Ogham Tuesday: Rowan/Luis

Rowan (or mountain ash) trees are a big family, though unrelated to standard ash trees at all. Varieties thrive in habitats around the world, ranging in size (sometimes even looking like a shrub), usually in more mountainous ecosystems. Because of its manageable size and hardiness, Rowan is often used as an ornamental tree in parks and wildlife areas. They struggle in areas with extreme heat, high humidity, arid climates, and waterlogged or clay soils. Which means I can’t really grow one here in the KC area. Alas. 

Rowan trees produce fruit that birds go bonkers for – especially waxwings and thrushes – and it is a source of food for multiple butterfly species. The wood itself is very dense and good for carving and turning, which makes it a good choice for tool handles and walking sticks. The bright reds, oranges, and pinks of its berries are a delight to see, but generally too astringent for humans to eat raw. Preparations for the fruit include jams, liquors, and even inks. 

In an omen, Rowan would be a two-fold signal: first, that there are hidden forces at work; and second, that you are protected. These days, it’s unlikely you are under threat from actual magical work, but who among us has not experienced the sense that somebody is working against them in subtle and energetic ways? When I see Rowan, I gain some peace from the confirmation. The challenge? Letting it sit. Rowan does not want us to dig into whatever it is; rather, we have to trust that our protections are working on our behalf and focus on our own work instead of derailing ourselves. 

Keywords include: protection, precaution, hidden, magical, conspire, spiritual, bitter, medicine, warding, rituals, ceremony, psychic, shielding, bewitched

Guidance and questions might be:

• Are you willing to accept confirmation that something is happening under the surface without pursuing what it is? Rowan is not a call for investigation; it’s a call for TRUST.

• What forces are working in your favor here? (Thanks to Rob Brezsny and his writings on Pronoia, the "antidote to paranoia.") 

• If you are struggling with the sense that you’re thwarted at every turn, take a look at your operating environment. Are you trying to thrive someplace where your gifts aren’t welcome or where your needs aren’t accommodated? 

• Can you identify which thoughts and impulses are coming from yourself and which are being imposed on you from outside forces? Are those thought forms aligned? 

• Have you prepared for your own protection? Metaphorically, are you going to insist on eating the fruit raw or will you take the time to prepare it? One of those choices will make you sick to your stomach at best. 

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

~ Nicole (Nikki, sometimes Saffron Hare) is founder and general manager at Nine Fires Press. Her Druidic practice has included solitary, small-group, and congregational worship, with a focus on liturgy and seership. She is studying for her Master Gardener certification, rehabbing an underground home in the Midwestern US, loves to fall in love with bad ideas.

 #ogham #tarot #wordoracle #omens #divination #druidry #pagan #9firespress #oghamtuesday