So vast was the forests in Europe in ancient times that it has been said that a squirrel could travel from one end of a country to another without having to come down from the tops of the trees. Europe was once covered in trees from the Arctic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

The Celts had a special relationship with the forests, from which they had an ample source of timber for shelter, fuel for warmth and food. It was a time when man lived closely with nature and superstitions were strongly linked to the belief of magic, prophesy, the “otherworld” where fairies and goblins lived and the mystical properties of trees, animals and herbs.

Trees, it was believed, possessed mystical powers. The ancients had a deep respect for tree and animal spirits. The superstition “touch wood” to guard against bad luck reverts back to the Dark Ages when trees were considered to be the link between the upper and lower worlds and were not just inert objects to be taken for granted.

According to ancient myths, trees were mankind’s ancestors, providing man with a link to the spirits of ancestors as well as doorways into other realms. Some trees were sacred to the faeries and others to the gods.

For the Celts, the Oak Tree was the most sacred one of all. They called this tree “daur” which is the origin of the word “door”, the oak providing a doorway to the world in which faeries dwelled. Many legends tell of how after falling asleep under an oak tree people would wake up in the realm of the faeries!

Even now, it is believed by some that trees can carry messages to other spiritual realms. Take a trip into the Irish countryside and trees can still be seen decorated with colourful ribbons by those who have sent a prayer via the tree for protection, good health, love, luck or prosperity.

According to Pagan lore, there were two great kings of the forest, the Holly King and the Oak King, this myth was bound in the seasonal cycles of the year. These two kings were in constant combat and at any one time, only one king could rule: the (evergreen) Holly king triumphed over the land during the winter while the Oak King’s rulership was the summer.

Even now, Holly is associated with Christmas and winter festivities. Holly was a specially revered tree for the Celts who believed it provided protection from evil spirits. Decorating doors and windows with holly would help prevent an evil spirit from entering their house. Sprigs of Rowan, too, were used for a similar purpose. Holly remained green all year around to add colour to the earth when all the other trees shed their leaves, so believed the Celts.

Holly’s creation, according to a Swiss myth, came about when people threw palm leaves at Jesus’ feet and when some people began shouting “Crucify him”, trees from which the palm trees had been cut grew spikes. Thus the Holly Bush was created.

Misteltoe had strong healing powers, according to Celtic mythology, as well as being able to ward off evil and bring good fortune. Even enemies who met in the forest under Misteltoe would lay down their arms, acknowledge each other in a friendly greeting and agree to keep a truce for the rest of the day. This superstition for peace and goodwill to prevail leading to modern-day tradition in many parts of the world of “kissing under the mistletoe,” usually at Christmastime!

Not surprising, many superstitions centre on the holly tree including that bad luck will come from cutting down a holly tree. A branch should never be cut but snapped off instead. Holly was used for divination throughout Europe, for instance it was believed that sleeping with nine smooth Holly leaves under a pillow would induce prophetic dreams.

According to Norse mythology, the first man was made from an Ash tree. It was believed that a circle of ash leaves would repel snakes while the Irish believed that shadows from the ash tree would damage crops.

The first woman was made from a rowan tree or elm, according to similar myths.  In many parts of Europe the Rowan tree was believed to protect against evil. Pieces of rowan were carried by people to ward of evil spirits and protect them against witchcraft. Crosses would be made from rowan twigs and sewn into the lining of coats, hung in houses or fastened to cattle as a way to protect themselves and animals from evil spells.

So vast was the forests in Europe in ancient times that myths and superstitions can be linked with many individual trees, countless ones of these linking man with other worlds and spiritual realms, magic, enchantment and mystery.

Sources

http://www.chalicecentre.net/celtictreeoflife.htm

http://www.controverscial.com/In%20Worship%20of%20Trees.htm

http://mothermoonsmessage.blogspot.com/2010/12/celtic-tree-lore-elder-myth-folklore.html

Rolleston, T “Celtic Myths and Legends,” Senate (1995)