The Ash Moon

 The full moon brings revelation through dreams and creative vision. It emphasizes the balance and integration of the spiritual and practical dimension of our life experience. 

The lunar months are associated with a sacred tree, or in some cases a vine or reed. Each tree is a spiritual presence as well as a portal into a shamanic world of magic and meaning. The tree exists in the physical world, as well as the dimensions beyond, and is a bridge between them.

The concept of a Celtic Tree calendar was first seen in the works of Edward Davies in the 19th Century. Davies researched the Ogygia and the Book of Ballymote. This research was further developed by Robert Graves in his book The White Goddess, and then expanded upon by Ross Nickhols, the founder of the legendary Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. One cannot ignore the importance of trees in Celtic history. Celtic mythology reveals many trees; even more than the ones included in the calendar, to have important standing in ancient lore. Some were known for their medicinal properties, others were considered sacred domiciles for spirits, while still others had symbolic meaning for specific tribes throughout the ancient world.

Regardless of whether the Tree Calendar can be traced back to ancient Celtic ancestors, we cannot discount what it has become. Modern pagans who are of Celtic heritage or associate with Celtic beliefs have embraced the wisdom of the trees and use the calendar as a guide throughout the year to develop and enhance their connection with nature. It's grown to become a valuable spiritual tool and has become the basis for many ritual practices.

The ash trees were enormous in ancient Europe; towering high above the landscape with a thick trunk and deep roots. The Celts interpreted three distinct aspects from this tree; expansion, growth, and higher perspective. The incredibly complex root system symbolized remaining grounded despite how much growth was taking place in one's life.

This belief was perfectly aligned with the esoteric message of the ash. The Druids and the Norse peoples believed all the realms were connected via branches of a giant mystical ash tree known as Yggdrasil.

In Norse mythology the ash was considered the axis of the cosmos upon which the god Odin hung for nine days and nights in a sacrificial act to receive hidden wisdom which came in the form of runes. This connects the ash tree and its sacred month - February 18 through March 17- with the Hanged Man in the tarot. The Hanged Man implies a suspension, a time of flux, waiting for illumination, perhaps a need for sacrifice. In our materialistic, competitive culture sacrifice becomes a shadowy thing; we end up sacrificing the sacred, sometimes we sacrifice our very selves to false gods. I offer an alternate definition of the sacrifice called upon by this tarot card; that of a gift or offering of time set aside for love, kindness, self-care, and seeing a situation from a different perspective.