Rowan

Luis (LWEESH)

Luis

The Letter

Rowan Tree

The Tree - Rowan, Quicken, or Quick Beam

Third Consonant

Hand

Place on the hand - Tip of Index finger

Color - Liath - Gray

Stones

Yellow Chrysolite

Yellow Chrysolite

Topaz

Yellow Topaz

Ducks

Bird - Lachu - Duck

Goddesses - Sequana, Brighid, Boann

Symbols – The Three Phases of Goddess

White blossoms - Virgin (the Maiden
Red berries - Menstruating Woman (the Mother)
Black bark - The Old, Wise Woman (the Crone)

Planet - Vesta

Musical Note - d

Message - Vision ~ Magic

Word oghams ~ flame, herb, delight of eye, sustenance of cattle

Flower Essence - Clematis, Elm

Rowan is also called mountain ash and quicken.  It is a small delicate Goddess tree found in mountainous areas as well as gardens.  Like elder, it is a witch tree and is often planted as a guardian, showing its moon symbolism with creamy white flowers in spring and brilliant red berries in fall.  A traditional way of protecting a house or barn was to cut two twigs from a rowan tree you had never seen before, tie them into a cross with red wool and weave it into a diamond shape between the four arms. Rowan wands are used not only in magic but to drive horses and cattle and ward off evil influences.  In the autumn, this elegant tree looks most colorful with red and gold leaves.  The ancient people called it Luis.

Also called "Delight of the Eye".  Rowan is related to the powers of the sun and its element is fire.  Its powers are a healing, psychic power, associated with success.  Its color is red and its bird, the duck, known to sustain and extend life.

Because the Rowan gives special insight, it can be seen as a tree of protection against enchantments.  It provides forewarnings for things of which we may not be aware.  Luis tells us to look within and seek the insight necessary to overcome our problems.  It lets us know that the inner vitality necessary to us is available.  Luis describes a vast sea of flooding vitality waiting to be tapped.  Know that there may be some “flooding, but this state will only be temporary.  Your challenge is to avoid being overly influenced by those forces outside yourself. 

Oh Rowan tree
Oh Rowan tree thou'lt aye be dear to me
entwined thou art wi' mony ties O' hame and infancy
Thy leaves were aye the first of spring,
thy flowers the simmer's pride
there was na sic a bonnie tree in a' the country side.

Oh Rowan Tree
How fair wert thou in simmer time, wi'a'thy clusters white;
How rich and gay they autumn dress, wi' berries red and bright!
On thy fair stem were mony names which now nae mair I see,
But they're engraven on my heart, forgot they ne'er can be.

Oh Rowan Tree
We sat aneath they spreadin' shade, the bairnes round thee ran,
They pu'd they bonnie berries red, and necklaces they strang;
My mither, oh ! I see her still, she smil'd our sports to see,
Wi' little Jeannie on her lap, and Jamie on her knee.

Oh Rowan Tree
Oh! there arose my father's pray'z, in holy ev'ning calm,
How sweet was then my mother's voice, in the Martyrs' psalm!
Now a'are gane! we meet nae mair aneath the rowan tree,
But hallow'd thoughts around thee twine o' hame and infancy.
Oh Rowan Tree

Botanical Information

The red berries of the Rowan, or Mountain Ash were historically used to lure birds into traps.  Birds are also responsible for dispersing the seeds.  Rowans live well in poor soil and colonize easily in disturbed areas.  In some parts of Europe they are very common around ancient settlements, possibly through cultivation.  The bloom in May and can grow up to 50 feet tall.  They are members of the Rose family.  They do grow in North America, mostly in the northeast.

I AM A LAKE ON THE PLAIN

All on a plain there stands a lake,
A magic mirror doth it make;
And gathered on a wintry night,
Ye may behold a wondrous sight.
For in that lake reflected are the Lady Moon and Morning Star;
Across the sky they journey on, And to her son she sings this song.

Cradled in my loving arm,
Your dream unmarred by fear of harm,
Swift be your ride in the heavenly Boat,
As on the Milky Way we float.

Where turns the Crown of the Northern Wind
A silver island shall you find
And on that isle a castle white
Wherein is peace and calm delight.

Inside that castle’s silver wall
There stands a dark majestic hall,
And in that hall a Lady fair,
The end of all desire is there.

So slumber deep thou Heavenly Twin,
And so thy journey soon begin;
For they who in Lobe’s flames will die,
Shall rise again, I promise thee.

On the earth, in the air, Through the fire, by the water,
I am BREADTH, the Rowan moon’s daughter

© Chris Carol 1979