Celtic dictionary: Rowan

January 21 - February 17 - "Moon of Vision"

 

The Rowan tree was believed to have a protective role. Rowan was planted near the doors and gates to keep evil spirits at bay. Branches from this tree were attached to barns in order to guard the cattle from misfortune. The Celts also believed the Rowan to be the gateway guardian to the spirit world, ergo it was often used in Druid ceremonies. It is said that the first woman was created from Rowan, whereas the fist man was made from Alder. Celts wore pendants made out of Rowan wood to protect them against wickedness and to ensure good fortune, while warriors believed that the Rowan would add courage to their strength. In dire times of war, fires from Rowan were lit in order to invite the Fairy folk to fight alongside their armies.

The Rowan tree blossoms in mid-spring and it is also referred to as 'Lady of the Mountains', due to the fact that it grows in quite inhospitable areas in the mountains, even though it can also be found in gardens. The fruit of the Rowan, small berries, carry a pentagram shape. In folklore, this was regarded as a symbol of protection and an aid against evil magic.

The Rowan 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' Rowan individual has a tendency towards impatience and frustration in the struggle to achieve greater awareness. Although pioneers to major social changes and showing great determination in this regard, such Rowans may never be reticent on a personal level. The 'full moons' are, indeed, less reticent in general, but tend to make promises they can not often keep. Nevertheless, they cannot be denied the power to influence and inspire people around them.

Overall, the Rowan characters have an idealistic and progressive way of thinking, with visionary ideas. They also manifest strong humanitarian and spiritual beliefs. Reluctant to restriction or conventions, they need the element of change in order to be at their best. While the people around them might find the Rowans as detached, it is really an original artistic and unconventional style that guides them. This is why their visions are not always shared or agreed by the rest of humanity. While keeping a cool exterior, the Rowan is actually passionate in his or her beliefs and will almost always argue to sustain an idea when it comes to ignorance or bigotry. Innate nonconformists, Rowans are excellent leaders, even though their endeavors might prove unpopular at times, causing them to have a small number of followers. Rowans may also experience problems with following others, which may result in authority problems.

Due to their unconventional way of looking at life, the Rowan individuals may prove a little tactless and may 'scare away' someone in a conversation, even though they are excellent listeners and will always respect the opinion of the other. Career-wise, Rowans are drawn towards the new, towards modern technology and science and will always try to improve what they consider to be outdated. In leading positions, they are sympathetic, but will usually prefer not taking responsibility for the others.

Although the Rowan individual manifests an inborn curiosity towards science fiction, music is also an inclination. The works of modern musicians and composers is what the Rowan usually enjoys. In a relationship, Rowans tend to be quite unpredictable and somewhat unromantic. They usually get married late, as they don't feel at ease with making a commitment of such magnitude and lose personal freedom. However, marriages can be extremely successful if the right partner shares the same ideals and the same way of thinking. As parents, the Rowans are responsible and supportive, at the same time offering a great deal of independence to their offspring and expecting the same thing in return.

Rowan individuals should try to keep a hold of their senses, since their ability do distinguish between good and bad, harm and help is often quite hazy. Also, the strength to detach themselves from anything that might interfere with their serenity is something they should possess. The power to walk unafraid, one might say.

The Ogham symbol the Rowan is associated with is Luis.

The lucky gemstone of the ones born under this sign is the Peridot, also known as 'Olivine', the 'Evening Emerald'. The Peridot is a transparent gem that has a full green shade and a golden inner glow. It is considered a gem of powerful magic by most of the ancient civilizations.

The flower of the Rowan is the Snowdrop, a flower that has long been associated with purity and a symbol of holiness. However, the belief was that it was unlucky to bring a Snowdrop inside the house while one of the family members was ill, as the flower was more than often seen as an omen of death.

The Celestial Body associated with the Rowan is Uranus ('Brigantia'), God of the Sky and father of the Titans.

For this reason, the Rowan deity is Brigid, the Celtic Goddess of Fertility and Poetry. Her name comes from the old word 'brigh', meaning 'power' or 'renown'. Brigid was the protector of fire, fertility, the hearth, all feminine arts and crafts, healing, learning, the occult and the list can continue for another three lines. Enough said, she was the goddess of lots of things. She also fancied herself as being guardian of children and slayer of serpents.

Two animals are the representations of the Rowan: the Crane and the Green Dragon. A late Celtic myth mentioned Cranes as being people paying penance for their mistakes. The Crane also symbolized shamanic travel, the continuous search for mysteries and truth. The Dragon was the symbol for inspiration and imagination. It was the guardian of all great secrets and treasures in the universe, possessing incredible supernatural powers. The Celts considered the Green Dragon a symbol of wealth.

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

 

January 21 - January 24 - The Elm

January 25 - February 3 - The Cypress

February 4 - February 8 - The Poplar

February 8 - February 17 - The Cedar

 

The approximate equivalent of the Rowan sign in the Western/European zodiac is the Aquarius (January 20 - February 18).