Saints, Feast, Family
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
April 26
Arbor Day
Arbor Day (or Arbour; from the Latin arbor, meaning tree) is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees.
Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, depending on climate and suitable planting season.
I think it would be amazing to honor a tree every month like the Celts. With each new moon, a different tree or plant would be honored.
January
Honoring the Beautiful Birch Tree!
Old World Customs
The Birch tree moon is a time of rebirth and regeneration. As the Solstice passes, it is time to look towards the light once more. When a forested area burns, Birch is the first tree to grow back. The Celtic name for this month is Beth, pronounced beh. Workings done in this month add momentum and a bit of extra "oomph" to new endeavors. The Birch is also associated with creativity and fertility, as well as healing and protection. Tie a red ribbon around the trunk of a Birch tree to ward off negative energy. Make a birch tree baby mobile to inspire a newborn. Use birch bark as parchment to keep writings safe.
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February
Honoring the Beautiful Rowan Tree!
Old World Customs
The Rowan tree is associated with Saint Brighid, the Celtic healer of hearth and home. Honored on February 1, at Imbolc & Candlemas, Brighid's fire offers protection to mothers and families, as well as watching over the hearthfires. The Rowan tree is associated with travel, personal power, and success. A charm carved into a bit of a Rowan twig will protect the wearer from harm. The Norsemen were known to have used Rowan branches for protection. In some countries, Rowan is planted in graveyards to prevent the dead from lingering around too long.
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March
Honoring the Beautiful Ash Tree!
Old World Customs
The Celts thought of the Ash tree as sacred. Associated with the ocean, prophetic dreams and spiritual journeys.
The Ash trees can be used for making tools and weapons -- it is said that Ash tree wood is the strongest & most powerful out of all the woods for making tools.
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April
Honoring the Beautiful Alder Tree!
Old World Customs
At the time of the Spring Equinox, or Ostara, the Alder is flourishing on riverbanks, roots in the water, bridging that spiritual space between both heaven and earth. The Alder tree, called Fearn by the Celts, and pronounced fairin, is a time for making spiritual decisions. Whistles were once made out of Alder shoots, so it's an ideal wood for making a pipe or flute if you're musically inclined.
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May
Honoring the Beautiful Willow Tree!
Old World Customs
The Willow tree moon was known to the Celts as Saille, pronounced Sahl-yeh. The Willow grows best when there's lots of rain, and in northern Europe there's no shortage of that this time of year. This is a tree associated with healing and growth, for obvious reasons. A Willow planted near your home will help ward away danger, particularly the type that stems from natural disaster such as flooding or storms. They offer protection, and are often found planted near cemeteries.
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June
Honoring the Beautiful Hawthorn Tree!
Old World Customs
The Hawthorn is a prickly sort of plant with beautiful blossoms. Called Huath by the ancient Celts, and pronounced Hoh-uh, the Hawthorn month is a time of fertility, masculine energy, and fire.
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July
Honoring the Beautiful Oak Tree!
Old World Customs
July is the month of the great the Oak and it is a time when the trees are beginning to reach their full blooming stages. The mighty Oak is strong, powerful, and typically towering over all of its neighbors. The Oak rules over the summer months, and this tree was sacred to the Celts. The Celts called this month Duir, which some scholars believe to mean "door"." The Oak is connected to protection and strength, fertility, money and success, and good fortune. Carry an acorn in your pocket when you go to an interview or business meeting; it will be bring you good luck. If you catch a falling Oak leaf before it hits the ground, you'll stay healthy the following year.
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August
Honoring the Beautiful Holly Tree!
Old World Customs
Although the Oak ruled in the previous month, its counterpart, the Holly, takes over in July. This evergreen plant reminds us all year long about the immortality of nature. The Holly moon was called Tinne, pronounced chihnn-uh, by the Celts, who knew the potent Holly was a symbol of masculine energy and firmness. The ancients used the wood of the Holly in the construction of weapons. Hang a sprig of Holly in your house to ensure good luck and safety to your family. Make Holly Water by soaking leaves overnight in spring water — then use the water as a blessing to sprinkle on people or around the house for protection and cleansing.
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August
Honoring the Beautiful Hazelnut Tree!
Old World Customs
The Hazel tree moon was known to the Celts as Coll, which translates to "the life force inside you." This is the time of year when Hazelnuts are appearing on the trees, and are an early part of the harvest. Hazelnuts are also associated with wisdom and protection. Hazel is often associated in Celtic lore with sacred wells and springs containing knowledge. This is a good month to do workings related to wisdom, knowledge and dream journeys. If you're a creative type, such as an artist, writer, or musician, this is a good month to get your muse back, and find inspiration for your talents.
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September
Honoring the Beautiful Vine!
Old World Customs
The Vine month is a time of great harvest — from the grapes of the Mediterranean to the fruits of the northern regions, the Vine produces fruits can be used to make that most wondrous concoction called wine. The Celts called this month Muin. The Vine is a symbol of both happiness and wrath — passionate emotions, both of them. The month of Vine is also a good time to get balanced, as there are equal hours of darkness and light.
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October
Honoring the Beautiful Ivy!
Old World Customs
As the year comes to a close and All Hallows Eve approaches, the Ivy moon rolls in at the end of the harvest season. Ivy often lives on after its host plant has died — a reminder to us that life goes on, in the endless cycle of life, death and rebirth. The Celts called this month Gort, pronounced go-ert. This is a time to banish the negativity from your life. Do workings related to improving yourself, and placing a barricade between you and the things that are toxic to you. Ivy can be used for healing, protection, cooperation, and to bind lovers together.
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November
Honoring the Beautiful Reed!
Old World Customs
Reed is typically used to make wind instruments, and this time of year, its haunting sounds are sometimes heard when the souls of the dead are being summoned to the Underworld. The Reed Moon was called Negetal, pronounced nyettle by the Celts, and is sometimes referred to as the Elm Moon. This is a time of year for honoring death, the dead, and the cycle of life.
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December
Honoring the Beautiful Elder Tree!
Old World Customs
The winter solstice has passed, and the Elder moon is a time of endings. Although the Elder can be damaged easily, it recovers quickly and springs back to life, corresponding to the approaching New Year. Called Ruish by the Celts (pronounced roo-esh), the month of Elder is a good time for workings related to creativity and renewal. It is a time of beginnings and endings, births and deaths, and rejuvenation. Elder is also said to protect against demons and other negative entities.
Visit
There are so many places that honor trees. The Red Wood Forest in California, the Great Basin Bristlecone Pines of the Southwest of the USA, the Great Angel Tree in South Carolina, and the Hundred-Horse Chestnut tree in Sant`Alfio, Catania, Sicily. There are so many places to enjoy the beauty of trees. Some unique trees are the Joshua trees of the Southwest of the USA; Dragon blood trees, Socotra, Yemen; Baobab tree, South Africa; the tree of life in Bahrain; Buttress roots tree; Silk cotton trees; Boojum trees; Bottle trees of Queensland and the crooked forest of Poland!
Recipe
Make vegan charcuterie board from tree items...the possibilities are endless!
Today's recipe will be something easy and tasty made of tree items.
Sweet and Savory Roasted Pecans
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2 cups raw pecan halves
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1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
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Heaping ¼ teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
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1 cup chocolate chips
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Toss the pecans with olive oil and salt. Spread the pecans evenly on a baking sheet. Roast 8-12 minutes or until the pecans are toasted and fragrant.
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Amazing good this way or to sweeten this treat up dip in melted chocolate.
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Season to taste and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Note: there are so many ways to enjoy pecans...savory with herbs, sweet with cinnamon sugar, over meat, over or in desserts....have fun and enjoy today with loved ones.
Cinnamon Sugar Pecans
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2 tablespoons granulated sugar
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1 teaspoon cinnamon
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½ teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
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2 cups raw pecan halves
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1 tablespoon melted butter
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Toss the pecans with the melted butter and cinnamon sugar, and spread evenly on the second baking sheet. Roast 8-12 minutes or until the pecans are toasted and fragrant. Season to taste and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Fun Fact: Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several tree species from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamon is an inherently sustainable crop. Cinnamon forests grow naturally, without the aid of agrochemicals, and are intercropped with other trees. In Indonesia, cinnamon is often called the “grass of Kerinci” because it begins to grow back almost immediately after it is cut.
