Celtic Tree Month Of Alder

• Tree of the God Bran
• Fourth month of the Celtic Tree calendar, March 18 – April 14
• Fourth consonant of the Ogham alphabet- “Fearn”

• Planet: Neptune
• Element: Fire and Water
• Symbolism: Release, Shield and Foundation, Determination, Discrimination and Inner Confidence, Royalty
• Stone: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli (understanding the mind) 
• Birds: Hawk, Seagulls, Raven
• Color: Purple
• Deity: Bran, Apollo, Odin, King Arthur
•  Folk Names: Owler

Medicinal properties:

Alder bark treated inflammations, rheumatism, and diarrhea. Bags filled with heated alder leaves helped with chronic skin diseases and burns. A gargle made from leaves and bark cured mouth ulcers and soothed tonsillitis. Alder oil and essence resonate with the Muscular System and can relieve stiffness and damp diseases, enabling us to move forward with flexibility and comfort.

Magickal properties: 

• Alder helps you face up to the things you’ve been avoiding.
• It also was believed that Alder allowed access into the faery realms.
• Alder tree essence is invigorating, and it also reduces nervousness and anxiety. 
• Spells to aid success in your business and academic ventures work well at this time of year.  Sow the seeds of your success now.
• Alder roots enrich the soil, and its timber resists decay. 
• When immersed in water it hardens to the toughness of stone.
• Because it was the source of fine strongly colored dyes, it was associated with the art of fabric making and the Goddesses of spinning.  Alder reminds us of the need to blend strength and courage with generosity of spirit and compassion.
•  Alder was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of “whistling up the wind” began with this custom.

The Alder is a tree that supports and protects physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Its associations with both weapons and shields reminded the ancient Celts that part of the skill of the warrior lies in knowing when to take up the sword and when to take up the shield. Although an alder shield will protect you and give you courage and an alder-forged weapon will help you defend yourself, ultimately the most important aspect of the warrior is his or her intent. This is the key to success or failure. They alder reminds us of the need to blend strength and courage with generosity of spirit and compassion. There is a time to challenge things and a time to hold our peace. The alder teaches us this discrimination and the need to see beneath the surface of things. It combines the desire for self-preservation with the desire to serve and emphasizes the need for a firm foundation to stand on.

The Song of the Alder Fairy

by Cicely Mary Barker

By the lake or river-side

Where the Alders dwell,

In the Autumn may be spied

Baby catkins; cones beside —

Old and new as well.

Seasons come and seasons go;

That’s the tale they tell!

After Autumn, Winter’s cold

Leads us to the Spring;

And, before the leaves unfold,

On the Alder you’ll behold,

Crimson catkins swing!

They are making ready now;

That’s the song I sing!

Alder is a charm against malevolent fairies.

Water sprites are said to protect alder trees, so be cautious of cutting one down.