http://crystalforest1.homestead.com/CelticTreeMonthOAK.html
June 10th to July 7th
Duir
Pronunciation: DOO-r
Latin name for Oak:Quercus robur
Celtic Symbols:The White Horse, The Golden Wheel
Flower:Rose
Animals:Eagle, Lion
Planet: Jupiter (Jovyn)
Tarot Key: The Sun
Summer Solstice
Dieties:The Dagda (The Chief of the Elder Irish gods), Zeus, Lugh, Apollo, Horus, Jupiter, Herne, Hercules, Wodin, Thor, the Lithuanian God Perkunas, and all other Thunder Gods
Number: 3
Polarity: Masculine
Color: Black and Dark Brown
Class: Chieftain
Letter: D
Gem stone: Ruby
Meaning: Security; Strength
Work for this moon: all positive purposes;strength; security; magick for men; fidelity
Zodiac Degrees : 18º00` Gemini - 14º59` Cancer
Ogham name for Oak, Arddam Dossa, is translated as "highest or most exalted of trees." Irish churches used to be called dair-thech ("oak house") - an old druidic name for the Sacred Grove. Our modern English word "door," comes from the Gaelic word 'duir' - the word for solidity, protection.
There are over 200 varieties of Oaks and they can be found in both deciduous varieties and evergreen. Evergreen varieties are found mainly in the southeastern part of the United States. The Oak tree can be found in colors ranging from red to white and dark brown in wood color.
The oak is one of the longest living trees in the forest, often living for seventy to eighty years, even after being struck by lightning. Like the Ash, is said to count the lightings' flash and will continue to grow even after a lightenig strike.Oaks can grow to be 50 to 150 feet tall & can live over 1000 years but most oaks are mature at 200 years old.
Acorns are the fruit of the oak and are said to be man's first food. Flour can also be made from roasted and ground acorns. Acorns were also formerly used to feed pigs. Acorns can be used to make a powerful antiseptic, and the juice from crushed oak leaves can be applied directly to wounds for the same purpose. A gargle made from the inner bark is useful to relieve sore throats and a decoction of the outer bark can help relieve severe fever symptoms.
The principal sacred tree of the Druids, the Oak Trees symbolized the turning of the year and is considered the king of the forest. The Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but the Norse and Celts held it in particular esteem because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The Greeks, the Romans, the Germanic cultures, Anglo-Saxons and some northern European cultures all revered the oak
Oak groves were sacred to the druids. During this time of year the Druids would carve a circle in to the tree for protection against lightning. The Druids and Priestesses listened to the rustling oak leaves and the wrens in the trees for divinatory messages. The midsummer fire was traditionally kindled with an Oak log.
The Oak represents power, protection, strength, endurance, triumph, dominion, prosperity, sacrifice, guardian, liberator, success and stability. The Oak represents the trial we all go through in life while changing and becoming that whom we are meant to be we must also consider the greater good and moral responsibilities. It represents the soul, which in Celtic terms is the "eye of god." Change, sacrifice, and understanding. It is a time when the sun starts his movement into darkness and is sacrificed to darkness as the earth begins to move back into winter.
Burning oak leaves purifies the atmosphere. It can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own special 'flavor' to the magic.
Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. Oak galls, known as Serpent Eggs, were used in magical charms.
The oak tree has always protected our ancestors, by providing wood for the building of ships, and as boundaries between one area and another. Ovates Bards and Druids preached under their branches, gaining strength from their strength.Besides providing strong timber for building, the oak's bark produces tannin, which was used extensively in the leather industry for tanning raw hides. Oak is used for a variety of other things, as well, depending on size and quality: sawn timber, veneer, building timber, hardwood pulp, poles, fencing, firewood and charcoal, coppicing of woodland used to produce stakes.
Celtic Tree Astrology
Oak people are robust, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, do not love changes, they keep their feet on the ground, and are people of action.Their greatest personal asset is a sense of optimism and the ability to speak the truth no matter what the consequences may be. A lack of discretion can, however, be their weak point. Even when faced with over riding stressors, the oak person comes out on top better and stronger and more grounded than before. Instead of bending under stress and hurts, Oak people adapt and grow until they overcome the hurts, pains or stressors.
People born during the first two weeks come under the new moon phase and they are inclined to take financial risks and make personal commitments which cannot be easily consolidated. The positive aspects of character are shown with their natural powers of leadership and the ability to rise above the human vice of greed or avarice. There is an element of self- sacrifice operating within both the lunar phases or divisions of the sign, but people born during the last two weeks of the full moon phase are less inclined to make financial losses. People born during the new moon are generally more flamboyant characters and rather glory- seeking individuals. Their positive aspects are shown in their generosity of spirit, an instinctive sense of survival and creative skills.
