The Tree of Dagda, Lord of Knowledge ~ June 10th - July 17th. The Royal Oak is symbolic of triumph through strength and endurance, and is the tree most associated with Britain.

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 Royal Oak ~ 'Quercus robur'  June 10th - July 17th

Oaks are the tree most associated with England. It was one of the Three Ancient Marvel Trees of Erinn, the Goddess of fate. Irish legend states that in the 1st century CE, at the court of King Conig at Tara, an angel like being arrived from the East bearing a branch on which acorns, apples and hazelnuts all grew together. These magical fruits were said to satisfy all of mankind's needs. The fruit were planted and grew into the Three Marvel Trees. One of these, the Mighty Tree of Mughna was an Oak bearing successive crops of acorns, apples and hazelnuts.

The Oak is one of the most widely revered trees in the world and a common emblem both ancient and modern of earthly celestrial kings. The Welsh Druids worshipped the Oak, symbolic of triumph through endurance and strength. Esus is the oak god of the Druidsand the Celtic counterpart of Zeus and Jupiter. He is the Prince of light and his sacred colour is 'white' with the oak being the embodiment of energy, power and the strength of Esus.

In Druidic tradition the oak is used magically at all ceremonies, especially the celebrations of the Solstices and Equinoxes. At the Summer Solstice on June 21st the Oak represents the Sun's strength and is a time of the sacred marriage between heaven and earth, the sun god and the earth goddess and he will be reborn after the Winter solstice. Midsummer day is the day where the Oak King sacrifices himselfto make way for the Holly King of the waning year and great fires are lit in celebration of this sacrifice. Traditionally, couples were married under oak trees long before the christians substituted marriage in a church.

In Greek mythology the first tree created was an oak, from which sprang the entire human race. The goddess Diana had an oak cult at the sacred oak grove at Dodona, which was the oldest, most hallowed sanctuary in Greece. In the earliest legend two black doves flew from Thebes, one to Libyan Ammon and the other to Donona. Each alighted on an oak tree and began the oracular oak cults. The oak tree is the tree of Dagda, Lord of Perfect Knowledge and father of the gods of Old Ireland. The Dagda protects and entertains all who seek his hospitality and the oal is the emblem of protection and hospitality. It is still a name much associated with pubs and inns of England.

The history of England is entwined with the Oak. King Arthur's Round Table was a massive slice of oak and Merlin's Wand was said to have been a branch of oak. At traditional May Day celebrations, a character known as the May King danced through the streets wreathed in oak and hawthorn leaves to claim the May Queen.

Charles II, King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1660 to 1681, escaped capture after his defeat at the battle of Worcester in 1651 by hiding in an oak tree. He then adopted the oak as his emblem. The monarchy was restored on May 29th, his birthday and Oak Apple Day.

The Oak is a tree of great longevity and imposing statue, renowned for its beauty and the huge range of wildlife it supports. Many birds, animals and plants depend on the oak for food and shelter. Oak trees are self fertile with male catkins appearing in spring followed by female flowers. The beautiful pale green leaves unfurl in April/May and darken by June. By autumn the acorns have ripened and when they drop provide food for wildlife.

The oak represents courage and endurance and is the protective power of faith. The Essence of the Oak is assocciated with the ability to manifest our goals. It aids the intergration of deep hidden energy and offers stability to those in need. 'An important tree of our heritage, remember it needs space to grow.

Deities: The Dagda, Esus, Taranis, Diana, Zeus, Jupiter, Thor.

Strength + Endurance, Generosity + Protection, Justice + Nobility, Honesty + Bravery