The Rowan Tree or Sorbus acuparia goes by many other names including Lady of the Mountain, Mountain Ash, Shepherd's Friend and Witchbane. Horticulturally speaking it is related to the rose.
It is a small, grey barked tree which can grow in exposed and inhospitable places. You can often find it growing amongst rocks and in crevices. It utilises fungus on its roots to help it find water in these situations. The leaves are feather like in shape and it bears creamy-white blossom in May/June followed by scarlet berries in the autumn.
The wood is very hard wearing and has lent itself to be fashioned into tools, walking sticks, spinning wheels and the divining rods of Druids.
Rowan was much utilised by the Druids who used it for creating wands and runes. A black dye used for their ceremonial robes was extracted from its bark and they further believed that wine made from the berries granted second sight.The berries can be made into any manner of alcoholic drink depending on the area of the country you lived in.
Herbal medicine used the berries and the leaves often in teas.Taken to aid digestion or to stem bleeding it was given in childbirth and prescribed as a remedy for rheumatism. The leaves and berries have astringent qualities. The berries themselves contain high levels of Vitamin C and were used to treat scurvy. Today they are popular made into jams and jellies.
Long believed to be the Tree of Protection Christians thought it granted protection against witchcraft and enchantment. Trees were planted near houses to protect the owners and branches placed over beds to guard the sleeper. Branches were placed near wells to keep the water pure and next to milk churns to stop the milk from turning. On May Day farmers would drive their sheep through hoops woven from rowan to prevent them from becoming bewitched.
The colour red has long denoted protection against enchantment and people would carry pieces of rowan wood bound with red thread as a talisman. The red berries carry a pentagram pattern at their base-long associated as a protective symbol.
Known as the 'Quickening Tree' by Celts it was associated with the Festival of Imbolc, the start of the year and the reawakening of the earth.
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