Oak
Oak
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Imbalances:
Struggling on regardless, taking on too much, despair whilst never giving up, inflexibility or overly demanding on self.
Balancing Influences from the Tree: inner strength, accepting of one's limits, endurance, wisdom and truth.
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Message: Have strength in your vision. There is always times of instability but have the courage to push forward.
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Qualities & Traits of the Oak Essence – ‘The Stabilizer’:
- a special gift of strength.
- people who are protective of people.
- the crusader and the spokesperson for the underdog.
- Nurturing, generous and helpful, a gentle giant.
- easy confidence and naturally assume everything will work out to a positive outcome.
- deep respect for history and ancestry, and many people with this sign become teachers.
- love to impart knowledge of the past to others.
- need for structure, and will often go to great lengths to gain the feeling of control in their lives.
- Healthy Oak signs live long, full, happy lives and enjoy large family settings and are likely to be involved with large social/community networks.
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Earth Months – Tree – Moon Cycle connection: (Birth Tree Dates):
June 10 - July 7
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From www.oghamtrees.com:
'The Oak's status was (and still is) undeniable. Further merit to its regal presence is its tendency to attract lightning. This was considered hugely powerful among the ancients and is associated with one of their foremost gods, Dagda.
Its attraction for lightning, its size and longevity (oaks are known to easily surpass 200 years of age) all make the oak a powerful, life-affirming symbol.
The oak is a living legend representing all that is true, wholesome, stable, and noble. When you are in need of stability and strength in your life - envision the oak in your minds eye. Picture yourself drawing into its endless energy waves. Soon, you will find yourself sharing in its power.
There is a reason the oak is considered the king of green realm. The oak is generous with its gifts - just as any good ruler shares its bounty amongst the kingdom.'
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Reed
Imbalances:
- Pessimism, despair, unable to adapt to change, disheartened ​​
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Imbalancing Influences from the Tree:
- optimism, harmony, unfolding of one's own greatness, communication and help cleaning up self.
Message:
- To restore Harmony in your Life, a cleansing or clearing of your physical, mental or emotional level is needed.
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Qualities & Traits of the Reed Essence: ‘ The Inquisitor’
- the secret keepers.
- dig deep inside to the real meaning of things and discover the truth hidden beneath layers of distraction.
- When there is a need to get to the heart of the matter, most certainly the Reed sign will find the core.
- love a good story, and can be easily drawn in by gossip, scandals, legend and lore.
- These tendencies also make an excellent historian, journalist, detective or archaeologist.
- love people because they represent a diversity of meanings for you to interpret.
- adept at coaxing people to talking to you, and sometimes can be a bit manipulative.
- However, strong sense of truth and honour so most of the scheming is harmless.
- Reed people join well with other Reeds, Ash or Oak signs.
Earth Months – Tree – Moon Cycle connection:
- 12th moon of the year in Oct-Nov
- a birth tree for those born between October 28 - November 24
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Symbolic Celtic Meaning of the Reed:
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Purpose
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Protection
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Purification
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Clarification
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Communication
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Insight from Ian Claxton, founder of the Ogham Tree Essences www.oghamtrees.com, the Elm Tree Clinic, Oranmore:
'All things of the natural world were honored by the Celts, and all things represented the connection with life. In this way, the reed was highly revered for its usefulness in the day-to-day practices of the Celts.
The reed was used for many purposes by the Celts. Specifically, they would weave reeds together to make thatched roofs on their homes - some of which (when properly constructed) last up to a decade or more. This is where the reed obtains its symbolism of protection. It is also a natural insulator, and the Celts honored it highly during cold, wet months.
Reed gives off a faint sweet smell when macerated, and so the Celts were known to lay out pressed reeds as flooring in their homes to deodorize. This was also a practice for cleansing and purifying homes.
Reeds also made good candles, and were viewed as beacons of light during the dark nights. This is another facet of the reed's purposefulness in the life of the Celts.
The reed gets its symbolism of communication from several sources. In the hands of a good craftsman (and there were many among the ancient Celts), a reed would make a fine whistle, flute or recorder. These were highly prized amongst the people, particularly bards. Through these flutes and music the spiritually-minded Celts would communicate fantastic worlds of vision, heroism, and beauty.
Secondly, if you are still enough, you can hear them sing a song when the wind blows through a field of reeds. If you've ever had the pleasure of hearing it, you know it is an eerie experience. The Celts viewed this as an otherworld voice, and considered it a message of powerful importance.
Take the time to incorporate these symbolic meanings of the reed in your life. Gather some up and bring them into the house to open up the energy and clear the air. Or, try fashioning a flute from a reed and take it to your next drum circle to play! Your Celtic ancestors will get such a kick out of that!'
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