Celtic dictionary: Alder

March 18 - April 14 - "Moon of Utility"

Druids believed that the Alder was the tree that maintained the balance between male and female principles. If at first it was considered a crime to fell an Alder because the spirit of the tree would take revenge and burn down houses, the wood of this tree was later used in the making of bridges, boats, clogs and milk jugs, since it was resistant to the rotting element of water. When felled, the Alder excretes a red substance, for which reason the Celts thought that the tree bled. Nevertheless, this did not stop them from making red dyes from its 'blood'... also green dyes from its flowers and brown dyes from the twigs. It is believed that the first male was made from Alder (while the first woman originated from Rowan).

The Alder likes to be around water, that's why it can be found near rivers and streams in the lowlands. The timber of the tree has a very oily texture, hence it is often used for underwater foundations. Older parts of Venice are actually built on Alder pilings. Ironically, its branches also make an excellent charcoal that is used in the manufacturing of gunpowder.

The Alder person can be of two distinct types. And it is as such with every tree in the zodiac: a first type called 'the new moon', related to the first two weeks of the sign, and 'the full moon' that obviously goes to the last two weeks of the respective sign.

The 'new moon' Alder individual's personal courage and sincerity cannot be denied, but there is a drawback to this. A 'new moon' Alder will always go head first into an enterprise, without giving much thought to the consequences of his or her actions. Tempering is advised every once in a while. The 'full moon' Alder is a very persuasive person that can be extremely successful when given the right assignment and the right position in dealing with crisis situations. This Alder has a much more confident approach to life, but without the vitality manifested in the 'new moon'.

The word that best describes Alders is 'adventure'. They will quite rarely refuse an adventurous course of action, which is both a good and a bad thing. Good because they can prove their courage and unleash their restless spirit. Bad, because while embarking in these adventures, they may make foolish mistakes. The Alders like taking everything to extreme, to push themselves to the limit. They are the great explorers and the great inventors, always enthusiastic enough to prove they can make great leaders. Yet, they are often quick-tempered and sometimes selfish. This makes it easy for them to make enemies.

Career-wise, the Alders must permanently be in the center of the action, and will usually be found working in dangerous occupations. They like competition, but because of their big ego, once they start losing they tend to quit and try something else. Alders are straightforward people and will not avoid speaking their mind. They tend to get married quite quickly, but their adventurous nature makes them better lovers than spouses. However, they make excellent parents, some of the best, actually.

The Alders should gain awareness of the unique qualities that exist in themselves and in others. They must let their intuition be their guide and serve others as spiritual and physical protectors in an argument.

The Oghan symbol the Alder is associated with is Fearn.

The lucky gemstone of the ones born under this sign is the Ruby, a brilliant, red glowing stone that was believed to change color into a darker red when its owner was in peril. It was regarded as an extremely powerful amulet, offering protection from disaster, pestilence and plague. Dreaming of Rubies was regarded as success in trade and bountiful harvests.

The flower of the Alder is the Broom. Called like that because of its long branches that were used in the manufacturing of brooms, this plant was also used in the treating of bladder or kidney affections. Its soft fiber was also used in the making of cloth and paper.

The celestial body associated with the Alder is Mars ('Maurth'), the God of War.

The Alder deity is considered to be Bran the Blessed, God of the Underworld. He was also known as the God of Prophecy, Arts, War and Writing. With the size of a giant, it was impossible for Bran to fit in a house or in a boat. According to medieval Christian writings, Bran the Blessed is considered to be the first British man.

Three animals are the representations of the Alder: the Fox, the Bear and the Hunting Hawk. The Fox, a cunning and sly creature, symbolized skill in diplomacy. The Bear was one of the totemic animals of the Druids. Known for his strength and resistance, the Bear was the symbol of balance and harmony in life, and the determination to accomplish even the most difficult of tasks. As with other birds, the Hawk was to the Celts the messenger between worlds. However, it was the most skillful and strong. Hearing the cry of the Hawk suggested increased alertness, boldness and determination.

There are also other lesser influences for each sign of the Celtic zodiac. These influences can be traced by the specific date of birth within the major sign. In the case of the individual born under the sign of the Alder, there are five influences, similar to the 'ascendants' in the European zodiac:

 

March 18 - March 20 - The Lime

March 21 - The Oak

March 22 - March 31 - The Hazel

April 1 - April 10 - The Rowan

April 11 - April 14 - The Maple

 

The approximate equivalent of the Alder sign in the Western/European zodiac is the Aries (March 21 - April 19)