| "The Aspen is
a tree which shares mythic significance with the White Poplar,but since aspens
areindigenous to much of the U.S., and the poplar is a tree of Western Europe, wewill deal
with theAspen as the tree of the season. In a grove of aspen trees, it is never
silent. The leaves tremble in theslightest breeze, giving thetree the nickname
"Quaking Aspen". It is said that if one is silent in a groveof aspens, one
willhear the whispered voices of Fey Folk.
At the time
of the Autumn Equinox, the Aspen tree's leaves are turning a brilliant gold. Thecolour is
so intense that in the dim greyness of Autumn skies, the light withina grove of aspentrees
is often brighter than that outside. The round gold leaves look likecoins, and legends
ofthose who go home from beneath the Hollow Hills with their pockets filled withfaery gold
always state that in the light of day this gold becomes a handful of round golden leaves.
This goldencolour reminiscent of bright summer sunshine makes this tree the perfect
symbolfor the stationof the Autumn Equinox. Just as the days and nights pause in their
motion for amoment of balance,and light and darkness are equal, so do the turning leaves
of the Aspen,reflecting the Sun'sbrilliance, serve to remind us that at the depth of
darkness, the next stationof the Winter Solstice, we can be assured of the rebirth of
Light.
The Aspen has a
special significance to Witches, as all the aspen trees in asingle grove grow fromone
source...in reality, all we see above the ground shares a root system andis in reality one
tree.This makes the Aspen a perfect natural exemplar of clan or family, as well asthe
traditions ofthe ancestors and the law and courage and faith of the ancient peoples on
whomour knowledge ofCraft is built, and from whom sprung our lore as well as our lives.
The
Celtic Tree Alphabet assigns the letter "Eadha" or "E" to the
aspentree. "Ela", theWhistling Swan, readies her brood for flight from winter's
cold at this time. And the sound of the long "e" is an exhalation of
breath, very like the sound symbolic ofthe dying year" |
