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Ash Lore

The ash was so highly regarded in Ireland that three of the five magic trees that symbolized the triumph of Christianity over paganism were ashes, the other two being the yew and the oak. A descendant of one of them, the sacred ash of Creevna at Killura, was still standing in the 19th century; its wood was used as a charm against drowning and was carried by Irish emigrants to America.

The great ash, Ygdrasill, sacred to Woden in Norse mythology, was associated with sky-gods, and its roots and branches were believed to extend through the universe. The Norse word yggr, from which Ygdrasill is derived, originated from the Greek word hvgra, and meant sea or wet element, for in ancient Greece the ash was sacred to Poseidon, their sea-god. In Greek mythology the ash-spirits were believed to have sprung from the blood of the sky- god Uranus when Cronos castrated him.

In Celtic myth the ash was sacred to Gwvdion as a tree of enchantment, from whose twigs he made his wands. A Druidical wand, made from ash, with a spiral decoration, was part of an archaeological find in Anglesev during the latter part of this century, and dated from the early first century AD.

During the third month of the year the Irish and Welsh Celts used the wood of the ash to make their oars and replace any damaged coracle slates. The wood is impervious to water, and is therefore very durable for all kinds of shipbuilding and furniture making. The ash matures more rapidly than the oak and, as a timber tree, was valuable for its quick growth. It makes the toughest and most elastic timber, and can be used for more purposes than the wood of other trees. Ancient people, including the Celts, used it for making their spears and bows, so that the cruelty of the ash mentioned in the “Battle of Trees” becomes clear.

Many of the legends concerning ash refer to its speed over water and land, and its prolific use as spears and arrows testifies to its flight through air.  Ash is the tree of balance, the marriage-bed of opposites which link our inner and outer worlds.  Ruled by the sun, it contains the element of fire yet still responds to the subtlety of the more feminine water element. 

Ash wood is quick-growing, does not split when worked, and is the toughest and most elastic of all timbers.  It was used in the construction of wagons, coaches, fencing-rails, oars, poles furniture and implements.

In later Britain ash became the Yule log, Its burning seen as beneficial to the future prosperity of the family.  Ash is the sweetest of the forest woods for burning, giving warmth to many ladies’ chambers of the past.

Hand Crafted Ash Personal Home Altar

Purchase these altars already made and ready to ship.

These personal home altars are the perfect size to set on a bookshelf, a chest of drawers. or a table.  You can personalize them by placing an altar cloth in or on top of them.  Place pictures or prayer cards in the doors.  On the newer style with shelves you can place candles, offering plates or bowls, or incense.

An altar in the home is a special acknowledgment of our home as our safe harbor and our sacred space. It elevates the place where we live to a temple, a spiritual location wherein we, spiritual beings, dwell. We do not have to be in crisis to feel the comforts of a home altar. In fact, keeping an altar in the home and using it as a focus for simple spiritual practice may well preclude crises from visiting a household.

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