"My sturdy stick standing Awaiting our Way There by the door side
In the new dawn's day Life's riddles to answer Base or sublime All on the Path
In God's good time."
-Dennis Craft, Way Friend
The Rowan Initiative Prayer Tree Rowan tree magician staff protection from evil plant a tree protection from witches magic wands quickbeam mountain ash prayer tree spirituality ritual environment green Christian earth
Plant a Tree. Be the Tree
by Dennis Craft
In the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien, I am a lover of trees. My favorite parts of the Lord of the Rings are the scenes that have to do with the Ents. I thought it rather amazing when I read in Tolkien's correspondence that he wrote those chapters fairly quickly, by no means having planned anything like the Ents. They simply arose, fully formed, quite suddenly in his mind. If one knows much about Tolkien, it is hardly surprising. He felt a protective kinship with trees and lamented their destruction in the modern world.
One of the most remarkable characters, to me, in Tolkien's myth is the young Quickbeam, an Enting (young Ent) that is given charge of playing host to the hobbits Merry and Pippin. His assignment is to amuse and keep an eye on them while the older Ents hold a rare Entmoot, a long council. Quickbeam is a rowan tree and he, unlike his elders, wants action now. He would be called hasty for his impulsiveness by Treebeard and the older Ents. But Quickbeam turns out to be right; something had to be done about the evil wizard Saruman and it had to be done immediately.
Tolkien was an amateur gardener and knew plants, bushes, and trees very well, hence, he got Quickbeam's temperament correct. Quickbeam is actually an old name for rowan trees. Like Quickbeam, rowan trees "take the initiative." They are pioneer trees; that is, they are often the first trees in a forest. They are quick growing and can even grow on other trees! Such rowans are called, "flying rowans." Commonly, they grow in the forks of older trees when birds eat their red berries and deposit droppings in the forks. But one rowan had been known to grow six feet up in an alder tree and ran its roots down the alder into the ground! Rowans can grow at high elevations (6000 ft.) and grow at the most northerly limit of trees in Europe. Rowans can grow in inaccessible locations such as cliffs and steep creek sides, evn on top of large boulders. The rowan rarely grows among only other rowans. Generally, it can be seen among oak, birch, and pine. Rowans are easy to grow, frost-hardy, wind-resistant and have deep roots, enabling them to grow on rocks. Rowans are tolerant, being able to grow in poor, thin, acidic soil. They do not like dense soil like clay. But because rowans love wind and light, they do not like to grow under other trees. They do not prefer shade, but can grow in it. Rowans regenerate well when cut. Its preferred place of growth is on hillsides. Rowans do not like intense heat, being native to the cool, temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. It can be found in the mountains of western China and in the Himalaya. All in all, then, the rowan is a tree that is tough, resourceful, likes the heights,and takes initiative.
Rowans are not large trees (growing to a maximum height of 30-45 ft.) and are delicate-looking and beautiful. But they nurse large trees well. Rowans are used as a nurse crop for oak and other timber trees which soon overshadow it. The density of the wood in its smallish branches make it excellent for fashioning walking sticks. The rowan produces fiery red berries and in the autumn of the year, its leaves turn bright orange or red. Linguists believe this is where the tree got its name. The Germanic word ruadnian means "getting red." The Old Norse name for the rowan is raun or rogn. In Gaelic, its name is Rudha-an or "red one." The rowan, then, is known for its remarkable beauty. One of its folk names is "Delight of the Eye."
Since ancient times, the rowan has been thought to be particularly potent as a spiritual symbol. From pre-Christian tradition survives the folklore that it was protection against evil, lightning, storms, and even ghosts. It would be placed on graves to stop the spirits from haunting. It was a witchbane also, used to protect one against malign witchcraft. "Flying rowans" were though particularly potent as witchbane and as a counter-charm against sorcery. Sprigs of rowan were used to protect cattle.
It is said that Druids used rowan wood for their staffs. Magicians would make their staves out of rowan wood and it was also used in making magic wands and dowsing rods. Its berries and leaves were used by pagans to enhance "scrying" or seeing with spiritual sight. For these reasons, the rowan has accumulated many pagan names in folklore: Rune tree, Thor's Helper, Whispering tree, Wicken tree, Witch wood, Witchbane, Witchen, and Witchen tree.
Whatever one believes about the rowan tree, it is obvious that it has, since antiquity, been notable for inspiring spiritual attributions to it. Many of its characteristics, as symbols, I find to be very inspirational to the modern Christian, hence the name of this ministry, The Rowan Initiative. For example: 1) they symbolize protection against evil; 2) their fruit is medicinal, advancing healing; 3) they can grow utterly alone if need be, even on rocks; 4) they are hardy, able to grow in the coldest regions where trees can exist; 5) Quickbeam means "living light"; 6) its red leaves and berries remind one of the precious Blood of Christ; 7) the rowan can blend and live with and even on other trees (rarely growing in stands of only rowans) while still retaining its distinct identity; 8) the rowan is a pioneer, starting and nurturing forests; 9) the rowan loves to grow on the heights; 10) they can endure thin, acidic soil and thrive; 11) they are delicate, but tough and dense, excellent for walking sticks and for support and leaning on; 12) they are known for their beauty, 13) they don't like to grow under another tree, they like the wind and light too much; 14) though they do not prefer the shade, they can live therein and do well; and 15) rowans regenerate well when "wounded." In brief, the rowan tree represents everything the modern Christian needs to be in order to take personal initiative, be a pioneer, and grow and thrive in adverse circumstances. Wherever we go, people should acknowledge something very beautiful and spiritual about us. We need to be thought of as protection against evil.
It is every Way Friend's responsibility to take care of the earth. One solidly spiritual way to do so is to be a friend of trees. Consider the central role trees play in the Christian doctrine of salvation. Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, against God's command. They were cast out of Eden before they could eat from the tree of life. That tree was guarded by an angel with a flaming sword. Jesus Christ restored humanity's relationship with God by putting sin aside through His death on the cross and His subsequent resurrection. He died on a cross, often referred to as a "tree" because it was made of wood. Trees represent life. They supply us with needed oxygen with which to breathe and live. They are beautiful and, with age, even venerable. God commands us concerning them, yet from the first, so the story goes, humanity has abused trees, ignoring God's purposes through them.
Why not consider the planting of trees as part of your walk with Christ and your ministry to the world? If you live in the right climate for it, why not consider planting rowan trees (or mountain ash in this country)? One day soon on this website, I will be offering rowan seedling and seeds upon request, just for this purpose. When you plant a tree, involve the family. Do it prayerfully, as a ritual of healing and blessing the earth.
Perhaps we should be like Quickbeam. While other Christians talk and keep talking, let's do something now in the NOW about evil in the world. Let's take personal responsibility and courageous initiative to promote life, health, and peace through life on the Way in surrender to God.
Plant a tree. Be the tree. You will learn much from deeply internalizing the spiritual symbolism of trees, especially rowans. The Rowan Initiative will always be here to assist you in that, dear Friend on the Way.
