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Spruce

Keywords
Enlightenment, Grounding, Healing, Hope, Intuition, Protection, Well-being, Versatility

Historical Background and Folklore
The symmetrically shaped spruce has made it the quintessential Christmas tree in Europe and the United States. During the era of sailing ships, black spruce was favored for masts. Violinmakers such as Stradivari, Amati and Bergonzi valued spruce wood for its excellent resonance. In Bavaria, Germany, only spruce and birch were used for Maypoles.

Spruce appears in legends from Europe and North America. An ancient Greek story tells of Elate who was transformed into a spruce tree when she could not stop mourning the loss of her brothers. In a Cherokee creation myth, spruce is among the trees that passed an endurance test and was given the power to remain green all year.

Black spruce was so named because from a distance the bark has a charred look. The Blue Mountains in Virginia were named from the bluish haze created by refracted light caused by naturally occurring spruce resin droplets in the air.

Associations
Elements: earth, water
Energy: feminine
Goddesses: Cerridwen, Cybele, Danu, Elate, Zemyna
Gods: Attis, Poseidon

Other Beings/Characters: archangel Gadreal, woodland spirits
Zodiac: Cancer, Capricorn
Color: green
Rune Character: Dag/Dagaz – Letter: D
Miscellaneous: dreamwork; north; sixth chakra; sabbat: Imbolg

© Llewellyn - Whispers from the Woods


For more information, refer to the full text in Whispers from the Woods.


More About Trees

Our Relationship with Trees

Tuning into the Energy of Trees

A Seasonal Tree Meditation

Woods Oracle - Wisdom from the Trees

Ogham – A History

Ogham – Introduction to the Alphabet

A Calendar of Trees and Seasonal Rituals

The Trees

      
Alder Elm Juniper Pine
Apple Fir Laurel Reed
Ash Gooseberry Linden Rowen
Aspen Gorse Locust Spindle Tree
Bamboo Hackberry Magnolia Spruce
Beech Hawthorn Maple Sycamore
Birch Hazel Mesquite Vine
Blackthorn Hearther Mimosa Walnut
Cedar Hickory Mistletoe Willow
Cherry Holly Myrtle Witch Hazel
Chestnut Honeysuckle Oak Yew
Cypress Hornbeam Olive  
Elder Ivy Palm  
       
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