Fraxinus Excelsior - 17th October 22

Wisdom, knowledge has long since been associated with the Fraxinus Excelsior, also known as the ash tree. In numerous legends it is considered sacred and is offer connected to the Gods.

In Viking mythology there is an ash tree named Yggdrasil, that reaches towards the heavens, while its roots reach down into the Underworld. A squirrel would run up and down the tree to deliver messages. A deer fed on the ash root and from its antlers flower great rivers. The Gods held their council under the canopy of their guardian tree.

The Yggdrasil ash tree is a part of Norse mythology. It is the largest ash tree and is named ' The World Tree ' as it is connecting nine worlds. it represents the cycle of life, death and rebirth. It is said to be the tree that Odin sacrificed himself at.

In British folklore the ash was said to have a great range of protective and healing properties. Most of these were related to child's health. When a baby was born, they were usually given a teaspoon of ash sap before leaving their mothers bed, to prevent diseases. By placing Ash berries in a cradle, it protects the child from being taken away.

Ill children, especially those suffering with weak limbs, would walk by a cleft of an ash tree naked, in hopes of it curing them. The cleft was usually made for this purpose and would be left to heal as the child also heals.

No harm should come to the tree as the child is healing, harm to the tree was reflected in the healing of the person, causing people to become extreme protective of their ash trees.

It is believed that a leaf of an ash tree can bring good fortune - those with an even number of leaflets are especially lucky.

In some folklore, the ash leaf would be used to remove skin disorders: worts or boils. By carrying a needle in their clothing or carry a pin in the pocket for three days. Drive the pin into the bark of the ash tree and the disorder should disappear from the person that had it, the skin disorder will appear as a knob on the tree.

In mythology, five trees stood over Ireland, and three of them were ash. The Gaels also thought of the ash tree as protective. Holy wells and sacred springs are some common places that ash trees grow.

On the Isle of Man, ash tree was thought to protect the purity of springs. In mythology, it is believed that anyone who causes the tree harm could find themselves the victim of unpleasant supernatural circumstances.

References - 

https://treesforlife.org.uk/into-the-forest/trees-plants-animals/trees/ash/ash-mythology-and-folklore/

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/a-z-of-british-trees/ash/

https://www.learnreligions.com/ash-tree-magic-and-folklore-2562175

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Yggdrasill