Tree Spirits and the Supernatural Nature of Trees

Superstitions were attached to these trees, in particular the 'lone' trees that provided a bridge between the spirit and mortal worlds. Great harm could befall anyone who meddled with them and their leaves were considered beneficial for many illnesses and common medical complaints. No doubt there were beneficial effects from the leaves of certain trees and the druids, in their capacity as healers, probably often used them to good effect, giving them their Celtic nickname 'Dairaoi' (dwellers in the oaks).

Magical properties attached themselves to the quicken-tree - also known as quickbeam, rowan or mountain-ash - that supposedly had the power to banish all evil spirits, including phantoms of the dead and witches. It was later mentioned by some local, rural churches as an infallible protection against the 'fairy kind and minor devils'. And it was no coincidence that the great Celtic sage Merlin reputedly transformed himself into an oak-tree when nearing the end of his days and while mourning the loss of his consort Vivian (or Morgan Le Fay, depending on the variation of the tale). The oak later became the symbol of the island of Britain itself.

Even today in parts of the Celtic world, most notably in Ireland, Scotland and England, trees are regarded with a mixture of awe and superstition. And there are people today who will refused to cut down or tamper with a lone tree for fear of angering 'the fairies' or 'the old gods'. It seems modern belief still has roots in tree superstition.

The above text was excerpted from An Encyclopaedia of Celtic Mythology by Bob Curran. Click here for more information. This title is available from amazon.com

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