The Fantastic Magic and Folklore of Ash Trees

Ash trees have links with the Nordic world and the folklore of Ireland and Britain. But why are they so magical and what are their links with healing?
Let's find out in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore!
If you need captions, I'm working on figuring those out. These podcast episodes are audio versions of blog posts, and you can read the written version of this one here, where you'll find the references:
www.icysedgwic...
Get your free guide to home protection the folklore way here: www.icysedgwic...
Become a Patron for bonus exclusive episodes at patreon.com/be...
Request an episode: forms.gle/gqG7...
Enjoyed this episode and want to show your appreciation? Support Fabulous Folklore at paypal.me/Fabu...
Or buy Icy a coffee to say 'thanks' at: ko-fi.com/icys...
Tweet Icy at / icysedgwick
Get extra snippets of folklore on Instagram at / icysedgwick
'Like' Fabulous Folklore on Facebook: / fabulousfolklore
‘Ash dieback’, Woodland Trust: www.woodlandtr...
Image by Alan Murray-Rust / Four ash trees near Atterby [CC BY-SA 2.0]

[@iitsbrad7987]

Really enjoying this series 💚💯🌳

[@FabulousFolklore]

Glad you're enjoying it!

[@manymusings]

Thank you. I have a row of white ash trees marking my property line.

[@FabulousFolklore]

Oh that's so cool! Do you know how old they are?

[@manymusings]

@@FabulousFolklore I really don't. They were here when I boughtvthis place 6 years ago.

[@colt9836]

This is fascinating because in Greek mythology (I'm a Hellenic pagan), ash trees are personified as the Meliae (their name either means "ash tree" or "honey"). Created when Kronos killed his father, Uranus (the literal sky), and the latter's blood dripped onto the ever-fertile Gaia (the literal earth). And they are the wifes of the sliver race of man (basically the second generation of man), fostering the bronze race of man. Scholars believe this myth is to explain why the Ancient Greeks use to create spears via ash wood. Long story short, Zeus got very angie at the bronze race and killed them all via a massive flood, leaving only two survivors (sound familiar?). Additionally, Zeus himself is considered to be raised by the Meliae, feeding him honey. And modern interpretation of ambrosia and nectar (the food of the Gods), is considered to be honey. Coincidence? Sorry for this massive info dump lol

[@FabulousFolklore]

I find there are rarely coincidences in myths! The syncresis between legends is fascinating.

[@janmajer4662]

Interesting stuff. I became interested in ash trees since two of them chose my garden as a place to live 😁 Also I've found out they are my birth tree according to the Celtic horoscope.

[@FabulousFolklore]

Ah the Celtic Zodiac is relatively modern, but it's a nice idea!

[@zoemlk9687]

I hope the ash doesn't go as I remember seeing the Last elm tree die in my area as a child very sad

[@saradapagediocletian9707]

What part of the UK do you hail from? I'm always intrigued by accents and I can't quite place yours.

[@FabulousFolklore]

I'm from the North East!

[@norkieuppercrusty1]

Rowan is an Ash

[@FabulousFolklore]

@@norkieuppercrusty1 Rowan is a mountain ash, yes. But they're actually in the rose family, while ash trees are in the olive family.

[@norkieuppercrusty1]

@@FabulousFolklore on one side of my home I have two huge old ash trees that I practically live under, they shade my solar panels which isn't great but it's a small price to pay and on the other side I have a load of Rowan, I didn't know until recently that you could candy the berries, apparently they were used for sweets centuries ago

[@FabulousFolklore]

@@norkieuppercrusty1 People used to use rowan wood to ward off witches!

[@norkieuppercrusty1]

@@FabulousFolklore doh! Wish I had known that years ago! I ended up marrying a gypsy witch. Strange thing is our third child was a boy....name of Rowan.... we're not together any more...I don't think Rowan had anything to do with that though 😂🙄

[@norkieuppercrusty1]

All of the Ash trees around me are infected. I am gutted

[@FabulousFolklore]

@@norkieuppercrusty1 Oh no!!! That's awful. Ash trees have been hit so hard by it 😞