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Linden
Keywords
Attraction, Immortality, Love, Luck, Peace, Prophecy, Protection
Historical
Background and Folklore
The chalice-like shape of the linden tree is one of the reasons
it was associated with the Goddess – the chalice being one
of her ancient symbols – and feminine energies. When in bloom,
linden flowers attract large numbers of bees, which also have an
ancient association with the Goddess. More specifically, with her
aspects of fertility (life giver) and provider. In Greece and Poland,
linden was a symbol of divine power and love.
Linden is associated with St. Walburga. The chapel where she lived
in Bavaria is said to have been linden-tree shaped and surrounded
by lindens. St Walburga became widely known for her posthumous healings
accomplished through the oil that is said to have oozed from her
gravestone. Folk legends about the saint also connected her with
trees: she is said to have flown on a broom (bristles forward).
She is also reputed to have taken tree branches into her rooms and
decorated them with ribbons, creating a forerunner of the Maypole
according to Christian legend. |
In Greek myth, Philyra the mother of the centaur Cheiron, transforms
into a linden tree. In Eastern and Central Europe, linden trees were
an integral part of the culture and usually marked a place of importance
such as a town center, a spring, well or castle. In more recent centuries,
lindens were used as shade trees to line city streets. Berlin’s
street, Unter Den Linden, could refer to walking under the trees or
to an old phrase “under linden” which meant protection.
Germanic people frequently used linden wood for battle shields.
Associations
Element: air
Energy: feminine
Goddesses: Arianrhod, Eostre, Freya, Frigg, Lada, Nehalennia, Philyra,
Venus, Zemyna
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Gods:
Odin, Tyr
Zodiac: Gemini, Sagittarius
Celestial Bodies: Jupiter, Sun
Color: white
Gemstone: tree agate
Rune Character: As/Asa – Letter: A
Dates: March 11 - 20 and September 13 - 22
Miscellaneous: balance energy; neutralize negativity; sabbats: Beltane,
Litha/Summer Solstice, Ostara/Vernal Equinox
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© Llewellyn - Whispers from the Woods
For more information, refer to the full text in Whispers from
the Woods.
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