Why 'Rowan'?


In the yard there grows a Rowan.
Thou with reverent care should'st tend it.
Holy is the tree there growing.
Holy likewise are its branches.
On its boughs, the leaves are holy.
And its berries, yet more holy.
~from Finnish epic poem, Kalevala

 
Why Rowan? The word simply whispered itself to me during meditation. It wasn't an image of the tree that came to me. I didn't even know what a rowan tree looked like; I got a vague image of some kind of hedge bush. But I heard gently in my mind the word, 'Rowan...Rowan...' softly, like a very quiet sigh. 
I loved the sound of the word, so I looked it up. It was a tree and it was beautiful! I also discovered, to my surprise, that it is actually my sign in Celtic Tree Astrology. I didn't even know there was such a thing as Celtic Tree Astrology.
'Celtic tree astrology recognizes Rowan signs as the philosophical minds within the zodiac. If you were born under the Rowan energy, you are likely a keen-minded visionary, with high ideals.  This inner passion provides inner motivation for you as you make your way through life. You have a natural ability to transform situations and people around you by your mere presence. You are highly influential in a quiet way and others look to you for your unique perspectives. Rowan pairs well with Ivy and Hawthorn signs.' ~ Celtic Tree Astrology

That's my sign, birthdate January 21-February 17. I was really stunned to find out that I had this connection to the rowan tree.  
'The symbolism and Celtic meaning of the rowan tree deals with:
  • Power
  • Vision
  • Balance
  • Healing
  • Mystery
  • Connection
  • Protection
  • Divination
  • Transformation

'When we silence ourselves long enough to listen to the rowan speak, we hear her message: "look deeper, see through the object before your eyes and you will encounter visions into the worlds beyond the one you physically know."
  
'The wood of the rowan is traditionally used for divination tools and objects such as runes and wands. Rowan branches are the prime choice for divining rods, and druids also crafted rowan wood into staffs.
 'The druids maintained the rowan as a sacred container for protective energy. It resonates a high, clear vibration that naturally transforms lower (negative) energies. This is why it is revered as a protective symbol.
 'We see more evidence of this protective energy in the white flowers of the rowan. Beautiful, bold, and crisp, these white flowers are symbolic of cleansing and safekeeping. From these flowers, crimson berries come forth.
 'The rowan is also incredibly diverse in its growth, often growing inside other trees, in craggy riverbeds, and in other seemingly impossible locations. This is a powerful analogy for us to find our divine connection in unorthodox places. Sometimes our finest and highest calling is discovered when/where we least expect.' ~ Celtic Meaning of the Rowan Tree

Every day as I walk to work, I pass three rowan trees. I never noticed them until I received the word 'rowan'. Why would I? I didn't know what they were. I greet them daily now. I have a charm made of a circle of rowan berries and two rowan twigs, tied together with red thread. It is a traditional charm of protection. I have it displayed over my meditation space.
Back in June 2011, when we visited Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire, I was thrilled to find myself in a grove of rowan trees, surrounded by wild blueberry bushes and ferns. There were so many! I'd never seen so many rowan trees in one place. For me, it was quite magical. We even tried to pick blueberries, but soon tired of it, and we didn't have anything to put them in anyway. It seemed such a waste, all those ripe blueberries--and I'm sure the National Trust wouldn't mind a bit if people picked them. In fact, I don't see why they don't sell Brimham Rocks Blueberry Jam...



In October 2011, I was walking home from the supermarket, and there was a sudden flurry of birds launching themselves from a tree--I'd never seen so many birds flying from a single tree. It reminded me of those little circus cars that clowns get out of, and they just keep coming out and keep coming out...you know? Only this was a flock of small, dark birds, probably blackbirds, and of course, it was a rowan tree. I just had to stop and watch in amazement as all those birds took flight and sailed away into across the grey October sky.

So...that's why rowan. It just came to me one day. Who knows what you'll hear or come to know through meditation. You ought to try it some time!
For more rowan tree lore:





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