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Today's oracle card is from The Green Man Tree Oracle by John Matthews and Will Worthington. Uniting tree lore with the ancient Celtic alphabet known as Ogam, this deck draws on "the innate wisdom of the natural world." This is one of two "tree oracles" I own, the other being The Celtic Tree Oracle by Liz and Colin Murray.
Our card today is BIRCH (Betula alba/pendula), associated with the Ogam name Beith and the Roman letter B. Its divination meaning is "Beginnings" and, indeed, it is the first letter of the Ogam alphabet. The Birch is also one of the first trees to flower in the spring. It is linked with the beginnings of the Celtic year and the sacred festival of Samhain (November 1).
One title given to the Birch is "The Lady of the Woods," based on the tree's willowy, fluid form. I have a Birch tree right outside my office window. I love the way it leans and bends in the autumn breeze, its leaves various shades of green and gold. The Birch is said to be ruled by the planet Venus. It was sacred to Norse goddesses Frigga (goddess of married love) and Freya (goddess of fecundity). In Welsh tradition, the Birch is linked with the owl goddess Blodeuwedd, treacherous as well as loving. In Classical Greek lore, the Birch summoned Ariadne.The "Green Man Wisdom" provided for this card is: "A good beginning leads to a good conclusion."
I don't think I've ever seen that deck. That card is stunning. Is there an apple tree in the deck? That's my particular tree. Thanks for adding another deck to my wish list :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL! Of course there is an apple tree card! The Green Man Wisdom for the apple tree is "Vision lights the way ahead."
ReplyDeleteThe set was created specifically for Barnes & Noble Books in 2003. I was drawn to it because of the irresistible Matthews/Worthington combination.