Ash is here

Ogham: Ash (Nion)
18th February - 17th March

Those born under the Ash tree may find their character corresponds to its nature. What do you think?

“With quiet strength and grace, your presence transcends the ordinary. You have an innate ability to heal hearts and minds, and bring others together. You are recognised as a leader among others, possessed wih a sense of majesty, but you are humble too. Undoubtedly a sun worshipper and given to be a litttle proud, sometimes your stature attracts the unkind. Yet you can flex and bend like any other, with the resilience to bounch back agains the cruellest adversary.”

The Tree Almanac, Dr Gabriel Hemery

Dendrology: Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

Search out an ash tree using these clues.

The trees are bare, making it tricky to identify, so look out for its' distinctive black, velvety leaf buds and flattened twigs. Growing to a tall and graceful height of 35m, they are often grow together. The seeds are called keys and fall from the tree in winter and early spring so look on the floor for these.

Have you heard of ash dieback? Its a fungal disease that is the main threat for ash trees. We can all help the trees fight this disease by cleaning our shoes before and after visiting a woodland to stop the disease spreading.

Folklore

“Ash trees are favoured by the rook, Who feed and nest in every crook”

• In Norse mythology, ash was the 'Tree of Life' and the first man on Earth was said to have come from an ash tree.

• In Britain, druids regarded the ash as sacred and their wands were often made of ash because of its straight grain.

• In Anglesey an ash wand with a spiral decoration was discovered dating from the early first century.

• Thought to have healing powers, ceremonies where held at ash trees before sunrise to promote healing. These continued in remote parts of England until 1830.

• The wood was a charm against drowing. Emigrants travelling Ireland to America after the potato famine carried small pieces across the ocean to their new home.

Upcoming dates  for this phase

February

18th Ash Wednesday (start of Lent)

March

1st March St David’s Day, patron saint of Wales

5th March World Book Day

7th March St Piran’s Day, patron saint of Cornwall

8th March International Women’s Day

15th March Mothering Sunday

17th March St Patrick’s Day, patron saint of Ireland

Activity: Share a story
World book day for my daughter’s school seemed to be all about buying a cheap costume (which is probably made unethically and from awful materials) and the stories forgotten.

Stories are such a wonderful way to connect with your child - so why not share one of your favourite tales from when you were young, and then ask them which ones they like best?

If you little one doesn’t enjoy books why not find a different way? Stories don’t have to be looking at a book still sitting still on the sofa, they can be listened to in the car, shared orally on a walk, acted out with dolls and toys. I’d love to hear what works in your family.

Wishing you a wonderful Ash phase!