The King and Queen of the Woods
Whatever your opinion of the ‘seasonal’ weather, nature is marching steadfastly along to the mid-point of the year. Midsummer’s Day, when the daylight hours are at their longest, is probably our most popular of the solstices and equinoxes. Perhaps Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s Night Dream, the growing popularity of Summer Solstice celebrations, or simply our obsession with summer weather means it has retained a special place in our hearts.In Celtic mythology, the woods are ruled by two Kings – the Oak and the Holly - who influence the seasons. The Oak King comes into power at the Winter Solstice and during his reign, the sunlight strengthens, the days lengthen, and a new cycle of leaves, plants and flowers are reborn. Now as we reach the Summer Solstice, the Holly King regains the upper hand and his influence will see the harvest come to fruition, the days shorten and winter return. It’s an endless cycle of growth, decay and regeneration.
It isn’t surprising that such a generous tree provided a range of traditional medicinal treatments. Poultices were made from the leaves to reduce swelling; sooth burns and heal scabs. The tar was used to treat psoriasis and eczema, and its antiseptic properties made it an effective expectorant to treat chronic bronchitis. A tea made from the bark was believed to reduce fever and folklore believed that putting leaves in your mattress would speed up your healing. Even rainwater that had collected in the hollows of old trees was used to treat skin complaints.Beech benefits the woodland it grows in, because its large root system helps circulate air through the soil, and its presence actively improves the growth of other trees and plants growing near it. Every giver should also receive, and in the case of the Beech tree, it is the native truffle fungi that lends a helping hand. This two-way relationship means the tree obtains valuable nutrients from the fungi and in return provides sugars produced through photosynthesis to the truffle. With all this bounty, it is hardly surprising that ancient Beech groves can be found at sites full of spiritual power such as Avebury in Wiltshire and Cerne Abbas in Dorset.Click on the link to watch: A year in the life of a Beech Tree. Why not take some time to come and see the King and the Queen of Fingle Woods? You’ll find stately groves of Beech and coppiced Oaks, as well as lanes surrounded by ancient trees and lone trees along the walks through Cod Wood, Halls Cleave and Houndsmoor Wood.By Jane Halliday You can find out more about the mystical beliefs surrounding Oak and Beech and their medicinal properties from the following publication and websites.G Kindred: The Sacred Tree 2003 ISBN: 978-0-9532227-5-9https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/b/beech-27.htmlhttps://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/o/oakcom01.htmlhttps://drhealthbenefits.com/herbal/leaves/health-benefits-of-oak-leaveshttps://www.druidry.org/library/trees/tree-lore-oakhttp://www.legendarydartmoor.co.uk/oak_moor.htmhttp://naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/f/fagus-sylvatica=beech.phphttps://www.offthegridnews.com/alternative-health/the-natural-healing-power-of-oak-trees-and-acorns/http://www.thegoddesstree.com/trees/Beech.htmhttps://treesforlife.org.uk/forest/mythology-folklore/http://www.witchipedia.com/herb:oakhttps://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-uk-native-trees/english-oak/https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-uk-native-trees/common-beech/
