Celtic Tree Mythology Staffs- The Story of 3 Trees depicted on Walking Sticks. Survival Uses, Ogham

[@calgacusmaeatae3964]

Congratulations on the land! The staffs are gorgeous. I always wondered how Scotland and Ireland looked like when it was forested. Thanks for keeping our culture and heritage alive.

[@revmo37]

Perfectly said. everything I wanted to say, but much shorter and better. Kinda like The Gettysburg Address. Ha. Take care, these videos are indeed great

[@selfinihalation]

I find this very interesting. In the Basque country, there is a long tradition of decorative staff making, called a Makhila. If you think about it, this must draw from a common cultural inheritance, like when men would craft spears for hunting.

[@selfinihalation]

Interesting indeed. In the Basque country there is a long tradition of decorative staff making. Called a Makhila in the Basque language... This tradition must date back to when our hunter-gatherer ancestors first migrated North from Iberia after the Ice Age.

[@mikemullenweg5159]

I got the Ash Staff and it is an absolute work of art. Thanks, Tom and good luck with the land.

[@awolf.8557]

Thanks I'm thinking of getting one.

[@Jack-wi5qr]

I’ve taken up carving staffs with a dremel tool as a hobby. Not very good yet, but videos like this give me inspiration to keep trying.

[@SirWombat]

So glad you’ve got a forest, nature resets from modern life are great for the soul.

[@abramrexjoaquin7513]

Languages effect the natives speakers in such a way that it molds their perspective of the world. Like the Australian Aboriginal people and their language of insistent Direction. Or the Amazonian Amondawa tribe that has no term for Time Or the difference between German and Spanish Feminine and masculine terminologies. The Celtic and their Language is rooted to the forest, they recognise how trees grows from seed to top and can recognise what type of tree or wood a forrest has in one look. Or what type of plant grows in conditions where they are located. Like the Aboriginals that goes to a walk-about for a long time that it might not see a landmark for quite some time, cardinal directions are extremely important. And the timeless amazon which has recurring weekly cycles to the point of consistency. The Highland's main distinction is that their topography is extremely recognizable and the true danger lies in the forest and everything that resides in it, including them. Mythology and Terminologies are created out of necessity and so does language. Just a food for thought.

[@TM-yq4wk]

This theory was quite popular i n linguistics and psychology but it is somewhat outdated by now. The momentary view is, that the social constructs we learn at a really young age are way more important for our perception. Even though some things seem as they have to be learnt at a very young age. Things like the aboriginal directionsystem and the Concept of specific counting. The Piraha of the Amazone Region have no numbers in their language as we know them. They divide into the categorys of One, Two, Some, Many, More and Less. (Even though Im not quite sure about the exact meaning.) And it seems to be very very Hard or eaven impossible for adult Piraha People to learn to count things.

[@tuerkefechi]

Great video, mate. I might correct one thing: The God Odin/Wodan had the spear Gungnir made from ash tree, not Thor/Donar. And you might be happy to hear, that the Wolf is back since several years in the Forests of Germany. Maybe he comes back to Scotland one day too.

[@rohraspy1590]

Congrats on the land! Bout time Ogham was as popular around the north sea coast as futhark runes are! Alot of myths about certain land usages as being traditional when really they came about as a by product of industrialisation in the 1800's glad to see some of that in the light!

[@padd6007]

We must protect the land at all costs! ❤

[@waldfuzz8188]

A very nice video. :) Here in Germany the Ash also suffers from the fungus, to a point where extinction must be feared. In our germanic mythology the Ash was one of the trees the gods used to create man. Its suffering represents the terrible state humanity is in.

[@coryfairbairn5311]

You can also collect the sap from birch trees and boil it down to make syrup similar to a maple tree. You need about 100 gallons of birch sap to make 1 gallon of syrup . With sugar maple trees you only need about 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of maple syrup.

[@calummcneil6006]

I always carry a Birch staff a big rugged. Nothing fancy, but It's practical. I also harvest the Birch sap and drink it. Good video thanks and very informative.

[@lklingin5329]

I’ve always loved your videos Tom and often refer to your expertise on many subjects. As a wildlife professional I hope to be able to return that favor and offer my expertise. You brought up the wolf reintroduction, and you’re right, it’s a very controversial subject. A lot of people want to use the Yellowstone reintroduction as a general example to promote the idea. The reality is the Yellowstone reintroduction is very unique and does not apply to many other areas. That is not saying I am anti-wolf reintroduction. I’m actually very supportive of reintroducing wolves in areas where they can realistically exist. That being said, the science has proven that in order to have wolves on the landscape they must also be managed through hunting and trapping like other game species. They should not be reintroduced with full protections as they will adversely affect local cervid populations and create conflicts with local inhabitants 👍

[@corradobenin117]

In Italia abbiamo da sempre lupi, orsi e linci, negli ultimi anni i branchi di lupi hanno esteso molto il loro areale, e anche gli gli orsi sono aumentati, le linci rimangono rarissime. È davvero molto difficile convivere con i grandi predatori e l'incidente è sempre dietro l'angolo. Si accetta più facilmente il pericolo di un incidente automobilistico che uno dovuto all'incontro con un predatore anche se incomparabilmente più raro. Comunque io sono contento di vivere in un paese dove è ancora possibile incontrare questi animali. Sono in Scozia, secondo me il lupo ci potrebbe stare a patto di rinunciare agli animali domestici allo stato brado o almeno di sorvegliarli attentamente con uomini e cani, ho visto mandrie e capi isolati di bestiame incustoditi, nelle nostre montagne non passerebbero la stagione.

[@warrenthomas1253]

I couldn't agree more with your comment. But nowadays they always want to swing the pendulum back to far in the extreme opposite direction. And if they are protected and left to roam on their own, in a couple of decades they would wipe out all the wildlife because don't forget the wildlife has probably forgotten how to live with the wolves and will get picked off one by one with no way to defend themselves. Which will in essence lead to the wolves own demise and then explain how the ecosystem is doing on. But this is how we correct our mistakes. But also the reason why maybe it's time we realized everytime we have a bright idea and then act it out we end up destroying everything else around the the idea. Over correct to protect which leads to blowing up like a nuke. Humans will always explain how they are the smartest predator on Earth. Hahaha

[@BelegaerTheGreat]

*Omg you actually bought a forest! This is literally my dream!*

[@kevinheppner342]

I'm really glad I found your channel! You have a presence about you that can't be faked.

[@hollish196]

I deeply enjoy your knowledge about all things Scottish.

[@gnomegains]

Mythology is entirely made up of symbolic truths, not just absurd stories. :) The fact that there are 9 trees around an enchanted pool is interesting - and it's quite the hint, too.

[@WhiteDragon689]

Thank You for your devotion to the land. It is always a pleasure to see a young man with such devotion. Ni tir gan teanga

[@jimstewart5739]

Excellent! Good luck & prosperity with your new land, and thanks for sharing...

[@dudeman5812]

So much knowledge. So much passion. Deserves a like

[@darrylviljoen6227]

Will be getting ogham on my tattoos. I'll definitely be entering the the competition.

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

I’m so impressed with everything you’re doing on this channel. Thanks!

[@niallkinsella2687]

Fantastic stories in this video. That master druid you were talking about was named Finegas.

[@padd6007]

Dozi man yer a real HISTORIAN and all round true scot! I love learning about Scotland but I feel we are never taught it in schools etc. This has been one of my top favourite channels simply because you keep delivering brilliant lessons on our ancestors. Of course a lot of our ancient history is mysterious but you at least recreate and explore scottish history to gather a better perspective. It explains why is us Scots are so interested in certain things or have a certain personality. These videos make me feel more proud to be scottish. I wish there were more educational programmes that did what you do. This is an all out experience us caledons (scots) need in our current lives... before the forests are gone and the lands are barron in nothing but tech and estates.

[@daveshort5281]

Congratulations on your land purchase. I too am land owner here in Canada. 11 acres of forest and meadow. Fascinating stories of the origins of the language, the people and the land. I love scotland and the people as my ancestors originate from Skye. Keep up the fascinating work you do. Slainte

[@steveqhanson6835]

Great background on the staffs. Good luck with your land. Very worthwhile project

[@haydonmadison9745]

Tom this is a wonderful cause and I was happy to contribute, those are some very beautiful staffs you have made. I am not from the UK but I grew up in the forests of North America and in that way I believe have created a bond with my Celtic and especially Scottish past as it is as my most of my ancestors hailed from there, keep up the great work I love your videos and I hope to visit Scotland this summer!

[@epicherbalism]

Great video! So much info & man you are living the dream, congrats 💚

[@raenfox]

Love birches. When I was younger, there were several large weeping birch trees on our neighbor's land, close to the houses. I loved the sound they made in the wind. Sadly they cut them down several years ago. Also love how they stick out from all the other trees with their white bark. It's the one tree that everyone immediately recognizes. The inner bark is actually edible, by the way. So even more survival uses.

[@troyjenkins3886]

I kmow what ypu mean.I have seen big old trees taken down and for no good reason.I mean if they are dead or something, but it seems people just get a kick out of destroying things.Trees give so much and our always under attack from natural causes,predator vines,and destructive people.A sad thing.

[@martybartfast1]

Fantastic all round. Thank you for your continued wisdom and sharing. m

[@nightwolf1592]

Bloody hell, I nearly missed this video. Saved it and forgot 🤦‍♂️ All my favourite subjects too, woodland, mythology, tree lore and staffs 😃 So you own woodland, I am so jealous ( and happy for you)

[@lloydbulman5517]

Awesome staffs! Awesome video! Thanks for sharing!

[@craigmooring2091]

Sh's a lovely lass and talented. That video was both fun and informative. I heartily congratulate you on the acquisition of the land and your dedication to restoration of the land. TA Bushcraft has recently begun a similar project in the Sassenach realm. It only just struck me (although I have known for some time that wolves have long been extinct in Great Britain) that Sir Ewan Cameron's feat puts the lie to the underlying premise of "An American Werewolf in London".

[@xdashdave]

Amazin stuff Tom! The land looks awesome and great to see plans coming together :D

[@spijkerpoes]

Ogh man I'didn't know about this project - absolutely fandabitastic! Seems like you got most of the knowledge and skills to get going and work your and improve your woodland. But just in case you have questions about practical stuff, I offer to help out with my 30 odd years experience of foresting, tree technician and nature preservation. Just in case 😁 About the wolf - yesh a keystone species. It didn't need reintroduction here in holland: after the USSR collapsed and the wall came down, wolves started to be able to go westward. Now they have arrived, and we have quite a few here roaming about. We find scat and tracks and leftovers and such close to where I live! Not everybody is as stoked as I am, though. Same with the beaver - which did need active reintroduction, and also is now so successful, people are complaining and friction arises.. Anyway, hope to see updates on this project soon, all the best!!

[@klemtemlock4221]

I love your state of mind, your sense of history & your integrity of kit. You sir are an inspiration thank you for sharing your adventures you make an old warrior smile !!

[@wesvonbiltong5550]

Dude I love your storytelling and appreciate your knowledge.

[@revmo37]

Hi Tom. I'm a sub/notifications since I caught your last video, my first time seeing your channel. I'm American from Pittsburgh, but spent time in Ireland, , England, and Wales for my 50th, 9 years ago. Gotta say little brother, your channel, and especially this video is truly amazing. Your video was articulate, very informative, and, of course entertaining. Thanks for showing us those beautiful staffs and their uses. Love the training you've done with it. As a younger man, I was quite good with nunchucks. Similar in many ways. I won't blather on, but man, congratulations on your land. What a fabulous thing to gift yourself Tom. As well as this fantastic video today !

[@journeyman7189]

Very cool staffs and beautifully done with excellent meaning behind the markings. Big congratulations on the land. Nate

[@Medisinz]

These look great! Can't wait to see who manages to win them!

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Ful of interesting facts and illustrative photography. And the art-work! Thank you.

[@FireStar-gz2ry]

Some of the old timers in the u.s used to plant two seeds for every tree they cut down. Wishing you the best in your adventures

[@garybrindle6715]

Thank you Tom, I learnt from the writings of Clan Dalriada much of what you explained here. Glad you are spreading the learning. I have some fascinating theories to publish later regarding origins of the early settlers in the North.

[@rainroamingtree1215]

Great video about the history of trees, thank you.

[@repeat_defender]

How’s the woodland going nearly a year on? That’s so incredibly exciting to have your own piece of land, and in the stunning Scottish highlands no less! Much respect, man, you’re doing it right.

[@whaletom]

What an awesome project and wonderful informative, entertaining and well made video! Thank you Tom. And great staffs! I ll buy some tickets just because i believe in reforestation and like how you aim to manage the land. Best of luck

[@alfiewhippet.]

Fantastic, literally everything, fantastic.

[@hudsonhornet6558]

There’s always something special about story telling mythology etc always something special about it I feel In all cultures

[@paulseoighemcgee5772]

Sceal mhaith , a chara ! Great stories , my friend , thanks !

[@selfinihalation]

Ja! Ich stimme zu

[@blister4walken]

Good job on securing the land. Happy to donate to the project, if i am lucky to win a staff then that's a bonus.

[@peterott9162]

That's ssssoooo awesome!!!! I'm very happy for you in being able to obtain your land, Tom!!! The staffs are absolutely beautiful!!! Please keep up the great content!!!!!

[@Hjaltland2]

I think you've had a taste of the Salmon too ! Great video that I enjoyed immensely, All da best

[@Sionnach1601]

Lovely video again. Such beautiful production and presentation, beautifully rich in scenery, culture, folklore and mystery. Go raibh míle 👍

[@Danielswissmountainman.69]

Hello friend from Scotland...hi from Fribourg Switzerland 👍

[@SpiritofWildWings]

I loved all this historic information you shared in this video, and all the ones which came before. I had to share a link to it on my FaceBook page.

[@electrominded8372]

Beautiful and talented woman! ♀️❤️

[@dannyl2598]

That's pretty cool. Thanks for all of the enthusiasm that you put in to it.

[@jamesmickan6197]

Bloody awesome thing to do mate, am so looking forward to the trees new and old.

[@HaileISela]

with those three, one can grow a beautiful treyeangle... lovely stuff

[@robbylava]

Absolutely wonderful video topic. Every time I think I know everything there is to know about Celtic mythology, I am consistently humbled by some new incredible detail: I would never have guessed that Ogham letters were based off of trees

[@EdinSaonensis1]

Tom, ye Cannae dae these things when I am at work. Now I have to fake an heart attack.

[@paulotoole4950]

Any idea how Rowan compares to Ash? Any plans to do a series of all the trees/plants mentioned in Ogham?

[@matthewclark4155]

If you're referring in context to Ogham, Rowan is used as a wood for protection, both physically and psychically. Many shields were made from Rowan. Ash, I'll have to look up, as it's been awhile since I studied.

[@paulotoole4950]

@@matthewclark4155 Which would tend to mean that it is as strong as Ash and it grows like it. Maybe it heavier.

[@mummybunny331]

I love your channel...I already lived out of doors 4 two winters ..although I've never put my experiences & knowledge on2 my children..consequently they've been finding their own way ..& Now I've just shared your channel wiv my youngest , he came home 4 an axe, 'cos he's lovin the outdoors xx

[@Steve-ls3yy]

So glad you created this channel of knowledge and inspiration. I've long to go to the Highlands since it resemble much of my homeland of Kentucky in part because of the existence of 5 "old growth forrest" here. I've been to 3 and the experience is almost spirtual.

[@scubadudefrommaine]

Land! Exciting, love your idea of tending to some trees.

[@miked4152]

Great video Tom. Keep up the awesome work. Beautiful walking sticks as well.

[@ardri31]

Awesome stuff, glad I found your channel, I have some ogham tattoos on my own limbs to connect with the ansestors, about time it's getting more recognition. Ádh mór ort. 💪

[@chinesischesser]

I wish you all the best for your reforestation project. Maybe check out the miawaki method to plant trees. A Japanese guy came up with a certain technique to accelerate tree growth. You basically plant 3-5 trees per square meter of different species and type (shrub, mid-size and canopy layer) and mulch heavily.

[@danielnorman1232]

Awesome video, I love the story and myth telling around the fire. Would love to see more content like it. Just bought a ticket as I love supporting your channel and love the designs!

[@lilykatmoon4508]

Wonderful video! How exciting for you to have purchased that land! I wish you well in your endeavors there!

[@CatrionaRuadh]

Birch always puts me in mind of northern Ontario, here in Canada, where my family used to camp each summer, by one of thousands of lakes. "Land of the Silver Birch." Birch smells sweet when burned, and many First Nations peoples historically made canoes of birch bark. The Scottish Gaels who came here, to Cape Breton, mostly as a result of the Clearances, called Canada "Tir Nan Craobh," the land of trees. For these people, the dense forests were seen as a great hardship to be overcome, as they had to clear the land in order to farm.

[@dannyl2598]

Thank Keva for me too. Nice job Keva!

[@cherylbootsveld1620]

Best Wishes for your woodland, you have admirable spirit. I trust you will do well 🇨🇦🥰

[@ahamoments132]

This is a wonderful video, thank you. I'm in subtropical australia and am working on my own local Tree Ogham family plus a few medicinal and beloved northern hemisphere species that are willing to bless this space with their presence.. You have covered so much background, cultural detail and shown us the beautiful staffs that you've made.. I'm so grateful that someone linked to this and I found your channel.. Think you so much, and It's so good to hear of your forest purchase and know that it is under wonderful custodianship.. We have a subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest and woodland ecotone overlap here, so we are propagating many species to keep them safe, too. 🙏🌳🐝🌻

[@gunarsmiezis9321]

I never understood how aš and uosis could be the same but putting ušin in the middle it suddenly makes perfect sense.

[@johnc2988]

For the language of trees and their story through many different cultures read The White Goddess by Robert Graves. It is about the movement of poetry (the white goddess) but it deals quite extensively about the language of trees and the battles of trees. Here Graves links specific trees to specific groups.

[@rescue00751]

Cool beard. Looks very adventurous. I love your vids. Keep on.

[@IodoDwarvenRanger]

The land is so awesome :) I can't wait to see more video's from it, congratulations, and those staffs are beautiful

[@Bald_Monkey]

Amazing detailed videos! Crazy to think that the last wolf in scotland was shot 4 centuries ago..

[@matthewvelo]

I love the work you're doing Tom. Best of luck with the woodland, and slange var!

[@glenmcewan4840]

Stunning woodland , nice job.

[@zalibecquerel3463]

I love the story of hazelnuts and salmon being the source of wisdom. Omega-3s before their time! Today I also learned why a "Quarterstaff" is named so. It's because you split the log into quarters! I looked it up on wikipedia to make sure! Greetings from Australia where we're looking forward to a scorching hot summer. Surprisingly... I learned a little about Scottish trees by reading "Skagboys", the prequel to Trainspotting. Alison has a cushy job working in Edinburgh on something called "Dutch elm disease".

[@DesertWolfSurvival]

Beautiful

[@arthurhenderson3853]

Keep up the good work on the land good luck and a think it will be great for the wildlife to reintroduce the wolf into the ecosystem

[@corradobenin117]

All'inizio si, poi i branchi cresceranno e sarà molto difficile conviverci e te lo dice uno che ama i grandi predatori e non rinuncerebbe mai a loro, ma bisogna essere onesti è davvero difficile convivere con loro quando abiti in montagna.

[@_Tree_of_Life_]

Absolutely loved this video, so interesting on so many levels. I loved your take on norse myths. Absolutely fascinating, I'm definitely going to learn more about the tree alphabet! Keep up the good work, thank you so much for doing what you do 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@feldarbeiter7171]

Thanks for this Video and all the interessting informations . All the best from Germany

[@Rajamak]

Awesome stuff. Congrats on the land. I love to go walking and camping and would love to learn how to do it more like our ancestors. I’m afraid I don’t yet have the confidence to go out solo without my tent and other modern equipment.

[@Rajamak]

Have you considered offering camping spots where folk can come and learn first hand some traditional techniques?

[@hudsonhornet6558]

I’ve watched a couple different staff videos on this channel and made my own staff and now whenever I don’t know exactly what to do at camp I just mess around with my staff trying to do different moves and spins haha it’s kinda fun sometimes while walking it can be annoying to have because you don’t always need it and a lot of times I’ll just hold it by the balance point and not use it but when I come to soft spots on the land hills etc I do use it and it’s nice to have or if I’m going down a quick drop off it’s really nice because you don’t have to jump down with all your weight and pack you just use the staff and go down gradually

[@oldbones9162]

Like the background and history given……..thank you! Great staffs

[@VandrefalkTV]

Another brilliant video, been a big fan of your videos, especially ones focused on the staffs and the cultural history. 3 works of art, so congrats to anyone lucky enough to receive/win one. :) Cheers and atb from Norway

[@AncientSoul]

Love the videos Ancestors are proud Onelove

[@rodneymiddleton1044]

Good on you Tom for getting some land to do what you want to do my friend. I like the work done on these staves very artistic indeed 😁

[@margaretmckenna6989]

Great project and love the video, so natural and informative and of course the talent is obvious :)

[@yogimarkmac]

Outstanding! You must be stoked to have some wooded land. I know you'll be a great caretaker of it!

[@BRaff-hl4ip]

I'm very excited for you and your plans for the woodland. There is generous governmental assistance in Ireland for this type of native tree planting project . I'm sure you've looked into the Scotish counterpart. So much material for your future videos.

[@thomaschainey3230]

Great video thanks. Love the good things you plan on doing with the land. Love the great info and all your videos. I have a few different staffs and walking sticks plus one shepards staff. Your videos and others have help inspire my love of staffs. My shepards staff came unfinished and like the idea of burning some type of artwork on it like your friend did on the staffs in the video. Keep up the great content please.

[@MichaelMalxAlexander]

I know first hand how wolves manage the forest. I grew up in Idaho and close to Yellowstone. I watched the wolves bring back beavers to North Idaho along with bears . Nature is awesome

[@thebeanymac]

When you had those walking sticks lined up, I thought of cricket. Good vid, great info. Thanks.

[@vtpoet5300]

Fantastic video. Interesting fact, the World Tree religion involves concentric circles and Mother Sun worship, and is probably named a ‘tree’ due to oak tree growth circles-the rings exposed when a tree is cut down. I’ve spent many years spinning fire sticks in the circus-and just for fun. You have impressive skills. Take care.

[@brnrecluse2946]

Great info.