Gorse


 

“I am a blaze on every hill”

 

 

Onn

(UHN), Furze, Gorse

Gorse

The Letter O

The Second Season - Spring Equinox

The Pad on the Palm Beneath the Index Finger

Bird - Cormorant

Metal - Gold

Color - Dun

Animal - Elephant

Spring Equinox

 

Gorse has golden flowers with prickles.  It typifies young Sun at Equinox and at that time is lighted on the hills to burn off old prickles as it causes new flowers to sprout for the sheep to eat.  It also encourages new growth of grass.  Welsh folk lore - furze is good against witches.

On-Niona, was the Goddess worshipped by Gauls in ash groves, a compound name of Onn and Nion (ash) (White Goddess pg.192)

Its prickly, yellow flowers are always seen throughout year, especially at Lammas when the Sun God is magically slain with the corn which is harvested in August.  Ancient peoples recognized it's power . It symbolizes the Summer Sun.  The ancients made wine from the sweet smelling flower.  The local name  is Frey, a Norse God. (Gentle Arts of Aquarian Magic pg 192)

The furze is a sign of the in-gathering of sweet and valuable things.  Now may be the time to sit back and gather yourself and the things around you together in order to come to a new and higher understanding, which is wisdom.  You may be divinely guided if you are open to it.  Your way will be eased in life.  Get yourself together within your own self.  The challenge might possible be the tendency to scatter your focus and concentration because too much attention is given to the activity of gathering information or material.  You must act effectively.

 

Botanical Information

Furze, or gorse, is a thorny shrub growing up to six feet tall.  It grows on the heaths, in the moors and pastures, and upon open woodlands.  It blooms with a bright yellow flower right at the time of the spring equinox.  It is not often cultivated in North America, but is a serious weed in central California and some other areas.  It is a member of the Pea family.