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Since hazel is the tree of wisdom, it is connected with divination, dowsing, dreams and poetic inspirations. It also guards against lightning. A sprig of hazel or a talisman made of two twigs tied with red thread is an excellent good luck charm. When gathering wood, twigs or nuts from the hazel, it is best to do this just after sundown on Samhain when they are at the peak of their strength. Be sure to use a flint, not an iron blade, or you'll offend the spirits of the hazel.
This tree is sacred to the fey folk! There's no better way to encourage faerie blessings on your property than to plant 3 hazels there. Nine hazels grew around the Well of Segais in Ireland, where the sacred salmon dwelled. It was considered the source of every wisdom. Hazelnuts are also good for making wishes. Send your wish, along with a kiss, on a hazel nut cast into a flowing stream. Carry one with you as a charm for knowledge or fertility. The weather can be predicted by examining the shells of hazelnuts. If thin, winter will be mild. If thick, expect a long and stormy winter On Samhain, hang a cluster of hazelnuts by the fireplace or chimney to keep your home safe from fires all winter. Samhain is known of old as "nutcrack night". There are many different customs involving hazel nuts as methods of divination by fire. One way is to set two groups of hazel nuts on the hearth, one group marked for each man, the other for each woman. When they heat up, if two pop at the same time it means the couple are destined for romance or even marriage. The English poet John Gay wrote in reference to this practice, Two hazel nuts I threw into the flame, And to each nut I gave a sweetheart's name: This with the loudest bounce me sore amaz'd, That in a flame of brightest colour blaz'd; As blaz'd the nut, so may thy passion grow, For 'twas thy Nut that did so brightly glow! Girls were told to place hazel nuts along the front of the firegrate, each one to symbolize one of her suiters. She could then divine her future husband by chanting, 'If you love me, pop and fly; if you hate me, burn and die.' Another method is to leave a hazelnut for each person on the hearth overnight. If your hazelnut is gone, it means you won't survive the year. |
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~ Table of Contents ~
Feverfew
Lavender Ladybugs Thyme Bay Laurel Mint Answers to Spring Equinox Quix Dandelion for Spring Tonic Fiddleheads Nettles for Spring Daffodil Quiz Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: THE SACRED OAK Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: VERVAIN Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: MARIGOLDS AND MAIDENS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08: THE CHARM OF IVY Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: GREEN WHEAT EARS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: FLAX BLOSSOMS Beltaine Treasure Hunt '08 - GARLIC Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: EGLANTINE Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Magical Fern Seeds Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: BOX SPRIGS Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: APPLE Holly Crocus Brighid's Imbolc Garden Beltaine '08 Treasure Hunt: Hawthorn Cure for Fairy Stroke Cure for ElfShot Cure for Flea Infestation Cure for Giggling Fits Hemorrhoid Remedy Flatulence Itching Love Spell Cure Warts & Carbuncles |
