Rowan

Rowan fair, Rowan sweet
Such earthly power though does beseech
Your wondrous berries, red as blood
Are fit to meet the mouths of Gods
Witch Tree, Quick Beam, Tree of Life
You bring beauty to the deep twilight
Of Summers shortening Autumn days
When all other colour fades away
You stand adorned in your bouquet
Of amber leaf and red berry

Sweet lady fair of woodland lore
What power doth thy branches store
Giver of life, protector of truth
Destructor of all that is cruel or uncouth
Witch Tree, Quick Beam, Tree of Life
Bring the answers I seek in the deep twilight
Tell me secrets of time yet to unfold
Bring me stories of the warriors brave and bold
That fought to defend your sacred ways
In past times of lore and mystery

Witch Tree, Quick Beam Tree of Life
Beautiful and fair in the deep twilight

©Karen Bell 2002

The Rowan in Folklore

Believed to be one of the most potently magical trees.
The Rowan Tree features strongly in Scottish folklore. It is said to give protection from evil, hence the reason you will often see it growing outside cottages and farmsteads in the highlands. It is also often seen growing next to Cairns and Stone Circles
It is said to cure barren-ness if one makes love underneath a Rowan tree and a hoop of rowan wood would have been used to give protection and fertility to livestock by having them jump through one at Beltane (1st May)
In days gone by two crossed rowan branches, tied with red thread would have been placed above a baby’s crib to give protection to the child, this would also be placed above the entrance to barns and homes to give protection to the inhabitants.
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