Ogham Tuesday: Ash/Nion

Many varieties of Ash tree are native to North America, thriving in a wide range of climates while generally preferring moist, well-drained locations. They became popular in yards and parks for their quick growth (often reaching 100+ feet tall in only about 20 years!) and the broad shading effect from their foliage in less than a decade. 

In the Middle Ages, ash was planted near castles to ensure a supply of lances, javelins, and spear shafts. It’s also a “tone wood” used in crafting musical instruments. (The Fender factory has been continuously and uninterruptedly using ash to make their electric guitars since 1956.)

Ash trees, cousins of a sort to olive and lilac trees, are an important species in many ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for a variety of animals, including birds, squirrels, and butterflies, though their fruit/seeds are inedible for humans. 

Unfortunately, ash borers have so decimated the North American population of ash trees (in the range of 200 million trees) that many of the items formerly made with their strong and durable wood – such as baseball bats, tool handles, and hockey sticks – are now made from other materials. 

If ash trees experience drought or stress from improper pruning, they are more vulnerable to predation from ash borers. Early detection is critical; if damage is caught when less than 50% of the tree is affected, it might be salvageable. Arborists recommend that, if you have a dead or dying ash tree on your property, consider cutting it down and burning the wood to prevent spread of the disease.* That’s a rough choice to make. 

How do I bridge from that to divination? For this tree, more of its lore comes from its place in mythology rather than the landscape. But meaning can be taken from its ability to achieve great heights very quickly and the strength of its wood, particularly for things that can be used in defense or whacking other things in general. Its tight grain and consistent texture make it easier among hardwoods to shape and sand, and it accepts stains well. 

I guess the key here is that ash can take many shapes, IF it's cared for well enough to grow to its full height. Remember when I mentioned sensitivity to drought? This is a tree that needs to be watered about once per month even over the dormant season. 

So, when we’re called upon to make something from nothing but our own selves, it’s important to provide the care and support needed in our environments, so we are less vulnerable to damage or distraction. I think it can also signal a small-scale “Tower moment,” in tarot terms, if a judgment to burn it all down is called for. 

Keywords include: transform, shape-shifting, effort, advancement, transcendence, quest, challenge, maneuver, heights, integrate, calculation

Guidance and questions might be:

• What forces am I allowing to transform me? Do they resonate with my own goals, or do they create more challenges (or damage) instead?

• How can I support myself in an endeavor that reaches new heights? What kind of preparation can I integrate in the “off-season” before I begin my work?

• Where are my earliest signals that something might be going wrong? Can I maneuver quickly enough to stay on course? Can I calculate a new course from fresh resources if needed?

What connections do you see between Ash as an ogham and Ash as a tree? I’m excited to hear your thoughts!

Blessings,

Nicole

* I’m not an arborist, and I’m especially NOT YOUR arborist. This information is interesting but should not be interpreted as “must-do” landscaping advice.