Celtic dictionary: Oak

June 10 - July 7 - "Moon of Strength"

The Oak is regarded by the Druids as being the King of Trees, the most sacred of all trees, symbolizing the turn of the year. It represents determination, truth and knowledge and it draws a parallel between the tree's endurance and the trials that a person undergoes in life in order to become what he or she was meant to be. The Oak, in Celtic terms, represented the soul or the 'Eye of God'. Oak wood was used to make doors, in order to keep evil out. In fact, the very word 'door' derives from 'duir', which is precisely the Ogham symbol for the Oak.

Being the tree of strength and progress, the Oak provided the courage to overcome all the obstacles one encountered throughout one's life span. The first tree ever to appear on the face of the earth in Celtic mythology, the Oak was the tree that gave birth to two of the Celts' most important gods: God Dagda and Goddess Brighid, both known for their kindness and patience. The Oak's acorns could be found carved on medieval staircases, providing protection from lightning. The tree's medicinal properties span from the curing of gout and bleeding gums, to powerful antiseptic (juice from crushed acorns and leaves could be applied directly to the wound). A concoction made from the Oak's bark was supposed to relieve severe fevers. Associated with couples and love, dropping two acorns in the same bowl of water was said to predict the romantic future. If the acorns would float together, the couple would get married, if not, then the obvious reverse could happen.

The Oak 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' individual tends to make risky financial investments and embarks in commitments that cannot be easily achieved. 'New moons' are, however, powerful leaders and possess the ability to rise above vices, greed and avarice. The 'full moon' characters are much more moderated to what investing money is concerned. They are bombastic by nature, but at the same time creative and generous of spirit, possessing a sturdy survival instinct.

Overall, Oak individuals are responsible and enthusiastic, with a high degree of determination and self-motivation. As mentioned above, they can become powerful leaders, upright and honest, a source of inspiration for others. They keep their wits about them in crisis situations and are difficult to be affected by opposition. Eminently optimistic, the Oak persons don't shy away from speaking the truth no matter the situation, and will never give up easily. Although they are generous friends, the Oaks might develop a tendency towards vanity and exaggeration. Career-wise, Oak individuals prefer demanding jobs and more than often they hold positions of power, while still governed by an inborn sense of fair play. In personal relationships, Oaks set very high standards in love, that are rather difficult to accede to. Plus, they tend to emphasize the importance of moral issues in a partnership.

The Oak person must learn to acquire his or her wisdom patiently and then learn to share it with the others, to be strong and wise when fighting with the unpredictabilities of life.

The Ogham symbol that is associated with the Oak is Duir.

The lucky gemstone of the ones born under this sign is the Diamond, known as the 'King of Crystals', or the 'Stone of Invulnerability'. The Diamond, a sparkling gem, white or blue in color is known as the hardest carbon-based substance currently known in nature. As symbol of purity and innocence, it was regarded as a lucky gem, especially when positioned near the heart, bringing strength, bravery and virtue to the owner. Dreaming of Diamonds was considered a sign of success and happiness. Legend has it that the God of Mines gathered all his noblemen and told them to bring him one of every possible gemstone on earth. Once he had all of them, he crushed the gems and formed the most magnificent, beautiful and pure jewel that ever existed: the Diamond.

The flower of the Oak is the Coltsfoot (also known as Horsehoof or Coughwort among other names). Called 'the son before the father' in early times due to its peculiar blooming before leaving, the Coltsfoot is a perennial weed that thrives just as well in wet grounds as well as dry territory. It was once used as a remedy to asthma and bronchitis.

The celestial body associated with the Oak is Jupiter ('Jovyn'), Ruler of all the Gods.

The Oak deity is Dagda, Father of all Gods, 'The Good God' in Celtic mythology, portrayed as wearing a simple, brown-grayish apparel. He is in the possession of a cauldron called the 'Undry', that allegedly provided all people with food, in accordance to the merits of each individual. A valiant warrior, Dagda apparently pulled after him a cart on which rested his huge war club, so heavy that it could only be lifted by eight mortal men. In times of peace, Dagda would play his magical harp, whose music caused the seasons to process in their natural order - Spring to Summer, Summer to Autumn and so on.

Four animals are the representations of the Oak: the Wren, the Otter, the Hawk and the White Horse. The Wren, the Celtic King of all Birds was seen as the symbol of wit and acumen. Like many other birds, the Wren was considered to be the messenger between the terrestrial world and the Otherworld. Legend has it that when all the birds competed for supremacy, the Wren answered the challenge of the Eagle: the one bird that flies closer to the Sun will be declared King of the Birds. When the Eagle could fly no higher, the Wren, that had taken shelter within the Eagle's feathers, jumped up and flew an extra few inches higher, thus proclaiming itself King. The Otter was seen by the Celts as an extremely magical creature. Helpful Otters usually helped travelers in their journeys. They symbolized the will to enjoy life, rather than just endure it. 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. The White Horse symbolized resistance, endurance and faithfulness. A totemic animal for the Celts, the White Horse was the guide to the Otherworld. It also was regarded as a solar creature, ensuring the balance between the male and female.

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 Oak, there are four influences, similar to the 'ascendants' in the European zodiac:

 

June 10 - June 13 - The Hornbeam

June 14 - June 23 - The Fig

June 24 - The Birch

June 25 - July 4 - The Apple

July 5 - July l7 - The Fir

 

The approximate equivalent of the Oak sign in the Western/European zodiac is the Cancer (June 22 - July 22).