Celtic Tree Month of Reed

Stone: Black Obsidian

Color: Crimson

Bird: Geese, Kingfisher

Deity: Coventina, Morrigan, Rhiannon, Manannan Mac Lir, Poseidon, Pwyll

Folk Names: Sweet flag, myrtle grass, norfolk reed 

Reed has served as a floor covering, roofing, and room deodorizer. The powdered root was used as an insecticide against fleas. Soaked in fat the stalks made a cheap alternative to candles. Other uses include arrow shafts and writing pens. Reed flutes were a subject of legend; it is rumored that the Pied Piper’s magical flute was made of reed, and Pan’s flute may also have been made from reed. Today reed is used in wood-wind instruments. Medicinally the plant was used to treat eye problems.

Dreaming of Reed means not all your friends are true. Handling them in dreams mean that you may be deceived in business.

Use reed with your favorite spell for balance and harmony. Reed is used to make flutes, and a small piece from the reed can be used symbolically to invite sweet harmony into your life. Sing your incantation to it and then place it where you will see it often.

The reed represents adaptability and the ability to bend with circumstances rather than break. While this may seem like giving in or surrendering, biding time with determination enables us to reach our goals. Be aware of and proactive to changing situations.

While reed does not seem like a prestigious enough plant to be ranked with trees, to the early people of the British Isles it was an extremely important component for warm, dry homes. Reed and its cousin and cattails have provided material for roof thatching, arrow shafts, musical instruments, and many other domestic items. These plants are associated with health and healing, knowledge and learning as well as one’s unfolding destiny.

Place several long stalks of reed or cattails in a tall vase in your bedroom to enhance passion and sex especially if there are issues in a relationship. For protection in ritual or spell work, cut six equal lengths of reed to lay out in two triangles to form a pentagram on your altar. Stalks of reed or cattails on your altar will help you to connect with ancestors. Burn a piece of reed to honor any household spirit as well as to bring unity and loyalty to your family. Pull apart a cattail flower spike to make a protection sachet/amulet that you wear during journeys to other realms.