In Celtic mythology the Faery (Aes Sidhe) live in the Hazel (Bile Rath) Tree. By the way, under ancient law cutting down a Hazel Tree was punishable by death and considering how I love Hazel Nuts, I still agree. Even the name of my country of ancestry is derived from the Hazel Tree: Cal dun: Hill of Hazel. Even the Saxons, who weren't the most well balanced of people, had their Shamans use a forked hazel wand to determine the guilt of anyone suspected of murder or theft. Considering the penalties, I think I would rather stick to trial by jury on that one.
The Hazel nut is supposed to contain the knowledge of the arts and sciences. The Hazel is not to be used as an implement of destruction. Neither bow nor arrow or sheild can be made of its wood. It is the tree of arbitration and only the Druid was allowed to carry a wand of it during the arbitration of legal matters.
The symbol for the month of Hazel is the Rainbow Salmon. The Salmon ate the hazel nut that fell in the well and Finn ate the salmon and thus acquired all knowledge. (That's a more modern legend) It's ruling planet is Mugher - Mercury and it is only fitting that the Tree Month of Hazel begin on the very day that Mercury goes Direct this year! It is associated with the Celtic Gods of Ogma and Manannan.
At Beltaine, Boand is honored. It is she who dared to approach the sacred well encircled by nine hazel trees where the "Salmon of Knowledge" lived. Only the Salmon was permitted to eat the Hazel Nuts of Knowledge. Not even the Gods and Goddesses dared to eat the nuts. To drive Boand away, the waters rose in the well and created the Avon (river) Boyne that spread the blessing of water and knowledge of the Salmon throughout the land. (Isn't that a nice flood legend? None of the destruction and special saving stuff. Everyone got something.)
The Hazel also represents poetic knowledge and intuition. The twigs are used for divination and to find water. Meditation under a Hazel Tree brings knowledge to share with others of poetry, divination and change.
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