Identification: The Rowan is commonly known as the Mountain Ash. In spring this small deciduous tree is decorated in delicate white blossoms, which become red and orange berries from early autumn. It’s easier to identify when in leaf as the serrated leaflets form 5 to 8 pairs, slightly staggered with a leaf at the tip (a lot like an ash, which is where it gets it’s common name but ash leaflets are symmetrical). The bark is smooth and silvery grey and leaf buds are purple and hairy (unlike ash buds which are velvety black).
To see how the rowan looks year round, here’s a great time-lapse video by The Woodland Trust, to watch it click here.
Qualities: Rowan is often used for tool handles because it’s such a strong and resilient wood. It was also fashioned into spindles and spinning wheels. Given the wood’s protective qualities and connection with witches and magic, I love this correlation with fairy tales.
Herbal: Rowan berries are a good source of vitamins A and C. Berries must be cooked or they can cause an upset stomach and vomiting. Berries can take the form of syrups, wine, jellies and jam. The juice can be used as a gargle to treat a sore throat and it’s said the jam (alongside being a tasty treat) can ease diarrhoea. A charm made of rowan wood used to be carried to protect the wearer against rheumatism.
Folklore: Rowan is also known as hornbeam, quicken and witchwood as it was believed to protect against witches, harmful magic and enchantments. Cream would be stirred with a rowan twig to protect it from curdling. To cut rowan with a knife was thought to bring bad luck, perhaps because of it’s connection with the Fae and Otherworld. A cross made of rowan wood and tied with red thread was believed to protect against witches. Drinking rowanberry wine is meant to give the drinker second sight. The rowan is sacred to Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of Spring, midwifery, childbirth, hearth and home, Christian Saint and Patron Saint of Ireland. The berries have a 5 pointed star on the bottom which strengthens the idea that the berries can protect you. A way to use them is to hang a string of dried rowan berries above doorways to protect you and your home.
Ogham Tree Calendar
Colours: Red & Grey
Animals: Unicorn & Bear
Month: January 22nd - February 18th
Associations: Protection, perspective, wit, divination healing, creativity, peace, success, change and transformation
Birth tree: Rowan relates to spirituality, protection and the ability to distinguish good from evil. It’s a sign that you have the necessary stamina and energy to overcome any potential problems. It provides a warning of any outside problems that might be detrimental. It can also relate to self doubt.