Isaac’s Ash Tree

Symbols and a bit of whimsy for the Celtic month of Nion. . .

Thanks to Pat S. whose descriptions of the tree alphabet and gift of The Celtic Lunar Zodiac provided a wealth of inspiration for Isaac’s Ash Tree. The Celtic tree sign for the last month of winter (February 18 to March 17) is the ash, symbolic of the power of the sea.

Visible through the branches are sea swallows, prophetic birds of the wind and water.

Wood anemones (wind flowers) herald the approach of spring. A Great Amberjack with crown, trident and coral necklace, represents Lir, the sea-god.

Seahorses, creatures of confidence and grace (and, in this depiction, relatives of the Wonder Horse), lead the way on a journey of discovery.

In Britain and Ireland the sacred ash tree is one of the primary homes of fairies and tree spirits. Common belief is that misfortune will befall anyone who destroys this tree. Locally ash trees are in jeopardy due to the arrival of emerald ash borers. May some magical misfortune befall these insects before the ash trees completely disappear from our landscape!