The equinoxes and solstices are astrological occasions that fall midway between the traditional Irish seasonal or agricultural festivals. The spring equinox, celebrated on the day that the Sun moves into the sign of Aries, falls on the 20th of March this year and finds us halfway through the season of Imbolc. The essence of Beltaine beckons and the promise of summertime grows ever stronger as trees begin to bud, the wild herbs bravely push to the surface of the Earth and the birds sing noisily as they build their nests, anticipating new life.
The sun season of Aries is the beginning of the astrological calendar and the symbol/ glyph of Aries is the ram which I also call the sprout because to me it looks like a seed pushing through the Earth and bravely showing its tender green beginnings. So is spring: a time of fierce courage and trust, of dancing with the volatile (and nurturing!) Elements. Aries is the warrior sign of the astrological chart, the initiator, the energy of moving things forward with determination and discipline.
From Winter Solstice, we have prevailed through the depths of the dark winter when the light is re-born and grows until the tipping point of the Spring Equinox, so named because of the balanced or equal aspects of light and dark, day and night. From here the light continues to strengthen until it is at its brightest and longest on the Summer Solstice. The equinoxes and solstices were especially relevant for the pre-Celtic and Neolithic people on the British Isles, which is theland of my hertitage although indigenous cultures worldwide have and continue to celebrate these astrological movements. In Ireland, ancient stone sacred sites like cairns, dolmens and stone circles on these lands were created during this era and were built in alignment with a solstice or equinox sunset or sunrise.
This year the Spring Equinox falls on March 20th. Generally during this equinox time the days and nights are of equal length. Equal dark and equal light. Mirroring the wisdom of the heaves and the Earth, consider where you can bring more balance in your own life. Consider that we need both dark and light, to be whole. Just like the plants, we need both to grow and thrive.
Some ways to honor and celebrate the Spring Equinox:
• Take a walk in nature and tend to the Earth by picking up rubbish
• Plant seeds (either indoor or out)
• Leave hair from your hairbrush or dryer link as an offering for the birds as they make their nests
• Feed the birds (this can be a really scarce time for them!)
• Notice the growing light. Notice when and where the sun is rising and setting.
• Initiate something, invoking the courage of the warrior/ess.
The trees offer wisdom through the seasons and our Irish ancestors revered them greatly, so much so that the first alphabet in Ireland was connected to the trees. Alder is one of the 13 sacred trees of Ireland and will be producing showy catkins soon! Perhaps you will be inspired to seek an alder out in your neighborhood to connect with and learn from.
ALDER
Alnus glutinosa
Family: Betulaceae (birch family)
Irish name: Fern
Letter in the Irish Ogham alphabet: F
Ogham symbol: three ticks to the right off the horizontal line
Brehon Law Classification: commoner of the wood
Divination Word: Shield and Strength
Kennings for rowan (from Celtic Myth and Religion, cited from older manuscripts): Vanguard of the hunting bands, Protection of the Heart, Milk container
Associations and Culture Context: shields were made from alder wood, as were milk buckets
Suggested Divinatory Meanings: Protection of community or culture, self-protection, nourishment.
About alder:
Alder wood does not decay in water so has had important domestic uses through Ireland including being used as a wood for buckets and bowls. Venice is built in alder logs. In Ireland our ancestors would have used alder for building their lake fortresses called crannogs, which was also a shield for communities as it protected from warring tribes.
When an alder tree is felled, the sap turns blood red when exposed to air. And it is considered an important natural element for dying clothes.
Alder has been used to make shields for warriors to carry in battle and also used by the spiritual warrior to shield their metaphysical journey through the realms. So alder was known also to invoke strength for the battle at hand, within and without.
Alder gives us wisdom at this time of the year to have the strength and courage to initiate a new phase; just as the buds, with their outer shield of protection, are readying to sprout and blossom.
It is a tree that dances with the elements of fire (the red color and the engagement of the warrior) and with water (as it needs to have close access to water where it grows). You will often see alder growing with willow, as both are similar in their need for water.
It was believed that St. Brighid, in the 5th century, blessed an alder tree to ease and remove its warlike properties.
A red haze appearance seems to surround the alder in the early spring due to its reddish brown catkins and the release of ruby colored pollen.
Healing:
Alder leaves and bark (do not take bark from a tree trunk, remove it from a branch) are used to treat diarrhea due to being highly astringent. The tea from alder leaves is used to treat colds and flus.
A decoction (long simmer) of the bark can be used for a mouthwash and as a gargle to heal and tonify the gums.
Fresh leaves, if placed in the socks, are said to relieve tired feet.
Alder leaves have been brought inside and used to collect fleas. There is a sticky resin on the leaves that the fleas are attracted to and then they stick to the resin.
Myth:
The epic Irish warrior Cuhulainn carried a shield of ash into battle and it is believed that the Red Branch, the band of warriors with whom he trained and was a member of, might have been named from the red blood of alder. (Another consideration regarding how the Red Branch got its name may be from the “Celtic cult of the head”, whereas it was a common battle victory of these times and practiced by the Red Branch, to put the bloody head of your dead enemy on a branch, perhaps an alder branch, to proudly display).
