Dair/Oak - Magic in the Trees

challenge-entry

MeganB Sea Witch Jan 14

It was a no-brainer for me which tree I would choose to talk about. Actually, I take that back. As
I sit here and write this another tree comes to my mind. Oh well, that tree will have to wait
another day (and I won’t tell you which one it is, either!).

I am surrounded by very large Live Oak trees. I have one in my backyard. Each of my
neighbors have at least one in their yard, and they are the staple of my neighborhood. These
trees are very special in my area of Florida, so much so that they are given the nickname
Grandfather Oaks. I can’t tell you how old they are, but I can tell you that they stand tall and
proud as they surround us.

Image is my own

The Southern Live Oak (Quercus Virginiana)

According to the University of Florida’s Gardening Solutions website (linked below), these live
oak trees can grow up to 60 feet tall (18 meters) and have a branch spread of up to 100 feet
(30 meters). Their branches usually grow in curves and twists, not more straight branches like
you might see in other trees. They can have a six-foot (two-meter) diameter trunk of they are
given space to grow that large. They are also often draped with Spanish moss, lovely little
hanging things that make the tree look magical.

Image is my own.

Spanish Moss
I know this is not a tree, but it is related to the live oaks in my area so I wanted to include some
information about the Spanish moss here, too. According to the same source as above,
Spanish moss isn’t a parasite as some people think. It is actually an epiphyte and gets all of its
nutrients from the air and rainwater. It does no damage to the trees and actually provides
protection and homes for many animals and insects.

Oak Trees in Ireland

If you know me, you would know that I would relate my studies back to Ireland because of the
path I walk. The oak trees in my area, the Southern Live Oak, are not found in Ireland. Instead,
the two types of oak trees I have found for Ireland are the Quercus robur (Dair ghallda or
Pendunculate Oak) and the Quercus petraea (Dair ghaelach or the Sessile Oak).

According to The Tree Council of Ireland, Pendunculate Oak are considered to be native to
Ireland and are genearlly associated with heavy lowland soils. On the other hand, the Sessile
Oak is considered the traditional Irish oak tree. It is the main species found in Ireland’s
woodlands and is more commonly found on poor acid soils.

In thinking about what species of oak tree the Tuatha de would have seen, I am going to go
with these two. This is also because Lora O’Brien (linked below) has it written that among the
28 Principal Irish Trees, the Dair/Oak was among the most valuable and noble. They are called
airig fedo – ‘lords of the wood’. Trees were so important to the ancient Irish that there was an
entire legal system dedicated to them! It’s called Brehon Law and I will link a source below.

Let’s take for an example the mighty Oak. A mature Irish Oak (Quercus Robur) can live for
more than 500 years, and grow 130ft tall. One of these trees supports over 250 species of
insect, and over 300 different types of lichen, which form the food chain for a multitude of
birds. Oaks grow acorns, a feast for many wild creatures, who can also make a home in
the tree – whether they’re nesting in branches or curling up at the roots. Humans also
benefit greatly from each and every tree, so it’s no wonder the oak is known as the ‘king of
the woods’. In Irish it’s called dair, and shares a root with the word for magic and druid –
draoí. The practical value of the oak in Brehon Law is said to be “its acorns and its use for
 draoí. The practical value of the oak in Brehon Law is said to be “its acorns and its use for
woodwork”; the acorn crop was particularly useful for fattening pigs, while oak-timber is the
finest for fences and buildings. Lora O’Brien, Sacred Irish Trees

Image is my own.

Dair in the Ogham

Dair gets its own ogham fid, actually. It is the letter “D” in ogham and looks like this.

Screenshot from the digital version of Weaving Word Wisdom

I won’t get too much into the meaning of the ogham fid dair because I will cover it in its own
post eventually. However, I want to include a few points here from the book Weaving Word
Wisdom by Erynn Rowan Laurie regarding the value and purpose of Oak.

Oak is valued for many purposes and used for anything requiring strength, where weight is
not an issue. Doors have often been made of oak to keep out intruders. The tree itself is
long-lived and working with its wood takes effort, but what is made from it is frequently
exquisite in craftsmanship and long-lasting, for less talented woodworkers use softer
woods to practice their arts, graduating to harder and more valuable woods as their skill
grows. Weaving Word Wisdom

Oak in Magic
As stated above, the oak tree has long been used for matters of strength and protection. Listed
here are just a few of my personal correspondences for the oak tree.

• Nobility

• Integrity

• Protection

• Home

Growth
 • Growth

• Longevity

• Steadfast

• Resilient

Anyway, I didn’t know I could write so much about one type of tree but here we are! I hope you
learned something new today

If you read it all, congrats! I now bless you in the name of the Dair!

Sources and Further Reading

• Live Oak - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

• ENH-722/ST564: Quercus virginiana: Southern Live Oak

• Spanish Moss - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

• https://www.treecouncil.ie/native-irish-trees

• https://loraobrien.ie/sacred-irish-trees/

• https://loraobrien.ie/brehon-law-resources/

Continuing the discussion from Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Sacred Trees and Wood

Siofra_Strega Master of Chaos Jan 14

I have a meditation that I do & I believe she is Irish, it’s a guided meditation to meet your tree
spirit ally. It’s one of my favorites & after a couple of times, I realized that the oak tree in my
back yard apparently has a connection to me. (Now I want to go a step further & figure out the
type of oaks in my yard. There are 5 around my house/yard.) After thinking about the last 19
years, it makes sense that there would be something from that particular tree. Now I try to do
the meditation at least once a week.

Rowan Blessed and Grateful Jan 14

These are my favorite trees, they’re just beautiful. I have Spanish moss hanging on my fence
out back that I just enjoy looking at.
Thank you for all the great information!
Blessed Be,

Ostara Witch of the Veil Jan 14

Wow! I didn’t read this before I posted in the challenge. I have 10 Oak trees in my yard. I have
lost 3 big ones in the 29 years I have lived here and each one broke my heart when it died. My
favorite tree has been through hell in it’s lifetime, but she is still hanging on. I hug her all the
favorite tree has been through hell in it’s lifetime, but she is still hanging on. I hug her all the
time. I can feel her vibration, if that makes since. I think I need to start hugging my other trees
so they don’t feel left out!

MeganB Sea Witch Jan 14

@Siofra_Strega I am definitely in need of connection with the oak tree in my backyard. I’ve
tried but sometimes these ancient trees are stubborn I’ll keep being friendly and keep
giving offerings. Over time I’m sure they’ll come around!

@Rowan The Spanish moss took us by surprise when we moved here but it has easily
become one of my favorite things!

@Ostara Oh I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve lost three trees in that amount of time! I definitely
say give the other ones big hugs

Ostara Witch of the Veil Jan 14

Every tree in my yard are getting big hugs tomorrow!

Siofra_Strega Master of Chaos Jan 15

We have moss that comes from 1 of the oaks next to my house, which was my daughter’s
favorite. (She had a “face” on it with some decorations specifically made to look like the tree’s
face was there. It was pretty neat). Every year on that side of the roof we get moss on both
slopes. Then it just moves across the roof the longer we let it go. (I can’t get up there to sweep
it off or spray anything on it to loosen it without the risk of me no longer being on the roof). I’m
always drawn to look at it though & how it progresses & the shapes that it makes on the roof.

TheTravelWitch_Bry Casual Caster Jan 17

I knew you would thrive with this challenge, @MeganB - and your work did not disappoint!
This is amazing- I can literally feel from your words how much you love and respect the oak
trees in your space I’d say you are blessed to have the Grandfather Oaks close by, but I
think the same is true for them- they are blessed to have someone as caring and appreciative
as you as their neighbor!

Beautiful work- thank you so much for sharing!

MeganB Sea Witch Jan 17

Siofra_Strega:

I’m always drawn to look at it though

You know what’s absolutely funny to me? Reading this made me remember that when we first
moved to Florida we went to a park with my sister. There was Spanish moss everywhere and I
moved to Florida we went to a park with my sister. There was Spanish moss everywhere and I
was absolutely enamored by it. My sister picked some up from the ground and put it in her
purse and told me she’d give it to me later I didn’t have a bag with me so she knew to grab
it! Now I have it all over my yard!

TheTravelWitch_Bry:

I can literally feel from your words how much you love and respect the oak trees in your
space

Yes, absolutely! I was actually thinking about the full moon tonight and how I want to do a ritual
to honor the beings that are here with me: the trees, the grasses, the tiniest bugs (except for
those dang mosquitos ) and my garden. Give offerings, say thanks, etc. I might do that if it
doesn’t storm again today!

Siofra_Strega Master of Chaos Jan 17

I remember looking at the moon last night & hoping that I could do something outside for it, but
it’s way too stormy for that unless it passes this afternoon. I should probably check the
weather.

I don’t know what it is but the patches of moss that are around my house just make me want to
almost watch it like it’s going to do something. I look at it & where it’s placed or if there’s
more/new moss around it.

I always hated the kissing bugs in FL… I have a general distaste for mosquitoes, but those
kissing bugs are worse than cicadas up here.