Color of the day: Yellow Incense of the day: Parsley Incense of the day: Parsley This is the Rowan month in the Celtic tree calendar. Rowan, also known as mountain ash, is a hardy tree associated with magic and Witches. Its folk names include witchwood, witchbane, and quickbane. The folk lore concerning the rowan tree is vast and sometimes confusing. In some cases, rowan is thought to be useful for protection from witchcraft, but the tree is also used by Witches for enchantment. Its bright red berries were used throughout the British Isles as protection against evil forces, and the branches were tied over the doorways of houses and barns. Scottish cows were considered vulnerable to evil magic or, worse, to having their milk "stolen" by Witches and fairies. To prevent this theft, cows were given garlands of rowan branches and berries tied with red thread to wear for protection from such attacks. |