cautiously hopeful about them because transplanting them might do damage but I hope they survive and keep going.:)

Maude Lynn said...

I didn't know all of that!

A Lady's Life said...

Mama Zen = Legends are great
Gives you something to think about

Baron's Life said...

Beautiful leafs...can I use them in my salad?

A Lady's Life said...

Baron - ahhhhhhhhhh......No.
You can grow mushrooms on the trunk or eat the acorns or use it to tan your hide with lol

Baron's Life said...

These leaves look like Mary Mary Mary Mary wona...!